Blue Tile Regular · 13 stories

The Blue Tile Table

I write about restaurants I visit around Seoul. · Writes about: Restaurants · Cafés · Things to do · Hair & beauty salons

PlaceMapo, SeoulBars

Hongdae cocktail bar for an after-work dinner date: Madame X, Rosetta

Rosetta is a cocktail bar themed on famous paintings, on Eoulmadang-ro in Hongdae, Seoul, between Hapjeong Station and Sangsu Station. A couple in their 30s came for a dinner date timed to the husband's finish at work and had the signature cocktails Madame X and Summer Sunlight, pumpkin cream gnocchi, and butter-roasted baby potatoes with jamón for 87,000 won. Thanks to the rose-scented Madame X and baby potatoes dipped in the gnocchi sauce, Rosetta is a Hongdae cocktail bar worth returning to for an anniversary.

Written Nov 14, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMapo, SeoulRestaurants

Hongdae Japanese solo meal: staff-pick sake tarako-don, Jongno Donburi

Jongno Donburi Yeonnam (종로돈부리 연남) is a Japanese rice bowl (donburi) restaurant in a basement off a Yeonnam-dong alley in Mapo, Seoul, a 5–10 minute walk from Exit 3 of Hongik Univ. Station. A diner in their 30s ate there solo, took the staff's tip that the salmon was fresh that day, and ordered the sake tarako-don (salmon and white pollock roe rice bowl, ₩24,000) and a peach lemonade (₩6,000). The glossy, thick salmon and white roe sat on sweetened rice for a sweet-and-salty mix. Verdict: Jongno Donburi Yeonnam is an easy place to enjoy a bowl of fresh salmon on your own.

Written Nov 12, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGangnam, SeoulHair & beauty salons

Gangnam hair salon: moisture clinic for waist-length wavy hair, Anew

Anew Hair Cheongdam Main Branch is a hair consulting salon on the 2nd floor of Seolleung-ro 127-gil in Gangnam, Seoul, near Gangnam-gu Office Station. Ahead of a January wedding, the writer had a first-ever moisture clinic on waist-length, damaged, semi-wavy hair. The visit at Anew Hair Cheongdam Main Branch covered a questionnaire consultation, steam care and a blow-dry in one sitting. Some surface frizz remained because the hair is naturally wavy, but it felt the silkiest it has ever been to the touch.

Written Nov 11, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMapo, SeoulRestaurants

Hapjeong Korean BBQ after bowling: pork jowl set, Geumseong Hoegwan

Geumseong Hoegwan Hapjeong Main Branch (금성회관 합정본점) is a Korean BBQ restaurant near Hapjeong Station and Sangsu Station in Mapo, Seoul, where staff grill Handon (Korean domestic pork) and hanwoo (Korean beef) at your table. After bowling, a couple in their 30s booked ahead and shared the Handon set of pork jowl, gabrisal (pork shoulder rim), five-layer pork belly and pork neck for ₩58,000, plus two bowls of rice. They loved the meat's lack of any gamey smell, the free soft tofu stew and sides like wasabi, whole-grain mustard and mustard-leaf kimchi. Geumseong Hoegwan is a good-value Hapjeong pick when you want a hearty meat dinner after exercise.

Written Nov 9, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMapo, SeoulRestaurants

Hongdae Japanese restaurant: solo lunch of scissor-cut eel, Ochaya

Ochaya Yeonnam is an ochazuke (rice with hot broth) Japanese restaurant on the 2nd floor of a building in a Yeonnam-dong alley near Exit 3 of Hongik Univ. Station, Seoul. On a chilly day, the writer had a solo lunch at Ochaya Yeonnam of unagi chazuke (eel ochazuke, ₩16,000), fried shiitake (₩5,000) and a Sprite Zero, ₩23,000 in total. The eel on the nutritious mixed rice was cut with scissors, and the leftover rice was finished in broth. Ochaya Yeonnam is a good stop on your own when you crave a warm Japanese bowl.

Written Nov 8, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMapo, SeoulRestaurants

Solo pasta in Hongdae: slightly spicy Special Black set, Pasta Go

Pasta Go Hongdae Branch is a pasta restaurant with one-person sets, about a 5-minute walk from Exit 6 of Hongik Univ. Station in Mapo, Seoul. Dining alone, the writer ordered a one-person set of Special Black oil pasta (slightly spicy), a green salad and a Pepsi Zero for 17,175 won in total; the shrimp and squid were big, and the gentle heat kept the pasta from tasting greasy. Pasta Go Hongdae Branch is an easy, comfortable spot for anyone who feels awkward eating alone at a Western restaurant.

Written Oct 31, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMapo, SeoulRestaurants

Solo tonkatsu lunch after bowling in Yeonnam-dong: Katsu Monster

Katsu Monster Yeonnam Main Branch is a tonkatsu (breaded pork cutlet) restaurant on Donggyo-ro 38-gil in Yeonnam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul. After a morning of bowling, the writer had a solo lunch of the triple katsu (21,000 won), with pork loin, fillet and cheese katsu on one plate, and the solo seats and wall-mounted menu guide made eating alone easy. For solo diners in Yeonnam-dong who want a little of several katsu, the Katsu Monster triple katsu is a good fit.

Written Oct 3, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMapo, SeoulThings to do

Hongdae gym with no fixed class times: 4 days at Reboost PT

Reboost PT Hongdae Branch is a fitness studio in Mapo, Seoul, a 5–10 minute walk from Exit 9 of Hongik University Station, on the basement level of a building in front of Seogyo Elementary School. Over four days — three evening visits and one morning — the coach set a different program each day and adjusted it to how the writer felt, with no fixed class start time to rush for. If solo gym sessions feel boring and CrossFit group classes feel like too much, Reboost PT Hongdae Branch is worth trying.

Written Sep 24, 2026Sponsored
PlaceJung-gu, SeoulCafés

Seoul study café near City Hall for two financiers: Lemangdoré

Lemangdoré Gwanghwamun is a three-story bakery café in Jung-gu, Seoul, a 3–5 minute walk from City Hall Station Exit 4. Visiting alone to sort out a schedule, the writer ordered a nutmeg financier, a Maldon salt chocolate financier and the coffee of the day, an autumn blend, and both financiers tasted better alongside the coffee. Lemangdoré Gwanghwamun works for a quiet day of focus and just as well as a Gwanghwamun–Cheonggyecheon date stop.

Written Sep 22, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMapo, SeoulRestaurants

Clear beef gomtang near Hongik Univ. Station Exit 7: Baengni Gomtang

Baengni Gomtang is a Korean restaurant in Mapo, Seoul, a 3-5 minute walk from Exit 7 of Hongik University Station. The clear, mild hanwoo beef gomtang (Korean beef bone soup) needed only a pinch of pepper, and the handmade tteokgalbi (grilled beef patty) side kept the seasoning gentle from start to finish. For a light, non-spicy broth with thick cuts of beef, Baengni Gomtang is a solid pick.

Written Sep 18, 2026Sponsored
PlaceYeongdeungpo, SeoulRestaurants

Yeouido Singapore-style restaurant with table kiosk: Jeongyun Kitchen

Jeongyun Kitchen is a Singapore-style Asian restaurant on the 2nd floor of Gongjak Sangga in Yeouido, Seoul, about 2 minutes on foot from Exit 1 of Yeouinaru Station. Dining alone at a two-person table, the writer ordered red curry chicken rice and cucumber salad from the table kiosk, and the thin, mild curry with tender chicken tasted clearly different from Korean-style curry. Jeongyun Kitchen is an easy place to take a slow lunch on your own without feeling out of place.

Written Sep 18, 2026Sponsored
PlaceJung-gu, SeoulRestaurants

Seoul Station gyukatsu Set 3 with egg-yolk steki-don: Ichigyu

Ichigyu Seoul Station Branch is a gyukatsu and steak restaurant on the basement level of the LG Seoul Station Building in Jung-gu, Seoul, about five minutes on foot from Seoul Station exit 10. Over lunch with her mom, the writer ordered Set 3 — sirloin gyukatsu, sirloin steak-don and two drinks — melting butter on the tabletop mini brazier to grill each slice, then breaking the egg yolk into the steak-don for a nuttier, richer bowl. Ichigyu Seoul Station Branch suits a family lunch that breaks from the usual menu, or a date course near Seoul Station.

Written Sep 6, 2026Sponsored