Folded Pocket Diner · 53 stories

The Folded Menu

I share first-hand notes from restaurant visits around Seoul. · Writes about: Restaurants · Cafés · Bars · Hair & beauty salons · Beauty products · Shopping · Food & snacks · Things to do

PlaceJung-gu, SeoulShopping

Dongdaemun vintage shop: between-season Polo check shirt, Viva Trade

Viva Trade Eulji Dundaun Dongdaemun Branch is a 200-pyeong warehouse-style vintage shop on the 5th floor of the Dundaun (DDN) building near Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station in Jung-gu, Seoul. Looking for a shirt to throw on between seasons, the writer bought a Polo vintage check shirt marked down from 69,000 won to 49,000 won and was happy with the spacious store, the clean condition of the clothes and the 4 fitting rooms. Viva Trade is a Dongdaemun vintage shop where beginners who find Dongmyo's thrift market unfamiliar can shop with ease.

Written Jun 9, 2026Sponsored
PlaceJung-gu, SeoulRestaurants

Sindang chicken pub that won over a chicken skeptic: Gyeryugwan

Gyeryugwan (계류관) is an oak wood-fired chicken restaurant in Sindang, Jung-gu, Seoul, less than a 5-minute walk into the market from Sindang Station Exit 2. After about a 30-minute weekday-evening wait on the Tabling waitlist, the writer and her boyfriend ordered oak-fired chicken with neungi mushroom, chicken neck tangsuyuk (sweet-and-sour fried chicken neck), mul makguksu (cold buckwheat noodles in broth) and 2 draft beers, and Gyeryugwan changed the mind of a writer who never cared for whole roast chicken. Verdict: the wood-fired chicken and mul makguksu combo makes Gyeryugwan a Sindang Station pub worth returning to.

Written Jun 9, 2026Sponsored
PlaceYeongdeungpo, SeoulRestaurants

Yeouido Station gyukatsu restaurant, wasabi-grilled sirloin: Izawa

Izawa Yeouido Direct Store is a gyukatsu (breaded beef cutlet) restaurant right in front of Yeouido Station in Yeongdeungpo, Seoul. On a weekday evening, the sirloin gyukatsu set (18,000 won) came out rare for a quick sear on the tabletop brazier, and grilling the beef with wasabi on top burned off the heat but kept the aroma, which made it the most satisfying bite. Verdict: a fun grill-it-yourself gyukatsu meal, and pairs should check the 2-person set at the bottom of the kiosk first to save about 1,500 won.

Written Jun 2, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGwanak, SeoulRestaurants

Seoul Korean BBQ near Danggok Station for group dinners: Sillim Hwaro

Sillim Hwaro (신림화로) is a newly opened charcoal-grilled pork belly restaurant on Bongcheon-ro near Danggok Station in Gwanak, Seoul. On a weekday evening the writer had 3 servings of Myeongpum Jin Pork Belly (18,000 won per serving) and doenjang sul-bap (6,000 won), and was happy with the icy muksabal (chilled acorn jelly soup), the self-serve bar and the odol galbi from the review event. Sillim Hwaro is a clean, comfortable spot for a group gathering or company dinner over smoky charcoal-grilled pork belly.

Written Jun 11, 2026Sponsored
PlaceJeonju, JeonbukCafés

Jeonju Hanok Village foot bath café with a dog in a stroller: Manjok

Anma Jogyok Cafe Manjok (안마족욕카페 만족) is a foot bath and massage café on the 2nd floor of 56 Eunhaeng-ro, on the main street of Jeonju Hanok Village. After a full day walking Jeonju Hanok Village with her dog in a dog stroller, the writer paid 15,000 won per person at Anma Jogyok Cafe Manjok for a foot bath, a massager and one drink, with hanok rooftops visible through floor-to-ceiling windows. Verdict: Anma Jogyok Cafe Manjok is a good spot to rest tired legs on a dog-friendly Jeonju trip without worrying about disapproving looks.

Written Jun 13, 2026Sponsored
PlaceJeonju, JeonbukRestaurants

Sweet-salty skewers & ice cream in Jeonju Hanok Village: Munkkocchi

Munkkocchi Mungangjeong Jeonju Hanok Village Branch is a takeout street food stall on Eunhaeng-ro in Jeonju Hanok Village, selling octopus skewers, chicken skewers and mungangjeong (sweet-glazed fried octopus bites). The writer ate a katsuobushi octopus skewer (5,000 won) and a cheese chicken skewer (6,000 won), then finished with Sangha Farm ice cream for a sweet-and-salty ending, and loved the smoky flame-grilled flavor, chewy octopus and rich milky ice cream. At around 5,000 to 6,000 won, Munkkocchi Mungangjeong is an easy walk-and-eat snack stop in Jeonju Hanok Village.

Written Jun 13, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGangnam, SeoulCafés

Apgujeong weekday brunch: Dutch baby & beef risotto, Mild High Club

Mild High Club Apgujeong Branch is a brunch café with floor-to-ceiling windows on Eonju-ro 170-gil in Gangnam, Seoul, near Apgujeongnodeo Station. The writer booked ahead for a weekday visit with friends and ordered the Mild Dutch Baby (₩23,000), the Beef Risotto (₩24,000) and 2 iced Americanos, and Mild High Club was almost full even on a weekday. Prices are on the high side, but the food and atmosphere both satisfied, making Mild High Club an Apgujeong brunch spot worth reserving.

Written Jun 11, 2026Sponsored
Product키글루겐Food & snacks

Solid kiwi with liposomal glutathione, once a day: 키글루겐 Act Max

키글루겐 Act Max (키글루겐 엑트 맥스) is an inner beauty supplement that combines solid kiwi, concentrated from New Zealand organic kiwis, with liposomal glutathione and collagen. The writer received 키글루겐 from the brand, carried it in a bag and took it once a day. Within a few days, the writer felt their morning complexion looked clearer and was complimented on looking more radiant. 키글루겐 is an easy inner beauty routine for anyone who finds preparing fresh kiwis a hassle.

Written Jun 14, 2026Product provided
PlaceGwangyang, JeonnamRestaurants

Gwangyang eel restaurant, no dogs and 2–4pm weekday break: Deokeun

Deokeun Jangeo Gwangyang Branch (더큰장어 광양점) is a charcoal-grilled eel restaurant at 101 Hangman 9-ro, next to Rakhui Hotel in Gwangyang, Jeonnam. At Deokeun Jangeo you choose Pungcheon freshwater eel at the 1st-floor shop, then grill it over hardwood charcoal on the 2nd floor with a view of Yi Sun-sin Bridge; the table setting fee is ₩4,000 per adult. Thick eel made Deokeun Jangeo a satisfying family stamina meal, but check the weekday 14:00–16:00 break time and the no-dogs rule before you go.

Written Jun 14, 2026Sponsored
PlaceYongsan, SeoulRestaurants

Sinyongsan gomtang restaurant: brass bowls, free cold pork, Baekok

Baekok Yongsan is a pork gomtang (clear pork bone soup) restaurant on Hangang-daero 10-gil in Yongsan, Seoul, near Sinyongsan Station. The writer ate the clear pork gomtang (₩11,000) served in a brass bowl, the Yeol Gomtang topped with Cheongyang chili (₩12,000) and cabbage dumplings, then got cold sliced pork (naengjeyuk) on the house, and found everything clean-tasting with no gamey smell. For a mild, clear-broth gomtang that isn't overpowering, Baekok Yongsan is a good choice.

Written Jun 16, 2026Sponsored
PlaceJung-gu, DaejeonRestaurants

Daejeon steak restaurant: medium-rare steak set with mustard at Plate

Plate is a fresh pasta and steak restaurant in Seonhwa-dong, Jung-gu, Daejeon, near Jungangno Station. The writer ordered the set menu with pasta and steak, which came with salad, soup and bushman bread (a dark, slightly sweet dinner loaf), and Plate's medium-rare steak went well with whole-grain mustard. With a cozy interior, friendly service and easy prices, Plate is a good Western restaurant pick for a date or anniversary in Seonhwa-dong.

Written Jun 16, 2026Sponsored
PlaceJeonju, JeonbukRestaurants

Jeonju dakgangjeong shop: no-line lunch shrimp combo, Mannyeon

Mannyeon Dakgangjeong Hanok Village Direct Store (만년닭강정 한옥마을직영점) is a hanok-fronted takeout shop for dakgangjeong (sweet, crispy Korean fried chicken) on Taejo-ro in Jeonju Hanok Village. At lunchtime there was no line, and after about 10 minutes of frying to order, the writer took the shop's most popular shrimp + dakgangjeong combo in the spicy flavor back to the lodging. With clean Cheongyang chili heat and a coating that gets crunchier as it cools, Mannyeon Dakgangjeong is worth a return visit as a Hanok Village street snack or a late-night bite at your stay.

Written Jun 18, 2026Sponsored