Label Checking Wanderer · 5 stories

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I write about beauty products as they fit into ordinary routines. · Writes about: Beauty products · Hair & beauty salons · Restaurants · Cafés · Food & snacks

PlaceJongno, SeoulCafés

Jongno 3-ga bakery, pre-meal bite: garlic bread & onion bagel, Munhwa

Munhwa Bakery (문화제빵) is a takeout-only bakery on Donhwamun-ro near Jongno 3-ga Station in Jongno, Seoul. Craving something salty before a meal, the writer picked the savory versions of Munhwa Bakery's garlic bread (₩6,500) and onion bagel (₩5,500). Unlike their names suggest, both had a crisp, baguette-like crust, were neither too sweet nor too salty, and were gone fast. Munhwa Bakery, which bakes a fixed menu in large sizes, is a good place to pick up bread to go around Jongno 3-ga and Ikseon-dong.

Written Apr 21, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSeongnam, GyeonggiRestaurants

House-made noodle chicken kalguksu in Sujeong-gu: Cheongdam Dak

Cheongdam Dak Kalguksu (청담닭칼국수) is a chicken kalguksu (knife-cut noodle soup) restaurant in a residential area of Bokjeong-dong, Sujeong-gu, Seongnam. On a chilly, rainy day the writer had the basic chicken kalguksu, the spicy chicken kalguksu and galbi mandu (rib-meat dumplings), and found that the house-made noodles and thick chicken broth paired well with crunchy kkakdugi (radish kimchi) and a savory spicy kimchi. Cheongdam Dak Kalguksu is a Seongnam spot worth returning to whenever you crave a meat-broth noodle soup.

Written May 5, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGwangju, GyeonggiRestaurants

Gwangju Korean restaurant, whole pork & kimchi duruchigi: Oneuldo Utja

Oneuldo Utja Chowol is a Korean restaurant in Chowol-eup, Gwangju, Gyeonggi, specializing in duruchigi (spicy stir-fried pork stew), kimchi jjigae and freshly cooked sotbap (pot rice). At Oneuldo Utja Chowol, the writer ordered the pork and squid duruchigi, cut the whole pork and whole kimchi right in the pot, and had plain rice with seaweed soup from the self-serve bar instead of sotbap. Summer heat left the writer dripping with sweat, but the duruchigi wrapped in vegetables was still a hearty, satisfying meal.

Written Aug 9, 2026Sponsored
ProductHEEDABeauty products

Makeup melting balm for sensitive skin: HEEDA Charcoal Cleansing Balm

HEEDA Charcoal Cleansing Balm (HEEDA Jirisan Moisturizing Charcoal Cleansing Balm) is a makeup melting balm the writer used 3 to 4 times a week to take off long-wear makeup. The black balm turns white once water is added and it emulsifies, and the writer found little slippery or oily residue left after this first cleansing step. After roughly 1/3 of the jar, HEEDA Charcoal Cleansing Balm suited skin that is easily irritated and gets the occasional pustular breakout.

Written Jul 17, 2024Product provided
ProductHEEDABeauty products

Facial cleanser for dry skin with charcoal: HEEDA Jiri Mountain

HEEDA Jiri Mountain Moisturizing Charcoal Cleansing Foam is a facial cleanser for dry skin, tested here by a writer with combination-dry skin who wears sunscreen every day. Instead of a squeaky-clean finish, the HEEDA foam left a thin film of moisture that felt comfortable for morning washing, though the unfamiliar finish took about a day to get used to. For dry, tight mornings it is an easy everyday cleanser, but fans of a tight, stripped finish may find it odd at first.

Written Dec 22, 2024Product provided
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