Seocho District
Hai Quán
What to Order
- ✦Gopchang Pho (곱창쌀국수) — tender intestine with rich, deep broth
- ✦Banh Mi — crispy and delicious Vietnamese sandwich
- ✦Crispy Pork Rice Bowl (크리스피 포크 덮밥) — flavorful and satisfying
Good For
Vietnamese Food in Seocho That Locals Actually Go Back To
Hai Quán (하이콴) is one of those Seoul Vietnamese restaurants that doesn't need to try hard. It's been around long enough to build a real following — and a feature on the popular Korean food show Meogeulteonde by singer Sung Si-kyung didn't hurt. If you're in the Banpo or Seocho area and want something other than Korean food, this is the call.
What to Expect
The space is genuinely atmospheric. Rattan decor, warm colorful lighting, the kind of vibe that loosely evokes a Ho Chi Minh side-street restaurant — without being tacky about it. It's large enough to fit groups comfortably, which is rarer than you'd think for Vietnamese spots in Seoul.
The menu skews toward Vietnamese staples: pho, banh mi, bun cha, banh xeo. One item stands out above the rest — the gopchang pho (intestine rice noodle soup). If that sounds alarming, stay with me. Gopchang (beef intestine) in Korean cooking is deeply loved for its rich, chewy texture, and in this broth it works. The soup is thick and savory, the intestine is tender rather than rubbery when cooked right, and the overall effect is closer to a deeply comforting beef bone broth than anything funky. If you've never tried offal before, this is actually a pretty approachable entry point.
Not ready for that? The beef rice noodles (sogogi ssalgusu) are lighter, cleaner, and still very good.
What to Order
Gopchang pho (곱창쌀국수) — The signature. Rich broth, soft intestine, comes with a self-serve bar where you can load up on fresh cilantro, onions, and peppers at your own pace. Unlimited cilantro is its own selling point if you're that person.
Banh mi (반미) — Genuinely one of the better banh mi in this part of Seoul. Crispy bread, pickled vegetables, well-seasoned filling. Multiple reviews single it out, and they're right to.
Lunch set (점심 특선) — Around 13,000 KRW, includes the main dish plus sides like fried shrimp and sausage. Good value, especially on a weekday when the wait is manageable.
Atmosphere & Vibe
It feels like a place where Korean office workers come for a proper lunch and then come back at 11pm with friends for late-night noodles. Both crowds are valid. The space is wide, the lighting is warm without being dim, and the service gets consistently praised across reviews — genuinely warm and attentive rather than just efficient.
One honest note: weekend afternoons can hit 30-minute waits since the TV feature. Go before noon on weekends, or come after 9pm when the dinner rush thins out. Midnight closing means it's a real option for late-night eating, which is fairly unusual for a Vietnamese spot in Seoul.
Practical Info
- Address: 서울특별시 서초구 신반포로 340 1층 / 340 Sinbanpo-ro, Seocho District, Seoul, 1F
- Google Maps: Open in Google Maps
- Nearest subway: Sinnonhyeon Station, 12-minute walk
- Hours: Daily 10:00 AM – 12:00 AM
- Price range: Approx. 10,000–25,000 KRW per person
- Spice level: Mild to medium (customizable at the self-serve bar)
- Vegetarian: No — most dishes contain meat or seafood-based broth
- Halal-friendly: No — pork is present on the menu
- Reservations: Not available
- Good for groups: Yes
One Last Thing
If you're going on a weekend, aim for right when they open at 10am or show up after 9pm. The wait during weekend lunch and dinner peaks is real, and there's no reservation system to save you.
Quick Summary
| Best for | Vietnamese comfort food, late-night noodles, group meals |
| Signature dish | Gopchang pho (intestine rice noodle soup) |
| Price | 10,000–25,000 KRW per person |
| Hours | Daily, 10am–midnight |
| Nearest subway | Sinnonhyeon Station (12 min walk) |
| Reservations | No |
| Vegetarian | No |
| Halal | No |
| Crowds | Busy weekends — go early or late |
Hours
What People Are Saying
"famous casual vietnamese place. Bahn mi is particularly delicious and gopchang (intestine) pho is another menu to recommend. their self-bar has help-yourself silantro so you can have as much as you want! i am definitely willing to go back to try more menus."
"• Difficulty for Foreigners: Low • Price Range: Approximately 10,000 to 25,000 KRW per person • Space: Moderate • Recommended Menu: Beef Rice Noodles (소고기 쌀국수), Crispy Pork Rice Bowl (크리스피 포크 덮밥), Banh Mi (반미) • Pro Tip: 1. On a different visit, I tried the Beef Rice Noodles, which were light yet flavorful, with tender beef slices and a soothing broth that’s perfect for a comforting meal. 2. The Crispy Pork Rice Bowl remains a standout, offering crispy fried pork atop steamed rice with a delicious savory sauce. 3. The Banh Mi, a Vietnamese-style sandwich, is a fantastic choice for a lighter meal, with fresh vegetables, pickled radish, and your choice of protein creating a perfect balance of flavors. 4. The Dongpo Pork is incredibly tender and rich, but its fattiness can become overwhelming, so it may not be for everyone. This spot offers consistently satisfying dishes, making it worth multiple visits to explore their variety of flavors while finding what suits your taste best."
"For lunch, I ordered an Giblet Pho Lunch Set. The Pho itself was not great, but side dishes (fried shrimp and sausage) made up for it. There is a self-service bar with kimchi, cilantro, onions, and peppers. The atmosphere is like being in Vietnam. It has a tropical vibe. The service is amazing. Everyone is extremely nice and bright."
— Google Reviews
