CATCHTABLE Pick: Chill & Tasty Travel Course in Gangnam, Seoul

Start light with steam and sizzle: bamboo-basket aromas, glossy folds of shrimp har gow, and wok-kissed mains that stay fresh rather than heavy. Loved by locals and travelers alike, CHAI797 balances clean, ingredient-forward Chinese cuisine with a soothing, polished room—perfect for a late-morning meet-up or family lunch.

• Order this: A dim sum trio to share, then a seasonal wok dish for contrast; ask to pace courses for a leisurely start.

A sweet interlude beneath COEX: airy slices, clean creams, and colors that photograph as beautifully as they taste. With creations guided by MOF pâtissier Kim Young-hoon, it’s a crowd-pleaser for both locals and visitors—grab a slice, sip something cold, and reset before round two of eating.

• Order this: Signature rainbow or seasonal cake; seats fill fast on weekends—swing by off-peak.

Between courses, steal a stylish breather: beauty zones, collab pop-ups, and glimmering displays make for a fun, air-conditioned stroll. It’s an easy way to pace the appetite and pick up a gift before dinner.

• Do this: A 20–30 minute walk-through post-dessert; weekday afternoons are the calmest.

Refined yet warm: seasonal banchan with a crisp point of view, clear broths, and mains that land light on the palate. It’s the kind of Korean you can dress up or down, equally popular with locals and visitors for elegant midday gatherings.

• Order this: A set with seasonal sides and a soup; book ahead for weekends or holidays.

When the craving hits, go big: unlimited North American lobster, steamed to order so the shells pop, the aroma rises sweet and briny, and meat pulls out in plush, pearly chunks. It’s a destination for seafood lovers from everywhere, with bonus treats like fresh sashimi and even unlimited mango for a bright finish.

• Order this: Standard lobster package; time your seating right after the break for the quickest service cadence.

A quiet, luxe pause: thin-shelled bonbons that crack with a whisper, ganaches that melt clean, and bars that showcase origin cacao without heaviness. It’s the kind of stop that turns a walk between stations into a tiny celebration.

• Order this: A mixed bonbon box for later and one single-origin piece to savor in the moment.

Dinner, your way: themed private rooms, polished service, and a menu that keeps everyone at the table happy—from pasta and fried rice to steak, plated with care. Both locals and travelers book it for milestone dinners where conversation matters as much as flavor.

• Order this: Easy-choice lunch or dinner sets; private rooms are hot—reserve early for groups or family gatherings.

Lights lower, brass warms up, and plates come out crisp: truffle croquettes with a gentle aroma and spot-on texture, shareable mains, and a bar program built for lingering. If the restaurant is for the talk, this is for the spark—the night’s rhythm, live.

• Order this: Cocktails and small plates to pair with the 1st or 2nd set; arrive early for preferred seating.

For a whispered finale, slide into this standing-counter “sakeba” where pairings are explained with care, plates arrive artfully, and conversation with the owner becomes part of the tasting. Beloved by in-the-know locals and curious travelers, it’s intimate by design—and unforgettable when you snag a seat.

• Order this: Let the owner guide your sake flight; alcohol order is required, no domestic alcohol available. Free corkage with 7 dishes.