Firsthand stories from Korea, in ten languages

Local places and Korean products, reviewed by the people who actually went and tried.

Restaurants, cafés and salons across Korea — every story by a blogger who actually went, linked to Google Maps.

Yongin Korean restaurant with oyster mushrooms in spicy broth

Jangwongap Kalguksu Yongin Giheung Branch is a hand-pulled noodle restaurant in Gomae-dong, Giheung-gu, Yongin, Gyeonggi. Visiting with a child, the writer ordered the chadol minari ssam (beef brisket and minari wrap) shabu kalguksu in spicy broth and enjoyed chadol wraps, the 20-a-day Jochiwon peach bibim mandu, chunchu oyster mushrooms, and free kkakdugi fried rice. The spicy broth was mild enough for kids, and with parking and a baby chair on hand, it's a solid pick for family or group meals.

Written Sep 8, 2026Sponsored

Recently published

All places
Gangnam, SeoulHair & beauty salons

Gangnam hair salon scalp diagnosis & head spa care: Anew Hair

Anew Hair Cheongdam Main Branch is a hair consulting salon in Cheongdam-dong, Seoul, near Gangnam-gu Office Station. The writer visited with her sister for a machine scalp diagnosis with head stylist Eunbyeol, followed by scalp and hair care with hydration, nutrition, and phytoncide treatment in the VIP shampoo room. Her sister's dry, frizzy hair looked calm and glossy afterward, with a clear before-and-after difference.

Written Sep 8, 2026Sponsored
Cheongju, ChungbukRestaurants

Four-flavor Quattro Wave pizza in one pie, Cheongju: Cheese Wave

Cheese Wave Cheongju Terminal Branch is an American-style pizza restaurant on Pungnyeon-ro near Cheongju Terminal and Connect Hyundai in Cheongju, Chungbuk. The Quattro Wave (₩28,400) packs four flavors — bacon cheddar cheese, pepperoni, sundried shrimp, and sweet potato — into one pizza, each cut cleared thanks to a thin, non-cloying edge. Parking is tight with only 1-2 roadside spots beside the store, so taking the bus or parking at the mart across the street is the better call.

Written Sep 8, 2026Sponsored
Bucheon, GyeonggiRestaurants

Weekend barley corvina near Sinjungdong Station: Gim Myeongju, Bucheon

Gim Myeongju Tteuranchae Bapsang Sinjung-dong Branch is a Korean set-meal restaurant a 3–4 minute walk from Sinjungdong Station in Bucheon, Gyeonggi. A couple visited on a weekend, added the ₩18,000 barley corvina to the ₩13,000 basic set, spooned it over green tea and rice, and refilled the 12-dish self-bar alongside daily-milled yellow rice pressure-cooker rice. Mild, non-greasy flavors made for an easy-on-the-stomach meal that continued into the café downstairs for a weekend date.

Written Sep 8, 2026Sponsored
Namyangju, GyeonggiRestaurants

Shabu-kalguksu restaurant in Namyangju with parents: Onjeongban

Onjeongban Shabu Kalguksu Namyangju Byeollae Main Branch is a shabu-shabu and knife-cut noodle restaurant in Namyangju, Gyeonggi, with a generous self-bar and set-course meal. Returning with her mom, the writer worked through spicy broth beef shabu, elm-tree medicinal boiled pork, handmade round dumplings, kalguksu noodles, and finishing porridge, with the gondre rice self-bar still just as good. On-site parking in the building made it easy to bring the older generation along for a family meal.

Written Sep 8, 2026Sponsored
Paju, GyeonggiCafés

Heyri Village café for milk-ice patbingsu and injeolmi doughnuts

Heuksadang is a two-story handmade doughnut and patbingsu (shaved ice dessert) café on Heyri Maeul-gil in Paju, Gyeonggi. Visiting with her child after a walk through Heyri Village, the writer had red bean shaved ice, iced Americano, a crème brûlée doughnut and an injeolmi (sweet rice cake flavored) doughnut, and loved that the milk-based ice and nutty red beans weren't overly sweet. If you need a cool dessert after wandering around Heyri on a hot day, Heuksadang is the answer.

Written Sep 8, 2026Sponsored
Gangseo, SeoulRestaurants

Outdoor tent seafood dinner after work in Balsan: Neoul Magok

Neoul Magok is a raw fish restaurant with outdoor tent seating on Balsan pojang street, a 3-minute walk from Exit 1 of Balsan Station in Gangseo, Seoul. The writer stopped by after work for the aged sashimi set for two (₩53,000) with Donghae soju, sampling salmon, red seabream, tuna, flounder, mackerel, and mullet alongside side dishes. A good spot to sit under the tent and enjoy a cool evening with soju after work.

Written Sep 8, 2026Sponsored
Seongnam, GyeonggiHair & beauty salons

Foot bath then 60-min sports massage at Suneol Station, Seongnam spa

The Foot Shop Massage Bundang Suneol is a massage spa in Seongnam, Gyeonggi, a short walk from Suneol Station Exit 2 on the 3rd floor of Daedeok Plaza. A warm foot bath opens the visit before a private single room offers a 60-minute dry sports massage on the back, lower back, hips and legs, leaving the body noticeably lighter afterward. With 2 hours of free underground parking and fully private rooms, it's a solid pick for solo healing near Suneol Station.

Written Sep 8, 2026Sponsored
Siheung, GyeonggiRestaurants

Kalguksu with two broths at Siheung Premium Outlets: Pyeongi Dambaek

Pyeongi Dambaek Bone Kalguksu Siheung Premium Outlets is a pork neck-bone broth kalguksu (knife-cut noodle soup) restaurant on the 1st floor Tasty Road main street of Sinsegae Siheung Premium Outlets. Spicy and mild versions cost the same, and swapping noodles for rice comes at no extra charge, making it easy for families with kids. A solid pick for filling up on rich meat broth before a day of shopping.

Written Sep 8, 2026Sponsored
Yongin, GyeonggiRestaurants

Yongin restaurant near Lotte Outlet for a 3-person shabu meal with

Jangwongap Kalguksu Yongin Giheung Branch is a shabu-kalguksu (noodle soup) restaurant about a five-minute drive from Lotte Outlet Yongin Giheung. Ordering the chadol minari ssam shabu kalguksu for three, the meal ran through sesame-oil-dipped wagyu brisket, Uiseong garlic kimchi, house-made noodles, perilla oil kkakdugi fried rice, and a rice-cracker-and-misugaru dessert. It's the kind of trusted spot worth bringing visiting elders to.

Written Sep 8, 2026Sponsored
Cheonan, ChungnamRestaurants

Dujeong-dong budae-jjigae with pork cutlet side for two: Cheongwon

Cheongwon Restaurant: Cooking Budae-jjigae, Cheonan Dujeong Main Branch is a Songtan-style budae-jjigae (army stew) restaurant tucked in the alley behind Acrotel in Dujeong-dong, Cheonan. The writer ordered the Songtan budae-jjigae for two with a side of pork cutlet, added ramyeon noodles from the self-serve bar, and left stuffed on ham-packed broth and freshly fried cutlet. With unlimited rice and noodle refills and clear parking info, it's a solid recommendation for a filling meal in Dujeong-dong.

Written Sep 8, 2026Sponsored
Seongdong, SeoulRestaurants

Minari gomtang rice soup for a light meal near Wangsimni Station

Geumnyeong Gomtang is a gomtang (Korean beef bone soup) restaurant on Wangsimnyro20-gil near Wangsimni Station in Seongdong, Seoul. Instead of the regular gomtang, the writer ordered minari gomtang, dipping fragrant minari (water dropwort) and meat in soy sauce and mixing rice straight into the broth for a full meal with no side dishes needed. It's a mild, non-spicy gomtang spot that works well for hangover recovery or a meal with parents.

Written Sep 8, 2026Sponsored
Guro, SeoulRestaurants

Garlic gopchang near Daerim Station, Seoul, grilled tableside

Gimga-ne Gopchang Gui Daerim Station Main Branch is a 16-year-old gopchang (grilled beef intestine) restaurant a 3-minute walk from Daerim Station Exit 1 in Guro, Seoul. Visiting on a weekend at 7pm, the writer ordered the limited-quantity garlic gopchang for two (250g per serving, ₩29,000 each) plus kimchi fried rice for ₩3,000, and an ajumma pre-grilled the intestines tableside and cut them with scissors so no one had to touch the tongs. The garlic gopchang cut the usual gaminess and greasiness enough that even a picky eater finished it all — recommended.

Written Sep 8, 2026Sponsored

Explore by region

Seoul 4263Gyeonggi 2313Busan 891Incheon 484Gangwon 447Daegu 436Jeju 343Chungnam 241Gwangju 240Gyeongnam 215Gyeongbuk 214Daejeon 201Chungbuk 179Jeonbuk 113Ulsan 75Sejong 51