Before you go, buy or book in Korea

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.

Yeongtong makgeolli pub: seafood egg stew at Dongbaek Yeonhwa

Dongbaek Yeonhwa Yeongtong Station Main Branch is a wood-interior Korean pub on Cheongmyeongbuk-ro in Yeongtong-gu, Suwon. On a rainy weekday evening the writer had Jipyeong makgeolli, golbaengi nakji muchim (spicy sea snail and octopus salad) with suyuk (boiled pork) for 30,000 won and a clear seafood egg stew for 18,000 won, and the portions were generous with plenty of seafood. With its atmosphere, wide choice of drinking snacks and parking right out front, Dongbaek Yeonhwa is a good-value makgeolli pub in Yeongtong.

Written May 31, 2026Sponsored

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Jongno, SeoulRestaurants

Taco lunch spot in Gwanghwamun: set for two with Corona at Doremi Taco

Doremi Taco is a Mexican taco restaurant in a basement on Saemunan-ro 5-gil, near Gwanghwamun Station Exit 1 in Jongno, Seoul. The writer had Doremi Taco's 2-person set (a quesadilla, 3 tacos and 2 soft drinks) plus 2 bottles of Corona beer for lunch; the quesadilla was crisp outside and the tacos came with generous toppings. For two people who want a light, different Gwanghwamun lunch instead of Korean food or gukbap (rice soup), Doremi Taco is a good fit.

Written May 31, 2026Sponsored
Sangju, GyeongbukCafés

Sangju wildflower café: wild ginseng tea with Mom at Kkotgeureut

Kkotgeureut (꽃그릇) is a plant and wildflower café on Jangcheon-ro in Nakdong-myeon, Sangju, Gyeongbuk, right next to a flower nursery where visitors can browse and buy potted plants. The writer took their flower-loving mother and ordered an iced americano, wild ginseng tea and green juice, and after browsing the wildflowers the mother bought two flowering shrubs. Kkotgeureut is a countryside café in Sangju well worth a drive with your parents.

Written May 31, 2026Sponsored
Siheung, GyeonggiRestaurants

Weekend pork BBQ with in-laws in Jeongwang-dong: Samstar Hansang set

Samstar Charcoal Grill (삼스타숯불구이) is a charcoal-grilled pork BBQ restaurant in the Block 46 central shopping district of Jeongwang-dong, Siheung, Gyeonggi. On a weekend evening with her parents-in-law, the writer ordered the Samstar Hansang set: 500g of Paldo pork belly, Ttukttuk deotsal and Juicy Cheongyeop plus a stew and buckwheat noodles, taken with perilla oil noodles and soybean paste stew, while self-serve bar veggies and side dishes kept the meal from turning greasy. With meat, a meal and noodles covered in one order, the Samstar Hansang set is worth recommending for family dinners and work get-togethers.

Written May 31, 2026Sponsored
Jung-gu, DaeguRestaurants

Daegu Western restaurant for a Saturday with kids: shrimp rice, Dana

Dana Dongseong-ro Main Branch is a casual Western restaurant in Dongseong-ro, Daegu, near Banwoldang, with floor-to-ceiling windows and a two-level loft layout. After errands in Banwoldang on a hot Saturday morning, the writer had lunch there with the kids: bacon cream pasta, wood-fired Gorgonzola pizza with honey, and Hawaiian butter garlic shrimp rice, whose orange sauce stood out most. Dana Dongseong-ro Main Branch serves hearty Western dishes at good-value prices, making it an easy pick for a family meal with kids or a date.

Written May 31, 2026Sponsored
Mapo, SeoulRestaurants

English academy meetup at a Hongdae jjimdak restaurant: Ongdarae

Ongdarae Jjimdak (옹다래찜닭) is a jjimdak (Korean braised chicken) restaurant on Yanghwa-ro in Mapo, Seoul, in the Hongdae area, and it has private rooms. With members of an English academy, the writer ordered a large (3-4 people) boneless Ongdarae jjimdak at regular spice level with extra cheese for 6,000 won, plus soju and ongbap, rice pressed and crisped like nurungji (scorched rice). The soy sauce braise is neither too sweet nor too spicy, and the free dessert corner stands out, making Ongdarae Jjimdak a solid pick for groups looking for a Hongdae restaurant with a room.

Written May 31, 2026Sponsored
Pohang, GyeongbukStays

Quiet pet pension in Pohang for a sensitive teen: Olle Pet Pension

Olle Pet Pension (올레애견펜션) is a dog-friendly pension near Wolpo Beach in Pohang, Gyeongbuk, and guests without dogs can stay too. The writer stayed alone with a first-year high school son who is sensitive to unfamiliar places, enjoying quiet Wolpo Beach, an outdoor yard of about 300 pyeong (roughly 990 m²) and glamping-style rooms. For families looking for a calm, low-stimulation stay, Olle Pet Pension proved a good fit.

Written May 31, 2026Sponsored
Seongdong, SeoulShopping

Seongsu optician: 1:1 consultation for Rawrow frames, Ilsaeng Optical

Ilsaeng Optical Seongsu is an optician on the basement floor of the RAWROW (Rawrow) eyewear flagship store near Seongsu Station in Seongdong, Seoul. After LASEK surgery and monitor-heavy work left the writer's eyes tiring easily, she booked a weekday-evening 1:1 consultation at Ilsaeng Optical Seongsu, got face-shape-matched recommendations and a precise fitting, and bought an ultra-light Rawrow frame. For someone with small ears whose glasses kept slipping, the Rawrow frame from Ilsaeng Optical Seongsu was a satisfying first premium frame that stays comfortable over long hours.

Written May 29, 2026Sponsored
Suwon, GyeonggiRestaurants

Frozen pork belly BBQ in Suwon with unlimited greens: Uni Teotbat

Uni Teotbat (우니텃밭) is a Korean BBQ restaurant on the first floor of Plus Town near Exit 1 of Yeongtong Station in Suwon, specializing in naengsam (frozen pork belly), daepae (thin-sliced pork belly) and beef brisket. A ₩2,000-per-person garden fee covers unlimited ssam (wrap) greens and kimchi, and a hearty meal of all three meats, brisket doenjang stew and fried rice with extra cheese came to ₩50,000. With fresh greens, good value and easy parking, Uni Teotbat is a Yeongtong Station BBQ spot the writer would happily revisit.

Written May 31, 2026Sponsored
Suyeong, BusanBars

Suyeong bar with spicy chicken feet and clam soup: Oneul Dakbal Hae

Oneul Dakbal Hae Suyeong Main Branch (오늘닭발해 수영본점) is a chicken feet bar on Gampo-ro in Suyeong, Busan. On a weekend evening, the writer ordered the 'Dakbal Prince Clam Princess' set at the spicy level: one pan of boneless chicken feet and clam soup with cheese and steamed egg. The writer also had a free half-chicken soup and extra noodles, all with somaek (soju mixed with beer). Oneul Dakbal Hae Suyeong Main Branch is a good fit if you want fiery boneless chicken feet and a refreshing clam soup at the same table.

Written May 31, 2026Sponsored
Mapo, SeoulHair & beauty salons

Gongdeok nail salon: sky-blue Kitty summer gel nails at Lash Avenue

Lash Avenue Lash Extension & Perm Waxing Gongdeok is a total beauty salon in front of Gongdeok Station in Mapo, Seoul, offering one-on-one lash, waxing, nail and pedicure services. The writer booked summer gel nails through Naver Booking and got a sky-blue manicure topped with tanned Kitty nail art. Within walking distance of Gongdeok Station and done with careful attention to detail, the cute Kitty gel nails at Lash Avenue Gongdeok made for a satisfying visit.

Written May 31, 2026Sponsored
Gimpo, GyeonggiRestaurants

Janggi Station pub in Gimpo: seafood set and pork gristle, Cheonmakjip

Cheonmakjip Janggi Branch (천막집 장기점) is a pojangmacha-style (street tent pub) seafood bar in Janggi Mukja Alley, Janggi-dong, Gimpo. The seafood platter for two comes as a set with a choice of pub dish. Spicy pork gristle (odolppyeo) and rice balls came out first, followed by a platter of shrimp, sea cucumber, sea squirt, spoon worm, live octopus, abalone and sliced boiled octopus, all with Jinro soju. Cheonmakjip Janggi Branch is a good pick near Janggi Station when you want seafood and classic pub snacks in one night.

Written Oct 28, 2026Sponsored
Gwangjin, SeoulRestaurants

Jayang Market chicken shop, post-workout spicy dakgangjeong: Mr. Kim's

Mr. Kim's Chicken Jayang Market Branch is a market dakgangjeong (sweet, sticky glazed fried chicken) shop inside Jayang Market in Gwangjin, Seoul. After a workout on a weekday lunch, the writer picked up spicy dakgangjeong and plain fried chicken to go. Both were re-fried and sauced right after ordering, and a chicken made by mistake was thrown in for free. Mr. Kim's Chicken's spicy dakgangjeong, whose heat cuts through the greasiness, is the top pick here.

Written Oct 28, 2026Sponsored

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