Location

373 Itaewon-dong, Yongsan District, Seoul
Ta

Ta is conveniently located about a 10-minute walk from Noksapyeong Station, which sits at the base of a hill between Itaewon and Yongsan. While it’s not the busiest station, Noksapyeong is a common stop for embassy visitors and locals headed to Gyeongnidan-gil, a beloved hillside street near Itaewon known for its eclectic mix of international restaurants and indie boutiques. The scenic walk from the station already sets the tone for a cozy dining experience at Ta.

Menu & Pricing

Ta’s menu reads like a modern European bistro with a conscious touch of vegetarian and gluten-free options. It has a unique blend of European and Australian culinary influences, shaped by a head chef who previously worked at a Michelin-starred vegetarian restaurant in Australia. Ingredients are seasonal and thoughtfully sourced, with many items featuring homemade elements like focaccia, pasta, and herb-infused sauces.

By day Ta offers lighter food like salads and sandwiches, while the evening menu expands to include similar yet slightly more complex main dishes like steak and seafood. Prices for main dishes generally range from ₩16,000 to ₩29,000, with desserts and drinks mostly under ₩10,000—a fair price for the level of craftsmanship and quality offered. Looking at their Instagram, it seems like the menu evolves regularly, featuring new recipes and ingredients that reflect the season.

What I Ordered

At first glance it resembled a classic brunch platter you might find at other cafes, but what really set Ta‘s plate apart was the noticeable freshness of each ingredient. A colorful and well-balanced mix of crispy hash brown, smashed avocado, smoked bacon, cherry tomatoes, sautéed mushrooms, and a soft poached egg topped with hollandaise sauce. The crustiness of the house-baked focaccia served on the side made it a perfect contrast to the softer, creamy elements on the plate like the avocado and mushrooms.

Overall the plate had a great mix of textures and flavors: the rich & savory notes of the hash brown, crispy bacon, and buttery mushrooms were balanced out by the freshness of the avocado, sweet cherry tomatoes and orange.

The lunch menu offers this pasta with either a tomato-based or truffle sauce, from which we opted for the latter. The hand-rolled cavatelli, tossed in a black truffle sauce with finely grated cheese, sautéed mushrooms, and leafy greens. And the grilled sourdough had just the right amount of char, adding depth and texture to every bite. It’s worth noting that Ta’s pastas are freshly made in-house, a rare level of craftsmanship in Seoul’s brunch scene.

Ta‘s Chips (₩9,000) were so much more than I expected. As I waited for my order, I could hear the distinct frying sound coming from the kitchen, hinting that these weren’t ready-made frozen fries. What arrived was a generous plate of irregularly cut potato wedges, fried to a dark golden brown and served alongside fresh cherry tomatoes and bacon. Each piece had a rustic, made-from-scratch quality, with perfectly crisp edges and a soft fluffy center.

Vibe & Atmosphere

From the moment you walk in, Ta feels like stepping into a European cottage with its soft wooden tones, mismatched vintage chairs, and fresh flowers. The open kitchen adds to its lived-in charm and the inviting, home-like interior creates a peaceful atmosphere. There’s also a small terrace outside that lets you soak in the laid-back vibe of Gyeongnidan-gil and since Ta is pet-friendly, this would be a welcoming spot for furry companions. (FYI if you’re a terrace lover looking for outdoor dining options in Seoul, please check out my other reviews on terrace restaurants.)

With the large open windows, I could feel the breeze and sunlight even from my indoor seat. I also noticed quite a lot of people taking photos throughout their meal, which speaks to the cafe’s Instagram-worthy aesthetics.