Euljiro’s Culinary Transformation: How Old Meets New in 2026’s Hottest Dining Spots

On the 28th, SBS’s Live Today turned the spotlight on the layered charms of Euljiro. Once famous for its old printing alleys and workaday storefronts, the neighborhood has reinvented itself as an OLD & NEW mash-up where stylish restaurants, dessert destinations and personality-packed barbecue joints collide.

SBS’s Live Today is a wide-ranging lifestyle and current affairs show that covers on-the-ground stories, trending topics, practical tips and local eateries. In the segment titled UDT – ‘OLD & NEW’ Eateries That Reflect Euljiro, the program showcased a handful of standout restaurants and dessert spots around Euljiro in Seoul’s Jung-gu district.

First up: Gyeongilok Pizzeria in Jung-gu. This cozy spot serves everything from Margherita to Diavola and Gorgonzola, plus a selection of pastas. Rooted in traditional pizza-making, it stands out for smart ingredient pairings and a balanced flavor profile.

Reviewers on Naver raved: \”Clean and you can taste the ingredients,\” \”Seasoning is spot-on and the crust has a nice chew,\” \”It reminded me of a pizza I had in Italy,\” and \”The flavors of the ingredients blend really well—very clean and satisfying.\”

Pizza is all about ingredient quality and a well-crafted crust. The Margherita depends on the harmony of tomato, cheese and basil; the Diavola brings a spicy kick; and the Gorgonzola showcases bold, tangy cheese character. Offering these distinct styles in one place is clearly part of the draw.

Gyeongilok Pizzeria is open from 11:30 AM to 9:00 PM and is closed on Sundays and Mondays.

Also featured was GongganGap in Euljiro 3-ga, Jung-gu, which delivers a different kind of vibe. The menu includes a variety of bingsu (Korean shaved ice)—think pudding bingsu and mountain bingsu—alongside desserts like Dubai Choco Crunchy Cake and Bamtoria Cake.

Customers wrote on Naver, \”It’s so famous for its bingsu that I stop by every time I’m in Euljiro,\” \”The pudding bingsu is amazing—the sweet vanilla pudding with crunchy bits and toasted nuts is a great combo,\” and \”The pudding and bingsu work so well together.\” The pudding-and-bingsu pairing gives you both creamy richness and a refreshing chill.

GongganGap is open daily from 11:45 AM to 9:50 PM.

Ppasam showcased another facet of Euljiro’s food scene with its butter samgyeopsal—pork belly seared with butter. It’s a playful twist on a classic, and rather than feeling greasy, many diners praised the amplified richness and nuttiness the butter brings.

Naver reviewers said things like, \”The butter aroma was intense and intriguing—it paired perfectly with the meat,\” \”I was curious, but it wasn’t greasy at all. The flavor actually doubled—richer and smoother,\” \”The meat was great and the sides were fantastic,\” and \”The butter and pork belly combo was more savory and delicious than I expected.\” Using butter in meat preparation is known to heighten aroma and taste, and applying that technique to samgyeopsal gives Ppasam its unique edge.

Ppasam is open from 4:30 PM to 10:30 PM and is closed on Sundays.

Euljiro has long been a hub for printing, manufacturing and hardware stores. Its alleys still hold long-standing shops and traces of industry, but a wave of young entrepreneurs has transformed many corners into stylish eateries and cultural hangouts. That blend of old and new has earned Euljiro the nickname \”Hipjiro\” and made it a standout example of downtown Seoul’s urban revival.