Small Lights · 25 stories
I write about cafés and bars I visit around Busan and Gyeongnam. · Writes about: Bars · Cafés · Restaurants · Hair & beauty salons
At Noun Maison Hannam is a hair salon on Dokseodang-ro 14-gil in Hannam-dong, Yongsan, Seoul. After finishing a wedding studio shoot, the writer had heavy, overgrown bangs trimmed at At Noun Maison Hannam and got a curled, voluminous half-up updo for an after-work get-together with friends. At Noun Maison Hannam is an easy, low-pressure Hannam-dong salon for days when you want a natural look that seems effortlessly styled.
Mibundang Sungshin Women's University Branch (미분당 성신여대점) is a pho restaurant on a busy street near Sungshin Women's Univ. Station in Seongbuk, Seoul. After work and before running some errands, the writer ate brisket, flank and tendon pho alone, with a side of wedding shumai (steamed dumplings), and enjoyed the rich broth that isn't heavy on spices and the generous portion. Mibundang Sungshin Women's University Branch is worth a return visit whenever you want a quiet, filling meal on your own.
Pasta Han Kki Nowon Main Branch is a casual pasta restaurant near Nowon Station in Seoul. After work, the writer rode a Ddareungi (Seoul public bike) there for a solo return visit and ordered the usual seafood tomato hangover pasta with a steak salad: a brothy, spicy tomato pasta and a generous steak that made a filling pair. For solo dining in Nowon without feeling self-conscious, Pasta Han Kki Nowon Main Branch is a good fit.
Junggye Gogi Party Nowon Branch (중계고기파티 노원본점) is a pork and beef Korean BBQ restaurant in Junggye-dong, Nowon, Seoul. While house-hunting in Junggye and Sanggye after work on weekdays to prepare for their wedding, the writer and her boyfriend stopped at Junggye Gogi Party for an Iberico platter, bibim naengmyeon (spicy cold noodles) and beef brisket doenjang stew. The writer was also pleased with the curry salt and the yogurt and deodorizer handed out after the meal. Junggye Gogi Party is a hearty, conveniently close Korean BBQ stop to refuel between house viewings in Junggye-dong.
Menya Seoul Yongsan I'Park Mall Branch is a ramen shop inside I'Park Mall, which connects to Yongsan Station in Seoul, and its bar seating makes eating alone easy. On a first visit after work on a cold day, the writer ordered the spicy dongpo chashu ramen (braised pork belly ramen) as a set with cider (Korean lemon-lime soda) and karaage (Japanese fried chicken), and enjoyed the springy noodles, spicy broth and big slices of chashu. Menya Seoul is worth recommending for a filling solo dinner without feeling self-conscious.
Ppareuju Deopbap & Gangjeong is a takeout-focused shop for rice bowls and dakgangjeong (sweet glazed fried chicken) on the 3rd floor of Yongsan Station in Seoul. On the way home from work before the May holiday, the writer picked up dakgangjeong, chili shrimp and peanut bread for dinner at home. The dakgangjeong had a sweet-salty glaze that wasn't overly sticky, and the chili shrimp were plump. Ppareuju Deopbap & Gangjeong is a handy stop for grabbing food quickly before a train or after work.
Kuu Kuu Nowon Branch (쿠우쿠우 노원점) is a sushi buffet on the 6th floor of 247 Nowon-ro in Nowon, Seoul. Before a Children's Day property viewing, the blogger and her boyfriend booked Kuu Kuu Nowon Branch on Naver the day before and had only a short wait despite the busy holiday. They filled up on sushi, a whole crab, meat, noodles and desserts. Kuu Kuu Nowon Branch is a good fit for couples or family gatherings with slightly different tastes.
Mannyeon Dakgangjeong Hanok Village Direct Store is a dakgangjeong (sweet, crispy Korean fried chicken) shop on Taejo-ro in Jeonju Hanok Village, Jeonbuk. On her first trip to Jeonju with her husband after their wedding, the writer stopped at Mannyeon Dakgangjeong when the couple got hungry exploring the Hanok Village alleys, and they shared a box of dakgangjeong as a snack. If you want a street snack for two while walking around Jeonju Hanok Village, Mannyeon Dakgangjeong is worth adding to your list.
Beautae Esthetic (뷰태에스테틱) is a skin and body care esthetic spa on the 6th floor of the Hyoryeong Building on Mugyo-ro in Jung-gu, Seoul, near Myeongdong and City Hall Station. Stiff in the neck and shoulders from monitors and smartphones, with a head that felt heavy too, the writer skipped the usual face-focused care and chose the Beautae Esthetic head and neck program, which treats the head and neck area together. Verdict: the Beautae Esthetic head and neck program was a welcome chance to care for the neck area that usually gets overlooked.
Yeum Hair Nowon District Office branch is a hair salon on Nohae-ro in Nowon, Seoul, near Nowon Station and the Nowon District Office. Ahead of her wedding, the writer had a natural, understated hair color at Yeum Hair, chosen with her ceremony dress, makeup and updo in mind. The verdict: if you care about your wedding photos, book your pre-wedding color early enough for the shade to settle before the big day.
Pasta Han Kki Nowon Main Branch is a Western restaurant on Sanggye-ro 5-gil in Nowon, Seoul, that serves pilaf and salads as well as pasta. The writer ate there alone, wanted rice and vegetables in one meal, ordered the shrimp pilaf and a steak salad, and was happy with how filling the pair was while still including greens. Pasta Han Kki Nowon Main Branch is worth keeping in mind for a solo meal in Nowon when you want something other than pasta.
Geumnyeong Gomtang (금녕곰탕) is a gomtang (beef bone soup) restaurant in Wangsimni, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, that also serves rice noodles as a one-bowl meal. On a day craving warm broth, the writer ate alone at Geumnyeong Gomtang and was well fed by a single bowl of rice noodles, with nothing else ordered. For a solo meal, or a day when noodles beat rice, the Geumnyeong Gomtang rice noodles are an easy, no-fuss choice.
