Searching for the best Seoul express bus terminal restaurants can easily feel overwhelming. Between the sprawling underground Goto Mall, Central City Terminal, and the massive Shinsegae Department Store, this Gangnam transportation mega-hub is packed with dozens of dining choices scattered across multiple floors.
Whether you are waiting for an intercity bus, finishing a shopping spree, or simply passing through the station on Subway Lines 3, 7, or 9, finding a relaxed, sit-down meal requires knowing exactly where to look.
Here is a curated, stress-free dining plan featuring two standout Seoul express bus terminal restaurants: a smoothing Japanese home-style meal at Hoho Sikdang (호호식당), followed by refined traditional shaved ice and artisan tea at Damjang Yeop-e Gukhwakot (담장옆에 국화꽃).
Quick Route Overview: Lunch to Dessert
- Area: Famille Station & Central City Terminal (Express Bus Terminal Station)
- Meal: Hoho Sikdang (Japanese comfort food, katsu, donburi, sukiyaki)
- Dessert: Damjang Yeop-e Gukhwakot (Traditional bingsu, sweet red bean soup, rice cakes)
- Estimated Budget: 20,000 ~ 35,000 KRW per person
1. Lunch or Dinner: Hoho Sikdang (호호식당)
For travelers seeking quiet, high-quality dining within Famille Station, Hoho Sikdang stands out among nearby options. Originally recognized for its iconic hanok branch in Daehangno, this restaurant serves pristine Japanese home-style fare (katei-ryori) in an airy, minimalist wooden dining room.
What to Order
- Sake-dong (Salmon Rice Bowl): Generously sliced Norwegian fresh salmon atop warm, lightly seasoned rice with fresh wasabi.
- Hirekatsu / Rosukatsu: Thick-cut pork tenderloin or loin, coated in delicate panko breadcrumbs and flash-fried to golden perfection while keeping the inside tender and juicy.
- Sukiyaki Teishoku: A comforting personal hot pot simmered with thin beef slices, tofu, mushrooms, and seasonal greens, dipped into fresh raw egg yolk.
- Uni Pasta: A modern favorite featuring al dente pasta tossed with rich, briny sea urchin butter.
Visitor Tips
- Location: 1st Floor, Famille Station.
- Avoiding Lines: This spot is popular with local office workers and shoppers. Plan to arrive slightly ahead of peak hours (around 11:30 AM for luch or before 5:30 PM for dinner) to minimize your wait.
2. Artisanal Korean Dessert: Damjang Yeop-e Gukhwakot (담장옆에 국화꽃)
Once you finish your savory meal, walk just a few minutes through the complex to Damjang Yeop-e Gukhwakot (meaning “Chrysanthemums Beside the Fence”)
Unlike commercial dessert chains that rely on overly sweet processed syrups, this tea house was founded by a celebrated Korean rice cake confectioner. It focuses on Pure, gentle flavors crafted from domestic red beans, jujubes, pumpkin, and roasted grains.
What to Order
- Signature Patbingsu (Traditional Red Bean Shaved Ice): Feathery shaved milk ice layered with slow-simmered, whole Korean red beans that highlight natural earthiness over excessive sugar, topped with chewy injeolmi rice cakes and crispy dried jujube chips.
- Warm Danpatjuk (Sweet Red Bean Porridge): Served in traditional brass bowls, this velvety red bean soup offers subtle notes of cinnamon and roasted chestnuts-perfect for autumn and winter days.
- Garaetteok Gui: Grilled cylindrical Korean rice cakes served blistered and crisp on the outside, accompanied by pure domestic honey or grain syrup.
- Traditional Herbal Teas: Pair your desserts with chilled Omija (five-flavor berry) tea or hot ginger-jujube tea.
Atmosphere
Calm, elegant, and distinctly traditional, providing a much-needed sanctuary away from the hustle of the busy transit terminal.
How to Navigate to These Restaurants
The underground layout of Express Bus Terminal can confuse even seasoned travelers. Here is the simplest route:
- Subway Arrival: Arrive at Express Bus Terminal Station (accessible via Line 3, Line 7, and Line 9).
- Finding the Concourse: Follow directional overhead signs pointing toward Central City Terminal or Famille Station (near Subway Exit 3 and Exit 4)
- Map Apps: Note that Google Maps does not provide reliable walking navigation inside Korean underground malls. Download Naver Map or KakaoMap and search for:
- 호호식당 파미에스테이션점 (hoho Sikdang Famille Station)
- 담장옆에국화꽃 센트럴시티점 (Damjang Yeop-e Gukhwakot Central City)
Final Thoughts for International Foodies
When exploring the Gangnam side of Seoul, finding authentic and relaxing food does not have to be difficult. Bookmarking these two Seoul express bus terminal restaurants guarantees both a satisfying, high-grade main meal and an unforgettable taste of authentic Korean tea-house culture under one roof.
Helpful Related Blog Posts
- For More Information about Seoul Metro, Please refer to https://hiddenspotkorea.com/the-ultimate-guide-to-the-seoul-subway-system/
- For More Information about Naver Map, Please refer to https://hiddenspotkorea.com/why-you-need-naver-map-tmap-in-korea-better-than-google-maps/
For More Information about Seoul Express Bus Terminal, Please refer to https://www.exterminal.co.kr