Discover Ssongthai Chiangmai, a popular Yongridan gil Thai restaurant in Seoul serving authentic tom yum noodles, Thai morning glory, and local Chiang Mai flavors near Sinyongsan Station.
Yongridan gil Thai Restaurant Ssongthai Chiangmai: Authentic Thai Flavors Hidden in Seoul
A Small Piece of Thailand in the Heart of Yongsan
Among the many trendy restaurants filling the streets of Yongridan gil, there is one place that genuinely feels like stepping into Thailand itself.
That place is Ssongthai Chiangmai, one of the most beloved Yongridan gil Thai restaurants near Sinyongsan Station.
From the moment you walk in, the detailed interior, colors, scents, and atmosphere make it feel less like a restaurant in Seoul and more like a hidden local restaurant somewhere in Chiang Mai.
It is the kind of place I always recommend to people who want more than just Thai food. This is somewhere you visit when you want a tiny escape from everyday life while enjoying comforting Southeast Asian flavors.
I recently stopped by alone for a casual solo meal while running errands nearby, and honestly, everything still felt exactly as good as I remembered.
And as always, my number one favorite menu item remained unchanged: The tom yum noodles. Spicy, sweet, sour, deeply flavorful, and somehow perfectly adjusted to Korean tastes without losing their Thai identity.
Especially once you add extra cilantro.
If you love cilantro as much as I do, this dish becomes dangerously addictive.
Location & Accessibility of Yongridan gil Thai Restaurant Ssongthai Chiangmai
- Address: 1F, 39-5 Hangang-daero 40-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
- Nearest Station: Sinyongsan Station Exit 1 (approximately 4-minute walk)
Yongridan gil Thai Restaurant Ssongthai Chiangmai is located right in the middle of the increasingly popular Yongridan gil area, surrounded by trendy cafes, bars, and restaurants.
It works perfectly whether you are visiting for:
- A casual date
- Weekend food exploration
- Solo dining
- A weekday lunch break near Yongsan offices
If visiting by car, the restaurant does offer limited parking spaces nearby, but honestly, I personally recommend simply using a nearby private parking lot instead.
The restaurant parking system requires calling ahead for guidance, and spaces are extremely limited.
Meanwhile, nearby paid parking lots are usually easier and less stressful.
Finding the restaurant itself is very easy though.
Even from a distance, the bright yellow exterior with deep purple accents stands out dramatically among the surrounding buildings, giving off strong Southeast Asian vibes immediately.
There is also a small waiting area outside near the entrance, which becomes essential during peak dining hours because this place is almost always busy.
I visited right at opening time on a Sunday and luckily entered without waiting.
But immediately after me?
A long line started forming. So timing definitely matters here.
Opening Hours of Yongridan gil Thai Restaurant Ssongthai Chiangmai
- Daily: 11:30 – 21:40
- Break Time: 15:00 – 17:00
If you want to avoid waiting entirely, reservations through Naver are highly recommended.
more info : Official Instagram
Interior & Atmosphere of Yongridan gil Thai Restaurant Ssongthai Chiangmai
One of the most unique things about Yongridan gil Thai Restaurant Ssongthai Chiangmai is the building itself.
The restaurant was created by renovating a 106-year-old traditional Korean house, while still preserving much of the original structure.
The result feels incredibly special.
The low ceilings, separated rooms, antique-style lighting, floral wallpaper, and maze-like layout somehow blend Korean architecture with Thai aesthetics beautifully.
The moment you enter, there is already a strong sense of travel.
One especially memorable detail is the small shrine-like decorative space inside the restaurant, complete with subtle incense aromas that genuinely make the atmosphere feel immersive.
It does not feel like a typical themed restaurant trying too hard.
Instead, it feels naturally lived-in and warm.
Most tables are arranged for four people, though there are also several smaller two-person tables throughout the various divided rooms.
Because of the old house structure, every section feels semi-private regardless of where you sit.
Even solo diners sometimes get seated at larger tables simply because the seating flow is based on availability rather than party size.
There is also a private VIP room at the very back that fits around six people comfortably, making it ideal for small gatherings or private dinners.
Menu of Yongridan gil Thai Restaurant Ssongthai Chiangmai
Orders are placed through tablets installed at every table.
As the restaurant name suggests, the menu focuses heavily on dishes inspired by Chiang Mai-style Thai cuisine.
And honestly?
This may be one of the largest Thai restaurant menus I have seen anywhere in Seoul.
The menu includes:
- Salads
- Appetizers
- Noodles
- Rice dishes
- Main dishes
- Thai drinks and alcohol
There were several dishes I had never even seen before at other Thai restaurants in Korea.
The drink selection is equally impressive.
Besides classic Thai tea, the restaurant also offers:
- Thai rum
- Local Thai beer
- Highballs
- Wine
- Makgeolli
- Soju
Whether you want a light meal with tea or a relaxed dinner with drinks, the menu works well for both.
The Food at Ssongthai Chiangmai
The Best Tom Yum Noodles in Yongridan gil Thai Restaurant
The restaurant’s signature dishes are definitely:
- Tom Yum Noodles
- Beef Rib Rice Noodles
- Brisket Rice Noodles
But for me, the tom yum noodles are unbeatable.
I love tom yum soup in general, but Ssongthai Chiangmai’s version somehow balances Thai flavors with Korean comfort-food warmth perfectly.
That day, I ordered:
- Tom Yum Noodles
- Pad Pak Bung Fai Daeng (Thai Morning Glory Stir Fry)
- Thai Tea
Everything arrived surprisingly quickly, which is honestly one of the best things about Southeast Asian food when dining alone.
The Thai tea especially impressed me.
Unlike many restaurants that simply serve canned Thai tea, this version tasted freshly made, less sugary, and much smoother, making it easier to enjoy alongside spicy food.
Extra Cilantro Changes Everything
When the noodles first arrived, something immediately felt missing.
Then I realized:
I forgot to order extra cilantro.
That mistake was corrected instantly.
The staff brought out an enormous fresh plate of cilantro that smelled incredibly fragrant the moment it arrived.
I added everything directly into the broth and mixed it thoroughly.
Now this was my perfect bowl.
Bright colors, rich aroma, spicy broth, sweet acidity, seafood flavors, fresh herbs—everything finally came together exactly how I love it.
The noodles themselves were loaded with shrimp and seafood, making every bite satisfying even before touching the broth.
But honestly, the real star here is the soup.
Unlike many tom yum broths that focus purely on sourness and spice, this version has a deeper nutty richness.
I suspect the roasted peanuts blended into the broth are responsible for that extra layer of flavor.
The small roasted peanut pieces throughout the soup add incredible depth.
Thai Morning Glory That Perfectly Balanced the Meal
As a side dish, I ordered Thai morning glory stir-fry.
I still cannot properly pronounce the full Thai name:
Pad Pak Bung Fai Daeng.
Thankfully, the tablet menu includes photos because otherwise I would probably never remember it.
The morning glory had a stronger texture compared to some softer versions served elsewhere, but the salty clam flavors paired beautifully with the vegetables.
Together with the sweet-spicy tom yum broth, the combination felt perfect.
Final Thoughts about Yongridan gil Thai Restaurant Ssongthai Chiangmai
Yongridan gil Thai Restaurant Ssongthai Chiangmai has already become famous among people searching specifically for excellent tom yum noodles in Seoul.
And honestly, after eating here multiple times, I completely understand why.
Even though the restaurant now offers delivery through multiple platforms including Coupang Eats, Baemin, Yogiyo, and Shuttle, I still personally think dining in the restaurant itself is the best experience.
That said, the delivery packaging deserves praise too.
Everything arrives in eco-friendly paper packaging instead of excessive plastic, which somehow made me appreciate the restaurant even more.
Whether you are:
- Craving authentic Thai flavors
- Planning a Yongridan-gil date
- Looking for solo dining near Yongsan
- Missing Southeast Asia
- Obsessed with cilantro like me
Yongridan gil Thai Restaurant Ssongthai Chiangmai is absolutely worth visiting.
And if you love tom yum noodles?
Yongridan gil Thai Restaurant Ssongthai Chiangmai might honestly become one of your favorite Thai restaurants in Seoul too.
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