🍞 A Luxurious Breakfast Spread
Located in Gangnam, Park Hyatt Seoul offers breakfast at Cornerstone on the 2nd floor. The restaurant is designed with large windows that let in natural light, creating the illusion of a bright and refreshing morning. However, during my stay, the main intersection outside was under construction. The windows themselves were a bit cloudy, with dotted privacy patterns, so the view was not something to enjoy.
The menu, however, was extensive—just as you would expect from a luxury hotel:
- Classic Western breakfast options (bread, cheese, yogurt, salad)
- Korean street-food–inspired dishes
- A small selection of dim sum
- Made-to-order dishes such as eggs, avocado open sandwich, bibimbap, and even beef steak
Yes, you can even enjoy a hearty steak first thing in the morning—something that feels uniquely Park Hyatt.
🌹 Highlights I Appreciated
Variety
The bread, cheese, and local Korean honey were delicious, with fruits and salads rounding out the selection.
A Taste of Korea
The made-to-order bibimbap was excellent. I realized that “local flavors” were the most satisfying part of the meal.
Attentive Service
On my second visit, staff remembered my order from the previous day and asked if I would like the same again. That small gesture felt genuinely warm.
👎 “To Be Honest…” Some Disappointments
Despite the attractive presentation, the actual taste often fell short.
- The eggs lacked flavor compared to those in Japan, leaving omelets and eggs Benedict flat and unimpressive.
- The avocado open sandwich looked stylish but was underwhelming.
Other small annoyances included:
- Yogurt labels were incorrect, and I mistakenly ate the sweetened version instead of the sugar-free one.
- The toaster only handles four slices at a time, creating delays during peak hours.
- Around 9 a.m., the dining room became very crowded, and I was even asked to wait in the holding area.
🍷 The Timber House – A True Music Bar
The basement bar, The Timber House, is spacious and feels authentic. The photos shown here are brightened for clarity, but in reality, it’s quite dark—without the lamp on the table, you wouldn’t see a thing.
This is truly a place for music lovers. When I visited, the stage featured a saxophone solo, followed by tap dance and instrumental fusion. Guests sitting near the stage were visibly excited, clearly there to enjoy the music.
We, however, chose a sofa seat tucked in the back. Unfortunately, a speaker was right above us. Since we came mainly to chat, the overwhelming volume quickly became exhausting. For those who come for the music, though, it must be an electrifying experience.
🥪 Food & Drinks
I ordered the katsu sandwich. The pork had a rather “wild” flavor. Interestingly, when I later tried a nearby samgyeopsal restaurant recommended by the hotel staff, I noticed the same distinctive pork aroma. Perhaps this is a local preference.
The good news is that non-alcoholic options such as herbal teas are available, so even non-drinkers can enjoy spending time here.
🍜 Casual Dining Café on the Reception Floor – The Lounge
Since I arrived at an odd hour, I decided to try a light meal at the casual dining café, The Lounge, located on the reception floor. The menu tempted me with a noodle dish, so I ordered it—only to realize later it was a set. It began with a plate of raw vegetables and sesame dip. To be honest, it was exactly what it looked like: raw vegetables.
The noodles that followed resembled Japanese cold “hiyashi chuka” at first glance. But once I took a bite, it was completely different—soft and limp, like overcooked somen. For someone used to firm, chewy noodles, this texture felt unpleasant and difficult to enjoy.
The price was around 48,000 won, which felt excessive given the quality. Perhaps this softer noodle texture is the norm in Korea, but personally, it was disappointing and not worth the price.
🌿 Overall Impressions
Park Hyatt Seoul excels in luxury atmosphere and service. The staff’s hospitality is superb. Yet when it comes to the dining itself—whether breakfast, the bar, or the café—I couldn’t help but conclude: the visuals were impressive, but the flavors were lacking.
- Breakfast: Lavish selection, but taste fell short.
- Bar: Wonderful vibe, but loud music and polarizing flavors.
- Café: Noodle texture didn’t match my expectations, leaving me unsatisfied.
In short: The experience and visuals are luxurious, but culinary satisfaction depends heavily on personal taste.
📝 Summary
✅ Wide variety, with authentic Korean options
✅ Attentive, thoughtful staff
❌ Western dishes underwhelming in flavor
❌ Crowding & toaster wait times
❌ Views and presentation fall short
It was, in the end, a slightly frustrating contrast: perfect visuals, but flavors that didn’t quite measure up.
🏨 Related Articles
👉 Check out my Park Hyatt Seoul Room Review here.
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