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

PlaceDongjak, SeoulRestaurants

Noryangjin Fish Market gyudon spot, veggie-steeped sauce: Gyudongjip

Gyudongjip (Gyudongjip Noryangjin Main Branch) is a Japanese home-style rice bowl restaurant about a 5-minute walk from Noryangjin Station in Dongjak, Seoul. The writer ate Gyudongjip's signature gyudon (beef rice bowl), and a companion ordered the yukhoe-deopbap (seasoned raw beef rice bowl); the owner's house sauce, said to be made by steeping vegetables, gives the gyudon a gentle sweetness and savory depth rather than saltiness. With tables for two and counter seats, Gyudongjip suits both a solo meal and a lunch date in Noryangjin.

Written Jun 17, 2026Sponsored
PlaceYeongdeungpo, SeoulRestaurants

Yeouido tteokbokki bar: ramyeon & curly fish cake, Hyeonseonine

Hyeonseonine Premium IFC Mall Branch is a tteokbokki snack bar on basement level 2 (B2) of IFC Mall in Yeouido, Seoul, connected to The Hyundai Seoul. After visiting The Hyundai Seoul, the writer had the Hyeonseonine instant tteokbokki set for lunch, added ramyeon noodles and also tried kkobuli odeng (curly fish cake), while most other diners ordered the regular tteokbokki. Hyeonseonine was a very satisfying, easy Yeouido snack bar lunch during a shopping trip.

Written Jun 19, 2026Sponsored
PlaceYeongdeungpo, SeoulBars

Japanese pub in Yeouido: fried egg starter, free mini tempura, Sodam

Robadayakki Sodam Yeouido Branch is a Japanese-style izakaya near Saetgang Station and Yeouido Station in Yeongdeungpo, Seoul. On a visit with a friend, the order was a sashimi plate and charcoal-grilled robatayaki skewers. A fried egg came out as the first dish, and a receipt review earned free mini tempura. Robadayakki Sodam Yeouido Branch suits anyone who wants fresh sashimi and charcoal skewers together in a cozy Yeouido bar.

Written Jun 25, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMapo, SeoulRestaurants

Yeonnam-dong donburi: hearty butadon vs crispy tendon, Jongno Donburi

Jongno Donburi Yeonnam is a Japanese rice bowl (donburi) restaurant in Yeonnam-dong, Mapo, Seoul, near Hongik Univ. Station. Unable to choose just one, the writer ordered both the butadon (pork rice bowl) and the tendon (tempura rice bowl) to share: the butadon was filling, with the pork and rice coming together, while the tendon stood out for its savory, crispy tempura. If you can't decide between butadon and tendon at Jongno Donburi Yeonnam, ordering both to compare is a satisfying combination.

Written Oct 14, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMapo, SeoulHair & beauty salons

Hapjeong hair salon men's as-perm look while growing hair: Pieum Hair

Pieum Hair Hapjeong Main Branch (피움헤어 합정본점) is a hair salon on Dongmak-ro in Mapo, Seoul, near Hapjeong Station. A man growing out his hair, whose bangs and sides kept sticking out awkwardly, got a volume magic (root-volume straightening) treatment plus a down perm at Pieum Hair Hapjeong Main Branch. The result was a subtle as-perm look (a soft, Korean-style men's perm) with naturally flowing bangs and flat, tidy sides. The two treatments took a long time, but the writer was satisfied because Pieum Hair matched the style he wanted from consultation to finish.

Written Oct 12, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMapo, SeoulRestaurants

Yeonnam-dong date restaurant, garlic squid oil pasta & steak: Hey Joji

Hey Joji is an American home-style restaurant tucked into an alley in Yeonnam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul. On a date, the writer shared three dishes at Hey Joji: the House Steak, the garlic squid oil pasta and the chicken tender Caesar salad. The writer called the garlic squid oil pasta the best oil pasta they have ever eaten. For a Yeonnam-dong date that needs both atmosphere and great pasta, Hey Joji is a strong pick.

Written Jul 8, 2026Sponsored
PlaceDongjak, SeoulRestaurants

Noryangjin Korean BBQ with unlimited kimchi & minari: Naengsam Hanok

Naengsam Hanok (냉삼한옥) is a frozen pork belly Korean BBQ restaurant on Manyang-ro in Dongjak, Seoul, near Noryangjin Station. At Naengsam Hanok, the frozen pork belly is grilled on a stone griddle with minari (water dropwort), kimchi, bracken and sliced potato, and all four come with unlimited refills. Egg custard, doenjang (soybean paste) stew, salty seasoned pork belly and pork skin from a review event all impressed. Naengsam Hanok suits Noryangjin students and office workers looking for a hearty, good-value frozen pork belly meal.

Written Jul 11, 2026Sponsored
PlaceYeongdeungpo, SeoulRestaurants

Yeouido Korean restaurant: wood-fired jeyuk pork set for office lunch

Hwadeogeuro Gan Godeungeo Bansang Yeouido is a Korean restaurant near Saetgang Station in Yeongdeungpo, Seoul, serving wood-fired grilled fish and jeyuk (grilled pork) as set meals. The writer had the wood-fired jeyuk set for a weekday lunch and quickly finished a bowl of rice: the pork had a subtle smoky aroma, a chewy outside and a juicy inside, and a savory, mild seasoning. With no fishy smell or smoke, Hwadeogeuro Gan Godeungeo Bansang Yeouido is an easy Korean lunch pick in Yeouido, whether you eat alone or with coworkers.

Written Jul 25, 2026Sponsored
PlaceEunpyeong, SeoulHair & beauty salons

Yeonsinnae hair salon: fixing patchy color + layered cut, Hannah Salon

Hannah Salon is a hair salon near Yeonsinnae Station in Eunpyeong, Seoul. At Hannah Salon, hair that looked patchy and uneven in different light was dyed a calm, even tone, and a layered cut added light layers while keeping the length; first-time customers get 20% off dye or perms. Hannah Salon is worth shortlisting if you want a natural change of mood, but allow extra time when booking dye plus a cut.

Written Oct 6, 2026Sponsored
PlaceDongjak, SeoulRestaurants

Noryangjin rice bowl shop: basic gyudon eaten two ways, Gyudongjip

Gyudongjip (규동집) is a Japanese-style rice bowl restaurant on Manyang-ro 14ga-gil near Noryangjin Station in Dongjak, Seoul. On a first solo visit, the blogger ordered Gyudongjip's signature basic gyudon (beef rice bowl), ate half with just the beef and rice, then broke the poached egg yolk into the rest for two flavors in one bowl. Gyudongjip is less about flash and more about a filling, affordable meal that is easy to eat alone.

Written Oct 3, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGoyang, GyeonggiRestaurants

Goyang Korean BBQ comparing unmarinated cuts: Baekseok Kkogijip

Baekseok Kkogijip (백석 꼬기집) is a Korean BBQ restaurant near Baekseok Station in Ilsandong-gu, Goyang, Gyeonggi. Two diners ordered the fresh meat platter for two (생고기모둠2인 세트) and grilled it a little at a time to compare the cuts. They found the meat chewy and savory, and the portion filling for two. For anyone in Baekseok who prefers the natural flavor of meat over marinades, the Baekseok Kkogijip fresh meat platter is a good fit.

Written Oct 1, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGoyang, GyeonggiCafés

Roomy Wondang café in Goyang: fresh mango yogurt smoothie, Baedagol

Baedagol Bakery House (배다골베이커리하우스) is a large bakery café in Wondang, Deogyang-gu, Goyang, Gyeonggi. The writer ordered the Fresh Mango Wareureu Latte, the Fresh Mango Wareureu Yogurt Smoothie ("wareureu" meaning heaped with fruit) and a fresh fruit cream cheese, and all three were generous with fresh mango and fresh fruit. For mango dessert lovers choosing among cafés in Goyang, Ilsan and Wondang, Baedagol Bakery House is the one to pick.

Written Aug 3, 2026Sponsored