Teacup Breather · 17 stories

A Cup, Then a Pause

I write about café visits in Daejeon and Chungcheong. · Writes about: Cafés · Restaurants · Food & snacks

PlaceSeo-gu, DaejeonRestaurants

Wolpyeong-dong jokbal-bossam with somaek at a packed dinner: Jokbo

Jokbo is a jokbal (braised pig's trotters) and bossam (boiled pork wraps) restaurant in Wolpyeong-dong, Seo-gu, Daejeon, near Exit 1 of Wolpyeong Station. Arriving around 6:50 pm with Jokbo already full, the writer took the last free table and shared the large Jokbo set (jokbal + bossam, 45,000 won) with somaek (soju mixed with beer). The odor-free, tender jokbal, silky bossam, freshly tossed geotjeori (fresh kimchi) and seasoned chives stood out. For jokbal or bossam in Wolpyeong-dong, Jokbo is a choice you can't go wrong with.

Written Jun 24, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSeo-gu, DaejeonRestaurants

Daejeon shaved pork BBQ with ₩4,500 soju and icy naengmyeon: Kkodeul

Kkodeul Daepae Daejeon Wolpyeong Branch is a shaved pork belly (daepae samgyeopsal) restaurant near Wolpyeong Station in Wolpyeong-dong, Seo-gu, Daejeon, that serves only 100% Korean-raised Handon pork. On a rainy day, the writer grilled kkodeul daepae and kkotsamgyeop daepae (flower pork belly) with soju and beer at 4,500 won each, added ogyeop daepae (five-layer pork belly), and finished with icy mul naengmyeon (cold noodle soup). With self-serve bar add-ins and scallion kimchi on the side, Kkodeul Daepae Daejeon Wolpyeong Branch is a hearty, wallet-friendly pork BBQ spot in Wolpyeong-dong.

Written Jun 22, 2026Sponsored
PlaceCheonan, ChungnamRestaurants

Cheonan soy crab restaurant as clean as a café: Huni Gejang

Huni Gejang Cheonan Main Branch is a Korean restaurant specializing in soy sauce and spicy marinated crab, on Taejosan-gil in Yuryang-dong, Dongnam-gu, Cheonan. The writer ordered the marinated crab set for two with sotbap (pot-cooked rice), Korean side dishes and egg custard in a stone pot; the soy crab was neither salty nor fishy, and the spicy crab was cleanly hot. Huni Gejang is a satisfying pick for anyone after an odor-free dining room and crab packed with meat.

Written Jul 23, 2026Sponsored
PlaceAsan, ChungnamRestaurants

Asan galbi restaurant, yellow crab doenjang stew: Dongbaek Seokgalbi

Dongbaek Seokgalbi Asan Main Branch is a premium seokgalbi (stone-grilled short rib) restaurant in Gwongok-dong, near Sinjeongho Lake in Asan, Chungnam. The writer had seokgalbi served on a hot stone plate with monkfish fritters, spicy marinated raw crab and yellow crab doenjang (soybean paste) stew, all laid out like a Korean set-course meal, and found that the meat smell didn't cling to their clothes and the group rooms made gatherings easy. For a meal with parents or a more formal get-together in Asan, Dongbaek Seokgalbi is a strong choice.

Written Jul 24, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSeo-gu, DaejeonRestaurants

Daejeon pork belly for group dinners: stone-grilled kimchi, Ssangdung

Ssangdung Suyuk Gukbap Wolpyeong Seonsa Branch is a gukbap (Korean rice soup) and pork belly restaurant in Wolpyeong-dong, Seo-gu, Daejeon, near Government Complex Station. The writer grilled pork belly with mushrooms, green onion, rice cakes, tofu and kimchi on a giant stone plate, added scallion kimchi and minari (water dropwort) from the self-serve bar, and received free Hangang ramyeon for ordering 2 or more servings. Ssangdung Suyuk Gukbap Wolpyeong Seonsa Branch is a good pork belly spot in Wolpyeong-dong for group dinners and gatherings, with plenty of kimchi and vegetables.

Written Jul 28, 2026Sponsored
PlaceYuseong, DaejeonRestaurants

Daejeon pub for rainy-day hagfish and cheese pen shell: Jinppaei

Jinppaei (진빼이) is a pub in Bongmyeong-dong, Yuseong, Daejeon, near Yuseong Oncheon Station, specializing in wild hagfish, live conger eel and charcoal-grilled clams. On a rainy evening after work, the writer ordered Jinppaei's Set 1 (stone-pan stir-fry): seasoned grilled hagfish, a clam grill with cheese-topped pen shell and abalone, and fried rice made in the leftover sauce. With springy hagfish and smoky charcoal-grilled clams, Jinppaei was a satisfying place for drinks and food on a rainy day.

Written Jul 6, 2026Sponsored
PlaceJeju, JejuRestaurants

Jeju sashimi takeout with torch-seared mackerel sushi: Dutumhoe

Dutumhoe Dongmun Market Main Branch (두툼회) is a sashimi takeout restaurant inside the night market at Gate 8 of Dongmun Market in Jeju City. The writer took assorted sashimi, torch-seared mackerel sushi and coconut fried shrimp back to the lodging, where the cooler pack kept everything fresh and the cuts were as thick as the Dutumhoe name promises. For sashimi takeout at Dongmun Market, Dutumhoe's assorted sashimi and mackerel sushi combo is a safe choice.

Written Oct 2, 2026Sponsored
ProductHandong Nokyong Research InstituteFood & snacks

Non-bitter deer antler extract gift for parents: Handon Aotearoa NZ

Aotearoa New Zealand Deer Antler Extract is a deer antler extract from Handon Deer Antler Research Institute (Handong Nokyong Research Institute), made from New Zealand deer antler that the company directly imports and manufactures itself, and packed in single pouches. The writer chose Aotearoa New Zealand Deer Antler Extract as a gift for parents who feel run-down in summer, then checked the packaging, aroma and how smoothly it goes down. The verdict: it is so clean-tasting that even parents sensitive to bitterness drink it without any reluctance.

Written Aug 6, 2026Product provided
PlaceSeo-gu, DaejeonRestaurants

Daejeon octopus stir-fry, limited whole octopus special: Chongil Nakji

Chongil Nakji, Tanbang branch (촌길낙지 탄방점) is a nakji (small octopus) stir-fry restaurant in Tanbang-dong, Seo-gu, Daejeon, tucked in the back streets behind Lotte Department Store. The blogger ordered the limited-menu Chongil Assorted Special at medium spice and got a whole octopus with nakji, scallops, beef, soy-sauce bulgogi, cheonggukjang (fermented soybean stew) and somyeon (thin wheat noodles) in one spread, with spice levels of mild, medium or spicy. Thanks to the smoky flavor and generous portions, Chongil Nakji is a worthwhile meal after a Hanbat Arboretum outing or department store shopping.

Written Aug 4, 2026Sponsored
PlaceYuseong, DaejeonRestaurants

150-seat Korean restaurant in Daejeon for group dinners: Jeonju House

Jeonju House (전주하우스) is a Korean restaurant on a side street off Oncheon-ro 101beon-gil in Bongmyeong-dong, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon. We ordered the cauldron galbi kimchi stew (braised-rib kimchi stew) for two and a king-size rolled omelette, with whole rib bones, aged Korean mukeunji kimchi, cauldron-cooked rice and nurungji (scorched rice) to finish. With 150-plus seats, Jeonju House easily fits family meals and group dinners. It's a solid pick when you're craving gentle, comforting Korean food.

Written Aug 9, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSeo-gu, DaejeonRestaurants

Dunsan-dong restaurant, king rib galbitang for two: Hanppong

Hanppong is a gamjatang (pork bone stew) and galbitang (short rib soup) restaurant in Dunsan-dong, Seo-gu, Daejeon, a 3-minute walk from City Hall Station Exit 7. This visit ordered Hanppong's mountain-high galbitang for two, with king rib bones whose meat slid straight off the bone, spicy silbi kimchi, and crunchy kkakdugi (cubed radish kimchi). If you like heat, pile Hanppong's silbi kimchi onto the galbitang broth — that combination is the one to order.

Written Aug 13, 2026Sponsored
PlacePohang, GyeongbukRestaurants

Pohang charcoal chicken grill near Yeongildae Beach: Samho Sikdang

Yeongildae Samho Sikdang (영일대 삼호식당) is a charcoal chicken grill restaurant in Doho-dong, near Yeongildae Beach in Pohang, Gyeongbuk. Two diners ordered the small grill combo for 29,000 won and shared chicken thigh, special cuts, heart and gizzard served three ways: with salt, with the house garlic sauce and in a spicy marinade. The juicy thigh meat, the smoky charcoal aroma and the clean-tasting heart made Yeongildae Samho Sikdang a satisfying spot for dinner with drinks.

Written Aug 19, 2026Sponsored