Korean Restaurant City Hall Seoul | DAEBOJUNG Private Room Hanwoo Omakase Review
For a special evening with my mother, I chose DAEBOJUNG City Hall, a Korean restaurant in City Hall Seoul that I'd previously visited for company dinners. This time, I returned for a family celebration, drawn back by the impressive private room setup and the expertly curated Korean beef course. The restaurant's fully private dining rooms and Hanwoo omakase experience made it an ideal choice for this meaningful occasion.
🍽️ Reserve on CatchTable Global · 📍 DAEBOJUNG City Hall — Naver Place · ☎ 02-310-9554
DAEBOJUNG stands out among Korean restaurants in the City Hall and Gwanghwamun area by offering a unique combination of Hanwoo omakase and traditional Korean fine dining in an intimate setting. We selected the "Bo Set" course, which features over ten meticulously prepared dishes ranging from aged sashimi to premium grilled Korean beef, all served in the privacy of our own room.
Korean Restaurant City Hall Seoul — Location and Directions
DAEBOJUNG City Hall is located at B1, 41 Sejong-daero 9-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul. The restaurant is just a 2-3 minute walk from City Hall Station, making it exceptionally convenient for both local diners and visitors exploring the area. The location is also walkable from Gwanghwamun, perfect for those searching for a private room Korean restaurant City Hall or a Korean beef omakase City Hall experience.
- Phone: 02-310-9554
- Reservations: Available via Catch Table app or by phone
- Parking: Building parking available; valet service recommended (inquire when booking)
Despite being located on the basement level, the entrance is clean and well-maintained, creating an excellent first impression. Staff greeted us immediately upon arrival, confirmed our reservation, and escorted us directly to our private room with seamless efficiency.
Completely Private Room Setup
The defining feature of DAEBOJUNG is that every table is housed in its own fully enclosed private room. Once the door closes, soundproofing is excellent—you can barely hear adjacent rooms. This makes it ideal for business dinner restaurant City Hall Seoul occasions, family gatherings, or even engagement dinners where intimate conversation is essential.
Each private room features elegantly arranged tables and chairs with a charcoal grill positioned at the center. The interior design follows a modern Korean aesthetic—sophisticated without being overly ornate. Ambient lighting creates a warm atmosphere perfect for photography and sets the right tone for anniversary dinner City Hall Seoul celebrations. The combination of privacy and refined décor makes every meal feel special.
Bo Set Course Composition and Flavors
We ordered the Bo Set, a comprehensive Hanwoo omakase course priced at 149,000 won per person, which includes 120g of assorted premium Korean beef cuts. While à la carte options are available, the course format allows you to experience a diverse range of preparations—aged sashimi, porridge, amuse-bouche portions, beef tartare, Korean beef noodles, and dessert—delivering exceptional value and variety.
1) Perilla Seed Ginseng Porridge and Aged Sashimi Platter
The meal began with a warming bowl of perilla seed ginseng porridge, delicately accented with Korean water dropwort oil. The nutty, clean flavor prepared our palates beautifully for what followed. Next came the aged sashimi platter, featuring bluefin tuna, sea bream, salmon, sea bass, and sweet shrimp.
Each piece was cut to perfect bite-sized portions and arranged with precision. The aging process was masterfully executed—the texture was silky, and the umami depth was remarkable. Sashimi enthusiasts will find this course alone worth the visit.
2) Amuse-Bouche and Anniversary Champagne
As an anniversary service, we received complimentary champagne, which elevated the celebratory atmosphere. Following the aperitif, three distinct amuse-bouche courses arrived:
- Grilled zucchini topped with steamed abalone and sea mustard
- Squid stuffed with fried lobster and nutritious chives
- Five-flavor berry juice as a palate cleanser
Though small, each creation demonstrated impressive culinary technique and offered delightful flavor transitions. The lobster-stuffed squid was particularly memorable, balancing crispy texture with rich seafood essence.
3) Hanwoo Tartare and Tteokgalbi Burger
The Korean beef tartare was served atop crispy seaweed chips (gim bugak), creating an interesting textural contrast. The seasoning was restrained, allowing the quality of the Hanwoo to shine through with its characteristic silky richness.
The Hanwoo tteokgalbi burger featured a squid ink bun and a patty finished with truffle sauce. The sweet sauce and subtle truffle aroma made this feel unexpectedly refined for a burger-style dish. By this point, pacing became important—we were already quite satisfied, but the main Korean beef course was still ahead.
4) Hanwoo Noodles as Palate Cleanser
Before the grilled beef, we were served buckwheat noodles generously topped with sliced Hanwoo in a sweet-and-sour sauce. This course effectively cleansed our palates after the richer preceding dishes. The noodles had excellent chew, and the portion was just right for transitioning to the main event.
5) Main Course — Grilled Hanwoo (Chuck Flap, Ribeye, Tenderloin)
The centerpiece of the Korean beef omakase City Hall experience finally arrived: three premium Hanwoo cuts—chuck flap, ribeye, and tenderloin—accompanied by abalone and scallop. The charcoal grill's intense heat seared the exterior of each piece beautifully while keeping the interior tender and juicy.
The tenderloin was the standout—supremely tender with a deep, beefy aroma. The chuck flap delivered balanced fat content and satisfying chew, while the ribeye showcased excellent marbling that melted into buttery richness. The aging process imparted a distinctive, complex flavor that true Hanwoo lovers will immediately recognize.
The abalone was grilled with butter, resulting in a chewy texture enhanced by rich, nutty notes. The scallop was perfectly executed—crisp exterior, moist interior. For anyone seeking authentic Seoul Hanwoo omakase, this composition absolutely delivers.
Dessert and Anniversary Service
For the final course, we could choose between seaweed soup, spicy cold noodles, or chilled buckwheat noodles. I selected the spicy cold noodles (bibim naengmyeon), which featured a moderately sweet sauce that complemented the beef courses beautifully. The noodles had great texture, and the seasoning was balanced—an excellent finish.
As part of the anniversary service, we received a dessert plate with personalized lettering and a complimentary photo session. The dessert included Korean pear punch (su-jeong-gwa) and sorbet—sweet yet refreshing, perfectly cleansing the palate. The staff took lovely photos for us, creating lasting memories of our celebration.
Service and Reservation Tips
Service at DAEBOJUNG is exceptionally attentive. Staff regularly checked on our grilling progress and pacing, asking at appropriate intervals whether we needed anything. The private room setup includes call buttons that bring immediate staff response, ensuring a seamless dining experience without intrusion.
Reservations are highly recommended via the Catch Table app. Weekend evenings and peak anniversary seasons book quickly, so securing a table at least one week in advance is advisable. For larger parties—business dinners or family gatherings—calling directly allows you to request bigger private rooms that can accommodate groups comfortably.
Who Should Visit DAEBOJUNG City Hall
- Anyone searching for Korean beef omakase or premium Korean restaurants near City Hall, Seoul
- Professionals seeking a private room Korean restaurant City Hall for company dinners and business meetings
- Couples and families planning anniversary dinner City Hall Seoul celebrations in an intimate, upscale setting
- Diners who want to enjoy both aged sashimi and premium grilled Hanwoo in one meal
- Those hosting formal occasions like engagement dinners, family meetings, or client entertainment
Final Thoughts
DAEBOJUNG City Hall stands out as a premier Korean restaurant City Hall Seoul destination. The Hanwoo omakase course is thoughtfully composed, and the fully private room structure ensures an intimate, undisturbed dining experience. While the price point is premium, the course quality and service level justify the investment.
The Hanwoo tenderloin, aged sashimi, and spicy cold noodles were particularly memorable. Whether you're planning a business dinner restaurant City Hall Seoul event, an anniversary dinner City Hall Seoul celebration, or a family dinner Korean restaurant City Hall gathering, DAEBOJUNG delivers a sophisticated experience worthy of special occasions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Are reservations required at DAEBOJUNG City Hall?
A. Yes, especially for dinner service and weekends. Reservations are strongly recommended via the Catch Table app or by calling directly.
Q. How many people can the private rooms accommodate?
A. Room sizes vary, accommodating parties from two guests up to groups of ten or more. For larger gatherings, call ahead to arrange appropriate private room assignments.
Q. Does DAEBOJUNG offer lunch courses?
A. Yes, lunch service includes more affordable Hanwoo set menus. Lunch courses are priced lower than dinner options while maintaining the same quality standards.
Q. What should international visitors know before visiting?
A. English-speaking staff may be limited, so having your hotel concierge make reservations is helpful. The restaurant accepts major credit cards. Dress code is smart casual. It's customary to remove shoes in some private rooms—staff will guide you. Tipping is not expected in Korea.