Yerin Poh-jin · 5 stories

Worn Notebook, Seoul Rounds

Writes about cafes, restaurants, bars, and beauty spots she visits around Seoul. · Writes about: Bars · Restaurants · Cafés · Hair & beauty salons

PlaceSeodaemun, SeoulCafés

Yeonhui-dong pastry shop for gift-wrapped tigres: Yeonhui Oven

Yeonhui Oven (연희동오븐) is a takeout-only bake shop tucked into an alley in Yeonhui-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, that bakes financiers, tigres and madeleines in-store. On a friend's recommendation, the writer bought 2 kinds of tigre and 3 kinds of financier as gifts for friends, and was most pleased that Yeonhui Oven wraps each piece individually and adds a ribbon box at no extra charge. If you're looking for baked sweets to give as gifts or thank-you favors, Yeonhui Oven is worth a stop.

Written Jun 8, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMapo, SeoulRestaurants

White-toned Yeonnam-dong pasta restaurant, dongchimi pickles: Rangteu

Rangteu Yeonnam (랑트 연남) is a fusion pasta restaurant in Yeonnam-dong, Mapo, Seoul, a 3-minute walk from Exit 3 of Hongik Univ. Station, that pairs European cooking with Korean seasonal ingredients. On a daytime visit with a friend in its white-toned, plant-filled dining room, the writer ordered the Monterey gochujang cream gnocchi and the brisket melchovy cream pasta (18,900 won each) and was struck by the dongchimi-style (radish water kimchi) pickles and a free corkage event. Rangteu Yeonnam is a Yeonnam-dong date or get-together spot for original Korean-fusion pasta under 20,000 won.

Written Jun 13, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMapo, SeoulCafés

Yeonnam-dong sofa café with cherry choco chiffon sando: Noknok

Noknok (녹녹, Knock Knock) is a large two-floor bakery café on Seongmisan-ro in Yeonnam-dong, Mapo, Seoul. After lunch in Yeonnam-dong and a walk along the Gyeongui Line Forest Park, the writer and a friend settled into the big central sofa on Noknok's 1st floor with a cherry choco chiffon sando and a decaf iced americano, while the quiet 2nd floor was filled with laptop users. For a Yeonnam-dong café with a chatty 1st floor, a study-friendly 2nd floor and free parking, Noknok is a good fit.

Written Jun 14, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMapo, SeoulCafés

Gongdeok bakery: 6-piece dinner-host gift box, Fluffy Bake Shop

Fluffy Bake Shop is a baked-goods shop near Exit 2 of Gongdeok Station in Mapo, Seoul, specializing in madeleines, financiers, canelés and egg tarts. Invited out to a meal and not wanting to arrive empty-handed, the writer picked 6 pieces as a gift (4 kinds of madeleine, an Earl Grey canelé and a Dubai egg tart) and had them packed in a 6-slot box. With a wide selection and careful gift packaging and storage tips, Fluffy Bake Shop is a good pick for an easy dessert gift near Gongdeok Station.

Written Jun 22, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGangseo, SeoulRestaurants

Magok sushi restaurant, bar-seat course to mango panna cotta: Ilpum

Ilpum Magok is a kaisendon (seafood rice bowl) and sushi restaurant on Gonghang-daero near Magok Station in Gangseo, Seoul. Sitting at the bar with a sibling, the writer ordered the Premium Kaisendon (₩37,000) and Today's Sushi set (₩28,000), which arrived in order like a course, from chawanmushi (steamed egg custard) through cold udon to mango panna cotta. With its looks, generous portions and calm mood, Ilpum Magok is a solid pick for a date or a meal with parents.

Written Aug 2, 2026Sponsored
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