Quick honest review of Guigui (구이구이) in Yeouido. Short version: it’s a place I keep coming back to. The grilled mackerel is solid, the side dish spread is generous, the al-tang warms you up properly, and there’s an eggplant tempura hiding in the banchan that’s quietly the best thing on the table.
Went with one other person. Ordered one grilled mackerel and one al-tang. Shared everything.
What Is Guigui?
Guigui (구이구이) literally means “grill grill” in Korean. The name is exactly what it is: a grilled fish restaurant. Not a fusion concept, not a themed dining experience. Fish, grilled, served with rice and a table full of side dishes.
In Korea, this kind of meal works on a set format. You order one main dish — in this case, a whole grilled fish — and the restaurant brings out banchan (반찬), a spread of small complimentary side dishes. Could be 8, could be 12. You don’t order them. They just show up. No extra charge.
For anyone used to à la carte dining: the side dishes are included. You’re welcome.
Where It Is
Yeouido. Seoul’s financial district — think Canary Wharf in London or the lower Manhattan area in New York, but the lunch spots are genuinely better. It’s home to the National Assembly, KBS and MBC broadcasting headquarters, and a dense cluster of office towers.
Getting there:
– From Myeongdong: ~25 minutes by subway (Line 5)
– From Hongdae: ~20 minutes (Line 2 transfer to Line 5)
– From Gangnam: ~30 minutes (Line 9)
Yeouido Station exits on both Line 5 and Line 9. The restaurant is an easy walk from there.
This is not a tourist-heavy area. You’re eating where Seoul office workers eat, which is most of the appeal.
The Interior
Not what you’d expect from a grilled fish restaurant. There are paper lanterns hanging from the ceiling, cherry blossom branches on the walls, chalk menus written on wooden boards up top, and retro-style advertising posters — one reads “TUNA” in old-school graphics. Some tables have digital display boards. It reads like an izakaya (Japanese pub) that got reimagined by someone who really loves Korean fish markets.
A lot of character. Chaotic in a good way.
We visited at lunch and it was completely packed. Every table taken, steady noise level, quick turnover. This is not a lingering-over-coffee type of place.
Outside there’s a terrace with bar-style seating along the building face, red awnings, and orange paper lanterns. On a decent weather day, worth grabbing a spot out there.
The Menu
Main items on the grilled fish side:
– 고등어구이 (Grilled mackerel): 22,000 KRW (~$16)
– 자반고등어 (Salt-cured mackerel): 22,000 KRW (~$16)
– 장어구이 (Grilled eel): 27,000 KRW (~$20)
– Plus salmon, cutlassfish, and others depending on availability
There are also stews (탕류) and skewers. We went with the mackerel and al-tang.
What We Ordered
Grilled mackerel (고등어구이) — 22,000 KRW (~$16)
The mackerel comes whole. Two fish, skin-on, grilled until the surface blisters and the skin tightens up. Lemon wedge on top. That’s it.
Mackerel has a stronger, oilier flavor than white fish. If you’ve had grilled fish at a Korean home or a neighborhood diner, you know the taste. Guigui’s version is well-executed — the skin is properly crispy without being dry, the flesh pulls apart in clean flakes, and the fat stays in the fish where it belongs.
It’s not a fancy plate. It doesn’t need to be.
If you’ve never had whole grilled mackerel before: the bones run through the center of the fish. Use your chopsticks or a spoon to pull the flesh from the spine and ribs. Slightly fiddly, completely worth it.
Al-tang (알탕) — roughly 15,000–18,000 KRW (~$11–$13)
Al-tang is a spicy stew made with fish roe — typically pollock roe. Red broth, heavy on the heat, piled with water parsley (미나리) and green onions. It comes in an earthenware pot (뚝배기) that holds the heat for a long time.
If spicy food is not your thing, skip this and order a milder stew. If it is your thing — this is exactly the kind of Korean stew that makes you want to keep scooping more rice into it. The roe has a slightly firm texture, not mushy. The broth is deep and rich from the seafood base.
Good call. Would order again.
The Side Dishes
This is honestly where Guigui earns its regulars.
When the main arrived, the table filled up fast. We counted well over ten side dishes: roasted seaweed, egg roll (계란말이), acorn jelly (도토리묵), radish kimchi (깍두기), cucumber salad, braised tofu, anchovy stir-fry, something tteokbokki-adjacent, avocado salad, and a few others I didn’t catch the names of.
Standard lineup for this style of restaurant. But then there was the eggplant tempura (가지튀김).
I wasn’t expecting much from it. It’s one small plate among a dozen others. But — eggplant, battered lightly, fried without getting greasy, soft on the inside. I ate most of it before even getting to the mackerel.
If you’re at Guigui and the eggplant tempura shows up on your table, don’t ignore it.
Rice comes in the standard steel bowl. At most Korean restaurants of this type, you can ask for refills — just flag down the staff and point at the bowl.
Stuff Tourists Should Know
Language: Menu boards are in Korean only. The photo menus on the wall help significantly — pointing and holding up fingers gets the order done. Don’t stress it.
Payment: Card payment is standard across Yeouido. Foreign Visa and Mastercard cards generally work at Korean terminals. Keep a little cash on hand as backup.
Tipping: There is no tipping culture in Korea. Don’t leave money on the table expecting it to be kept as a tip — it may just create confusion.
Spice: Grilled mackerel is not spicy. Al-tang is spicy. If you want a milder stew option, ask about 대구지리탕 (daegu jiri-tang, mild cod stew) if it’s available. Or just skip the stew and focus on the fish.
Vegetarian options: Minimal. This is a fish-forward restaurant. Most banchan contain anchovy broth, dried fish, or small seafood. Not a good pick for vegetarians.
Halal: Not halal-certified.
Timing: Lunch rush is serious. Arrive before 11:30 AM or after 1:30 PM if you want to walk in without a wait.
Who this is for: People who eat at the same place more than once. Office workers, Yeouido regulars, anyone building a mental list of reliable Seoul lunch spots. Not a special occasion restaurant. A very good everyday restaurant.
The Verdict
Should you go?
If you’re in Yeouido for any reason — yes. The grilled mackerel is properly done, the banchan spread is more generous than most, the al-tang delivers, and the eggplant tempura is a genuine bonus. Prices land around 18,000–25,000 KRW (~$13–$19) per person, which is fair for what you get.
If you’re a tourist with three days in Seoul — probably not your first stop. Yeouido isn’t on the typical tourist circuit, and good grilled fish exists across Seoul. But if you’re already heading to Yeouido — Han River Park is nearby, IFC Mall is close, 63 Building is a short distance — it’s worth making Guigui your lunch plan.
It’s the kind of place you eat at once, remember, and come back to. That’s a good sign.
FAQ
What is the must-order dish at Guigui Yeouido?
The grilled mackerel (고등어구이, 22,000 KRW / ~$16). It comes whole, skin-on, with rice and 10+ complimentary side dishes included. Also check if eggplant tempura shows up in your banchan — it’s genuinely good.
How much does a meal at Guigui Yeouido cost per person?
Around 18,000–25,000 KRW (~$13–$19 USD) per person depending on what you order. Grilled mackerel is 22,000 KRW, eel is 27,000 KRW.
Is Guigui packed at lunch? Should I make a reservation?
Yes, very packed on weekdays. Aim to arrive before 11:30 AM or after 1:30 PM. Check their official social media for reservation options — walk-ins work but you may wait.
Does Guigui Yeouido have an English menu?
The main menu boards are in Korean. The photo menus on the walls help a lot — pointing and holding up fingers gets the job done. Staff won’t speak much English but orders go through fine.
Is the food at Guigui spicy?
The grilled fish itself is not spicy. The al-tang (fish roe stew) is spicy. If spice is a concern, stick to grilled fish and plain rice.
Can I pay by card at Guigui Yeouido?
Most restaurants in Yeouido accept card including foreign Visa and Mastercard. Keep a bit of cash as backup just in case.