South Korea is well-known for its glossy and flourishing entertainment industry, but it is also a country that supports entrepreneurship. This is why many of its superstars put their performance money into investments. Restaurants and taverns are one of the most common companies they invest in.
1. Teen Top's Niel Cafe DaNi
Café Dani (called after Niel because his real name is Ahn Daniel) serves a variety of drinks selected by Niel. NieL occasionally visits the café and treats himself (due to his busy schedule), but he is also happy to serve some lucky customers if he is there.
2. Leessang's Paljamakchang
LeeSsang's Pal ja mak chang specialises on Mak Chang, or pork intestines, as the name implies. Due to the extensive use of Leessang memorabilia as interior décor, the restaurant's aesthetics have taken on a hip-hop flair. The proprietors do come in and serve the visitors, but due to their hectic schedules and the fact that they have two locations, this is an uncommon occurrence.
3. HaHa’s 401
Haha's 401, formerly Pal Ja Mak Chang, is a Korean BBQ restaurant with reggae-inspired decor and Haha memorabilia as designs. Waiters will assist guests in grilling the pig, like they do in many Korean BBQ restaurants. Haha occasionally visits the restaurant and assists with grilling.
4. Park Shin Hye's Little Tin Drums
While Little Tin Drums is actually owned and managed by Park Shin Hye's parents, it is still the place to go if you're a fan of the actress. Shin Hye's posters and photographs adorn the walls, and the actress herself is a frequent visitor. Just be aware that there is an unofficial rule in the restaurant: no photographing or requesting autographs from Shin Hye.
5. Kang Ho-Dong’s Yook-Chil-Pal (678)
The restaurant of former wrestler and current MC/Comedian Kang Ho Dong specialised in barbecued pork. Expect to be reminded of the restaurant's famous theme song: "When you think of pig, 6-7-8, when you think of beef, 6-7-8... what Kang Ho Dong consumes every day!"
6. B2ST Yoseob's Chilk Naengmyun
The place is owned by Yoseob's parents, but the decor is constructed around him, with a Yoseob shrine in the small yet comfortable furnishings (which includes pictures of baby Yoseob). The name implies that the establishment is a noodle house.
7. Se7en's Yeolbong Jjimdak
Yesung of Super Junior bought Babtol's restaurant for his parents. As one might anticipate, the venue is decked out in Super Junior paraphernalia and frequented by fans. Babtol's has a decidedly Western influence, merging its cuisine with the customary Korean selections, unlike many celebrity-owned restaurants that focus on Korean cuisine.
8. Super Junior Yesung's Babtol’s
Se7en owns Yeolbong Jjimdak, a chicken-focused restaurant. Unlike the other celebrity eateries on this list, he doesn't attend on a daily basis (possibly due to his hectic schedule—he was recently serving in the military), but other Korean celebs like SNSD's Yoona and Rain do (which could either mean that the food is really good or that these celebrities are close friends and loyal supporters of Se7en).
9. Miss A’s Suzy’s CAFFE SOO
Caffe Soo, her parents' café, is entirely Suzy themed, with photographs, posters, and other Suzy memorabilia adorning the walls. Suzy is a frequent (though infrequent) visitor, so you might catch a glimpse of her during your visit.
10. BlockB Taeil Korean BBQ
Taeil's family had a Korean BBQ business long before Block B was founded, and the name is simple but effective: "Korean BBQ." Korean BBQ's interior and outside are decorated with celebrity memorabilia, as are many celebrity-owned eateries.
