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.
Sunhui Dining is a Korean restaurant on the second floor near the Ewha Womans University main gate in Seodaemun, Seoul. I tried butadon, spicy butadon, and soboro gobong galbi-bap; the three-item menu was simple, and the window bar seat turned out to be comfortable.
Cheongwon Restaurant: Cooking Budae-jjigae, Cheonan Dujeong Main Branch is a budae-jjigae restaurant near Dujeong Station in Cheonan. I returned with my parents for Songtan budae-jjigae; the generous ham and sausage, clean yet rich broth, and two cheese add-ons stood out.
QooQoo is an all-you-can-eat sushi buffet in Toegye-dong, Chuncheon. I visited with my child on a weekday evening, ate sushi, grilled dishes, and desserts, and used the playroom. The playroom was modest but easy to keep an eye on, letting the adults finish their meal more comfortably.
Nerdy Blue Burrow is a small café tucked into an alley about four minutes from Wangsimni Station Exit 9 in Seongdong, Seoul. I tried Berry Happy, the coffee of the month, fresh cheesecake, and a financier, and found its dim lighting and music a comfortable setting for a conversation after a meal.
Byeolhaebyeol Gamjatang Centum is a Korean restaurant on Jaeban-ro in Haeundae, Busan, serving gamjatang and ppyeo haejangguk. I shared mild and spicy pork bone soup, and preferred the spicy version’s clean heat; both came with generous meat and ugeoji.
Munak is a jewelry workshop about five minutes’ walk from Yeonsinnae Station Exit 7 in Eunpyeong, Seoul. I made a ring in a one-to-one wax-carving class that took about 90 minutes; the hard wax was challenging to shape, but the designer helped me refine the thickness and curves I wanted.
Notten is a brunch café in Dongpyeon Village, Anyang, where I had a Korean wheat bread plate and tomato Greek yogurt bowl alone on a weekday. The bread was nutty rather than overly sweet, and the calm room and greenery outside made it easy to take my time.
Yes Susan is a red snow crab and king crab takeout shop at the entrance to Sokcho Jungang Market in Sokcho, Gangwon. I took home a ₩25,000 red snow crab lunch box and an ₩8,000 marinated crab fried rice lunch box; the prepared crab made eating and cleanup easier, though the shop had sold out on a weekend evening.
Yes Susan is a seafood stall in Sokcho Central Market, Gangwon. On the second day of my trip, I took a two-crab red snow crab lunchbox and two fried rices back to my accommodation; the crab was easy to eat and the fried rice was nutty, though the market was crowded and king crab lunchboxes had sold out.
Neukdae wa Yang Samsan Branch is a Chinese restaurant on the second floor, about a five-minute walk from Gulpocheon Station in Bupyeong, Incheon. The two of us had Cheonrihyang lamb skewers, garlic curry lamb skewers, and Jisamseon; the food was satisfying, though Friday-night crowds and a ventilation issue were drawbacks.
Neukdaewa Yang is a lamb skewer restaurant near Gulpocheon Station in Bupyeong, Incheon. I ate classic lamb skewers, lamb rib meat skewers, and guobaorou with my mother; the skewers were tender with no overpowering odor, and the roomy space seemed suitable for family meals or groups.
Geobugi Dongne Busan Namcheon Branch is a pork barbecue restaurant in Suyeong, Busan, where I compared aged samgyeopsal and ogyeopsal with kettle-cooked rice and doenjang jjigae. The self-serve banchan bar, separate burner for stew, roomy seating, and playroom were convenient, though there is no dedicated parking.
Bongu Hwarro is a Korean BBQ restaurant near Gangnam Station in Seoul, where I had four portions of marinated beef brisket with a friend for lunch. The sweet seasoning and tender meat were satisfying, and while we grilled it ourselves, the thin slices cooked quickly; an extra-meat discount was running during our visit.
