Two Shinsaegae related posts in one week...No, I (unfortunately) have no affiliation to SSG or anyone that works for them - they simply opened 2 new places up in the last month (this and Devil's Door Brewery), it's nearby my place and all new things are nice and clean! I love checking out new places, appreciate small mom and pop shops and thoroughly enjoy old hole-in-the-wall places with amazing food too!
Welcome to a new food court called "Famille Station" located in Central City, Banpo, Gangnam (which is also physically connected to the Shinseagae Department store and JW Marriott Hotel - located beside the Express Bus Terminal). If you get hungry while doing some Christmas shopping, come check it out for a bunch of food and snack options!
Grand opening was on November 28th and some places like Brickoven Pizzeria are opening up later in mid January!
This area can be confusing, but it's all connected together. There is Shinsaegae Department store (the wider building behind the tall building) is also attached to JW Marriott Hotel (the tallest building in the middle) and Central City (where the new food court is). Express Bus Terminal is the next old building (on the right side of the bridge in this pictures) over where they have the huge Christmas market on the 3rd floor and 4th floor of the Daehae Building (closed on Sundays). I also got my curtains on the 2nd floor from there. As a reference point, the glass dome on the left is the huge Starbucks and on the other side of the busy street would be St. Mary's Hospital (not visible in this picture).
Famille Station. It was the weekend, so there was a ton of families, couples and people out doing their Christmas shopping next door. A whole new section of the old terminal has been totally renovated and turned into a modern style food court with lots of popular Korean, Western and International chain restaurants.
The floor map to help you get your bearings.
See how it's all connected? It can seem confusing, but once you walk around, you figure it out and can make your way around no problem!
Tons of popular restaurants that have made their mark already in Seoul. In addition to the famous Korean places, some of the better known International chains that I was surprised (but happy) to see have a spot here are 10) Brickoven Pizzeria 11) Gelati Gelati and 22) Cirilo. In addition to the food court, there is also a child centre upstairs, apparently across from a spa (strategic planning), along with a pet shop and a dentist downstairs.
Click to see a close up of each restaurant's logo.
Click to see a close up of each restaurant's logo.
Click to see a close up of each restaurant's logo.
Left, right and centre - this modern Korean/International "food court" is not like a usual food court in Korea. Each joint is like a store/restaurant itself. I love even regular food courts in Korea too - such a great variety of great food....beats the mediocre options in North America any day!
Open spaces in the middle decorated nicely to get in the Christmas spirit.
Two Seattle joints next to each other here: Kukuruza (gourmet popcorn) and See's Candies! It was nice to see some NorthWest influence represented here in Central City, Seoul!
See's Candies! This picture is for my mom. For some reason, she LOVES the giant cafe latte lollipops here. Anytime someone is in the states, they bring those assorted lollipops for her. Too bad they are double the price here in Seoul!!!
This is the first ever See's store in Seoul, and they are going to branch out to other department store basements as well. The lady told me she knows they are overpriced here - but to buy them now because they are only going to increase more in price as the new shops come in....uh yah...I took my free sample of peanut brittle and politely walked away. At least they still do the tradition of a free sample whenever you come in here too!
올반 한식 - Olbaan. Some of these restaurants had CRAZY long lines. Queues of 49 groups...over 2hours to wait in line for a buffet! Apparently it's really cheap 15 000won? for a decent Korean buffet. I've not tried it...but that's a crazy wait for a buffet!
김선생 - Kim Teacher. Famous giant gourmet kimbap shop.
Cirilo - Original location is in Bogwangdong/Itaewon, right across the street from Capitol Hotel, besides Starbucks. I like their al pastor fries, especially because they are a thicker cut fry and their fish tacos.
Brick Oven NY Pizzeria - The same pizza joint as the one in Gangnam. I wasn't sure since it's only called Brick Oven Pizzeria (without the NY) on the sign board, but I called to check....maybe they just ran out of space on the plaque. It supposed to open on Dec. 19th - but actually there has been some delays and will now be opening up in January 2015!
Click HERE to see a review on Brick Oven NY Pizzeria. The best American NY style pizza in Seoul!
There were SO many places to choose from and everywhere had line-ups. Some opened at a certain time, and had line-ups already queuing to enter. If you want to see more pictures of all the different restaurants/shops, this Korean blog has tons of pictures: http://blog.naver.com/seorae8688/220197872812
Nice clean detailing.
Seating area in the middle by Cirilo.
The infamous line-up for Street Churros. I am okay with lining up at certain places to eat, but I have yet to try one of these apparently over-hyped churros. I can't believe the line-ups at every single location of this place! Are they really that good? I never even ate/craved churros back home...I mean - how good can a churro be?? One day I shall find out, one day when there is no line...so maybe never!
Head back out this way toward Central City Bus Terminal, Shinsaegae, and JW Marriott Hotel.
From old...
...to new and improved!
See the tall building on the left? That's JW Marrtiott Hotel. If you come out of the lobby and turn left, or come out of Express Bus Terminal Station, Exit 3 and walk straight for about 250 metres, you will see Devil's Door on your left (the long building on the left of the glass dome top). You might as well go to both since you're in the area!
Directions: Famille Station Food Court in Central City.
It's all connected directly to the Express Bus Terminal Station (고속버스터미널역), Lines 3, 7 & 9. If you're driving, just park in SSG or Central City. You can access it by connecting downstairs from Shinsaegae Department store and JW Marriott Hotel.
Go to the B1 Food Hall floor of Shinsaegae Department Store, go out the exit where Paul Bassett is on your left. Keep going straight and veer right towards where all the gates for the buses are. Look to your left and you will see this entrance in between a Mos Burger and Starbucks into the new Famille Station Food Court!
So after checking all of that out, we actually opted for an oldie but goodie option in the old section of Central City on the 2nd floor. It may look and sound gross if this is unfamiliar to you, but if you like these kinds of ingredients, it's so satisfying and delicious - and healthy for you too!
Korean soups are amazing to warm up with in the winter...and there are SO many great options in Seoul!
매생이굴국밥 (Maesaengji Gool Gookbap). 8000won
Slimy, goopy seaweed with oysters and rice in a savoury soup that comes out bubbling and boiling over the top of the bowl.
매생이굴국밥 (Maesaengji Gool Gookbap)
The soup we ordered is the same name of the shop. Almost everything else on their menu has oysters in it too, so it's great if you like oysters prepared in Korean food.
What? 매생이굴국밥. (Maesaengji Gool Gookbap)
Where? 서울시 서초구 반포동 19-3 센트럴시티 중충 M22호
Call: 02-6282-2727
Directions: If you are in Shinsaegae, go to the B1 food hall. Exit out the Paul Bassett direction, go straight and take the smaller escalator that goes up to the 2nd floor where the restaurants are. It's right in front of you.
If you are coming out of Famille Station, keep walking straight and take the first right. You will see two escalators in front of you. Take the smaller one that goes up to the 2nd floor where the restaurants are. It's right in front of you.
Hours: Daily 10am-10pm