Hyejin Pak · 4 stories

Quiet Porch, Seoul and Gangwon Stays

Writes about restaurants, cafes, stays, and shops across Seoul, Gyeonggi, Incheon, and Gangwon. · Writes about: Restaurants · Cafés · Stays · Shopping

PlaceNamyangju, GyeonggiRestaurants

Namyangju pork BBQ with free gosari fern to grill: Jagaljip Pyeongnae

Jagaljip Pyeongnae is a samgyeopsal (grilled pork belly) and pork neck restaurant on Uian-ro in Namyangju, Gyeonggi, where real gravel covers the floor for a campground feel. Every meat order comes with free gosari (fernbrake), and grilling the fern on the same pan and wrapping it around the samgyeopsal cut the richness so the pork never felt heavy, while the pork neck stayed tender rather than dry. Jagaljip Pyeongnae suits a Pyeongnae-dong meat dinner where atmosphere and value both matter.

Written Aug 12, 2026Sponsored
PlaceNamyangju, GyeonggiCafés

Retro macaron parfait at Namyangju riverside café Waltz & Dr. Mahn

Waltz and Dr. Mahn is a large café with its own coffee museum on Bukhangang-ro in Jo-an-myeon, Namyangju, Gyeonggi. On a weekday afternoon I took a window seat looking out over the Bukhan River and ordered hand-drip coffee, a retro parfait topped with fruit and macarons, and a slice of cake. Between the red brick building, the wood-toned interior and the quiet classical music, Waltz and Dr. Mahn works well as a day trip combined with the nearby Mul-ui Jeongwon (Water Garden) and Dumulmeori.

Written Aug 12, 2026Sponsored
PlaceNamdong, IncheonRestaurants

Guwol-dong aged hanwoo set with spicy rice for two: Sip Sam Dae

Sip Sam Dae is an aged hanwoo (Korean beef) restaurant in Guwol-dong, Namdong-gu, Incheon. Visiting with a friend, the writer ordered the 450g Premium Set plus a large spicy udae sulbap (beef-rib rice) for 98,000 won, which brought 4–5 cuts including galbisal (boneless short rib), chimasal (flank), bucheotsal (top blade), tositsal (hanging tender) and anchangsal (skirt), all grilled at the table by staff. Between the juicy aged beef, the friendly service and the wide dining hall, Sip Sam Dae suits both a date and a group dinner.

Written Aug 18, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGwangju, GyeonggiCafés

Weekend drive to a mountain-view café in Gonjiam: La Cuesta

La Cuesta Gwangju is a mountain-view bakery café on Gyeongchung-daero in Gonjiam-eup, Gwangju, Gyeonggi. On a weekend drive I ordered fresh-baked bread and a signature drink at La Cuesta, took a second-floor window seat overlooking the forest, and walked the outdoor trail and picnic area. La Cuesta is a wide, unhurried café that slots easily into a Hwadam Botanic Garden day trip.

Written Aug 18, 2026Sponsored
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