Second Thoughts Scribe · 27 stories

After Trying It

I write about restaurants I visit in Seoul and Gyeonggi and products I try. · Writes about: Things to do · Restaurants · Hair & beauty salons · Shopping · Cafés · Bars

PlaceSongpa, SeoulRestaurants

Jamsil sandwich shop revisit: truffle jambon-beurre set, Town Sandwich

Town Sandwich Jamsil Branch is a baguette sandwich shop on Ollimpik-ro 35ga-gil in Songpa, Seoul. On a second visit, the writer ordered the truffle jambon-beurre (ham and butter baguette) set, which comes with the sandwich, a soup and an iced americano, and the crispy bread, truffle aroma and warm soup were just as satisfying as on the first visit. Town Sandwich Jamsil Branch is worth returning to for anyone eating alone in Jamsil who cares about good bread.

Written Oct 30, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGoyang, GyeonggiCafés

Kintekseu Station bakery movie snacks: fig sandwich, Boulangerie Tan

Boulangerie Tan, Hyundai Department Store KINTEX is a natural-starter sourdough bakery on basement level 1 of Hyundai Department Store KINTEX in Goyang, Gyeonggi. After falling for the Boulangerie Tan flagship in Unjeong, Paju, the writer came back to the KINTEX branch and ate all four picks during a movie: sweet pumpkin cream cheese campagne, camembert cheese Tan bread, a fig cream cheese sandwich and a hazelnut chocolate cornet pie. Verdict: Boulangerie Tan KINTEX tastes just like the flagship, even at a different branch.

Written Jun 24, 2026Sponsored
PlacePaju, GyeonggiCafés

Paju bakery: raspberry matcha cornet pie trio, Boulangerie Tan

Boulangerie Tan Unjeong Main Branch is a natural sourdough bakery near Unjeong new town and Dongpae-dong in Paju, Gyeonggi. On a visit with a bread-loving friend, the writer ordered three cornet pies (vanilla, raspberry matcha and pistachio), a chocolate baguette and 2 iced Americanos, and the nutty pistachio cornet pie was the most memorable. Boulangerie Tan makes a satisfying brunch with coffee, and the writer would 100% go back.

Written Jun 23, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGwangjin, SeoulCafés

Gunja café in Seoul with decaf Americano and orange dessert: Palco

Palco (팔코) is a dessert café on Neungdong-ro in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, near Gunja Station and Achasan. Drawn in by the exterior, the writer ordered two Americanos (one decaf) and an Orange Mamalade dessert, and found the coffee well balanced, the dessert fresh and sweet, and the service relaxed. For anyone looking for a quiet Gunja café to talk or unwind, Palco is worth a return visit.

Written Jun 28, 2026Sponsored
PlacePaju, GyeonggiRestaurants

Paju Korean BBQ: non-spicy gochujang pork belly for two, Haetteuljip

Haetteuljip (해뜰집) is a Korean BBQ restaurant on Soricheon-ro near Yadang Station in Paju, Gyeonggi. At Haetteuljip, 2 servings of gochujang (red chili paste) pork belly came in a marinade that was neither spicy nor harsh. The pork was savory with a gentle sweetness, and the portion was generous for 2 servings. Haetteuljip is a safe Yadang and Unjeong pick for friends, work dinners and dates, with gochujang pork belly you won't need to worry about.

Written Jun 27, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSongpa, SeoulRestaurants

Songpa udon restaurant: cheese pork cutlet crisp to the last bite

Haengbokhan Udon Gage Seokchon Lake Branch is an udon restaurant near Seokchon Lake and Seokchongobun Station in Songpa, Seoul. Instead of the signature udon, the writer ordered the cheese pork cutlet and was pleased by its clean golden batter, a crunch that lasted to the final piece and cheese that never felt greasy. Haengbokhan Udon Gage is a satisfying Seokchon Lake meal stop, and the udon spotted at the next table is reason enough to return.

Written Jun 27, 2026Sponsored
PlaceYeongdeungpo, SeoulRestaurants

Seonyudo Station burger pub: crunch chicken and mozza cheese bar, BAS

BAS Burger Seonyudo (바스버거 선유도점) is a handmade burger restaurant near Seonyudo Station on Line 9 in Yeongdeungpo, Seoul. The blogger ordered a double bacon cheese burger set and the crunch chicken burger, whose batter BAS Burger says it has upgraded, then got a free mozzarella cheese bar through the receipt review event. With a clean pub-style interior, friendly staff and craft beer, BAS Burger Seonyudo is a satisfying spot near Seonyudo Station for eating or drinking solo.

Written Jun 14, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGoyang, GyeonggiRestaurants

Weekday Korean BBQ for two in Samsong, perilla noodles: Neopttakjip

Neopttakjip Samsong Branch (넙딱집 삼송점) is a Korean BBQ restaurant on Dongsong-ro near Samsong Station in Goyang, Gyeonggi. On a weekday visit, the set for two (600g assorted grilled meat) plus perilla oil makguksu (cold buckwheat noodles) delivered fresh meat with no gamey smell, neat side dishes and nutty, clean-tasting noodles. With roomy table spacing and friendly service, Neopttakjip Samsong Branch is a solid choice for a family meal or team dinner.

Written Jul 6, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGoyang, GyeonggiRestaurants

Ilsan dumpling shop: summer-only Jangdan kongguksu for two at Auseong

Auseong Gaeseong Sonmandu (아우성 개성손만두) is a handmade dumpling and Korean restaurant on Jeongbalsan-ro in Ilsandong-gu, Goyang, Gyeonggi, whose summer-only Jangdan kongguksu (cold soybean noodle soup) is made, the restaurant says, with 100% Paju Jangdan beans. The writer ordered Jangdan kongguksu for two with steamed handmade dumplings, praised the creamy, rich and nutty soy broth and the generously filled dumplings, then walked on to Ilsan Lake Park. Verdict: for a healthy summer meal with real bean flavor, the Jangdan kongguksu and steamed dumpling combo at Auseong Gaeseong Sonmandu is well worth ordering.

Written Jul 14, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGoyang, GyeonggiRestaurants

Ilsan dumpling restaurant: chewy steamed pork & kimchi mandu, Arirang

Arirang Gaeseong Son Mandu Siksa Branch (아리랑 개성손만두 식사점) is a Korean restaurant specializing in handmade mandu (Korean dumplings) in Siksa-dong, Ilsan-dong-gu, Goyang. The blogger tried two Gaeseong-style steamed mandu, pork and kimchi, and was satisfied with both: wrappers of just the right thickness with a chewy bite, generously packed fillings, a clean, mild pork mandu and a richly savory kimchi mandu. Verdict: handmade mandu are best eaten at a specialist shop like Arirang Gaeseong Son Mandu.

Written Jul 12, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGoyang, GyeonggiRestaurants

Mild Thai food near Western Dom: pad thai & curry rice at Drunken Thai

Drunken Thai Ilsan is a Thai restaurant near Western Dom in Ilsandong-gu, Goyang, Gyeonggi. The writer ordered pad thai, curry rice and beef rice noodle soup at Drunken Thai Ilsan and was struck by the gentle spicing that lets the ingredients' natural flavors come through, and by the relaxed atmosphere. Drunken Thai Ilsan is an easy Thai restaurant in Ilsan for first-timers who want to share several dishes.

Written Jul 15, 2026Sponsored
PlaceBucheon, GyeonggiRestaurants

Jungdong, Bucheon pizza: half-and-half pepperoni at Choegang Pizza

Choegang Pizza Main Branch (최강피자 본점) is a handmade pizza restaurant in the Halla Maeul Complex 3 shopping arcade on Doyak-ro, Wonmi-gu, Bucheon, and it makes its dough with the superfood grain farro. A large half-and-half of pepperoni and deep cheese bacon at Choegang Pizza had chewy, mild dough, generous toppings and no heavy feeling afterward. Choegang Pizza is a Bucheon pizza place worth trying for pizza lovers who usually feel bloated after a few slices.

Written Jul 21, 2026Sponsored