mom's kitchen
About
Homestyle Japanese near Changui-mun gate.
This Japanese restaurant serves simple, home-style dishes in a quiet alley in Buam-dong, Seoul. It was opened by a Japanese chef from Tokyo and has a cozy atmosphere with seating for only about twenty guests. Every dish comes with homemade blueberry yogurt, miso soup, and pickled radish. The Mom's Gratin is a perfect balance of savory and sweet flavors, making it incredibly addictive. The soup curry has a deep, rich flavor, and I highly recommend dipping the fried pork cutlet into the curry broth. The mentaiko pasta is creamy and flavorful, generously topped with fresh, bursting roe. During summer, you can also try Hiyashi Chuka, a dish similar to cold noodles. The chewy noodles are tossed in a refreshing sweet-and-sour soy sauce and mayonnaise dressing, making it a perfect summer meal. Reservations through CatchTable are highly recommended, especially on weekends when the wait can exceed an hour. On weekdays, visiting at opening time is the best way to avoid the crowds.
Menu
- Salmon Rice Bowl₩14,000
- Soup Curry₩14,000
- Cod Roe Pasta₩13,000
- Mom's Gratin₩13,000
- Japanese-Style Fried Chicken₩13,500
- Kima Gratin₩13,000
- Yakisoba Bread₩4,000
- Cold Ramen (Hiyashi Chuka)₩14,000
- Tantanmen₩13,000
Local tips
- Reserve via CatchTable at 1 PM — weekend waits exceed 1+ hours; online booking opens at 1 PM daily.
- Self-service restaurant: retrieve own dishes, refill rice/soup/pickles yourself, and return trays to counter.
- All mains include homemade blueberry yogurt and side dishes; no MSG used.
- Arrive at opening (11:30 AM) on weekdays to avoid waits; Saturday lunch sees 5+ teams queuing.
- Small portions — order generously if you have a big appetite; gratin and curry pair well as shareable dishes.
Details
- Buam-dong Community Center
Opening hours
- Sunday
- 11:30–20:00
- Monday
- Closed
- Tuesday
- 11:30–20:00
- Wednesday
- 11:30–20:00
- Thursday
- 11:30–20:00
- Friday
- 11:30–20:00
- Saturday
- 11:30–20:00