Corner Orderer · 25 stories
I write about restaurant meals and small finds around Seoul. · Writes about: Restaurants · Cafés · Hair & beauty salons · Shopping
Milo is a men's clothing store on Gongwon-ro in the old Buldang area of Seobuk-gu, Cheonan. The writer went to buy basic summer tees for her husband, got a fabric and fit comparison plus color picks matched to his face tone from Milo's owner, and bought a gray-toned shirt along with a free pair of long crew socks. Milo suits men who want well-made clothes that last and personal styling advice rather than rock-bottom prices.
Downtown Burger Shinsegae Department Store Cheonan-Asan is a handmade burger shop on the 4th floor of Shinsegae Department Store in Cheonan, Chungnam. On a weekend, the blogger and her husband shared the avocado burger, a crispy chicken burger set and a jumbo mozzarella stick, and loved the thick fillings, crunchy chicken and long, stretchy cheese. With roomy seating shared with Knotted and Clap Pizza, Downtown Burger is a relaxed weekend pick for a meal at Cheonan Shinsegae Department Store.
Clap Pizza Cheonan-Asan Shinsegae is a pizza restaurant in the food street on the 4th floor of Building B at Shinsegae Department Store in Cheonan, sharing a combined space with the burger brand Downtowner. The writer ordered a Sweet Honey Corn pizza and a corn salad to go and enjoyed the sweet-and-salty mix of smoky charred corn, honey sauce and bacon. Clap Pizza Cheonan-Asan Shinsegae is a good-value pizza stop before or after shopping or a CGV movie at Shinsegae Cheonan.
Jin Tuna Naepo is an all-you-can-eat tuna restaurant in the center of Naepo New Town, Hongseong, Chungnam. A sashimi-loving writer and her husband, who finds raw fish too fishy, shared the Jin Special course (₩60,000 per person) in a 2-person room. Her husband enjoyed it too, thanks to melt-in-your-mouth tuna, grilled tuna that tastes like chicken and unlimited side dishes good enough to be mains. Jin Tuna Naepo is a tuna spot in Naepo where a raw-fish lover and someone who can't eat raw fish can both leave happy.
Sijang Dakbokkeum (시장닭볶음) is a shishito pepper chicken stir-fry (dakbokkeum) shop inside Yesan Permanent Market in Yesan, Chungnam. The writer ordered the boneless shishito pepper chicken stir-fry with Vienna sausage and cheese added, browsed the market for about 15 minutes while waiting for a KakaoTalk alert, then took the order to go and ate it in the market square. Savory and salty with sweetness and a gentle heat, Sijang Dakbokkeum's crowd-pleasing flavor makes it a safe pick for food at Yesan Market.
Rutai Massage Cheonan Sinbuldang Branch is a Thai and aroma massage shop on the 3rd floor of the Sinyoung Building in Buldang-dong, Cheonan, near Cheonanasan Station. On a second visit, made on the way back from Seoul, the writer had a flower foot bath and foot scrub, then a 90-minute aroma massage in a private room, and liked the timer-tracked session, the just-right pressure and the clean towels, robes and shower room. Consistent on both visits, Rutai Massage Cheonan Sinbuldang Branch is a place the writer expects to become a regular at.
Ihwasu Traditional Yukgaejang Asan Namdong is a Korean restaurant specializing in yukgaejang (spicy beef soup) on Oncheon-daero in Asan, Chungnam. On a weekend morning the blogger tried the clear yukgaejang, which was mild and clean-tasting, and the brisket yukgaejang, which was rich and refreshing without being too spicy. With ample parking and a menu spanning bossam, yukgaejang and handmade pork cutlets, Ihwasu Traditional Yukgaejang Asan Namdong is worth returning to for a family meal.
Geurimseu Cafe (그림스 카페) is a bakery and brunch café on Mijuk 5-gil in Dongnam-gu, Cheonan, Chungnam. On a weekday lunch visit, the writer's third time at Geurimseu Cafe and first time ordering brunch, the writer had a ricotta salad, Hodu Meokkkaebi (walnut bread) and ginger tea, and named Hodu Meokkkaebi a new favorite bread. Verdict: Geurimseu Cafe, already known for its bread, turns out to do brunch well too.
Songdam Kalguksu (송담칼국수) is a spacious kalguksu (knife-cut noodle soup) restaurant on Gangbyeon-ro in Anjung-eup, Pyeongtaek, and has been named a Pyeongtaek City Good Price Business. On a rainy weekend morning the writer ate hard clam shabu-shabu kalguksu and red bean ongsimi (rice-flour dumplings in red bean porridge) and took black soybean broth to go, with generous free barley rice, steamed corn bread and dumplings served alongside. For a filling meal with easy parking and a comfortable dining room, Songdam Kalguksu is a solid pick.
Songtan Sikdang City Hall Branch is a retro-style budae jjigae (army stew) restaurant on the 2nd floor of Boram Building near Sejong City Hall. The writer ordered the budae jjigae set with a pork cutlet and a rolled omelet, ₩5,000 cheaper than ordering each dish separately, and enjoyed a rich bone-broth stew, a crispy cutlet, a big omelet and unlimited rice and ramen noodles. Songtan Sikdang City Hall Branch is a well-balanced lunch spot near Sejong City Hall for taste, portions and price.
Chung-sil Hoegwan (충실회관) is a Korean restaurant specializing in kimchi stew and pork belly in Cheotmaeul, Hansol-dong, Sejong. In a hanok-style interior of roof tiles and warm wood, the writer had galbi kimchi stew with big ribs and whole-head kimchi, plus pot rice that ends in nutty nurungji (crispy scorched rice). With its atmosphere and friendly owner, Chung-sil Hoegwan is a memorable lunch spot in Sejong.
Jeongseong Katsu Cheonan Buldang branch is a tonkatsu restaurant in the heart of the Buldang-dong shopping district in Cheonan, Chungnam, serving domestic Korean Handon pork. Craving curry, the writer went for Sunday lunch and ordered the tonkatsu curry rice bowl and the cold soba (naengmomil) with fillet katsu set. The highlights were moist fillet katsu, Suhyangmi rice and a choice of regular or spicy sauce, and 3 hours of free parking made the visit easy. Weekend lunch brings a wait, so book Jeongseong Katsu Cheonan Buldang branch on Naver before you go.
