First Spoon Notes · 51 stories

After the First Bite

I write about meals and first-hand experiences at restaurants in Seoul. · Writes about: Restaurants · Cafés · Bars · Things to do · Shopping

PlaceYangcheon, SeoulRestaurants

After-work Korean BBQ at Omokgyo: pork neck, kimchi refills, Gamgol

Gamgol Yeontanjip Mokdong is a retro-style Korean BBQ restaurant grilling meat over yeontan (coal briquettes), right in front of Omokgyo Station in Yangcheon, Seoul. For dinner the writer had the Juljuri special pork neck, flat bibim noodles and Madam Im Soyeong's doenjang stew with beer. Refilling kimchi and green onion kimchi from the self-serve bar and piling it on the pork neck was the standout pairing. For meat and a beer after work near Omokgyo Station, Gamgol Yeontanjip Mokdong is a satisfying choice.

Written Jun 5, 2026Sponsored
PlaceYangcheon, SeoulRestaurants

Omokgyo Chinese restaurant: smoky japchae rice & chili jjamppong

Yugwanjang Banjeom Omokgyo Station Branch is a Chinese restaurant on the 2nd floor right outside Exit 2 of Omokgyo Station in Yangcheon, Seoul, across from Hyundai Department Store Mokdong. The writer ordered the signature jjajangmyeon (black bean noodles), japchae rice (stir-fried glass noodles over rice) and chili jjamppong (spicy noodle soup). The writer enjoyed the solid jjajangmyeon and the smoky, generous japchae rice, and named the chili jjamppong the best of the three. Verdict: Yugwanjang Banjeom's sharp, refreshing chili jjamppong is the dish to reorder when you love spicy food or need a hangover cure.

Written Jun 2, 2026Sponsored
PlaceYangcheon, SeoulRestaurants

Solo pizza takeout in Mokdong: 3 flavors compared, Pizza Meokda

Pizza Meokda Mokdong (피자먹다 목동점) is a personal pizza shop in Yangcheon, Seoul, between Mokdong Station and Omokgyo Station near Hyundai Department Store Mokdong. The writer took home three personal pizzas from Pizza Meokda Mokdong (combination, pepperoni sweet and bulgogi) and found the toppings generous and the pull-out takeout box handy for keeping hands clean. For a solo pizza meal in Mokdong, the pepperoni pizza at Pizza Meokda Mokdong is the one to order.

Written Jun 11, 2026Sponsored
PlaceJongno, SeoulRestaurants

Solo-friendly burger restaurant in Anguk: kitchen view at Jackjack

Jackjack Anguk is a handmade burger restaurant on Yulgok-ro in Jongno, Seoul, within walking distance of Anguk Station, and part of a burger brand from a chef who appeared on Culinary Class Wars. After an exhibition in Anguk, the writer dined alone at Jackjack Anguk, ordered the Utopia set at the kiosk, and watched the burgers being made from the 2nd-floor seats while eating a juicy beef patty burger and seasoned fries. Jackjack Anguk is an easy, clean choice for a solo handmade burger meal near Anguk Station.

Written Jun 12, 2026Sponsored
PlaceYangcheon, SeoulRestaurants

Korean BBQ near Omokgyo Station: staff-grilled pork neck, Dongnaejeong

Dongnaejeong Mokdong is a charcoal-grilled pork neck restaurant on the first floor of the Mokdong Samik Apartment shopping complex near Omokgyo Station in Yangcheon, Seoul. At Dongnaejeong Mokdong, staff grill the Dongnae pork neck (Dongnae moksal) at your table, served with shiitake salt and fresh wasabi, and the meal finished with cheonggukjang (fermented soybean stew) and milmyeon (Busan-style cold wheat noodles). Dongnaejeong Mokdong is a place worth returning to whenever pork neck and a glass of soju call near Omokgyo Station.

Written Jun 12, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGangseo, SeoulRestaurants

Takeout pizza and chicken lunch near Hwagok Station: Pizza Meokda

Pizza Meokda Hwagok Branch is a budget pizza and chicken shop right in front of Exit 6 of Hwagok Station in Gangseo, Seoul. For a lunch eaten at the office, the writer ordered a Golden Sweet Bulgogi Pizza, a Premium Westin Pizza and 4 pieces of Crispy Chicken for takeout, and named the rich, cheesy Premium Westin Pizza the best item. For a filling solo lunch with pizzas in the 5,000-won range near Hwagok Station, Pizza Meokda Hwagok Branch is worth considering.

Written Jun 15, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGangseo, SeoulRestaurants

Tonkatsu by Magok Station Exit 3: two-cut sirloin katsu at Katsuryun

Katsuryun is a Japanese-style tonkatsu restaurant in Gangseo, Seoul, between Magok Station and Magongnaru Station. Over a solo lunch, Katsuryun's signature sirloin katsu (12,000 won) paired the clean taste of lean loin eye with the nutty richness of the flower cut, and its thin coating let the pork come through. Verdict: Katsuryun's sirloin katsu tastes best topped with both wasabi and salt.

Written Jun 15, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGangseo, SeoulRestaurants

Magok kaisendon restaurant, celebrity autograph wall: Ilpum Magok

Ilpum Magok (일품 마곡점) is a kaisendon (raw seafood rice bowl) restaurant on the ground floor of Leaders Tower Magok in Gangseo, Seoul. After a weekend wait, the kaisendon was ordered by QR code at Ilpum Magok. Chawanmushi (steamed egg custard), miso soup, udon and white kimchi arrived first, followed by a kaisendon generously topped with salmon and tuna that was eaten wrapped in seaweed, and the meal ended with a mango purée panna cotta. Ilpum Magok is a satisfying Japanese restaurant for a Magok date, with fresh seafood, neat set sides and a dessert to match.

Written Jun 24, 2026Sponsored
PlaceYangcheon, SeoulCafés

Mokdong bakery with egg tarts limited to 200 a day: Yours Bake Shop

Yours Bake Shop Mokdong Main Branch is an egg tart bakery on the first floor of the Hivelas shopping complex in Mokdong, Yangcheon-gu, Seoul. After falling for the rich, smooth filling of an egg tart she received as a gift, the writer visited Yours Bake Shop and bought two boxes of signature egg tarts and salt bread. With easy parking and delivery on orders of 50,000 won or more, Yours Bake Shop is a solid choice for anyone looking for egg tarts to give as gifts in Mokdong.

Written Jun 28, 2026Sponsored
PlaceJeju, JejuRestaurants

Hanwoo BBQ in Yeon-dong, Jeju: galbisal plain first, Dolgyeok Hanwoo

Dolgyeok Hanwoo (돌격한우) is a 1++ hanwoo (Korean beef) barbecue restaurant on Nuwemaru Street in Yeon-dong, Jeju City. The writer and a friend tasted the 1++ hanwoo galbisal (boneless rib meat) plain first, then with the house manong (garlic) galbisal sauce. They finished with Dolgyeok Hanwoo doenjang stew, steamed rice, complimentary seaweed soup and an after-meal carrot juice. For anyone who wants properly juicy hanwoo in Jeju, Dolgyeok Hanwoo is a place worth returning to.

Written Jun 27, 2026Sponsored
PlaceYeongdeungpo, SeoulRestaurants

Yeouido Station gyukatsu restaurant, office lunch seared rare: Izawa

Izawa Yeouido Direct Store is a gyukatsu (breaded beef cutlet) restaurant on the 2nd floor of the building right outside Exit 5 of Yeouido Station in Yeongdeungpo, Seoul. On a hot day the writer ordered the gyukatsu for an office lunch at Izawa, searing each piece from rare to a little more done on a tabletop mini brazier and dipping it in wasabi and soy sauce. The thin, crispy coating, juicy center and set of rice, soup and side dishes all satisfied. Close to the station and warm to the last bite, Izawa is a lunch spot in Yeouido worth recommending.

Written Jun 27, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMapo, SeoulRestaurants

Open-kitchen burger joint in Mapo: Bacon Deluxe Double, Bored & Hungry

Bored & Hungry Mapo is an American-style handmade burger joint on Gwangseong-ro 6-gil near Daeheung Station in Mapo-gu, Seoul. Ordering by table QR code, the writer had the Shrimp O.G, the Bacon Deluxe Double, fries and a shake, and was happy with all of it: the juicy double patties, the bite of whole shrimp and the hip vibe around the open kitchen. For a hearty handmade burger meal near Daeheung Station, Bored & Hungry Mapo is well worth recommending.

Written Jul 3, 2026Sponsored