Bangkok has always been a good place to get lost in. The blend of old-world charm and modern creativity brings endless surprises at every turn. Tucked away beyond Bangkok’s usual tourist trail is Ari Village, one of the city’s emerging neighborhoods—where laid-back streets meet hole-in-the-wall cafés, artsy boutiques, and hip hangouts.
Nestled in its vicinity is Apgujeong Grill, a Korean restaurant that adds its own unique flavor to Ari’s vibrant scenery. Apgujeong Grill is located in the basement of Vanit Village Aree. Coming here was like stepping into a hidden corner of the world waiting to be discovered. The restaurant draws its name from Apgujeong, a district in Seoul known for its stylish streets and food culture, offering a perfect nod to the experience it brings to Bangkok.
A warm welcome featuring Ten Lee
The first thing that greets diners at Apgujeong Grill is its K-pop charm. A giant Canelé doll—a black cat designed by Thai K-pop star Ten Lee—welcomes visitors beside his poster at the entrance. Ten, whose full name is Chittaphon Leechaiyapornkul, is a Thai artist who made his name as a member of NCT and its subunit WayV.
Then comes a wall of autographs featuring the WayV signatures, NCT Dream’s Renjun, and Thai stars like DJ Poom, Tytan, and Thanatorn. The walls are accented with Ten Lee dolls that represent his journey as an idol. For many local fans, his connection adds a sense of pride and familiarity to the space.
Another playful touch of the restaurant is the set of drawings on the walls sketched by the members of WayV themselves.
WayV’s wall imprints feature outlines of Xiaojun, Yangyang, and Ten, handprints from Kun and Hendery, and a sketch of Winwin’s face
These little touches across the restaurant are loving reminders that the restaurant is owned and run by Ten’s sister, Ternlee (Ploychayapa Leechaiyapornkul), which makes the space feel both personal and filled with memories.
The rest of the space opens up with a welcoming warmth. Grills built into every table turn each meal into a shared experience, while the chatter of diners fill the air and the soft bustle of the kitchen drifts from the back. There’s something inviting about it all. It was less like entering a commercial restaurant and more like being welcomed into someone’s home for dinner.
Samgyupsal, the heart of Apgujeong Grill | Photo from Apgujeong Grill
The food at Apgujeong Grill is everything you’d expect from an authentic Korean restaurant, the kind that makes diners linger to savor every bite. Their menu leans into Korean home cooking, where every meal begins with the comfort of banchan (side dishes), awakening one’s palate with spicy yet refreshing kimchi, tangy pickled radish, sweet-savory glazed onions, and aromatic perilla leaves.
The heart of their menu is the samgyupsal (pork belly), grilled right at the table by the staff. Thick slices of marbled pork are set on a cast-iron grill over charcoal, with garlic and kimchi sizzling beside it. As the meat turns golden at the edges, it’s ready to dip into ssamjang (Korean barbecue dipping paste) and wrap in crisp lettuce or perilla. Another favorite on the meat menu is the marinated sweet and savory pork, gabri, an Apgujeong Grill signature.
In an interview with SEA Wave Magazine, Apgujeong Grill owner Ternlee explained, “Our grilled pork and grilled kimchi stand out because we use a tilted cast-iron pan over carefully selected charcoal — something that makes our barbecue experience truly different.”
A feast of flavors at Apgujeong Grill | Photos from Apgujeong Grill
Apgujeong Grill’s bibimbap comes colorful and hearty, with fresh veggies, beef, and a sunny-side egg all mixed with gochujang (fermented red pepper paste) for a bowl that’s savory and satisfying. If bibimbap is all about balance, then kimchi fried rice leans into bold comfort. Each grain is coated in tangy kimchi flavor, bits of pork adding richness, and a runny egg on top that ties it all together. For something more unexpected, one may pick the anchobi (anchovy) rice that delivers a crunchy, salty-sweet taste with every bite. There is also crisp, savory pajeon, a golden pancake with scallions that’s perfect because of its rich flavor.
At Apgujeong, warmth comes in the form of three variants of jjigae (stews): kimchi jjigae with its deep, fermented flavor, doenjang jjigae or soybean paste stew, and sundubu jjigae or soft tofu in a spicy broth. Noodle lovers also have plenty to enjoy with offerings such as hot, savory ramyeon, umami-loaded Chapagetti, icy and refreshing mul naengmyeon, or its spicy counterpart, bibim naengmyeon. Meanwhile, snack favorites like tteokbokki, rabokki, steamed egg, corn cheese, and mushroom chips are available for sharing and to keep the table lively.
“Apgujeong Grill is designed to feel like a modern neighborhood hangout – warm, lively, and welcoming. We want guests to not only enjoy the food but also feel a sense of comfort and connection, making it a place they’d want to return to again and again,” Ternlee said.
Apgujeong’s samgyupsal, chapagetti, bibimbap, and anchovy rice
The idea of opening a Korean restaurant in Bangkok first came to Ternlee during the COVID-19 pandemic, when international travel was restricted. During this time, their family missed the meals they used to enjoy in South Korea and wanted to recreate it in Bangkok. They opened a space in the city where people could share the same experience they once treasured during their trips.
From the start, their goal was simple: to serve the best Korean barbecue in Thailand while keeping it welcoming and accessible. However, building a restaurant was not without its challenges. From creating a menu to training staff, every detail needed patience and precision. By staying flexible and listening to what diners wanted, Apgujeong Grill grew into more than just a restaurant—it became a place where good food and good company come together, built with heart and a whole lot of flavor. “It’s still an ongoing journey, but those challenges push us to grow and improve every day,” Ternlee told SEA Wave.
WayV members dining at Apgujeong Grill in Bangkok | Photo from WayV
Beyond the food and the warm atmosphere, Apgujeong Grill also carries a unique pop culture connection that draws people from around the world. For many WayV fans, especially those who follow Ten, the restaurant has become a must-visit in Bangkok, a place they’re eager to see beyond the photos.
Ternlee said, “We feel truly honored and grateful that fans from around the world choose to include Apgujeong Grill in their Bangkok journey and connect it with their K-pop experiences. Their support inspires us every day to keep improving and to give them an experience worth remembering.” She even shared that if Ten was to recommend a dish to his fans, it would most likely be the samgyupsal, tteokbokki, or kimchi fried rice.
Yet, what makes this connection special is how naturally it goes with the restaurant’s identity. Many arrive with the goal of visiting a place tied to WayV and Ten, but they often leave remembering the food and the experience itself of eating at the restaurant. Autographs and mementos on the walls add a layer of excitement for visitors, but the real memories are in the moments made around the Apgujeong Grill table.
Photos from Apgujeong Grill
Plans are underway to expand the selection of meats and introduce new dishes, while staying true to the flavors that made the restaurant a local favorite. At the same time, the team is putting strong emphasis on service and atmosphere, ensuring that every visit feels special. “For us, it’s not just about the food, but about creating memorable moments every time someone visits,” Ternlee stated.
Whether one is coming as a WayV fan, as a tourist exploring Ari Village, or simply as someone in search of a good meal, Apgujeong Grill is a discovery worth making in Bangkok. It’s a place that awakens with fresh and bold flavors yet calms with a familiar warmth. A visit here becomes more than just another stop on their trip—it becomes a memory that stays with you long after the journey ends.