Vanity Glance · 49 stories

Before the Mirror

I write about my experiences at beauty spots in Gyeonggi. · Writes about: Hair & beauty salons · Things to do · Restaurants · Cafés · Beauty products · Bars

PlaceMapo, SeoulRestaurants

Yeonnam-dong teppanyaki beef sets and yakisoba: Cheolpan Yori Miro

Cheolpan Yori Miro Yeonnam (철판요리미로 연남점) is a teppanyaki and Japanese restaurant in Yeonnam-dong, Mapo, Seoul, near Hongik Univ. Station. The writer shared a buchaesal (top blade) set and a salchisal (chuck flap) set to compare the two beef cuts, then added yakisoba (Japanese stir-fried noodles) for a more varied meal. Cheolpan Yori Miro is worth shortlisting in Yeonnam-dong when you want a teppanyaki beef set with a noodle dish on the side.

Written Oct 27, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGoyang, GyeonggiRestaurants

Goyang crab restaurant: soy & spicy crab set with tteokgalbi, Deodeo

Deodeo Ganjanggejang Muhalliripil (더더간장게장무한리필) is a soy-marinated and spicy marinated crab restaurant on Wondang-ro in Deogyang-gu, Goyang, Gyeonggi. The writer ordered the one-crab set, which comes with one soy-marinated crab, one spicy marinated crab and steamed egg (15,000 won, per the price in the photo). The writer added crab stew and tteokgalbi (grilled short rib patty) and enjoyed switching between the two kinds of crab. Deodeo's one-crab set is a good meal for anyone who wants to try both soy and spicy crab in one sitting.

Written Oct 26, 2026Sponsored
PlaceDongjak, SeoulRestaurants

Japanese ramen dinner in Noryangjin: tonkotsu and mazesoba at Chome

Chome (초메) is a Japanese ramen shop in an alley near Noryangjin Station in Dongjak, Seoul, serving tonkotsu ramen, mazesoba (brothless mixed ramen) and salmon futomaki (thick sushi roll). The writer had a rich tonkotsu ramen and a thick salmon futomaki, then broke the egg yolk over the mazesoba, mixed it, added kombu vinegar and finished by stirring rice into the leftover sauce. Chome's mazesoba was memorable enough that the writer would come back for it.

Written Jun 6, 2026Sponsored
PlaceYeonsu, IncheonRestaurants

Songdo hot pot buffet guide: hot pot vs shabu-shabu, Sangsangcheom

Sangsangcheom Songdo Triple Street Branch is an all-you-can-eat hot pot restaurant on the 1st floor of Building D at Songdo Triple Street in Yeonsu, Incheon. This Sangsangcheom guide explains how hot pot differs from shabu-shabu, how to cook ingredients a little at a time, how to take only what you can eat from the all-you-can-eat bar, and what to check before visiting. Sangsangcheom is worth considering when you want to pick your own meat and vegetables at Songdo Triple Street.

Written Oct 25, 2026Sponsored
PlaceEunpyeong, SeoulRestaurants

Ramen shop near Saejeol Station: chilled Korean ingredients, Oreno

Oreno Ramen Eunpyeong is a Japanese ramen restaurant at 366 Bulgwangcheon-gil in Eunpyeong, Seoul, about a 10-minute walk from Saejeol Station. Oreno Ramen aims to use chilled Korean-sourced ingredients, and the writer found the long-developed broth rich without being too salty, the noodles chewy and the toppings carefully prepared. The writer was highly satisfied; Oreno Ramen Eunpyeong is a good stop when you want a rich bowl of ramen on a Bulgwangcheon stream walk or an Eunpyeong food trip.

Written Jun 5, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGoyang, GyeonggiCafés

Goyang dessert café, five picks: mango latte & plain scone, Baedagol

Baedagol Bakery House (배다골베이커리하우스) is a bakery café near Wondang in Deogyang-gu, Goyang, Gyeonggi. The writer ordered five items at Baedagol Bakery House: Gongju chestnut tiramisu, a mango latte, salt bread, a blueberry tart and a plain scone, alternating sweet desserts with plainer bread. Baedagol Bakery House suits a relaxed day when you want to share drinks and several baked goods in Goyang.

Written Oct 24, 2026Sponsored
PlaceYeonsu, IncheonRestaurants

Songdo sushi restaurant: ₩25,900 10pc, flounder to ankimo, Sushi Doku

Sushi Doku The Songdo is a sushi and Japanese restaurant on the 2nd floor of Onesta Mall in Songdo, Yeonsu, Incheon. This post looks at the Sushi Doku The Songdo premium sushi special set (10 pieces), mainly its line-up and its price of 25,900 won, covering flounder, sea bream, salmon, akami (lean tuna), sweet shrimp, red shrimp, red snow crab meat, eel and ankimo (monkfish liver). Verdict: the 10-piece set at Sushi Doku The Songdo is worth shortlisting when you want to taste many kinds of sushi in one meal.

Written Oct 23, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGoyang, GyeonggiRestaurants

Goyang Korean BBQ with marinated pork and doenjang stew: Sujeong Galbi

Sujeong Galbi (수정갈비) Seongsa Main Branch is a marinated galbi (Korean BBQ) restaurant on Heungdo-ro in Seongsa-dong, Deogyang-gu, Goyang. On this visit the order was 2 servings of marinated Handon Wang-gui (Korean pork) and doenjang jjigae (soybean paste stew), alternating sweet grilled pork with savory stew. Sujeong Galbi suits days when meat alone feels too light and you want a filling meal with rice and stew.

Written Oct 21, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSeodaemun, SeoulHair & beauty salons

Sinchon hair salon deep, calm blue-black over bright dye: Demon Hair

Demon Hair Sinchon Branch is a hair salon on Sinchon-ro near Sinchon Station in Seodaemun, Seoul. Finding bright colors too bold and plain black hair too dull, the writer chose a blue-black dye at Demon Hair Sinchon Branch. Thanks to a designer who was thorough from consultation to finish, it came out the deep, calm shade they wanted. For a change from your usual look that doesn't stand out, the blue-black dye at Demon Hair Sinchon Branch is a satisfying choice.

Written Oct 20, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGoyang, GyeonggiRestaurants

Ilsan Korean restaurant: daily handmade mandu for work lunch, Arirang

Arirang Gaeseong Son Mandu Siksa Branch (아리랑 개성손만두 식사점) is a Korean restaurant specializing in handmade mandu (Korean dumplings) in Siksa-dong, Ilsan-donggu, Goyang. The writer had the restaurant's mandu, which it says are handmade every day, with a warm broth for lunch and was impressed by the large dumplings, chewy wrappers and clean-tasting broth. Arirang Gaeseong Son Mandu is a reliable pick for office workers and families looking for a filling Korean lunch in Siksa-dong.

Written Jun 7, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGoyang, GyeonggiBars

Samsong, Goyang izakaya for sharing plates: soy chicken at Sesolli

Sesolli (심야식당 세솔리) is an izakaya on the 2nd floor at 19 Sindo-gil near Samsong Station in Deogyang-gu, Goyang. At Sesolli the writer shared mozzarella tofu, gan-jjamppong pasta (pasta in the style of spicy stir-fried jjamppong noodles) and soy sauce chicken, switching between rich, spicy and salty flavors. Verdict: Sesolli is a good place to share several dishes and cover both dinner and drinks in one sitting.

Written Oct 20, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGoyang, GyeonggiRestaurants

Seooreung Chinese restaurant: smoky fried rice and dip-style tangsuyuk

Jjamppong Jijeon Seooreung Branch (짬뽕지존 서오릉점) is a Chinese restaurant with a large parking lot on Seooreung-ro in Deogyang-gu, Goyang, Gyeonggi. On a weekend family outing, the writer ordered fried rice, dip-style tangsuyuk (sweet and sour pork, sauce on the side) and jjamppong mandu (spicy seafood dumplings), and also used the self-serve bar and the after-meal coffee and iced tea; the fluffy, smoky fried rice and the crisp-outside, tender-inside tangsuyuk were the highlights. Jjamppong Jijeon Seooreung Branch suits families looking for a clean Chinese restaurant with easy parking near Seooreung.

Written Jun 13, 2026Sponsored