1. Udon Kiriyama

Authentic Japanese Udon in Jamsil Department Store

Located on the 11th floor of Lotte Department Store, Udon Kiriyama (우동명가 기리야마) is one my family’s to-go Japanese spots in the area. Founded by a former diplomat who left his job to train under a Japanese udon master, the original store in Gangnam has a more casual vibe for nearby office workers, while this second branch in Jamsil feels more elevated with a warm spacious hall. The menu focuses on classic Japanese udon dishes, tempura, and a few rice dishes. A la carte udons are priced between ₩18,000–₩20,000, while combo sets (which come with side dishes or tempura) are around ₩25,000–₩30,000.

Hot Udon Meal

I ordered the Hot Udon Meal Set which included a bowl of warm udon, a few pieces of light and crisp tempura, and two keto-style egg rolls. The udon noodles were softly chewy, with a clean savory broth. The tempura came out golden and delicate, with shrimp and seasonal vegetables fried to the right crispness. I especially liked that the roll was a keto version filled with fluffy egg strips instead of rice, which added the perfect balance of protein to the noodle set.

Tempura Jaru Cold Udon

I also tried the Tempura Jaru Cold Udon, a chilled noodle served with light soy sauce for dipping. You can also mix in freshly grated daikon radish and wasabi for extra brightness and depth. The cold noodles had a noticeably more bouncy and chewy texture than the warm udon. And compared to the bukkake udon set I had at the food court of Lotte Department Store’s main branch in Myeongdong, the tempura here felt much higher in quality with crispier texture, clearly freshly fried to order.

2. Kim Youngmo Patisserie

If you’re searching for a brunch cafe in the Jamsil Lotte complex with a Seokchon Lake view, Kim Youngmo Patisserie (김영모과자점) is definitely one of the best options. As one of Korea’s most established premium bakery brands, Kim Youngmo Patisserie has built its reputation on craftsmanship and tradition. The Jamsil branch located on the 5th floor of Lotte Avenuel, marks its expansion into a more modern space where you can enjoy both their baked goods and brunch dishes. There may be a wait on weekends, in which case you’ll need to register your mobile number at the kiosk to be added to the waiting list.

The Jamsil location is particularly beloved for its spacious seating and panoramic view of Seokchon Lake. The interior reflects a classic European tearoom with ornate chandeliers and organ pipe-like ornaments lining the ceiling. Sunlight fills the space through the large lake-facing windows, creating the perfect mood for a romantic brunch or afternoon tea. Prices seemed reasonable compared to other cafes in Avenuel, with drinks around ₩5,000–₩7,000 and brunch dishes between ₩13,000–₩20,000.

Garlic Shrimp Panini

I ordered the Garlic Shrimp Panini and the Ricotta Hotcake. The panini was golden and crisp on the outside, filled with grilled shrimp, mozzarella cheese, arugula, garlic, and a hint of honey. It also came with a small salad with a sweet zesty dressing which added a refreshing touch to the plate.

Ricotta Hotcake

For the ricotta hotcake, three golden-brown pancakes were stacked and topped with a generous scoop of whipped ricotta cream sprinkled with sliced almonds. A light dusting of powdered sugar and a drizzle of syrup tied everything together, while the fresh banana and orange slices on the side added a bright fruity contrast. The pancakes had a great balance between the gentle tang and sweetness of buttermilk , with just enough crispness on the edges. The ricotta cream also paired well with the warm pancake, making the overall texture softer and creamier.

3. GetSome Coffee

Scenic Cafe with Seokchon Lake View

Get Some Coffee (겟썸커피 LMoA) is probably one of the best-kept secrets in the Lotte complex. Located right outside the Lotte Museum of Art (LMoA) on the 6th floor of Avenuel, the cafe has tall glass windows overlooking Seokchon Lake, offering a peaceful view that contrasts nicely with the bustling shopping floors below.

While the view is similar to Kim Youngmo Patisserie, the vibe here is definitely more contemporary. The overall interior is sleek and minimal with a silver-toned ceiling patterned with round lights and matching metallic walls that add a touch of modern simplicity to the space.

The menu centers on espresso-based drinks and house-made baked goods. Both their drinks and desserts are priced between ₩4,500–₩6,000, which feel reasonable considering the view and the location inside one of the most iconic towers in Seoul. From the cafe you can also catch glimpses of the art pieces at LMoA; when I visited, the main exhibition was “Prototype” by artist Seungcheol Ok, and it was nice being able to see some of the works from outside.

I also tried their Chocolate Chip Cookie, which they kindly offered to warm up. The heated cookie became soft and chewy in the center, with melted chocolate chunks that made it taste like it just came out of the oven.