Firsthand stories from Korea, in ten languages

Discover local places and Korean products through reviews from people who’ve actually been there and tried them.

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

Guwol-dong ssam bap with an indoor garden and oil-free pork: Chagane

Chagane Ssam Bap (차가네쌈밥) is a Korean restaurant specializing in ssam bap (rice with lettuce wraps) in an alley near Gil Hospital in Guwol-dong, Namdong, Incheon. On a late-evening visit, the pork ssam bap set for two (14,000 won per person) came with unlimited wrap greens, snail ssamjang, multigrain rice, seaweed soup, japchae (glass noodles) and kimchi jeon (kimchi pancake), and the pork, cooked without oil, was spicy but not harsh. Chagane Ssam Bap is a good-value Guwol-dong ssam bap spot that welcomes solo diners and has baby chairs and its own parking lot.

Written Oct 6, 2026Sponsored

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Pocheon, GyeonggiRestaurants

Pocheon fusion pasta restaurant: kimchi and red shrimp pasta, Oseuseu

Oseuseu (오스스) is a pasta and steak restaurant on Wangbang-ro 118beon-gil in Sineup-dong, Pocheon, Gyeonggi. On a Pocheon day trip, the writer ordered the ground meat and aged kimchi pasta (18,000 won), the red shrimp pasta (18,000 won) and a grilled napa cabbage salad (10,000 won). The tangy, refreshing kimchi pasta and the rich, creamy shrimp pasta tasted nothing alike, so they were great eaten in turns. If you want Korean ingredients reimagined as Western dishes, Oseuseu is worth a visit.

Written Oct 6, 2026Sponsored
Gangnam, SeoulCafés

Apgujeong galette café: runny-yolk jambon mushroom, Le Bon Goûter

Le Bon Goûter is a brunch café near Apgujeongnodeo Station in Gangnam, Seoul, serving buckwheat galettes, pasta, lasagna and salads. The writer ordered a jambon mushroom galette (₩22,000), a chicken Caesar salad (₩23,000) and an iced Americano (₩6,000); the thin buckwheat galette with well-seasoned mushrooms and a runny yolk was the best match of flavors. With a plant-filled interior and terrace seating, Le Bon Goûter is a good pick for a relaxed brunch in Apgujeong.

Written Oct 6, 2026Sponsored
Goyang, GyeonggiRestaurants

Wondang Korean set meal, easy parking for new drivers: Kim Myeongju

Kim Myeongju Tteuranchae Bapsang Wondang Station Branch is a Korean set-meal (hanjeongsik) restaurant behind Wondang Station in Goyang, Gyeonggi, with a tiled-roof exterior and a wide front-yard parking lot. On a meal out with Mom, the writer ordered the basic Tteuranchae Bapsang (₩13,000 per person) plus a soy sauce crab dish (₩18,000). The basic set alone was filling, with plump, not-too-salty crab, low-smell cheonggukjang (fermented soybean stew) with refills, and stone-pot nurungji (scorched rice). Kim Myeongju Tteuranchae Bapsang is worth recommending for a family meal with parents around Wondang, Hwajeong and Samsong.

Written Oct 6, 2026Sponsored
Jeonju, JeonbukBars

Japanese izakaya in Jeonju Eco City: half-and-half sushi at Otama

Otama Jeonju Eco City is a Japanese-style izakaya (pub) in Eco City, Deokjin-gu, Jeonju. The writer returned to Otama for the sushi missed on an earlier visit, ordered the half-and-half sushi and the beef brisket with bean sprouts stir-fry, and received a free potato croquette through Otama's Naver review event. With thick-cut fish, generous portions and a real izakaya atmosphere, Otama is a place the writer plans to visit again.

Written Oct 6, 2026Sponsored
Paju, GyeonggiRestaurants

Pork rib restaurant in Paju with pickled perilla leaf wraps: Jeongwon

Jeongwon Galbi Paju Main Branch is a pork rib and Korean BBQ restaurant on Paju-ro in Paju, Gyeonggi. The writer grilled pork ribs with family, added doenjang stew (soybean paste stew) and mul naengmyeon (cold noodles), and found the sweet, well-marinated ribs wrapped in pickled perilla leaves especially delicious. With a private parking lot in front, a roomy dining hall and a self-serve bar, Jeongwon Galbi Paju Main Branch is an easy pick for a family meal in Paju.

Written Oct 6, 2026Sponsored
Jeonju, JeonbukRestaurants

Octopus gangjeong to take home from Jeonju Hanok Village: Munkkocchi

Munkkocchi Mungangjeong (문꼬치문강정) Jeonju Hanok Village Branch is a street-snack stall selling octopus skewers and octopus gangjeong (crispy fried octopus bites), near the water wheel past Gyeonggijeon in Jeonju Hanok Village. The writer, a regular who stops by on every Hanok Village visit, ordered mild katsuo and mild cheese octopus gangjeong to take home, and both still tasted great several hours later. Verdict: the cheese octopus gangjeong is the top recommendation, with a crispy shell, large octopus pieces and stretchy mozzarella.

Written Oct 6, 2026Sponsored
Yeongdeungpo, SeoulRestaurants

Yeongdeungpo restaurant with tender pork bone gamjatang: Dangsan

Dangsan Ppyeodaegwi Haejangguk (당산뼈다귀해장국) is a gamjatang (pork bone and potato stew) and pork bone hangover soup restaurant within a 7-minute walk of Yeongdeungpo-gu Office Station in Seoul. Two people ate their fill of a small pork bone gamjatang (27,000 won), refilled the homemade napa cabbage kimchi and kkakdugi (cubed radish kimchi) three times, and got extra rice for free. With tender meat and a deep broth, Dangsan Ppyeodaegwi Haejangguk is a hearty, great-value meal.

Written Oct 6, 2026Sponsored
Ansan, GyeonggiRestaurants

Gamey-free lamb chops at an Ansan Italian restaurant: That Man's

That Man's Italian Restaurant & Lounge (그남자의이태리식당) is an Italian restaurant on the 6th floor of the Dongwon Building in Jungangdong, Ansan, serving lamb chop steak with wine. On a weekday lunch, a writer who is sensitive to the smell of lamb ate medium lamb chop steak (43,900 won), squid ink risotto (23,900 won) and ricotta cheese salad (17,900 won), finished the lamb with no gamey taste, and received a complimentary peach sherbet. That Man's Italian Restaurant is a Jungangdong steak spot worth recommending to first-time lamb eaters or anyone worried about gaminess.

Written Oct 6, 2026Sponsored
Suseong, DaeguRestaurants

Daegu chicken hot pot with private rooms: Golmok Naengmyeon 1966

Golmok Naengmyeon 1966 is a naengmyeon (cold noodle) and dak hanmari (whole chicken hot pot) restaurant on Deuran-gil in Suseong, Daegu. The writer ordered the dak hanmari set and ate it as a course of vegetable shabu-shabu, chicken, handmade kalguksu noodles and handmade dumplings. The writer was impressed by the clean 2nd-floor dining room with 8-seat tables and a private room, and by the friendly owner. Verdict: Golmok Naengmyeon 1966 is a comfortable place to enjoy dak hanmari, rare in Daegu, even with a group.

Written Oct 6, 2026Sponsored
Haeundae, BusanRestaurants

Haeundae tonkatsu restaurant with 240-hour aged loin katsu: Yuyu Katsu

Yuyu Katsu Busan Haeundae Branch is a Japanese-style tonkatsu (pork cutlet) restaurant on Jwadong-ro 91beon-gil in Haeundae, Busan. On a trip to Busan, the writer ordered the limited-quantity Special Rosu Katsu (15,900 won), made from 240-hour aged loin, and the Special Mixed Katsu (16,900 won) of loin, tenderloin and cheese katsu. The juicy meat under a crisp coating, the tender fillet and the stretchy mozzarella cheese katsu stood out. Yuyu Katsu Busan Haeundae Branch is worth a return visit for travellers looking for tonkatsu in Haeundae, whether on a date or eating solo.

Written Oct 6, 2026Sponsored
Suwon, GyeonggiRestaurants

Suwon Chinese restaurant: exchange-student Peking duck, japchae rice

Mirim Yangjang Time Villas Suwon Branch is a Peking duck specialist Chinese restaurant on the 3rd floor of Time Villas in Suwon, which the writer says was opened by a chef from the Shilla Hotel. Three women ordered the ₩59,000 Peking duck set (jajangmyeon + jjamppong) and ₩12,000 japchae rice around 4 p.m. and finished in under 15 minutes. The verdict: the Peking duck and the soft-egg japchae rice are worth ordering again.

Written Oct 6, 2026Sponsored
Seogwipo, JejuRestaurants

Seogwipo sunset black pork BBQ with matcha salt: Jeju Healing Dwaeji

Jeju Healing Dwaeji is a newly opened black pork BBQ restaurant right on the sea in Gangjeong-dong, Seogwipo, Jeju. Around 6 pm, the writer sat at an outdoor table with a child, watched the sunset, ate a 600g serving of pre-seared black pork with doenjang jjigae (soybean paste stew), then ordered 300g more; the herb-scented pork with matcha salt and wasabi mayo was the highlight. With its ocean view, sunsets and a lawn, Jeju Healing Dwaeji suits a family dinner with kids.

Written Oct 6, 2026Sponsored

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