Narrow Counter Seat · 8 stories

Narrow Counter, Seoul and Gyeonggi Bars and Cafes

Writes about bars, cafes, restaurants and beauty spots she visits around Seoul and Gyeonggi. · Writes about: Bars · Restaurants · Hair & beauty salons · Cafés

PlaceJungnang, SeoulRestaurants

Sagajeong Station eel BBQ: weeknight Japonica date, Cheonsangae

Cheonsangae Jangeoga Myeonmok Sagajeong Branch (천상애장어가 면목사가정점) is a grilled eel restaurant near Sagajeong Station in Jungnang, Seoul, serving Korean-raised Japonica eel over real charcoal. The writer booked through Naver for a weekday dinner after work with her boyfriend; because it was a quiet hour, staff grilled both eels for them, and the neat side dishes, self-bar and free nurungji (scorched rice) tea all impressed. At under 80,000 won for two and with no fishy taste, Cheonsangae Jangeoga is a solid pick for anything from a date night to a family dinner.

Written Jun 13, 2026Sponsored
PlaceNamyangju, GyeonggiCafés

Namyangju café date on a day off, Burberry cups: Waltz and Dr. Mahn

Waltz and Dr. Mahn is a European-style restaurant and café right on the Bukhan River in Joan-myeon, Namyangju, Gyeonggi. The writer took a weekday off for an afternoon date with her boyfriend, ordering Indonesia Sumatra and Costa Rica Tarrazu hand drip coffee with Opera cake, and loved the Burberry coffee cups, the Bukhan River view and the calm music. Window seats at Waltz and Dr. Mahn were fully reserved even on a weekday, so book ahead and allow plenty of time.

Written Jun 20, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSongpa, SeoulHair & beauty salons

Jamsil hair salon: Composio EQ clinic + layered cut, CHOP Hair

CHOP Hair Jamsil Branch is a 20-seat hair salon right next to Saenae Station in Songpa, Seoul. The writer's long hair had been damaged by a perm the year before. Director Ally gave the writer a 4-step Composio EQ clinic and a layered cut, leaving the hair smooth and swishy and the once-heavy style much lighter. Ahead of summer, CHOP Hair Jamsil Branch was a satisfying choice for care of damaged hair combined with a lighter cut.

Written Jun 24, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSeongdong, SeoulBars

Wangsimni bar for groups up to 60: sweet potato yakgwa ice, Ari Gyegok

Ari Gyegok Wangsimni Hanyang University Branch is a Korean-concept bar on Majo-ro 3-ga-gil in Seongdong, Seoul, that takes group bookings of up to 60 people. The writer came for a second round and ordered the nurungji monkfish liver yukhoe, served with a hammer for cracking the scorched-rice crust, plus a ₩8,900 sweet potato yakgwa ice dessert, and finished both despite already being full. Ari Gyegok Wangsimni is a safe pick for a second round, a group get-together or a wedding invitation meetup in Wangsimni.

Written Jun 22, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGangdong, SeoulRestaurants

Seongnae-dong tonkatsu, three ways: salt, sauce, curry: Katsu Monster

Katsu Monster Gangdong Office Branch is a Japanese tonkatsu restaurant with bar-counter seating in Seongnae-dong, Gangdong, Seoul, near Gangdong-gu Office Station. The writer went for dinner, ordered Mixed Katsu B (tenderloin katsu and cheese katsu) with a side of curry, and dipped each bite in salt, tonkatsu sauce and curry in turn. Katsu Monster Gangdong Office Branch is an easy pick for a simple but filling meal, even on your own.

Written Jun 27, 2026Sponsored
PlaceJung-gu, SeoulRestaurants

City Hall Station eel restaurant: couple's hitsumabushi dinner, Tawa

Tawa is an eel rice bowl and Japanese restaurant in the basement of Hansan Building, near Exit 10 of City Hall Station in Seoul. On a dinner date with her boyfriend, the writer ordered Nagoya-style hitsumabushi (grilled eel over rice) and kaisendon (sashimi rice bowl) with 4 glasses of Kirin draft beer. The eel was so tender and sweet that even this eel lover's eyes lit up at the first bite. Tawa's hitsumabushi is good enough for a date and one she wants to bring her parents back for.

Written Jul 1, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSeongdong, SeoulCafés

Wangsimni Station café: pick-your-own financier gift box, Eojil In

Eojil In Wangsimni Station Branch is a two-story bakery café in Seongdong, Seoul, a 5-minute walk from Wangsimni Station, where a pastry chef bakes fresh every day and the coffee beans are roasted in-house. The writer ordered a churro financier, a pain au Suisse and coffee, and especially liked hand-picking madeleines and financiers for a gift box, the wide table spacing and the soft music. Eojil In is a good Wangsimni Station café for long conversations and for picking up a light dessert gift.

Written Oct 8, 2026Sponsored
PlaceJongno, SeoulRestaurants

Jongno3-ga Korean BBQ with six signature sauces: Cham Dwaejitgan

Cham Dwaejitgan Jongno Main Branch is a Korean BBQ restaurant on the first floor of the Piccadilly CGV building, right in front of Jongno3-ga station in Jongno, Seoul. Staff grill the meat at the table with kimchi, bean sprouts and potato slices on the pan, and this visit ordered 2 servings of ogeopsal (five-layer pork belly) and 1 serving of samgyeopsal (pork belly) with 6 signature sauces, finishing with 1 serving of fried rice. If you want the grilling done for you, Cham Dwaejitgan is an easy pick for a Jongno work dinner or a get-together.

Written Aug 14, 2026Sponsored
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