Hunger Mapper · 61 stories

A City Appetite

I write about restaurants I visit in Seoul and the meals I try there. · Writes about: Restaurants · Cafés · Stays · Hair & beauty salons · Bars · Shopping

PlaceMapo, SeoulRestaurants

Sushi counter date lunch in Gongdeok, Seoul: Jeulgeoun Maeumeuro

Jeulgeoun Maeumeuro (즐거운마음으로) is a sushi omakase restaurant near Gongdeok Station in Mapo, Seoul, facing Gyeongui Line Forest Park. The 2 p.m. lunch at the Jeulgeoun Maeumeuro counter costs 100,000 won and brings tsumami, 10 pieces of sushi and dessert with some uncommon toppings, set in a wood interior with Tannoy speakers. With free corkage and a stroll along Gyeongui Line Forest Park afterward, Jeulgeoun Maeumeuro makes a satisfying Gongdeok date spot.

Written May 29, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGangnam, SeoulCafés

Less-sweet gelato shop in Seolleung: matcha & peanut butter, Scoopy

Scoopy is a handmade gelato shop in an alley near Exit 2 of Seolleung Station in Gangnam, Seoul. After a meal, the blogger paired an iced Kyoto Uji matcha drink with American peanut butter gelato, and the clean matcha balanced the rich, nutty peanut butter. Not overly sweet and with no heavy aftertaste, Scoopy makes an easy post-meal gelato dessert near Seolleung Station.

Written Oct 27, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGangnam, SeoulRestaurants

Poke shop for a solo lunch in Seolleung: salmon & seaweed, Hola Poke

Hola Poke Seolleung Branch is a build-your-own poke shop on the 2nd floor of the food alley by Exit 2 of Seolleung Station in Gangnam, Seoul. The writer eats healthy at lunch and normally at dinner. At Hola Poke Seolleung Branch the writer ate alone, swapping the brown rice base of the raw salmon poke (375kcal) for buckwheat noodles and adding half an avocado and seaweed. For office workers tired of chicken breast salads, the buckwheat noodle raw salmon poke at Hola Poke Seolleung Branch is a lunch that doesn't get old and sits easy all afternoon.

Written Oct 28, 2026Sponsored
PlaceYongsan, SeoulHair & beauty salons

Sinyongsan carbonated head spa for oily summer scalp: Cheongdam Shop

Cheongdam Shop Sinyongsan Branch (청담샵 신용산점) is a hair and beauty salon in Yongsan Central Park Harrington Square near Sinyongsan Station in Seoul, offering a head spa that runs from a scalp diagnosis to a carbonated powder shampoo and a carbonated tablet spa. The writer booked the Cheongdam Shop head spa for greasy summer roots, scalp breakouts and itching. Afterwards, even a quick rough dry brought back root volume, and the breakouts and itching stayed calm for several days. If oily summer scalp and pimples bother you, the Cheongdam Shop Sinyongsan Branch head spa is worth considering.

Written Jun 2, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMapo, SeoulRestaurants

Seafood and 1++ hanwoo course restaurant in Gongdeok for in-laws: Usu

Usu (우수) is a hanwoo and seafood course restaurant with all-private-room seating in Basement 2 of Lotte Castle President, connected to Gongdeok Station Exit 2 in Mapo, Seoul. On the Dinner B course the writer had beef and crab rice porridge, four bite-sized dishes, abalone gardenia noodles in five colours, 1++ hanwoo sirloin grilled on a brazier, a fish pot rice set and corn ice cream for dessert. With 3 hours of free parking and fully private rooms, Usu Gongdeok is a safe choice for a formal in-law meeting with older family members.

Written Oct 26, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSeocho, SeoulCafés

Seocho cake shop, Pistachio Forest even my husband liked: Chef Cho

Chef Cho Shinsegae Department Store Gangnam is a cake shop on the B1 floor of Shinsegae Department Store Gangnam in Seocho, Seoul, from a bakery brand run by a Korean master confectioner. After browsing the showcase (Autumn Forest Marron Mini and Mango Rose Mini at 39,800 won, Chocolate Whole Strawberry at 56,000 won), the writer took home Pistachio Forest, a cake sold only at Chef Cho, and her husband, who doesn't enjoy sweet desserts, found it not greasy and ate it happily. For an uncommon handmade cake with lightly sweetened dairy whipped cream, Chef Cho's Pistachio Forest is a good choice.

Written Oct 24, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGangnam, SeoulRestaurants

Sinnonhyeon beef soup: first meal after a health checkup, Geumnyeong

Geumnyeong Gomtang Yeoksam Branch is a gomtang (beef bone soup) restaurant in Gangnam, Seoul, a 2-minute walk from Sinnonhyeon Station Exit 4. As a first meal after a health checkup, the writer ate the clear-broth minari gomtang (14,000 won) alone, and it paired well with cold kimchi taken straight from a kimchi refrigerator. Geumnyeong Gomtang suits anyone who wants a gentle, filling solo meal that is easy on the stomach.

Written Oct 24, 2026Sponsored
PlaceYongsan, SeoulRestaurants

Weekend ramen with a friend in Yongsan: dongpo gyoza set, Menya Seoul

Menya Seoul Yongsan I'Park Mall Branch is a ramen restaurant on the 7th floor of I'Park Mall in Yongsan, Seoul. On a weekend shopping-and-movie outing with a friend, the writer ordered the signature dongpo chashu ramen (ramen topped with braised pork belly) in a set with gyoza dumplings. The milky, rich broth, noodles that stayed firm to the last bite and juicy gyoza all satisfied, and Häagen-Dazs ice cream for dessert was ordered right in the shop. Menya Seoul Yongsan I'Park Mall Branch is a good indoor stop on a hot day to finish both a meal and dessert in one place.

Written Jun 8, 2026Sponsored
PlaceJungnang, SeoulRestaurants

Eel lunch special in Myeonmok with oyster lettuce wraps: Cheonsangae

Cheonsangae Jangeoga Myeonmok Sagajeong Branch is a Japonica freshwater eel restaurant on Myeonmok-ro in Jungnang, Seoul, between Sagajeong Station and Myeonmok Station. Looking for a restorative lunch, the blogger ordered the charcoal-grilled snow mushroom and wild ginseng freshwater eel set for 2 (₩79,000), and staff grilled both large eels from start to finish, served with cultured wild ginseng root, snow mushrooms and Tongyeong salted oysters. With its neat setting and generous set, Cheonsangae Jangeoga Myeonmok Sagajeong Branch is a good choice for a restorative lunch with your parents.

Written Oct 22, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSeongdong, SeoulRestaurants

Seongsu brunch restaurant for an early solo visit: vongole at Huirit

Huirit is a stylish brunch restaurant in an alley in Seongsu, Seoul, near Seoulsup Station. On a solo visit at a fairly early hour, the writer ordered a burrata cheese salad and a vongole oil pasta (20,000 won); the bright, fresh salad and the pasta's deep clam flavor were both satisfying. Huirit is an easy, relaxed place in Seongsu to enjoy the atmosphere and a brunch on your own.

Written Oct 19, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGangnam, SeoulCafés

Sinnonhyeon café: peach oolong tea & 2 financiers, Upper and Under

Upper and Under is a dessert café near Exit 6 of Sinnonhyeon Station in Gangnam, Seoul, spread over 3 floors from B1 to 2F. At Upper and Under the blogger ordered peach oolong tea with a plain financier and a bonuibam (candied chestnut) financier, and the clean taste of the oolong went well with the crisp-outside, moist-inside financiers. For anyone who doesn't drink coffee, Upper and Under is a Sinnonhyeon Station café where tea and baked sweets alone make a satisfying visit.

Written Oct 22, 2026Sponsored
PlaceYeongdeungpo, SeoulRestaurants

Yeouido gyukatsu restaurant, Japan-like taste, husband approved: Izawa

Izawa Yeouido Direct Store is a Japanese gyukatsu (beef cutlet) restaurant in the building right in front of Exit 5 of Yeouido Station in Yeongdeungpo, Seoul. The writer, who had never found the gyukatsu she ate on trips to Japan anywhere in Korea, visited with her husband, grilled each piece on a personal mini brazier and ate it with salt, house sauce and fresh wasabi, and even her picky husband raved about it. She ranks Izawa Yeouido Direct Store as by far the best gyukatsu she has had in Korea.

Written Jun 8, 2026Sponsored