The Travel News | Jungchan Lee
In the heart of Dongdaemun’s bustling streets, just a short 3-minute walk from Exit 2 of Dongdaemun Station, lies a quiet second-floor sanctuary that feels worlds apart from the crowds below. Cherry Garden is not simply a Korean restaurant—it’s a place where warmth, calm, and culture quietly intersect. It’s a space where food nourishes, and stories, identities, and communities unfold.
A Garden Above the City
The entrance is humble—no flashy signage, no loud music. But once you step through the second-floor doors, you’re met with soft lighting, gentle music, and a sense of order that feels like exhale. The hum of the city fades. Instead, you’re met with warmth—a Korean meal served with the grace of a host and the care of a friend.
A Table for Everyone: Vegan and Halal Included
What makes Cherry Garden truly stand out is its uncompromising inclusivity. The restaurant offers fully vegan Korean set menus, and can also prepare halal meals on request using specially sourced ingredients.
The meals are clean, beautiful, and true to tradition—no eggs, no meat, but all the soul of Korean home cooking. From homemade kimchi to seasonal vegetable sides, the emphasis is on thoughtful hospitality, not restriction.
Families with children, Muslim travelers, vegan solo diners, and curious first-time foreigners all find a place here—because the philosophy of this restaurant is simple: no one should feel left out at the table.
Meet Cherry: The Writer, the Traveler, the Host
Cherry, the English name of owner Yeonshil Lee, isn’t just a chef. She is a storyteller, a writer, a traveler, and a soul who has lived deeply in many cultures.
Having spent several years in Singapore working with diplomats, artists, and entrepreneurs, she brings a rare sensibility to this small restaurant in Seoul.
Her table is not just about food—it’s about emotion, memory, and connection. “I just don’t want foreign guests to feel uncomfortable,” she says. That sentence alone captures the philosophy of Cherry Garden. In truth, more than half the guests here are international. They include embassy staff, university students, travelers with backpacks, and professionals from nearby global offices.
And to all of them, Cherry is more than the owner. She is a warm neighbor, a big sister, a gentle mother figure—someone who smiles through language gaps and explains dishes with grace. No translation is needed for kindness.
The Meal: From Traditional Sotbap to Handmade Yogurt
The signature meal here is the sotbap jeongsik, a Korean set menu centered around rice cooked in a hot stone pot. It arrives with fragrant steam and crispy nurungji (scorched rice), along with an array of seasonal sides—all made with local, organic ingredients.
The plates and teaware are sourced from across the world, adding elegance and personality to every dish. The finale? A handmade yogurt that’s creamy, light, and unexpectedly delightful.
Everything here—from chopstick placement to tableware choices—feels intentional. This isn’t flashy cuisine. It’s poetic nourishment.
More Than a Restaurant: A Cultural Living Room
Cherry Garden regularly hosts book readings, small concerts, NGO meetings, and student forums. With seating for up to 52 guests and plans to launch lunch box deliveries and yogurt shipping services, it is both a physical and cultural hub.
The space welcomes all, but not in a loud, promotional way. Rather, it invites with sincerity—and holds space for warmth to unfold slowly.
📍 Visiting Info
Address: 2nd Floor, 326 Jongno, Jongno-gu, Seoul (3 mins from Dongdaemun Station Exit 4)
Tel: +82-2-6449-7043
Signature Dishes: Vegan Korean set meals, Halal options, Handmade yogurt
Group bookings: up to 52 people
Upcoming: lunch box delivery & yogurt shipping
Cherry Garden isn’t just a restaurant.
It’s a gentle pause in the city. A home for differences. A table for conversation.
And in every bite, you feel that care.
