Open Page Stroller · 19 stories

Open Notebook, Gangwon-Seoul Restaurants and Shopping

Writes about restaurants, cafes, things to do and shopping across Gangwon, Seoul, Incheon, Gwangju/Jeolla and Gyeonggi. · Writes about: Restaurants · Cafés · Things to do · Shopping

PlaceJongno, SeoulThings to do

Bukchon perfume workshop with a friend: husband's woody gift, Muhwawon

Muhwawon Bukchon Perfume Workshop is a perfume studio on Yulgok-ro 6-gil in Bukchon, Jongno, Seoul, that gives a modern twist to Korean natural scents such as hanji paper, herbal medicine and incense. The writer and a friend tried tablet-guided self-blending at Muhwawon, smelled their way through 3 rounds, and the writer made a sweet perfume with a woody note for her husband, finished with a sticker of his nickname. Muhwawon is a good pick for a Bukchon day out with a friend or for a day when you want to make a perfume gift yourself.

Written Jul 6, 2026Sponsored
PlaceNowon, SeoulRestaurants

Nowon sushi buffet with my mother-in-law: park before 11am, Kuu Kuu

Kuu Kuu Nowon Branch is a seafood and sushi buffet on the 6th floor of 247 Nowon-ro in Nowon, Seoul. The blogger visited on a weekend with her husband and mother-in-law and had sushi, barbecue, en croûte soup (soup baked under a pastry lid) and summer fruit desserts. She notes that the building's basement parking lot is only easy if you arrive before 11am on weekends. With its spacious dining hall and kids' zone, Kuu Kuu Nowon Branch is a dependable sushi buffet for a three-generation family meal.

Written Jul 6, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSokcho, GangwonRestaurants

No-wait Sokcho market snack bar after Seorak Waterpia: Masibuja Twigim

Masibuja Twigim (맛이부자튀김맛집) is a snack bar specialising in fried food and seafood ramen, located right at Gate 6 of Sokcho Jungang Market in Sokcho, Gangwon, and is the second branch of Hwangbuja Twigim. After swimming at Seorak Waterpia, a couple skipped the wait at the Hwangbuja Twigim main branch and ate red snow crab ramen, squid sundae (stuffed squid) and a fried set of nude shrimp and snow crab meat inside Masibuja Twigim, enjoying the dried pollack broth and the thin, crispy batter. For sitting down to Sokcho Jungang Market fried food and a hangover-curing ramen without a wait, Masibuja Twigim is a good choice.

Written Jul 18, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGangbuk, SeoulRestaurants

Hoe naengmyeon restaurant near Hanil Hospital, Suyu: Iseol Myeonok

Iseol Myeonok Suyu Main Branch is a Korean restaurant specializing in Hamheung-style naengmyeon (cold noodles) and galbi (short ribs), run by a certified Korean cuisine master next to the 4.19 Democratic Cemetery Park in Gangbuk, Seoul. On the day of Dad's hospital checkup, a family of three stopped in for a weekday lunch and ordered hoe naengmyeon, king galbitang and king dumplings, and the writer called the hoe naengmyeon the best naengmyeon of their life. Apart from the lack of a self-serve side dish bar, Iseol Myeonok Suyu Main Branch was a family-friendly spot with parking and friendly service.

Written Jul 14, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSokcho, GangwonShopping

Sokcho market jeotgal after Waterpia: hairtail for parents, Hwangbuja

Hwangbuja Jeotgal (황부자젓갈) is a salted seafood (jeotgal) shop inside Sokcho Jungang Market (Sokcho Tourist & Fish Market) in Sokcho, Gangwon, right next to Hwangbuja Fried Food. On a weekend afternoon after a day at Seorak Waterpia, the writer tasted several kinds of jeotgal at Hwangbuja Jeotgal and bought 700g of hairtail innards jeotgal (galchi-sokjeot) as a gift for her parents and 600g of salted octopus (nakji jeotgal) for her husband, ₩15,000 each. With a wide selection, generous portions and cooler-bag and ice-pack packing even in summer, Hwangbuja Jeotgal is a can't-miss stop for Sokcho trip gifts.

Written Jul 22, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSokcho, GangwonRestaurants

Sokcho tofu restaurant, braised potatoes before Waterpia opens: Jinsol

Jinsol Halmeoni Sundubu (진솔할머니순두부) is a sundubu (soft tofu stew) restaurant in the Haksapyeong Kongkkot Village tofu street of Sokcho, where three generations have made their own tofu for over 30 years. Before Seorak Waterpia opened, the writer arrived around 8 am and ordered spicy sundubu (14,000 won) and jjamppong sundubu (17,000 won); the firm, nutty tofu and side dishes like braised potatoes stood out. Opening at 7:30 am and 5 minutes by car from Seorak Waterpia, Jinsol Halmeoni Sundubu is an ideal hearty breakfast stop before a water park day.

Written Jul 22, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSeocho, SeoulRestaurants

Seocho Korean BBQ: salt pork belly with grilled kimchi, Gamdol Yeontan

Gamdol Yeontan Jip Yangjae Citizen's Forest Branch is a briquette-grill Korean BBQ restaurant near Yangjaesiminuisup Station in Seocho, Seoul, reportedly run by a Le Cordon Bleu-trained chef. On a Friday evening, two friends shared 2 servings of rock-salt pork belly, 2 servings of honeycomb pork skin, flat bibim noodles and hangover soft tofu stew, and the kimchi grilled on the briquette grill and the pork skin dipped in bean powder stood out most. Gamdol Yeontan Jip is a retro spot well suited to after-work briquette barbecue and soju.

Written Jul 27, 2026Sponsored
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