In Short
After our positive experience at SEOUL 1988 in the Karolinenviertel, we were keen to try the city center branch with its Korean BBQ. Despite the crowds, we were not disappointed.
Atmosphere: Korean Flair Meets Urban Coolness
SEOUL 1988 in the city center has a cool interior with posters on the walls that are reminiscent of the streets of Seoul. The limited number of tables and the popularity of the restaurant often lead to queues, especially at weekends. You sign up on a list at the door and are called as soon as a table becomes available. The staff are friendly, but sometimes seem a little stressed. Despite the rush, our food arrived surprisingly quickly. One plus point is the attractive lunch discounts, which make a visit at lunchtime particularly worthwhile.
Menu Overview
- Yatsche Bibimbap: Rice with various vegetables and fried egg – €9.50 (lunch discount)
- Korean fried chicken half & half: Deep-fried chicken with a choice of two sauces – €16.00 (lunch discount)
- Yatsche Jjinmandu: Steamed dumplings with vegetable filling – €8.50
- Samgyeopsal: Slices of pork belly to grill yourself – €38.00
We also tested SEOUL 1988 at Karolinenviertel: Click here for the post!
Culinary Experience: Self-Grilling and More
A highlight of the evening was the samgyeopsal. The raw pork belly slices were prepared on a grill at our table. Particularly exciting: the grill was filled with cheese and corn on one side and egg on the other, which went perfectly with the grilled meat. At the beginning, various banchan (small side dishes) such as kimchi and various sauces were served to round off the taste.
The Yatsche Bibimbap impressed with fresh vegetables and a perfectly fried egg, which created a harmonious combination when mixed together. The Yatsche Jjinmandu were tender and filled with vegetables – a must for dumpling lovers. Also the Korean fried chicken was top-notch and, with its two different sauces, offered both sweet and spicy notes – crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside.
Conclusion: A Must for Korean Food Fans
SEOUL 1988 in Hamburg’s city center offers an authentic Korean BBQ experience in an urban atmosphere. Despite some waiting time and the crowds, it’s worth a visit for the quality of the food and the special experience of barbecuing yourself. A tip: don’t forget cash, as card payment is not possible.
Overall Rating
Would you like more impressions of SEOUL 1988 City Center? We posted a video on Instagram about it!
