A Hidden Steak Spot in Eungam-dong: Lunch at Mercato Inside the Market

A Hidden Steak Spot in Eungam-dong: Lunch at Mercato Inside the Market

 

A Hidden Steak Spot in Eungam-dong: Lunch at Mercato Inside the Market

My birthday is just around the corner, and a friend offered to treat me to lunch. That’s not our usual tradition—back in school, it was always the birthday person who paid for the meal, and friends gave the presents. But today was a welcome surprise.

We met at Exit 1 of Saejeol Station and walked along Bulgwangcheon to a cozy little restaurant called Mercato. Interestingly, it’s tucked inside a local market alley. But this market was not your typical one—it was incredibly clean and bright, with a skylight overhead. Looking up at the roof reminded me of the Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert in Brussels. Okay, maybe that’s a stretch—but the vibe felt oddly similar, even if the goods on display were completely different.


A quiet and spotless alley inside Sin Eungam Market

Mercato serves Italian cuisine like pasta and pizza. The name Mercato means “market” in Italian—fitting for a place located inside one. It’s interesting how similar that word sounds across languages: market in English, Markt in German, marché in French. Only slight differences in spelling and pronunciation, really. I always think speaking five languages in Europe is a whole different level compared to doing so in Korea.


A Hidden Steak Spot in Eungam-dong: Lunch at Mercato Inside the Market


We had a reservation at noon, but arrived a bit early. The chef-owner welcomed us in anyway. Inside, the place had a cozy, slightly dim ambiance, with just four tables—perfect for a one-person operation.



We were first served a welcome drink and warm, freshly baked bread topped with shredded potato. The savory taste was excellent. We had a choice between wine and apple juice—we both chose apple juice.



Then came the main dish: a beautifully cooked hanwoo (Korean beef) tenderloin steak, served medium over a creamy mashed potato sauce. On the side were wasabi and mustard—surprisingly, the mustard paired better with the steak. Also on the plate was a unique pickle made with chonggak-mu (Korean ponytail radish). Unexpected but delicious!



The steak was extraordinary—tender, flavorful, and cooked just right. I’ve often asked for medium-well in the past because poorly cooked medium steaks can be too bloody. But here, the juices were well sealed in, and every bite was enjoyable. Honestly, this might be the best steak I’ve ever had.

Though it’s in a market alley, Mercato isn’t cheap. A 180g tenderloin steak costs ₩39,000. There’s no salad or soup included—just the steak, bread, and drink. Compared to franchise restaurants like VIPS, where a 150g Australian tenderloin costs around ₩30,000, it’s somewhat similar. Still, if I had to choose, I’d pick Mercato. The quiet atmosphere, quality ingredients (all locally sourced except the cheese), and personal touch make it well worth the price. I’m already thinking of coming back to try the pasta!

Mercato Menu & Prices


Salads

  • Basil Pesto & Bocconcini Salad – ₩8,000

Pasta

  • Myeongran (pollack roe) Oil Linguine – ₩14,000

  • Cheese Cream Tagliatelle – ₩15,000

  • Classic Tomato Linguine – ₩16,000

  • Lasagna with Ragu Sauce – ₩18,000

  • Basil Cream Potato Gnocchi – ₩18,000

Pizza

  • Mixed Mushroom Pizza – ₩17,000

  • Spinach Pizza – ₩17,000

Risotto

  • Korean Beef Patty & Mushroom Risotto – ₩17,000

  • Grilled Abalone & Innards Risotto – ₩19,000

Steak

  • Hanwoo Tenderloin Steak – ₩39,000

Drinks

  • Red or White Wine (glass) – ₩7,000

  • Hoegaarden, Kronenbourg Blanc, Heineken – ₩7,000

  • Lemon Sherbet & Citron Ade – ₩7,000

  • Golden Medal Apple Juice – ₩4,000

  • Coke, Cider – ₩3,000

Location


  • 1F, 5-3 Eungam-ro 22-gil, Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul

  • 0507-1377-9078

  • Closed on Thursdays

  • Open Fri–Wed: 11:30 AM – 9:00 PM (Last order: 8:00 PM)

Thanks to a friend who came all the way to see me, I had a delicious meal and received a lovely gift. Now… what should I do for their birthday in return?


Grateful for a wonderful day. Thank you, my dear friend! ♥


Originally posted in Korean on April 1, 2025, at fruitfulife.tistory.com


#SeoulEats #Eungamdong #MercatoSeoul #HanwooSteak #HiddenGem #ItalianInSeoul #SeoulRestaurants #BirthdayLunch #KoreanBeef #MarketDining #EunpyeongGu

Location: 대한민국 서울특별시 은평구 응암동

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