Suwon Peeker · 16 stories

Dining Room Glimpses

I write about meals and restaurant visits in Seoul. · Writes about: Restaurants · Bars · Hair & beauty salons

PlaceGoyang, GyeonggiRestaurants

Pork gukbap set before a sauna trip near Kintex, Goyang: Roman Gukbap

Roman Gukbap is a pork gukbap (pork and rice soup) restaurant near Kintex in Daehwa-dong, Ilsan, Goyang. Before a restorative trip to a hanjeungmak (traditional Korean kiln sauna), the writer and a gukbap-loving friend shared the pork gukbap set (gukbap plus suyuk, boiled pork slices, 14,000 won). The clean yet rich broth, generous meat and a spread of suyuk, sundae (Korean blood sausage) and liver satisfied even two light eaters. Roman Gukbap is an easy recommendation for a Kintex meal, whether you're eating alone, with kids or in a private room.

Written Oct 21, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMapo, SeoulBars

Gongdeok izakaya, juicy skewers then tomato nabe: Yakitori Shomong

Yakitori Shomong Mapo Station Branch is a yakitori izakaya on Dohwa-gil in Mapo, Seoul, between Gongdeok Station and Mapo Station. A Gongdeok local enjoyed its juicy, tender skewers and an unusual tomato nabe (Japanese hot pot), along with the relaxed atmosphere and friendly service. Verdict: Yakitori Shomong Mapo Station Branch is a neighborhood izakaya that works for both a skewer-focused first round and a tomato nabe second round.

Written Oct 18, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMapo, SeoulHair & beauty salons

Gongdeok lash salon: 2-month lash lift I sent 3 friends to, Iyo Shop

Iyo Shop is a one-person lash salon on the 2nd floor of the Olive Young building near Exit 3 of Gongdeok Station in Mapo, Seoul. The writer first paid for a lash lift at Iyo Shop, went back several times and recommended the salon to three friends. On this sponsored visit, the writer noted how long the lift lasts, the aftercare rules and the treatment time. Verdict: the Iyo Shop lash lift held its curl for about two months with no special care.

Written Oct 18, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMapo, SeoulRestaurants

Gongdeok Station Korean restaurant, last order 9 pm: Horangi Gotgan

Horangi Gotgan Gongdeok Branch (호랭이곳간 공덕점) is a neighborhood Korean restaurant on Mapo-daero 8-gil in Mapo, Seoul, open daily from 11:00 to 21:30. The writer describes Horangi Gotgan Gongdeok Branch as easy for solo dining, with side dishes that make a filling meal, plus takeout and delivery. It's worth a spot on your list if you want an affordable, everyday Korean restaurant near Gongdeok Station.

Written Oct 9, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMapo, SeoulHair & beauty salons

Gongdeok lash salon: tight-curl lift for thin, sparse lashes, Iyo Shop

Iyo Shop is a one-person lash salon on the 2nd floor of the Olive Young building near Exit 3 of Gongdeok Station in Mapo-gu, Seoul. The writer, who has thin, sparse lashes and full eyelids, had a consultation and then a tight-curl lash lift that took about 1 hour; the lash artist gathered and lifted every remaining lash one by one for defined eyes that still looked natural. For anyone unsure whether a lash lift works on sparse lashes, Iyo Shop gets a 100% would-return recommendation.

Written Jul 25, 2026Sponsored
PlaceYeongdeungpo, SeoulRestaurants

Yeouido old-school Korean BBQ with scallop samhap: Smile Samgyeop

Smile Samgyeop Main Branch is an old-school pork belly restaurant on the first floor of a building on Gukjegeumyung-ro 8-gil in Yeouido, Seoul, where staff grill raw pork belly on a stone plate and pile it high with minari (water dropwort). The writer went with a friend and wrapped the minari pork belly with grilled kimchi and a spicy scallion and bean sprout salad; the free kimchi stew, friendly staff and icy soju fridge stood out. Verdict: Smile Samgyeop is an easy-on-the-wallet Yeouido Korean BBQ spot worth returning to for the meat alone.

Written Sep 29, 2026Sponsored
PlaceJung-gu, SeoulRestaurants

Euljiro bar for round two, grilled whole cuttlefish: Eulji Baektan

Eulji Baektan Ppyeogui is a bone-grill restaurant and bar near Euljiro 3-ga Station in Jung-gu, Seoul, giving old-school Korean tavern character a modern update. On this visit the writer stopped in for a second round with one friend after dinner and ordered the grilled whole cuttlefish, which came so thick and large that two people could not finish it. For a light second-round beer in Euljiro that still needs one proper plate of food, Eulji Baektan Ppyeogui is a good fit.

Written Sep 26, 2026Sponsored
PlaceJung-gu, SeoulRestaurants

Euljiro3-ga restaurant in Seoul with wide table spacing: Pyu Euljiro

Pyu Euljiro is a contemporary dining restaurant on Mareunnae-ro in Jung-gu, Seoul, right in the middle of Euljiro3-ga. Tables at Pyu Euljiro are spaced far enough apart that noise and glances from the next seat never intruded, and the cooking keeps seasonal ingredients mild rather than heavy or overly seasoned. For a Euljiro blind date, a date night or a small gathering built around slow conversation, Pyu Euljiro is an easy choice.

Written Sep 23, 2026Sponsored
PlaceYeongdeungpo, SeoulBars

Izakaya by Yeongdeungpo Station for a 2am second round: Nani Byeolgwan

Nani Byeolgwan Yeongdeungpo Branch is a small izakaya across from Times Square in Yeongdeungpo, Seoul. On a solo after-work visit, two skewer orders and grilled mentaiko (marinated pollock roe) with beer made a generous meal for one. Open until 2am with last order at 1am, Nani Byeolgwan also works as a second or third stop for a night out near Yeongdeungpo Station.

Written Aug 26, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSuwon, GyeonggiCafés

Suwon brunch café on Haengri-dan-gil: fig French toast, Kozel Dark

Kueodeukkutteu is a brunch café with an outdoor terrace on Haengri-dan-gil (Haenggung-dong) in Suwon, Gyeonggi. From an indoor seat by the big windows, Kueodeukkutteu served perilla oil ice cream, fig and Shine Muscat French toast, and a Kozel Dark beer whose cinnamon note reined in the toast's sweetness. It's a good place to stop and recharge when your energy dips partway through a walk along Haengri-dan-gil.

Written Sep 14, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSuwon, GyeonggiRestaurants

Chinese restaurant near Suwon City Hall: mapo tofu bowl, Gang's Duck

Gang's Duck is a fusion Chinese restaurant in Ingye-dong near Suwon City Hall, opened by a group of chefs with hotel kitchen backgrounds. Lunch on a one-night food trip through Suwon was dongpo-yuk (braised pork belly), a mapo tofu rice bowl and black vinegar cucumber salad, and the dongpo-yuk arrived with a deep smoky char while the cucumber salad stayed mild rather than sharp. Gang's Duck suits anyone who wants dishes like dongpo-yuk or Peking duck in a relaxed, unfussy setting.

Written Sep 14, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSuwon, GyeonggiRestaurants

Suwon beef restaurant with hanwoo wasabi and solo platters: Yeongpo

Yeongpo Hwa-ro Ingye Branch is a hanwoo (Korean beef) restaurant with private rooms in Ingye-dong, Suwon, near Suwon City Hall Station. Two single-serving hanwoo platters brought sirloin, chuck flap, short rib finger, skirt, brisket point, chain and flat iron to compare side by side, plus hanwoo wasabi piled with wasabi and complimentary doenjang sulbap (soybean paste rice) and patbingsu (shaved ice with red beans) to finish. For a day when you want a little of many cuts, Yeongpo Hwa-ro Ingye Branch also has parking and rooms sorted.

Written Sep 15, 2026Sponsored