After living in Seoul for 2 years, I'm generally disappointed by the fare at Korean restaurants in the U.S. So when a friend suggested I try Gooldaegee (Honey Pig), I was certainly skeptical. And now, I'm so glad I agreed! When I pulled into the parking lot on a Tuesday evening, every space was full. As we walked into the restaurant, it was almost like stepping right back into Myeongdong. Blaring K-pop, raucous conversation from every angle, and a decor that screams Korean popular culture fills the restaurant. But the smells, oh the smells... If you weren't hungry when you arrived, you will be 10 seconds after you walk in. 750 characters isn't nearly enough to tell you how great the service was or how delicious the food tasted. Go. Now.

I eat out almost every day and this place is a new favorite for eating with a group of friends. Although finding the entrance requires determination, (the sign over the door has an image of a happy pig but the text is all Korean), the rewards of finding this place are well worth it. On a weekend night, one feels one has stepped into a vibrant hot spot in downtown Seoul. The atmosphere is dynamic. The food is tasty, inexpensive and abundant in portion. The menu is shorter than other local Korean restaurants focusing mostly on Korean BBQ (beef and pork), noodle dishes and a couple of popular appetizers. But there always Koreans eating food that was not depicted on visual menu; so if you know Korean cuisine well, one can order off the menu