Opposite Seat Diner · 8 stories

Across the Table

I write about meals and restaurant visits in Gyeonggi Province. · Writes about: Restaurants · Hair & beauty salons

PlaceGangseo, SeoulRestaurants

Seoul Korean BBQ in Magok: baseball on TV and pork neck, Tamra Factory

Tamra Factory Magok Direct Store (탐라팩토리 마곡직영점) is a Jeju fresh pork BBQ restaurant on the first floor of Magok Inmass in Gangseo, Seoul. The writer booked ahead, went with a friend and ordered 2 servings of pork neck, 1 serving of fresh pork belly and Hanwoo beef doenjang stew (soybean paste stew); the meat arrives pre-grilled and needs only a quick finish at the table, so the conversation never stalled and clothes picked up less smoke smell. With baseball on the wall TV by the counter, Tamra Factory is an easy, comfortable spot for pork belly near Magok Station.

Written Jun 6, 2026Sponsored
PlaceBusanjin, BusanHair & beauty salons

Thai massage with shower in Seomyeon, Busan before a ferry to Japan

Busan Seomyeon Thai Massage Seomyeon Main Branch is a Thai massage shop on the 4th floor of a building across from Sangsang Madang, near Seomyeon Station in Busan. Before catching a ferry to Japan, the writer visited Busan Seomyeon Thai Massage alone for a foot bath, a 1-hour Thai massage in a single room and a shower, and the Thai masseuse used the full hour to work out the stiffness. Busan Seomyeon Thai Massage suits travelers who want to ease a stiff body and wash off the sweat in one stop during a Busan trip.

Written Jun 12, 2026Sponsored
PlaceYeonsu, IncheonRestaurants

Halibut and salmon sashimi for two in Songdo: Songdo Jonghap Eosijang

Songdo Jonghap Eosijang (송도종합어시장) is a sashimi restaurant on Haedoji-ro in Yeonsu, Incheon, near Songdo Convensia. The writer went for dinner with his older sister and ordered the small halibut and salmon sashimi platter for 38,000 won, and the side dishes, including seaweed soup, steamed egg and fish, were so plentiful that no extra order was needed. Songdo Jonghap Eosijang is an easy, affordable pick for two people sharing a plate of sashimi in Songdo.

Written Sep 30, 2026Sponsored
PlaceYeonsu, IncheonRestaurants

Incheon gopchang set with bibimbap-style fried rice: Yeonsu Gopchang

Yeonsu Gopchang Yeonsu Main Branch is a gopchang (grilled beef intestine) restaurant on Saemmal-ro 21beon-gil in Yeonsu-gu, Incheon. The writer and his older sister shared the assorted platter set, which came with complimentary fish cake, sundae (Korean blood sausage) and liver, spicy gopchang, and fried rice served like bibimbap. Yeonsu Gopchang offers such good value and flavor that even people put off by gopchang's richness will scrape the pan clean.

Written Sep 30, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMapo, SeoulRestaurants

Sashimi restaurant near Hongik University Station for two: Eosa Chulto

Eosa Chulto Hongdae Branch is a sashimi and seafood restaurant on Donggyo-ro 27-gil, near Hongik University Station in Mapo, Seoul. Arriving early without a reservation, the writer ordered the small seasonal sashimi platter for 48,000 won and hoedeopbap (raw fish rice bowl) for 10,000 won, and the jeon (savory pancake) and spicy fish stew that come free with any sashimi order filled up two people. Spooning the leftover sashimi over the rice bowl was the best part, making Eosa Chulto a solid value pick in Hongdae.

Written Aug 11, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGangseo, SeoulRestaurants

Magok Korean BBQ with doenjang stew: black pork neck, Chamdwaejitgan

Chamdwaejitgan Magok Branch is a samgyeopsal (grilled pork belly) and black pork restaurant in Magok, Gangseo-gu, Seoul, a short walk from Balsan Station exit 9. Two diners ordered two servings of Boseong nokdon (Boseong black pork) flower neck and one serving of pork belly, and staff loaded the grill with bean sprouts, kimchi and minari before grilling every piece of meat themselves, so the pair only had to talk and eat. The doenjang stew (soybean paste stew) ordered midway through was the highlight, making Chamdwaejitgan Magok an easy pick for a hands-off group dinner.

Written Aug 17, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGangnam, SeoulRestaurants

Sinnonhyeon, Gangnam gyukatsu with karaage and chili sauce: Ichigyu

Ichigyu Gangnam Sinnonhyeon Branch is a gyukatsu (Japanese breaded beef cutlet) restaurant on the 2nd floor of a building near Exit 6 of Sinnonhyeon Station in Gangnam, Seoul. Two of us arrived in the quiet stretch just before the 15:00-17:00 break and ordered Set 1, which comes with two gyukatsu and two drinks for 42,000 won, plus karaage with shrimp tempura for 7,000 won, cooking the thick-cut beef to our own doneness on the large brazier set at every seat. With adjustable grilling and a chili sauce that steals the show, Ichigyu works just as well for a Sinnonhyeon date as for a solo meal.

Written Aug 21, 2026Sponsored
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