Spare Napkin · 150 stories

The Extra Napkin

I write about meals and restaurant visits in Seoul. · Writes about: Restaurants · Cafés · Bars · Hair & beauty salons · Things to do · Shopping · Stays

PlaceYuseong, DaejeonRestaurants

Korean BBQ dinner with Mom in Bongmyeong-dong, Daejeon: Sanjang

Sanjang Samgyeop Daejeon Bongmyeong (산장삼겹 대전봉명점) is a pork belly restaurant on the Bongmyeong-dong eating street in Yuseong, Daejeon. Over a dinner for two with Mom, the writer ordered the minari pork belly set for two and self-serve fried rice. The staff grilled all the meat, and the Hanu daechang stew in the set beat expectations in both portion and flavor. For a family dinner out without the work of grilling, Sanjang Samgyeop Daejeon Bongmyeong is a satisfying choice.

Written Jun 4, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSeo-gu, DaejeonRestaurants

Dunsan-dong brunch: spicy roe pasta with a coworker, Someday Romance

Someday Romance is a pasta, pizza and salad brunch restaurant on the 6th floor of Save Zone in Dunsan-dong, Seo-gu, Daejeon. On a weekday lunch before a work trip, the writer and a junior colleague ordered spicy pollock roe pasta, bulgogi pizza, a ricotta salad and 2 iced Americanos at the kiosk, and the roe-packed pasta and strong coffee stood out. Someday Romance is a Dunsan-dong brunch spot for an unhurried lunch that works even when you're watching your diet.

Written Jun 3, 2026Sponsored
PlaceYeongdeungpo, SeoulBars

Round-two bar at Yeongdeungpo Station: wasabi honey tomato, Yeokjeon

Yeokjeon Pojangmacha Yeongdeungpo is a Korean gastropub on the 2nd floor of 11 Yeongdeungpo-ro 50-gil, near Yeongdeungpo Station in Seoul. After dinner, the blogger's group came to Yeokjeon Pojangmacha for a second round. They had Sindang-dong-style brisket tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes), My Honey Tomato with wasabi and pineapple sorbet with soju, and nearly finished the rich, spicy brisket tteokbokki broth. With spacious seating and seats for watching baseball broadcasts, Yeokjeon Pojangmacha Yeongdeungpo suits group gatherings or a second round near Yeongdeungpo Station.

Written Jun 4, 2026Sponsored
PlaceYeongdeungpo, SeoulRestaurants

Flame-grilled burger joint in Yeouido: thick patty & BLT, Dumburger

Dumburger Yeouido is a flame-grilled handmade burger shop on Uisadang-daero 1-gil in Yeongdeungpo, Seoul. After finishing errands in Yeouido, the writer ordered a BLT cheeseburger set and the signature Dumburger to compare them. The thick flame-grilled patty was nicely seared outside and juicy inside, and the fries were crispy. Dumburger Yeouido is a good choice for a filling solo meal when you want a handmade burger that's different from the big chains.

Written Oct 25, 2026Sponsored
PlaceYeongdeungpo, SeoulBars

Friday second-round pub in Yeongdeungpo: fish cake soup, Ho Samchon

Ho Samchon Yeongdeungpo Main Branch is a Korean food pub (yorijujeom) near Yeongdeungpo Station in Seoul, on the 2nd floor on Yeongdeungpo-ro 46-gil, known for its phone booth entrance and stylish interior. The writer, a regular, came on a Friday evening for a second round, ordered fish cake soup (odengtang) and ice cream, and finished 3 bottles of soju with the complimentary chicken drumstick crackers. Ho Samchon is an easy Yeongdeungpo pick for work dinners and get-togethers, even when everyone is already full.

Written Oct 25, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGangseo, SeoulRestaurants

Aged sashimi pub in Magok: DIY sushi and Jjapa Fry, Neoul Magok

Neoul Magok is an aged sashimi and seafood pub on the first floor of Magok iPark, between Magok Station and Balsan Station in Gangseo, Seoul. Two diners went in the early evening and ordered the small aged sashimi set (53,000 won) and Jjapa Fry (9,000 won). The seasonal aged sashimi was chewy with no fishy taste, and the set came with seasoned minari (water dropwort), vegetables and sauces for making your own sushi. Neoul Magok is a good pick for anyone who wants a generous spread of seasonal aged sashimi in an open-air, street-stall-style setting.

Written Jun 4, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGangseo, SeoulRestaurants

Kkachisan Station Korean BBQ: 1984 marinated 360g cuts, Gwangseonjip

Gwangseonjip is a charcoal-grill Korean BBQ restaurant serving special cuts of domestic pork on Gomdallae-ro near Kkachisan Station in Gangseo, Seoul. After a late-night wait, the writer had the 1984 marinated signature special cuts, 360g (48,300 won), and spicy clam doenjang (soybean paste) stew with soju; staff grilling the kkodeulsal (pork jowl) and pork cheek straight over charcoal without pre-grilling, and drinks served in an ice basket, stood out. Gwangseonjip is a Kkachisan Station Korean BBQ spot worth the long wait.

Written Jun 4, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSeo-gu, DaejeonRestaurants

Octopus stir-fry office lunch near Tanbang Station: Chongil Nakji

Chongil Nakji, Tanbang branch is a Korean restaurant specializing in nakji bokkeum (spicy stir-fried octopus) near Tanbang Station in Seo-gu, Daejeon. During a lunch break, the writer and a junior colleague ordered the small special octopus stir-fry for 2 at a mild, Shin Ramyun-level spice: octopus, scallop and beef, plus cheonggukjang (fermented soybean stew), bulgogi side dishes and noodles, more than the two could finish. Chongil Nakji suits office workers in Tanbang-dong who want a filling lunch without worrying about parking.

Written Jun 4, 2026Sponsored
PlaceYongsan, SeoulRestaurants

Ramen shop at Yongsan Station: business-trip lunch, dongpo sets, Menya

Menya Seoul Yongsan I'Park Mall Branch is a ramen restaurant on the 7th floor of I'Park Mall at Yongsan Station in Seoul. During a business trip to Seoul, the writer and a junior colleague squeezed in a tight lunch break with a mild dongpo chashu ramen set and a spicy dongpo chashu ramen set, plus karaage and crispy gyoza. The food came out quickly even during a packed early lunch, so both bowls were finished before the meeting. For a fast business-trip lunch with a short walk from Yongsan Station, Menya Seoul Yongsan I'Park Mall Branch is a good fit.

Written Oct 26, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMapo, SeoulHair & beauty salons

Gongdeok aroma oil massage for rounded shoulders and neck: The Hanoi

The Hanoi Foot & Body Gongdeok Lotte Castle President branch is a newly opened foot and body massage shop on B2 of the Lotte Castle President arcade in Gongdeok, Mapo, Seoul. For seasonal shoulder and neck stiffness and knee discomfort after exercise, the writer had the 60-minute Aroma Basic Care (130,000 won). After a foot bath, an oil choice and a consultation, the therapist worked on shoulders stiff from forward-head posture and rounded shoulders, plus legs that swell easily. The Hanoi Foot & Body is a clean, hotel-like Gongdeok massage shop worth recommending for careful, tailored care.

Written Oct 25, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSeo-gu, DaejeonRestaurants

Daejeon gukbap restaurant for a windy day: unlimited liver, Ssangdung

Ssangdung Suyuk Gukbap Wolpyeong Seonsa Branch is a suyuk gukbap (boiled pork and rice soup) and pork belly restaurant on Cheongsaseo-ro in Wolpyeong-dong, Seo-gu, Daejeon. On a windy day at peak lunch hour, the writer and a junior colleague ordered 2 bowls of suyuk gukbap and mini steamed dumplings; every gukbap order unlocks a self-serve corner with unlimited sundae (Korean blood sausage), liver and lung, plus geotjeori (fresh kimchi) and green onion kimchi made every morning and a self-serve fried egg. Ssangdung Suyuk Gukbap is a Wolpyeong-dong gukbap spot worth returning to again and again whenever a chilly day calls for a hearty bowl of soup.

Written Oct 25, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSeo-gu, DaejeonRestaurants

Office lunch pasta in Dunsan-dong, Daejeon: white vongole set, Plate

Plate Dunsan Branch is a fresh pasta restaurant in Dunsan-dong, Seo-gu, Daejeon, with more than 10 noodle types to choose from. On a Friday lunch with a coworker, the writer had the white vongole pasta set and a beef cheddar pizza, and even though the writer doesn't usually like noodles, the fresh-pasta white vongole was gone in no time. With partitioned private tables, Plate Dunsan Branch is a good fit for a workday lunch where you want to talk.

Written Jun 5, 2026Sponsored