Balsan Second Kettle · 6 stories

Second Kettle, Seoul and Jeju Cafes

Writes about small cafes and restaurants in Seoul and Jeju, from quiet counters to busy lunch spots. · Writes about: Restaurants · Cafés

PlaceMapo, SeoulCafés

Mangwon bakery: air-fryer Valrhona choco baguette, Boulangerie Copain

Boulangerie Copain (블랑제리코팡) is a European-style bakery in Mangwon, Mapo, Seoul, near Mangwon Hangang Park. The writer arrived at opening time, bought a Valrhona choco baguette, a basil crunch, a croissant and a chestnut loaf, and ate the choco baguette twice: plain in the afternoon and warmed in an air fryer in the evening. With solid basics, Boulangerie Copain is a great place to stock up on bread before Mangwon Market or a Han River outing.

Written Jun 9, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMapo, SeoulRestaurants

Mangwon sashimi spot: mulhoe and hoedeopbap for two, Mapo Bamdada

Mapo Bamdada is a sashimi restaurant in Mangwon-dong, Seoul, between Mapo-gu Office Station and Mangwon Station. Two people visited Mapo Bamdada around 4 p.m. and shared a 50,000-won seafood mulhoe (cold raw seafood soup) for 2-3, topped with live octopus, abalone, spoon worm, sea cucumber and sea squirt, plus a hoedeopbap (raw fish rice bowl). The mulhoe came in a basin nearly the size of the table, plenty for two. Mapo Bamdada is a good stop on a hot day when you want icy mulhoe, fresh seafood and a glass of soju.

Written Jun 14, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGangseo, SeoulRestaurants

Balsan Station bar with a projector and ₩3,000 soju: Gungmin Nakgopsae

Gungmin Nakgopsae Gangseo Branch is a nakgopsae (spicy octopus, beef tripe and shrimp stew) and gopchang hot pot restaurant a 5-minute walk from Balsan Station in Gangseo, Seoul. On a night that called for soju, the writer ordered the beef gopchang nakgopsae and wrapped it in pickled radish slices and perilla leaves. The ₩3,000 soju from the 5th anniversary event and the beam projector made for a good drinking atmosphere. Verdict: Gungmin Nakgopsae Gangseo Branch serves portions so generous there was no room left for fried rice.

Written Jul 8, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMapo, SeoulRestaurants

Sangam food alley Korean BBQ: Andong-style pork galbi at Gatgalbi

Gatgalbi Mapo Sangam DMC is a charcoal-grill galbi restaurant in the Sangam food alley in Mapo, Seoul, a 5-minute walk from Exit 9 of Digital Media City Station. After a weekend bath, the writer stopped by Gatgalbi Mapo Sangam DMC around 3 p.m. and ordered Andong-style pork galbi for two, a giant steamed egg and bibim naengmyeon (spicy cold noodles), and enjoyed the gently sweet marinade and juicy meat. Gatgalbi uses only rib cuts yet keeps prices easy on the wallet, making it a galbi house that satisfies more than its price alone suggests.

Written Jul 18, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMapo, SeoulRestaurants

Gongdeok Station salad shop, teriyaki beef oat box: Why Starve

Why Starve Diet Gongdeok Main Branch is a salad and protein box restaurant in Mapo, Seoul, on the first basement floor of the Lotte Castle shopping arcade, directly connected to Gongdeok Station Exit 2. At Why Starve the writer had the Chicken Light and Beef Oat protein boxes with teriyaki and mayo wasabi sauces, and the Chicken Light box cost under 8,000 won yet came with plenty of chicken. Why Starve suits anyone who wants a light meal that doesn't leave them hungry an hour later.

Written Aug 5, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGangseo, SeoulRestaurants

Balsan Korean restaurant, hot-day lunch for two with mom: Mikodam

Mikodam Magok-Balsan Branch is a Korean set-menu (hanjeongsik) restaurant a 5-minute walk from Balsan Station on Line 5 in Gangseo, Seoul. On a hot day the writer had lunch with her mom and ordered the set for two — soy-marinated cockles, beef jeon (beef pancake), beef seaweed soup and grilled mackerel — then refilled the vegetable banchan and pickles through the T-order tablet, where the burdock pickle was the standout. With a parking lot right next door and three private rooms, Mikodam also handles family gatherings easily.

Written Aug 18, 2026Sponsored
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