Warmth Collector · 50 stories
I write about restaurants and cafés I visit in Seoul and Gangwon. · Writes about: Cafés · Restaurants · Bars · Shopping · Hair & beauty salons
Kkuudeok Seolleung Main Branch is a pasta and steak restaurant about a 5-minute walk from Seolleung Station in Gangnam, Seoul. Instead of a set, the writer ordered hangover tomato pasta, spicy cream pasta and flat iron steak à la carte, with pastas in the low-to-mid ₩10,000 range and the steak also in the ₩10,000 range. Kkuudeok is a satisfying, affordable Gangnam spot for a date or an after-work dinner.
Bokdeurim Bokguk (복드림 복국 콩나물국) is a Korean restaurant specializing in bokguk (pufferfish soup) near Samseongjungang Station in Gangnam, Seoul. The writer shared two soups with their mother at Bokdeurim Bokguk: a nutty perilla seed pufferfish soup packed with ongsimi dumplings, and a refreshing cordyceps hangover pufferfish soup that is boiled at the table even as a single serving. Both left mother and writer happy, making Bokdeurim Bokguk a clean, restorative Samseong-dong spot to take your parents.
Halls Gimbap Main Branch (홀스김밥본점) is a gimbap (seaweed rice roll) and Korean snack shop near Gyodae Station in Seocho, Seoul, said to stir-fry its fillings in 100% olive oil. Over an early lunch, the writer tried three rolls at Halls Gimbap: Jindo scallion tuna gimbap, wasabi gimbap and konjac-minari (water dropwort) gimbap. The writer also checked out the terrace seats and the horse-doll decor. Verdict: Halls Gimbap Main Branch suits Gyodae Station office workers looking for a clean, easy-on-the-stomach lunch.
Geumseong Hoegwan Seoul City Hall Direct Branch is a Korean BBQ restaurant at 30 Namdaemun-ro 1-gil in Jung-gu, Seoul, between Namdaemun Market and City Hall Station. After booking ahead, the family ordered 3 servings (180g each) of marinated pork neck (Geumseong yangnyeom-gui) with mul naengmyeon (cold broth noodles) and bibim naengmyeon (spicy mixed cold noodles), then added 2 servings of hwangje galbi-sal (premium rib meat); ordering 2 or more servings of meat brought free soft tofu stew, and writing a Naver receipt review earned free pork skin. Geumseong Hoegwan Seoul City Hall Direct Branch, with its sweet marinated pork neck and cold noodles, was a solid, easy pick for a family meal.
Young Coffee Jamsil Trizium is a pastry dessert café near Samjeon Station in Songpa, Seoul. At Young Coffee Jamsil Trizium, the writer had a mugwort latte made with lactose-free milk, along with pastry walnut cakes, pastry chestnut bread and plain pastry bread. Verdict: even people whose stomachs are upset by milk can comfortably enjoy the mugwort latte at Young Coffee Jamsil Trizium.
Hannam Multeo (한남물터) is a newly opened sashimi restaurant and seafood bar near Hannam Station in Yongsan, Seoul. Beside the large fish tank in the middle of the room, the writer had house starters including monkfish liver and boiled octopus, Asahi draft beer, and a yellowtail, flounder, tuna and abalone sashimi platter with seasonal namul (seasoned greens), plus perilla oil ice cream for a receipt review. The spacious room, the atmosphere and the generous house starters at Hannam Multeo made for a satisfying dinner the writer plans to repeat.
Salering Gyodae Direct Store is a newly opened salad and poke shop near Gyodae Station in Seocho, Seoul. The writer ordered the smoked duck bibim poke to go on a brown rice base and ate it with chili mayo and balsamic sauces in turn, and was pleased with the clean shop, the friendly owner and the generous portion. Salering Gyodae Direct Store is a solid pick for office workers and locals around Gyodae Station who want a filling, healthy meal.
Olla Poke Munjeong Main Branch is a poke restaurant on the B1 level of Terra Tower Building A, about 7 minutes on foot from Munjeong Station Exit 3 in Songpa, Seoul. Watching cholesterol after a health checkup, the writer came at the lunch peak and ordered the salmon poke with extra avocado: fresh salmon with no fishy smell, perfectly ripe avocado, plus a free tea self-bar and disposable aprons. Olla Poke Munjeong is a filling, stress-free pick for office workers managing their diet near Munjeong Station.
Sudowonui Bimil Jeojanggo (수도원의 비밀 저장고) is a wood-fired pizza and pasta pub on basement level 1 near Jonggak Station in Jongno, Seoul. The blogger paired pale ale with the Monastery Garden Jambon Arugula Pizza and the Pilgrim's Tomato Pasta. Sudowonui Bimil Jeojanggo also stood out as a group dinner venue, with one 14-person room and two 10-person rooms. Verdict: a clean, newly opened Jonggak spot serving high-quality wood-fired food, good for dates and team dinners.
Hanuk is a traditional-themed cocktail bar serving Korean traditional liquor, on basement level 1 near Jonggak Station in Jongno, Seoul. The writer took their mother to Hanuk for Ipchun, a sweet cocktail garnished with fizzy green grapes, and Hondonju, a drink served as a two-bottle set of liquor and smoke. The mother especially loved the decor full of traditional objects and the friendly explanations from a foreign staff member. Hanuk is a good choice for giving your parents an unusual night out.
Berg I'Park Mall Yongsan is an ice cream dessert café on the 6th floor of Yongsan I'Park Mall in Seoul, right in front of CGV Yongsan. Before a screening of the movie Michael, the blogger ordered Berg's signature Ibeuje (a cold brew ice cream latte) and a 100% NFC freshly squeezed orange juice, and was happy with both the rich, milky ice cream and the fresh juice. With its handy spot by CGV Yongsan and friendly staff, Berg I'Park Mall Yongsan is an easy café stop before or after a movie.
Selecto Coffee Sinnonhyeon Branch 24 Auto Brew Cafe is a café on Gangnam-daero 79-gil in Seocho, Seoul, with partitioned study seats and an in-store copy and print corner. The writer visited Selecto Coffee Sinnonhyeon at lunchtime and tried a salmon sandwich made the same day, plus Geisha coffee and Mocha coffee. Verdict: even a writer who rarely enjoys sandwiches fell for the sweet-salty sauce and soft bread of the salmon sandwich and plans to become a regular.
