Taverna de Portugal (CLOSED)

The Francesinha literally means “little Frenchie” in Portuguese and at Taverna de Portugal, Seoul’s only Portuguese restaurant, the Francesinha goes all out. It’s loaded with mortadella, chorizo, ham, sirloin steak and prosciutto between two slices of white bread, which is then covered in mozzarella cheese and lightly toasted. “But the secret is the sauce,” says chef Agostino Silva, who owns the restaurant with his wife Hee-rah. “Anyone can make a sandwich, but the sauce is a different story.” All Francesinha sauces are made with a tomato and beer base, though every restaurant has their own variation. Agostino’s version includes a little wine and a little seafood, and that’s all he’ll say—the recipe is a secret. Each sandwich is topped with olive tapenade after being liberally doused with their signature sauce. For a truly Portuguese experience, upgrade to the deluxe sandwich (not on the menu), which includes a fried egg on top and fries on the side. And please, Agostino implores, don’t use side plates (you miss so much of the sauce) and don’t waste time photographing it (it gets cold).