Best Table-Cooked Tteokbokki in Seoul: A Complete Review of Apple House

Discover Shabro21 Gangnam, one of Seoul’s most talked-about shabu-shabu restaurants. Clean broth, fresh ingredients, and budget-friendly prices — here’s my honest local review with must-try menu picks.

Contents

Apple House Restaurant: Basic Information

Seoul’s Best Table-Cooked Tteokbokki Restaurants

Restaurant Name	애플하우스(Apple House)
Type of Cuisine	Korean street food
Restaurant Address	2nd Floor, 29 Dongjak-daero 27da-gil, Dongjak-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
Restaurant Business Hours	Open Daily: 10:30 AM – 9:00 PM Last order at 8:30 PM
Parking	Parking Available • Seogwang City View Building Underground Parking: Free for 1 hour, then 3,000 KRW per 30 minutes • Alternative Option (if full): Namsung Sagye Market Public Parking Lot: 300 KRW per 5 minutes (3,600 KRW per hour)
Seating Capacity	Hall Tables and Counter Seating for 120+ Guests
Amenities	Free High-Speed 5G Wi-Fi, Clean Restrooms Separated by Gender, Suitable for Groups of 4 or More, Complimentary Fresh Filtered Water

Apple House started in 1987 as a small street food stall in Gubanpo, Seoul, and has grown into a large restaurant business today, thanks to its delicious offerings.

Apple House adds chunjang (black bean paste) sauce to its tteokbokki seasoning, creating a unique flavor that sets it apart from typical tteokbokki and ranks it among Seoul’s top three table-cooked tteokbokki spots. (Seoul’s Top 3 Table-Cooked Tteokbokki: Maboklim Grandma Tteokbokki, I Love Tteokbokki, Apple House)

Apple House is a popular spot among Seoul locals, offering delicious tteokbokki at affordable prices. Check out my detailed visit review below for more insights.

If you’re visiting Apple House by public transportation, the closest subway exits are Line 4, Exit 13 and Line 7, Exit 10. From Isu Station, it’s about a 3-minute walk to the restaurant.

If you’re driving to Apple House, you can use the underground parking at the Seogwang City View building where the restaurant is located. Parking is free for the first hour, and afterward it costs 3,000 KRW per 30 minutes. Since the parking lot is small, if it’s full, consider using the Namsung Sagye Market public parking lot as an alternative.

Apple House Restaurant: Menu and Prices

Menu	Price (KRW)
일반 떡볶이 (Regular Tteokbokki, Served on a plate after being cooked in the kitchen)	₩5,000(≒$3.65) per person
즉석 떡볶이 (Table-Cooked Tteokbokki, Guests cook and enjoy directly at the table)	· 즉석떡볶이(Table-cooked Tteokbokki): ₩4,500(≒$3.28) per person · 라면사리+쫄면사리(Ramen noodles add-on + Chewy noodles add-on): ₩4,000(≒$2.92) · 라면사리(Ramen noodles add-on): ₩2,500(≒$1.82) · 쫄면사리(Chewy noodles add-on): ₩2,500(≒$1.82) · 오뎅사리(Fish Cake add-on): ₩2,500(≒$1.82) · 치즈사리(Cheese add-on): ₩2,500(≒$1.82) · 양배추사리(Cabbage add-on): ₩2,500(≒$1.82) · 삶은계란(Boiled Egg, 1 pc): ₩500(≒$0.36) · 볶음용 공깃밥(Extra Rice for Stir-fry): ₩2,000(≒$1.46) * 2인 세트(Set for 2, Rice cake + Fish cake + Cabbage + Ramen noodles + Chewy noodles + 2 eggs): ₩14,000(≒$10.22) * 3인 세트(Set for 3, Rice cake + Fish cake + Cabbage + Ramen noodles + Chewy noodles + 3 eggs): ₩19,000(≒$13.8)
Side Dishes	· 일반순대(Regular Sundae, Korean Blood Sausage): ₩4,000(≒$2.92) · 순대볶음(Stir-fried Sundae, Spicy vegetable mix): ₩5,000(≒$3.65) · 오뎅(Fish Cake Skewers, 2 pcs): ₩2,000(≒$1.46) · 무침 군만두(Spicy Fried Dumplings, 4 pcs): ₩4,000(≒$2.92) · 잔치국수(Warm Noodle Soup, Anchovy broth noodles): ₩4,000(≒$2.92) · 쫄면(Chewy noodles, A cold mixed noodle dish made with thick, chewy noodles tossed with vegetables and a spicy-sweet gochujang sauce): ₩6,000(≒$4.38) · 물냉면(Cold Buckwheat Noodles, Mul Naengmyeon): ₩6,000(≒$4.38) · 김치볶음밥(Kimchi Fried Rice, Served from kitchen): ₩6,000(≒$4.3)

At Apple House, you can place an order starting from either 2 servings of table-cooked tteokbokki, or 1 serving plus extra toppings, regardless of how many people are in your group. So even if you come alone, as long as there’s an available seat, you can enjoy your meal comfortably by yourself.

Most guests visiting Apple House typically order the 2-person or 3-person tteokbokki sets, which include a good balance of extra toppings and offer great value for money.

The true highlight of Apple House is their seasoned fried dumplings (muchi-mandu) and stir-fried sundae (Korean blood sausage). These side dishes are famous for their sweet and spicy flavor, making them crowd favorites among both locals and visitors of all ages.

Apple House Restaurant: Real Customer Reviews

Front view photo of Apple House, one of Seoul’s top table-cooked tteokbokki restaurants

Photo of the entrance to the Apple House building

Photo of student visitors’ graffiti covering the walls

Photo of the Apple House restaurant entrance

The entrance to the second floor, where Apple House is located, is next to the parking lot entrance on the right side of the building. Elevator access is available for the elderly or those with disabilities.

Walking up the stairs to the second floor, the walls are covered with graffiti-style writings, reflecting Apple House’s unique vibe dating back to its Gubanpo days. The old Apple House sign from its original Gubanpo location is mounted at the entrance, giving the space a distinctly retro atmosphere.

Photo of the Apple House dining hall entrance

Photo capturing the table setup and atmosphere inside the Apple House dining hall

The Apple House restaurant is quite spacious with plenty of seating. Since it’s a popular spot, waiting is almost always necessary during weekday lunch and dinner hours as well as on weekends.

I usually visit around 3–4 PM, avoiding peak hours, so I can walk in and get a table without waiting. If there is a wait, the staff will guide you to an available table as soon as it’s ready. When there’s no wait, you can choose any open seat and place your order immediately.

Photo of the Apple House order sheet.

At Apple House, you place your order by filling out the order sheet with a pen and handing it to the staff. I usually start with the 2-person set of their signature tteokbokki and add sides like seasoned fried dumplings and a soft drink. All orders at Apple House are prepaid. When you hand over the completed order sheet along with your credit or debit card, the staff processes the payment and returns your card with the receipt.

Photo of the self-service bar at Apple House.

After placing your order, you can grab chopsticks directly from the utensil holder at the side of your table. Plates, spoons, bottled water, fish cake soup, and pickled radish can be taken as needed from the self-service station along the side of the restaurant.

Photo taken before preparing the 2-person instant tteokbokki set

Photo showing the 2-person instant tteokbokki set being cooked

Photo of the 2-person instant tteokbokki set fully cooked

To cook the instant tteokbokki, simply turn on the gas stove and bring it to a boil. Start with high heat, and once the broth begins to boil, reduce it to medium heat. As the broth boils, the noodles (ramyeon and jjolmyeon) can stick to the bottom, so stir occasionally with a ladle. The noodles cook faster than the rice cakes, so eat them first. While enjoying the noodles, the rice cakes will cook perfectly. Once the rice cakes are soft and the broth has thickened, lower the heat to low—or turn it off completely—and enjoy your meal.

Photo showing the 2-person instant tteokbokki set served in individual plates after cooking

Photo showing chopsticks picking up wheat rice cakes (tteok) with fish cakes from the fully cooked instant tteokbokki

Apple House’s instant tteokbokki features an irresistibly sweet and addictive sauce made with chunjang (black bean paste) and jocheong (rice syrup). The chewy texture of the wheat rice cakes pairs perfectly with thinly shredded cabbage and fish cakes, giving every bite a satisfying mix of flavors and textures. It’s a distinctly addictive taste that sets it apart from other Korean snack restaurants.

Stir-Fried Dumplings Tossed in Spicy Sauce at Apple House (served hot from the kitchen after ordering)

Photo of Apple House’s Spicy Pan-Fried Dumplings

Apple House’s Spicy Mixed Pan-Fried Dumplings are crispy yaki-mandu tossed in a sweet and spicy gochujang sauce. The flavor has a hint of tteokbokki seasoning, evoking nostalgic tastes from the 1990s.

Apple House is a popular snack bar frequented by celebrities like comedian Yoo Jae-suk, singer Lee Hyori (Fin.K.L), announcer Park Ji-yoon, and actress Choo So-jung (WJSN EXY), and has been featured multiple times in the media. Unlike street stalls, it offers the advantage of enjoying hygienically prepared food in a clean, comfortable dining space. Most importantly, its unique sauces can’t be found at any other snack restaurants. The taste has remained consistently excellent over the years.

This is a 100% authentic, paid review with receipt proof—my honest experience.

Recommended Menu Picks

For first-time visitors, these menu items are highly recommended:

1. 즉석 떡볶이(Table-Cooked Tteokbokki) 2인 세트(Set for 2) – Loved for their chewy texture and perfectly balanced, bold sauce that keeps you coming back for more.

2. 무침 군만두(Spicy Fried Dumplings) – Crispy on the outside, flavorful on the inside, making them the perfect savory bite to pair with any meal.

Final Verdict

Apple House perfectly blends nostalgia and flavor, offering Seoul’s top table-cooked tteokbokki and must-try seasoned fried dumplings in a clean, welcoming space. A must-visit for locals and travelers alike.

💡 Pro Tip: Visit Apple House during off-peak hours around 3–4 PM to avoid long waits. Order the 2-person tteokbokki set first and add seasoned fried dumplings for the perfect balance of flavors. Don’t forget to stir the noodles while cooking to keep them from sticking.

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