Powder Before Noon · 13 stories

Compact Before Lunch

I write about beauty finds and restaurant visits around Seoul. · Writes about: Restaurants · Bars · Hair & beauty salons · Fashion · Shopping · Cafés

PlaceGuro, SeoulRestaurants

Sindorim jokbal restaurant a jokbal-shy sibling enjoyed: Sambaekga

Sindorim Sambaekga (신도림삼백가) is a jokbal (braised pork trotters) and bossam (boiled pork) restaurant on the first floor of the Sindorim Prugio 1 building in Guro, Seoul. The writer shared the Sambaek Jokbal front leg + makguksu (cold buckwheat noodles) set with a younger sibling who rarely eats jokbal. The sibling kept eating because the jokbal had almost no gamey smell, and the tangy makguksu cleanly cut the richness. If you want a mild jokbal restaurant in Sindorim that stays easy to eat to the last bite, Sindorim Sambaekga is worth remembering.

Written May 4, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGangnam, SeoulHair & beauty salons

Apgujeong nail salon: ivory French tips with glitter, Naeil Didi

Naeil Didi is a nail salon on the 6th floor of a building near Exit 6 of Apgujeongnodeo Station in Gangnam, Seoul. The writer came to Naeil Didi planning to get syrup nails. After seeing the design samples, she switched to ivory French tips with a subtle glitter accent on a syrup pink base in a short shape, and she was pleased with the careful removal and cuticle care. For a simple French manicure that won't get boring, Naeil Didi's ivory French combination is a solid pick.

Written Jun 1, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSongpa, SeoulHair & beauty salons

Songpa lash salon: perm point extensions for droopy lashes, Lash Doll

Lash Doll is an LED eyelash extension salon on basement level 1 of SK V1 GL Metrocity Building C, connected to Exit 4 of Munjeong Station in Songpa, Seoul. The writer came in for regular lash extensions, but the Lash Doll owner's consultation pointed out downward-pointing lashes and sleepy-looking eyes and recommended perm point extensions instead, which gave a clearly lifted curl without looking overdone. Lash Doll's consultation suits anyone who wants a lash design matched to their eye shape rather than a heavy, dramatic set.

Written Jun 10, 2026Sponsored
PlaceJung-gu, IncheonRestaurants

Eurwangni Beach octopus hotpot with your dog: Eurwangni Jjanggune

Eurwangni Jjanggune (을왕리짱구네) is a live octopus hotpot restaurant near Eurwangni Beach in Jung-gu, Incheon, where dogs can come inside in a bag or dog stroller. The writer, a friend and their dog Mochi shared 2 servings of the red hotpot at spicy level, finished with fried rice, then walked along Eurwangni Beach. Plump octopus, rich broth and excellent water kimchi make Eurwangni Jjanggune a lunch stop worth recommending on a Yeongjong Island drive.

Written Jun 13, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGangseo, SeoulBars

Magongnaru yakitori omakase for two with aged amberjack: Kuro Yakitori

Kuro Yakitori is a yakitori izakaya with mostly bar-counter seating near Exit 1 of Magongnaru Station in Gangseo, Seoul. The writer ordered the yakitori omakase for 2, a course of egg salad, aged sashimi, five skewers including tsukune, and ramen, and found Kuro Yakitori's yuzu highball an especially good match. With memorable aged amberjack sashimi and charcoal-scented chicken thigh skewers, Kuro Yakitori is a relaxed, easygoing yakitori omakase in Magongnaru.

Written Jun 14, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSeongdong, SeoulShopping

Instant phone case shop in Seongsu: dog & family photo cases, Casedby

Casedby Seongsu is a custom phone case shop in Seongsu, Seoul, that prints any photo you choose onto a phone case on the spot. The writer and a friend used the kiosk QR code to make one case with their dog Mochi's photo and another with a family photo, and each was ready about 2 minutes after payment, so they could swap cases straight away. If browsing pop-ups in Seongsu feels like not enough, Casedby Seongsu is a fun hands-on stop for friends or couples.

Written Jul 4, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSeongdong, SeoulRestaurants

Red-brick Seoulsup restaurant for chicken confit: Fleurs sur la route

Fleurs sur la route (플르서라구뜨) is a Western restaurant in a red-brick building on Seoulsup 2-gil in Seongdong, Seoul. Two friends ordered the red scallop pasta steamed in wine, chicken confit and two orange ades, and were happy with both the food and the space, which pairs a terrace with a vintage interior. For a date or a get-together at a restaurant with great atmosphere near Seoulsup, the red scallop pasta at Fleurs sur la route is the dish to order.

Written Jul 5, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSeongdong, SeoulRestaurants

Seongsu ramen shop with unlimited rice for risotto: Menya Pomo

Menya Pomo Seongsu Branch is a tomato ramen restaurant on Yeonmujang-gil in Seongsu, Seoul, about a 3-minute walk from Seongsu Station Exit 4. Two diners shared a Hanwoo (Korean beef) katsu tomato ramen and a donkatsu set, then finished the leftover tomato broth as risotto using the unlimited rice refills. The tomato flavor turned out to blend well with the rich broth, making Menya Pomo an easy, satisfying meal.

Written Aug 2, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMapo, SeoulRestaurants

Sangam noodle shop for plain vs pumpkin kongguksu: Sangam Hoegwan

Sangam Hoegwan (상암회관) main branch is a kongguksu (cold soy milk noodle) restaurant in the basement food court of Sangam IT Tower in Mapo, Seoul, open since 2019. Two diners ordered the kongguksu dumpling set and the pumpkin kongguksu dumpling set side by side with kimchi pancake: the plain kongguksu was thick and nutty, while the pumpkin kongguksu was softer with a gentle sweetness. If plain kongguksu feels too heavy, Sangam Hoegwan's pumpkin kongguksu is the one to try first.

Written Aug 2, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGangnam, SeoulRestaurants

Seolleung eel rice bowl with pickled ginger and white kimchi: Manmok

Manmok is an eel rice bowl restaurant in Gangnam, Seoul, about 273m from Seolleung Station Exit 2, serving Gochang freshwater eel. Two diners ordered one whole eel bowl at 39,000 won and one half bowl at 26,000 won, and alternating pickled ginger, wasabi, sancho pepper powder and white kimchi made it easy to finish the whole bowl without tiring of it. With sesame salad, shrimp chawanmushi and matcha ice cream all on the same tray, Manmok works just as well for a solo lunch.

Written Sep 25, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMapo, SeoulRestaurants

Pepperoni pizza nachos and peach tree highball in Mangwon: Macho Nacho

Macho Nacho is a nacho restaurant on Huiujeong-ro in Mapo, Seoul, a short walk from Mangwon Hangang Park. The pepperoni pizza nachos cost 15,900 won, and with a peach tree highball ordered to go, the cheese and pepperoni were piled so high you could barely see the chips underneath — closer to a drinking snack than a light bite. For anyone after Han River takeout other than fried chicken or pizza, Macho Nacho is a solid choice.

Written Sep 13, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSongpa, SeoulHair & beauty salons

Jamsil lash salon: flat CC-curl 11mm & 12mm mix at Rose Lash

Rose Lash is an eyelash extension salon in Songpa, Seoul, near Jamsil-saenae Station Exit 4 on Olympic-ro 12-gil. After comparing curl and length samples in consultation, a flat-mo CC-curl mix of 11mm and 12mm gave clear frontal curl definition without a heavy, packed look. Worth checking out if you want a lash look with visible curl but not too dense.

Written Sep 8, 2026Sponsored