Checkout Pouch Carrier · 7 stories

The Checkout Pouch

I write about beauty products I pick up and use in everyday routines. · Writes about: Beauty products · Restaurants · Hair & beauty salons · Shopping · Stays · Cafés

PlacePaju, GyeonggiRestaurants

Paju Unjeong dumpling spot: clear hot pot & gift pack, Bubyeokjeong

Bubyeokjeong Pyeongyang Mandu (부벽정평양만두) is a Korean restaurant on Jimok-ro in Paju, Gyeonggi, specialising in Pyeongyang-style mandu (dumplings) and mandu hot pot. On a weekday evening the writer cooked the Pyeongyang mandu hot pot in clear broth and finished with kalguksu (knife-cut noodles). The writer also picked up a packaged mandu hot pot as a gift and had misutgaru (roasted grain drink) and old-fashioned snacks for dessert. For mild tofu-and-bean-sprout dumplings in a clear broth, Bubyeokjeong Pyeongyang Mandu is a satisfying choice.

Written Jun 6, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGangseo, SeoulRestaurants

Balsan Station Korean BBQ: self-grilled Hanwoo galbi & pork, Ihwajeong

Ihwajeong Galbi Myeongga Magok-Balsan Branch is a charcoal-grill Korean BBQ restaurant near Balsan Station in Gangseo, Seoul, with 77 parking spaces and group bookings for up to 100 people, open daily with no break time. The marinated beef king galbi was sold out, so instead of a set the writer ordered 200g of fresh Hanwoo galbi, marinated grilled pork and mulnaengmyeon (cold noodles) and grilled the meat themselves instead of letting staff do it. Verdict: the well-seasoned pork galbi and side dishes like cheongpomuk muchim (mung bean jelly salad) and potato salad make Ihwajeong Galbi Myeongga Magok-Balsan Branch a solid pick for team dinners or family gatherings in Gangseo.

Written Jun 8, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGangseo, SeoulRestaurants

Magongnaru pasta restaurant, medium-spice pomodoro: Romaok Magok

Romaok Magok is an Italian restaurant on the 3rd floor of LG Arts Center Seoul, near Exit 4 of Magongnaru Station in Gangseo, Seoul. At a weekday late lunch, the writer ordered the Napoli mare pomodoro pasta at medium spice and the truffle cream pasta, and also tried the pine nut caprese salad that Romaok Magok gives free at late lunch and its green onion bread. With a spacious room, floor-to-ceiling window views and 2 hours of free parking, Romaok Magok is an easy choice for dates, group meals or dinner before or after a show.

Written Jun 8, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSeo-gu, IncheonRestaurants

Cheongna eel buffet with liver, lung and tofu kimchi: Jangsodam

Jangsodam Eel and Beef Buffet Cheongna Main Branch is an all-you-can-eat beef and pork buffet in Cheongna-dong, Incheon, that specializes in Japonica freshwater eel. The writer grilled freshwater eel and chuck ribs from the B Set, then filled up at the self-bar on slice-your-own sundae (Korean blood sausage), liver and lung, tofu kimchi, samgyeopsal (pork belly) and Buldak spicy noodles. With plump eel and surprisingly satisfying offal, Jangsodam Cheongna is a solid meat buffet for family meals and team dinners in Cheongna.

Written Jun 10, 2026Sponsored
PlaceYangju, GyeonggiRestaurants

Yangju Korean BBQ, pork galbi first and LA galbi on low heat: Manpo

Manpo Galbi Yangju Main Branch (만포갈비 양주본점) is a pork and beef galbi restaurant near Goeup Culture Park in Yangju, Gyeonggi. After booking ahead for a weekday lunch, the writer grilled 2 servings of pork galbi and 1 serving of LA galbi, then finished with free dessert naengmyeon (cold noodles) and ppeongscream (ice cream between puffed rice crackers); the marinade soaks well into the meat, and banchan (side dishes) can be refilled at the self-serve bar. With a large free parking lot and roomy seating, Manpo Galbi Yangju Main Branch is a solid pick for a family galbi meal in Yangju.

Written Jul 8, 2026Sponsored
PlaceYangju, GyeonggiRestaurants

Yangju army stew meal kit, never frozen, plus Spam & egg: Choi Budae

Choi Budae Jjigae (최부대찌개) is a budae jjigae (army stew) restaurant in Okjeong-dong, Yangju, Gyeonggi, that welcomes solo diners and groups and offers takeout. The writer took home a 2-person army stew meal kit from Choi Budae Jjigae, cooked it at home with added Spam and a fried egg, then went back a few days later for a 1-person kit. Neatly packed with fresh, never-frozen ham, bacon and vegetables, the Choi Budae Jjigae meal kit is worth recommending as a camping meal.

Written Jul 9, 2026Sponsored
ProductHEEDABeauty products

Charcoal foam face cleanser on combination-oily skin: HEEDA Jirisan

HEEDA Jirisan Moist Charcoal Water Cleansing Foam is a weakly acidic charcoal foam face cleanser, ordered from Coupang and tested here on combination-oily skin. A small amount of the HEEDA foam lathered easily, with a subtle scent and a clean yet soft feel after washing, though eyeliner still needed a separate remover. For combination-oily skin it works well as a daily cleanser, just not as a makeup remover.

Written Mar 4, 2025Product provided
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