Late Counter Drifter · 5 stories

Late Counter, Daejeon-Chungcheong-Busan-Gyeongnam-Gyeonggi Restaurants, Cafes and Bars

Writes about restaurants, cafes, and bars across Daejeon/Chungcheong, Busan/Gyeongnam, and Gyeonggi. · Writes about: Restaurants · Cafés · Bars

PlaceCheongju, ChungbukRestaurants

Samgye and abalone butter pot rice in Gagyeong-dong, Cheongju: Sorori

Sorori Sotbap Gagyeong Direct Branch is a Korean restaurant in Seohyeon Plaza, Gagyeong-dong, Cheongju, that specializes in sotbap (pot rice). It cooks each pot to order with Chungbuk rice such as Oksan Sorori rice and Jincheon rice, plus other Chungbuk ingredients. At Sorori Sotbap, the writer wrapped samgye pot rice and abalone butter pot rice in gim (seaweed) and mixed them with abalone innards; the abalone was fresh and the portions were generous. With 2 hours of free parking in the 200-space car park behind Seohyeon Plaza, Sorori Sotbap is a solid pick for families, dates and group meals.

Written Jul 23, 2026Sponsored
PlaceCheongju, ChungbukRestaurants

Budget omakase in Cheongju with aged Wando flounder: Sinbakkase

Sinbakkase (신박카세) is a budget omakase restaurant in the Bokdae-dong eatery alley of Cheongju, Chungbuk, with a course priced at 29,900 won per person. On a weekday visit at 6 PM, the Sinbakkase course ran from abalone tomalley soup and monkfish jiri (clear stew) to aged Wando flounder and sea bream sashimi, sirloin yukjeon (pan-fried beef) and grilled chicken neck with scallion, followed by complimentary butter-grilled scallops and grilled smoked salmon after the course. For anyone who loves seafood and a drink, Sinbakkase is a top-tier value omakase in Cheongju.

Written Jul 24, 2026Sponsored
PlaceYuseong, DaejeonRestaurants

Daejeon charcoal skewer izakaya: heart skewers and pocha udon, Kkojip

Kkojip (꼬집) is a charcoal-grilled skewer izakaya in Bongmyeong-dong, Yuseong, Daejeon, on the bar street in front of Chungnam National University and KAIST. The writer had Kirin draft beer, Kkojip's five-skewer assortment and a long sausage skewer, then ordered extra special chicken and jjukkumi (webfoot octopus) skewers and finished with pocha udon. Kkojip's charcoal-scented skewers were good enough that a quick second round turned into a full meal.

Written Jul 31, 2026Sponsored
PlacePaju, GyeonggiRestaurants

Paju Book City ssambap restaurant, no weekend break time: Simhaksan

Simhaksan Deulkkot Ssambap (심학산 들꽃쌈밥) is a ssambap (rice with leafy-green wraps) restaurant serving full Korean set meals in Seopae-dong, Paju, near Paju Book City and Simhaksan Mountain. Simhaksan Deulkkot Ssambap has no break time on weekends and public holidays, so the writer arrived at an in-between hour and leisurely enjoyed a full spread with unlimited ssam greens, fish, spicy stir-fried pork and squid. In an area around Paju Book City with few restaurants, Simhaksan Deulkkot Ssambap is a good stop for a hearty Korean meal without watching the clock.

Written Oct 4, 2026Sponsored
PlacePaju, GyeonggiCafés

Paju bakery sample tasting, milk cream salt bread: Boulangerie Tan

Boulangerie Tan Unjeong Main Branch is a takeout-only bakery on the first floor of Farm Tower in Dongpae-dong, Unjeong, Paju, baking with its own natural sourdough starter and organic French flour. The writer arrived at the 10am opening to buy just 2 sandwiches, tried the sample bread, then added a milk cream salt bread and a pistachio cornet pie and finished both dessert breads on the spot. Boulangerie Tan was the writer's top bakery of recent visits and a must-return stop in Paju.

Written Oct 3, 2026Sponsored
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