Hotel Kukdo Patio: A Weekday Lunch Buffet in Euljiro That Serves You a Steak Mid-Meal

Picture this: a hotel dining room in Euljiro, a buffet, and a steak that shows up at your table halfway through lunch. That is Patio, on the second floor of Hotel Kukdo, and it runs Monday to Friday, 11:30 to 14:00. Weekends and public holidays? Closed.

I went in late September, and here is what 29,800 KRW gets you!

Patio, on the second floor of Hotel Kukdo in Euljiro.

Getting There

– Weekday lunch only. Phone: 02-6466-1051

Driving? Hotel Kukdo has its own car park, and valet costs 2,000 KRW. Larger vehicles such as SUVs use an external lot instead; submit the receipt and 50% of the parking fee is covered, up to 5,000 KRW.

The Room

Look up first: the ceiling is high. Then look around, because a huge window wall takes over an entire wall of the room, and on a clear autumn day the Euljiro skyline and a big stretch of sky roll out behind the glass like a panorama. Overhead hangs an ornate black-and-red chandelier that sits beautifully with the soft daylight.

Way in the back there is a room that seats up to forty, used for office lunch gatherings and business meetings. When I visited, autumn flower arrangements and small props were set out around the room, which gave the whole place a real fall mood.

The hall, and a Japanese-style stall by the windows.

How the Lunch Works

Here is the part to understand before you go: for 29,800 KRW you get the Asian buffet and a main course! Pick your main from two options: flat iron steak or seafood tomato pasta. My steak arrived at the table while I was working my way through the buffet, so lunch turns into a two-front operation.

The hot line stays hot, held at temperature over induction warmers: buta kakuni (braised pork), chicken teriyaki, seafood stir-fried udon, abalone and steamed prawns. There was futomaki, and grilled eel. Over by the window, a noodle corner had udon, cold soba, Japanese ramen and skewered fish cake. Salad, fruit, dessert including tiramisu, coffee and other drinks filled out the rest.

And yes: sake and matcha are unlimited!

From the hot line: chicken teriyaki, and prawns with shellfish.

Salad, fruit and dessert trays, the grilled eel, and stir-fried udon.

Taste Notes

I picked the flat iron steak, so no pasta report from me. The steak came out thick and glossy under a generous pour of dark demi-glace, with cherry tomatoes, green beans and mashed potato on the side. And the meat was seriously tender! I was very happy with it.

From the buffet I grabbed the kushikatsu, crisp on the outside and moist inside, and the grilled eel made it onto my plate too.

Then the tiramisu: really, really good. I would tell you to get it!

The kushikatsu, the steak and the tiramisu.

• –**Weekdays only**: 11:30 to 14:00, Monday to Friday. The last order time is not confirmed.
• –**One main per person**: flat iron steak or seafood tomato pasta. I had the steak.
• –**Sake and matcha are unlimited**: both are listed as unlimited at the buffet.
• –**Driving**: valet is 2,000 KRW. In an SUV, use the external lot and keep the receipt — half the fee is covered, up to 5,000 KRW.

Price Range

29,800 KRW per person gets you a main course and the buffet. The buffet has salad, fruit, dessert, coffee and other drinks, and sake and matcha are listed as unlimited. Valet parking is 2,000 KRW.