Seaside Windowgazer · 9 stories

The Cafe Windowsill

I write about visits to cafes in Gangwon and the impressions they leave. · Writes about: Cafés · Restaurants · Shopping

PlaceJeonju, JeonbukRestaurants

Jeonju dakgangjeong with non-alcoholic beer, 6 years on: Mannyeon

Mannyeon Dakgangjeong Hanok Village Direct Store is a takeout dakgangjeong (sweet crispy fried chicken) shop on Taejo-ro in Jeonju Hanok Village. Remembering a Jeonju trip 6 years earlier, the writer went back, took home a medium mild shrimp + chicken box and ate it at their lodging as a late-night snack with non-alcoholic beer, enjoying the sweet fresh-fruit sauce, the subtle heat of the chili topping and the large shrimp gangjeong. If you can't handle much heat, the mild flavor at Mannyeon Dakgangjeong is just the right choice.

Written Oct 25, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSeodaemun, SeoulRestaurants

Korean BBQ near Gajwa Station: staff-grilled gabrisal at Yukjjeup

Yukjjeup Gajaeul branch is a pork barbecue restaurant on Gajaeulmirae-ro in Seodaemun, Seoul, near Gajwa Station. On a weekday evening, a family of three ordered 2 portions of whole pork belly, 1 portion of gabrisal (a tender pork cut), yeolmu bibimbap (young radish kimchi rice bowl) and doenjang jjigae (soybean paste stew), and the staff grilled the meat from start to finish. Yukjjeup Gajaeul branch is a Gajwa Station pork BBQ spot where the gabrisal, a doenjang jjigae packed with ingredients and a generous yeolmu bibimbap all hit the mark.

Written Jun 23, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMapo, SeoulRestaurants

First fine dining near Mangwon Station: asparagus anchovy pasta, Noju

Noju is a good-value fine dining restaurant on the second floor of a building on Donggyo-ro 9-gil, near Mangwon Station in Mapo-gu, Seoul. The writer, new to fine dining, had Noju's 55,000-won Lunch Chef's Choice course with her mom on a weekday; the zucchini jambon, the signature gnocchi and the Iberico pork stood out most. Verdict: Noju's lunch course is well composed and filling, a satisfying first step into fine dining.

Written Jun 24, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMapo, SeoulRestaurants

Hongdae sushi restaurant after a workout with Mom: Yu Iksang Sushi

Yu Iksang Sushi is a sushi restaurant on the ground floor of a side street off Wausan-ro, near Exit 9 of Hongik Univ. Station in Hongdae, Mapo, Seoul. After a day of heavy exercise, the writer and her mom waited about 10 minutes outside on a Thursday evening for the Couple A Plus set (56,000 won); the long-tail salmon and flatfish sushi, with fish 2 to 3 times longer than regular sushi, and the sweet, nutty mayo-sauce sushi stood out. Yu Iksang Sushi involves a short wait and some prep time, but every piece in the set was delicious, so it is well worth the wait.

Written Jul 22, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSeongdong, SeoulShopping

Walk-in phone case shop in Seongsu: dog photo MagSafe case at Casedby

Casedby Seongsu is a 24-hour unmanned custom phone case workshop at 2 Seongsui-ro 12-gil, near Seongsu Station in Seoul. The writer walked in on a weekday afternoon without a reservation and used the kiosk and QR design page to make two cases, one with an artist's design and one with a photo of their dog, and found the finished cases sturdy and neatly finished. At ₩28,700 for a custom MagSafe case (₩22,800 for a clear case), Casedby Seongsu is a fair-priced pick for a Seongsu date or anyone who wants a one-of-a-kind phone case.

Written Jul 23, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMapo, SeoulCafés

Gongdeok bakery takeout: black sesame vs carrot madeleine, Fluffy Bake

Fluffy Bake Shop is a madeleine and baked-goods café about 150m from Gongdeok Station Exit 2 in Mapo, Seoul. After lunch with her mom, the writer stopped by around 3pm on a weekday and took home a Dubai egg tart (7,500 won), a plain egg tart (3,800 won), black sesame and Earl Grey madeleines (3,400 won each), plus raspberry and carrot madeleines. Her ranking was black sesame first, then carrot, then raspberry, and every bake at Fluffy Bake Shop was moist and only lightly sweet, enough that she'd buy them again.

Written Aug 13, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGangneung, GangwonRestaurants

Chodang-dong, Gangneung burger and buffalo wings combo: Moana Burger

Moana Burger is a handmade burger restaurant near Chodang-dong Sundubu Village in Gangneung, Gangwon. On a Friday evening, two diners ordered the Moana Burger, a double burger, and buffalo wings (8 pieces) with no waiting at all, and found that the spicy buffalo wings cut through the richness of the burgers perfectly. Go for the Moana Burger if you want something clean and light, or the double burger if you want a heavier, meat-forward bite.

Written Sep 9, 2026Sponsored
You've reached the end · 9 stories