Firsthand stories from Korea, in ten languages
Restaurants, cafés and salons across Korea — every story by a blogger who actually went, linked to Google Maps.
Danyang Heukmaneul Ssambap is a Korean restaurant near Danyang-eup in Danyang, Chungbuk. We ordered two servings of black garlic pork ssambap with cola, fresh wrap greens, and doenjang stew. Verdict: a satisfying, wholesome meal after exploring Danyang Market.
Yangjae Katsu is a Japanese-style pork cutlet restaurant near Yangjae Station in Seocho, Seoul. The filet cutlet and udon, loin cutlet and buckwheat soba, and generously sized udon impressed our family. Verdict: a crispy, tender cutlet spot I absolutely want to revisit.
Hwarodam Yang Kkochi Magok is a lamb skewer restaurant in Gangseo, Seoul, serving charcoal-grilled lamb and Chinese-style dishes. We had thick lamb skewers, guobaorou, mango cream shrimp, and warm noodle soup, then ordered a second plate of shrimp. Verdict: Hwarodam Yang Kkochi Magok is a satisfying pick for juicy, odor-free lamb skewers.
Madam Hao is a Vietnamese restaurant near Ajou University in Suwon, Gyeonggi. I tried the 13,000 won bun cha and four cha gio for 8,000 won, with smoky grilled meat, fresh vegetables, and sweet-tangy nuoc mam sauce. Verdict: a lovely pick for lunch or a date-night meal.
Rolling Pasta Suwon Station Branch is an Italian restaurant in Suwon, Gyeonggi, where you can enjoy pasta and pizza together. Spicy beef brisket oil pasta, Margherita pizza, and honey sweet potato fries made a filling meal for two, with a great balance of heat, simplicity, and sweetness. Verdict: a satisfying, good-value stop before or after a movie or shopping near Suwon Station.
Aori’s Whereabouts Unknown is a ramen restaurant near Uijeongbu Station in Gyeonggi. The ₩16,000 Aori Set paired rich tonkotsu ramen with egg soy sauce rice and a spicy secret sauce. Verdict: A great fit for a quiet, filling bowl of ramen alone.
Sanseong Meat Shop Dongnae Main Branch is a pork BBQ restaurant in Dongnae, Busan. My family shared Set C, with staff grilling juicy nuruk pork neck and pork belly, plus beef-and-radish soup and castella rolled omelet. Verdict: a wonderfully easy choice for a family meal when you want someone else to grill.
Homilwon Shabu Kalguksu Gimpo Main Branch is a Korean restaurant in Geolpo-dong, Gimpo, Gyeonggi, serving sanghwang mushroom broth shabu-kalguksu. We had the 19,900-won per-person Special Full Table, from free beef mushroom radish rice to warm pork, spicy webfoot octopus, noodles, and perilla oil fried rice. A generous pick for a family meal when you want a little bit of everything.
Songrim Bok Jangeo Freshwater Eel Unlimited Refill Jeongwang Direct Branch is an unlimited eel restaurant in Siheung, Gyeonggi. I grilled large Korean Japanese eels over charcoal and went back for three refills. A great-value choice when you want to eat your fill of eel.
Gogikkun Kim Chunbae Jongno Branch is a Korean barbecue restaurant in Jongno, Seoul. The 500g recommended set pairs today’s Korean beef with pork neck and ogyeopsal, all grilled over charcoal by the staff. Verdict: a great pick for group dinners when everyone wants both beef and pork.
Min Cook Misoyaki is a Japanese restaurant near Hwajeong Station in Goyang, Gyeonggi. My sibling and I ordered the special sake-don, tonkatsu, and a whole grilled atka mackerel for a generous meal of salmon, crisp cutlet, and gently seasoned fish. Verdict: a satisfying choice when you want several Japanese dishes in one meal.
Jojo Triple Street Branch is a Japanese teppanyaki restaurant in Yeonsu, Incheon. After an eight-party Friday-night wait, we shared the 39,000 won Signature Set for Two with kara yakisoba, donpeiyaki, and okonomiyaki. Verdict: the smoky, springy yakisoba made the wait worthwhile.
Baek Sojeong is a Japanese restaurant in Seocho, Seoul, near Nambu Bus Terminal Station and the International Electronics Center. On a return visit, salmon zaru soba and four-piece cheese katsu cost 13,900 won and 13,500 won. Verdict: a place worth revisiting for chilled soba and crispy cheese katsu.
