Coffee First Diner · 19 stories

Coffee, Then a Meal

I write about cafes and restaurants I stop by around Daejeon and Chungcheong. · Writes about: Restaurants · Cafés · Things to do · Bars

PlaceDalseo, DaeguCafés

Quiet café by Keimyung East Gate, Daegu: cream latte at Geujeomoigi

Geujeomoigi (그저모이기) is a cozy café near the East Gate of Keimyung University in Daegu, featured on Blue Survey as a go-to spot for tiramisu. On a cold weekday evening in January, the blogger and her husband stopped by Geujeomoigi and shared 2 cream lattes and 1 chocolate cookie. With its fresh cream latte and chewy, not-too-sweet chocolate cookie, Geujeomoigi is a good café near Keimyung University's East Gate for a quiet break.

Written Oct 11, 2023Sponsored
PlaceNam-gu, DaeguRestaurants

Open-air gopchang grill by Anjirang Station, Daegu: Anjirang Apsan

Anjirang Gopchang Makchang Apsan Branch is a gopchang (grilled small intestines) and makchang (grilled large intestines) restaurant at the entrance of Anjirang Gopchang Alley in Daemyeong-dong, Nam-gu, Daegu. The writer and her husband shared the 2P mixed combo of raw makchang, seasoned gopchang and chicken gizzards, plus a ₩1,000 steamed egg and makguksu (buckwheat noodles), at a table by the wide-open windows that gave the room an open-air feel. The gopchang and makchang at Anjirang Gopchang Makchang were tender rather than chewy, making it a generous dinner for two adults.

Written Apr 28, 2026Sponsored
PlaceJung-gu, DaeguBars

Daegu Dongseongno izakaya date night with yakisoba: Gyodong Nakwon

Gyodong Nakwon (교동 낙원) is a wood-toned izakaya at the entrance of Gyodong, near Jungangno Station in Jung-gu, Daegu. The writer and her husband ordered stir-fried beef brisket with bean sprouts, yakisoba and a cheese omelet at Gyodong Nakwon; most dishes cost 10,000–20,000 won, and the portions were generous enough to make a meal. Gyodong Nakwon is a good-value, atmospheric bar for a night date in Dongseongno.

Written Apr 27, 2026Sponsored
PlaceJung-gu, SeoulRestaurants

Seoul Station gyukatsu & omurice hiding a pork cutlet: Ichigyu

Ichigyu Seoul Station Branch (이치규 서울역점) is a Japanese restaurant specializing in gyukatsu (breaded beef cutlet) in the basement of the LG building right in front of Seoul Station in Jung-gu, Seoul. A couple from Daegu in Seoul for a family wedding skipped breakfast and had a weekend lunch there: a gyukatsu set they grilled on a personal burner, with a generous portion, and Japanese-style omurice with a pork cutlet hidden inside, a thick omelet and the sauce served on the side, with most dishes around 18,000–20,000 won. Ichigyu Seoul Station Branch makes a solid first meal on a Seoul trip or a lunch date near Seoul Station.

Written Nov 12, 2026Sponsored
PlaceNam-gu, UlsanRestaurants

Ulsan milmyeon spot, husband's hometown taste in the morning: Samsam

Samsam Milmyeon Main Branch (삼삼밀면 본점) is a local milmyeon (wheat cold noodle) restaurant in Dal-dong, Nam-gu, Ulsan, near Ulsan Terminal. A writer from Daegu went early in the morning with her Ulsan-born husband and ordered bibim milmyeon (spicy mixed noodles), a large mul milmyeon (noodles in cold broth) and potato-skin dumplings at 8 pieces for ₩6,000; the chewy noodles, savory sauce and Hanwoo beef bone broth all satisfied. For a cool, filling meal near Ulsan Terminal, Samsam Milmyeon Main Branch is a safe choice.

Written May 12, 2026Sponsored
PlaceNam-gu, UlsanRestaurants

Samsan, Ulsan steamed clam pub where 3 had leftovers: Getbeolui Jogae

Getbeolui Jogae Ulsan Samsan branch (갯벌의조개 울산삼산점) is a steamed and grilled clam restaurant and pub in the middle of the Samsan-dong food alley in Nam-gu, Ulsan. A writer visiting from Daegu ordered the medium giant clam hot pot (steamed clams) with her husband's friends; it is listed for 3 people, yet three adults still had food left over, and staff prepped and cut the seafood on a timer. With a wide hall, group seating and a self-service corner, Getbeolui Jogae is a solid pick for a team dinner or get-together in Samsan.

Written May 16, 2026Sponsored
PlaceJung-gu, DaeguRestaurants

Dongseong-ro ramen shop, Daegu: shrimp tempura ebi miso at Ryusenso

Ryusenso Dongseong-ro is a Japanese ramen shop in Dongseong-ro, Jung-gu, Daegu, across from Gukchaebosang Memorial Park. The writer and her husband ordered ebi miso ramen topped with shrimp tempura, the signature tonkotsu ramen and yaki gyoza; the broth was mild and the portions were just right, so she finished the broth for the first time in a long while. Ryusenso Dongseong-ro is a good stop when you want a hot bowl of ramen on a cold day in downtown Daegu.

Written Oct 30, 2026Sponsored
PlaceBuk-gu, DaeguRestaurants

Couple's briquette BBQ in Daegu: 600g pork and bibimbap, Sangnok

Sangnok Hoegwan Yeontan Gui Goseong Branch is a briquette-grill Korean BBQ restaurant in Goseong-dong, Buk-gu, Daegu, near Bukgucheong Station. The writer and her husband ordered the dwaeji hangeun (600g pork set) of pork jowl, pork neck and pork belly grilled over coal briquettes, then finished with doenjang jjigae (soybean paste stew) with rice and bibimbap. Most menu items cost around 6,000 won, and the meat quality is good enough that the writer, who never used to enjoy pork belly, recommends Sangnok Hoegwan.

Written May 31, 2026Sponsored
PlaceDong-gu, DaeguRestaurants

Dongdaegu Station Chinese spot: egg fried rice & plum tea, Gyeryonggak

Gyeryonggak (계룡각) is a newly opened Chinese restaurant near Dongdaegu Station in Dong-gu, Daegu, following the brand's Gyeryong branch in Chungcheong Province. Over lunch with her husband, the writer had egg fried rice and a mini tangsuyuk (sweet and sour pork) for two, and was pleased by the generous portions in porcelain bowls, the crispy pork, the spicy jjamppong broth and the plum tea to finish. With a spacious hall, group rooms and free mini jjajang rice for children aged 5 and under, Gyeryonggak is a Dongdaegu Chinese restaurant worth recommending for a family meal.

Written Jul 7, 2026Sponsored
PlaceNam-gu, DaeguRestaurants

Daegu gopchang restaurant even non-fans love, Anjirang: Gopchang119

Gopchang119 Anjirang Branch is a new vegetable gopchang (stir-fried intestines with vegetables) and al-gopchang restaurant on Anjirang Gopchang Alley in Nam-gu, Daegu. The writer, who often ate vegetable gopchang in Seoul, ordered the A Set (al-gopchang plus vegetable gopchang) and cheese fried rice for about ₩30,000 for two. The portion looked like more than 2.5 servings, and her husband, who doesn't usually like gopchang, kept eating. For anyone who prefers seasoned gopchang over plain-grilled gopchang or makchang, Gopchang119 Anjirang Branch is worth a visit.

Written Jul 12, 2026Sponsored
PlaceJung-gu, DaeguRestaurants

Korean takeout near Dongseongno, Daegu: lunchboxes from Hyangtaek

Hyangtaek Daegu Jongno Branch is a Korean rice restaurant with the feel of an old traditional house, in Jongno, Daegu, near Dongseongno and Jungangno Station. The writer phoned in an order, picked it up at the reserved time and shared Spanish mackerel gondre rice (rice with Korean thistle) and yukhoe bibimbap (raw beef bibimbap) at home with her husband, all packed with side dishes into lunchboxes by the owner. For mild, easy-on-the-stomach Korean home cooking at home, Hyangtaek Daegu Jongno Branch takeout was more satisfying than expected.

Written Jul 28, 2026Sponsored
PlaceCheonan, ChungnamCafés

Kid-friendly Cheonan café for soufflé with a 2-year-old: Andamiro

Andamiro Pancake Cheonan is a soufflé cake café on the second floor of a building in the busy Yauri area near Cheonan Intercity Bus Terminal in Sinbu-dong, Cheonan. On a holiday visit with a younger sibling, their spouse and a 2-year-old nephew, the writer ordered a seasonal fruit soufflé, pineapple sorbet, an iced americano, a chocolate latte and a tomato iced tea. The toddler ate well and the owner was kind to him, making Andamiro Pancake an easy, kid-friendly cake café in Sinbu-dong, Cheonan.

Written Oct 7, 2026Sponsored