Back Griddle Diner · 46 stories

A Back Griddle in Anseong

Writes about small restaurants scattered through Gyeonggi towns. · Writes about: Restaurants · Cafés · Shopping · Bars

PlaceNamdong, IncheonRestaurants

Incheon Korean restaurant with a 20-person private room: Jeonbokchon

Jeonbokchon (전복촌) is a Korean set-meal restaurant in Guwol-dong, Namdong-gu, Incheon, near Yesulhoegwan Station, specializing in live Wando abalone, with private rooms on both sides and a special room for up to 20 people. A couple ordered the abalone set for 2 (39,000 won) just after lunchtime and ate a course of gaeu-juk (abalone innards porridge), live abalone sashimi, vinegared abalone, steamed abalone, kodari gangjeong (glazed fried semi-dried pollack), pollack hoe and abalone seaweed soup. Jeonbokchon's spread is so generous that refilling side dishes was out of the question, making it a place to return to for family gatherings like in-law meetings or 70th birthdays.

Written Nov 11, 2026Sponsored
PlacePaju, GyeonggiRestaurants

Paju ssambap restaurant, 7 less-sweet country sides: Simhaksan

Simhaksan Deulkkot Ssambap (심학산 들꽃쌈밥) is a ssambap (lettuce-wrap rice) and Korean set-meal restaurant on Dolgoji-gil in Paju, Gyeonggi, near Lotte Outlets. On a revisit, the writer and spouse had the Deul set for two (20,000 won per person) and were pleased with the 7-dish self-serve bar of country side dishes such as seasoned eggplant, spicy bellflower root and stir-fried aged kimchi, plus unlimited ssam greens and refillable doenjang (soybean paste) stew. Simhaksan Deulkkot Ssambap is a good fit for family meals if you want homestyle side dishes that are neither too sweet nor too salty.

Written Nov 2, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGimpo, GyeonggiRestaurants

Gimpo shabu kalguksu, octopus a spice-shy husband finished: Homilwon

Homilwon Shabu Kalguksu Gimpo Main Branch (호밀원샤브칼국수 김포본점) is a shabu kalguksu restaurant in Geolpo-dong, Gimpo, that serves shabu-shabu and noodles in sanghwang mushroom broth with fresh rye noodles. On a chilly weekday evening, a regular couple ordered the Hansang Gadeuk Special Sanghwang Shabu Kalguksu (19,900 won per person) for two and worked through shabu-shabu, spicy stir-fried baby octopus, warm suyuk (boiled pork), rye kalguksu and minari (water parsley) vegetable porridge, and even the spice-shy husband finished the baby octopus. With a spacious dining room and parking for about 20 cars, Homilwon Shabu Kalguksu Gimpo Main Branch is a regular's favourite worth recommending for a family meal with parents.

Written Oct 30, 2026Sponsored
PlacePaju, GyeonggiBars

Raw beef bar after Paju Lotte Outlets, garlic oil dip: Yukhoe Maltuout

Yukhoe Maltuout Paju Yadang Branch is a Korean pub on the ground floor of Yueun Tower 5 in Yadang-dong, Paju, Gyeonggi, specializing in domestic hanwoo cow yukhoe (seasoned raw beef) and beef sashimi. After browsing Paju Lotte Outlets on the weekend, a couple ordered the 1OUT set (58,000 won) on Sunday evening for yukhoe, beef sashimi and beef ramyeon, and the garlic-and-salt sesame oil dip was the best match. Thanks to never-frozen hanwoo and 3 hours of parking, Yukhoe Maltuout Paju Yadang Branch was a highly satisfying Yadang pub.

Written Oct 29, 2026Sponsored
PlacePaju, GyeonggiRestaurants

Paju dumpling house: Sunday beef shank suyuk & makguksu, Bubyeokjeong

Bubyeokjeong Pyeongyang Mandu (부벽정평양만두) Unjeong Ilsan main branch is a Pyongyang-style dumpling and mandu hot pot restaurant on Jimok-ro in Unjeong, Paju. On a Sunday evening, a couple waited about 10 minutes behind 4 parties. They ordered aronsatae suyuk (boiled beef shank, 34,000 won), Pyongyang bibim makguksu (12,000 won) and plate mandu (8,000 won), but the seasonal mul makguksu they had hoped for was already finished. The mild suyuk, pure buckwheat bibim makguksu, yuja pickled radish and dessert zone at Bubyeokjeong Pyeongyang Mandu earned a 200% intention to return.

Written Oct 28, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSeohae, IncheonRestaurants

Friday-night Korean BBQ in Gajeong: 200g extra pork belly, Euljiro

Euljiro Yeontan Gui Luone City Branch (을지로연탄구이 루원시티점) is a briquette-grilled Korean BBQ restaurant in Gajeong-dong, Seohae, Incheon, near Gajeong Station. On a repeat Friday-night visit, the writer ordered the 600g Dwaeji Hangeun pork platter (38,000 won), added 200g of pork belly and finished with mul naengmyeon (cold noodles), enjoying the thick pork belly, chewy pork jowl and smoky briquette flavor. With a retro neighborhood-regular feel and up to 3 hours of basement parking, Euljiro Yeontan Gui Luone City Branch is a solid pick for family dinners or after-work group meals.

Written Oct 27, 2026Sponsored
PlacePaju, GyeonggiCafés

Paju café with weekday 15% off brunch and French toast plate: Barirus

Barirus is a huge late-night café on Bongseosan-ro in Paju-eup, Paju, Gyeonggi, open until 2am on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. At a window seat at Barirus, the writer had the American brunch (18,900 won) and a seblak long sausage bread, then explored the outdoor tents, now free to use, and the 2nd-floor gallery. Barirus is a Paju café for a calm weekday morning brunch with no parking worries.

Written Jun 9, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGeomdan, IncheonRestaurants

Geomdan tonkatsu Friday revisit: cheese katsu & spicy curry, HOKATSU

HOKATSU is a Japanese tonkatsu restaurant on the ground floor of the Megabox building in Geomdan New Town, Incheon. Craving the taste from a few months earlier, the writer returned on a Friday night and ordered the Soknorang cheese katsu with a spicy mini curry, plus a tenderloin katsu and a mini curry for her husband. The stretchy cheese in the Soknorang cheese katsu and the tender whole-tenderloin katsu make HOKATSU a Geomdan tonkatsu spot worth revisiting.

Written Oct 20, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGangseo, SeoulRestaurants

Balsan Korean BBQ couple dinner: scallion-salad pork galbi, Ihwajeong

Ihwajeong Galbi Myeongga Magok-Balsan Branch is a hanok-style Korean BBQ restaurant near Balsan Station Exit 4 in Gangseo, Seoul, serving marinated pork galbi sweetened with organic pear. The writer and her husband ordered 3 servings of marinated pork neck galbi (23,000 won per serving) with rice for dinner and enjoyed the first bite with scallion salad, refills of mung bean jelly salad and young cabbage geotjeori (fresh kimchi), and a pear sherbet to finish. For this couple, Ihwajeong Galbi Myeongga Magok-Balsan Branch is their number one pork galbi restaurant.

Written Oct 22, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSeo-gu, IncheonRestaurants

Weekend lunch shabu-shabu buffet in Cheongna, soy shrimp: Shabuway

Shabuway Ruwon City Cheongna Branch is a shabu-shabu and buffet restaurant on the 2nd floor of Ruwon Top Plaza in Seo-gu, Incheon. On a weekend lunch visit, the writer had shabu-shabu with half shiitake mushroom broth and half spicy broth (₩2,000 extra), plus buffet dishes like salmon salad, soy-marinated shrimp and chapssal tangsuyuk (crispy sweet-and-sour pork), rice paper wraps and rainbow-topping ice cream. Shabuway Ruwon City Cheongna Branch is a good pick for a weekend lunch when you don't feel like cooking, with shabu-shabu and a buffet in one spacious, quiet room.

Written Jun 17, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSeo-gu, IncheonRestaurants

Wood-fired pizza in Geomdan: wedding anniversary set at Bistro Cookie

Bistro Cookie is a wood-fired pizza and pasta restaurant near Singeomdanjungang Station in Geomdan New Town, Seo-gu, Incheon. For a wedding anniversary date, the writer ordered the Cookie Set for 2 (58,000 won), which includes pasta, pizza, salad and 2 drinks, and was impressed by Bistro Cookie's high ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows and wood-fired pizza. Bistro Cookie is a neighborhood restaurant worth recommending for anniversary dates or family meals.

Written Jun 16, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGimpo, GyeonggiRestaurants

Gimpo kalguksu restaurant: thin rye noodles, minari porridge, Homilwon

Homilwon Shabu Kalguksu Gimpo Main Branch is a shabu kalguksu (shabu-shabu with knife-cut noodles) restaurant on Geolpo-ro in Geolpo-dong, Gimpo, known for its sanghwang mushroom broth. On a weekday evening, the writer and her husband ordered the signature Hanssang Gadeuk Special Sanghwang Shabu Kalguksu for two. The set included stir-fried baby octopus (jjukkumi), warm Korean pork suyuk (boiled pork), Australian N7 beef shabu-shabu, fresh rye kalguksu noodles and perilla oil minari porridge, and the thin rye noodles were chewy yet easy to digest. Homilwon Shabu Kalguksu is a good Gimpo kalguksu spot for treating parents or for days when you crave a restorative meal.

Written Jun 20, 2026Sponsored