Dim Seat Dweller · 15 stories

Dim Counter, Seoul and Busan/Gyeongnam Bars and Restaurants

Writes about neighborhood restaurants and bars in Seoul and Busan/Gyeongnam, favoring the ones near closing time. · Writes about: Restaurants · Bars · Cafés

PlaceGyeongju, GyeongbukCafés

Gyeongju mochi shop: jumbo cream mochi trio with wine, Tareudang

Tareudang is a handmade, tart-based dessert shop on Hwangridan-gil in Gyeongju, known for jumbo cream mochi and a steady waiting line. After the morning sell-out, the writer bought three Tareudang jumbo cream mochi (blueberry yogurt, gold kiwi and pineapple) at the 4 PM second batch; his wife picked blueberry yogurt, and he picked pineapple. Verdict: with handmade cream and well-ripened fresh fruit, Tareudang's jumbo cream mochi is worth the money and pairs well with coffee or wine.

Written Oct 25, 2026Sponsored
PlaceDongnae, BusanRestaurants

Korean BBQ after the Dongnae Eupseong Festival in Busan: Yukmildo

Yukmildo Dongnae Direct Branch (육밀도 동래직영점) is an aged-pork Korean BBQ restaurant on Chungnyeol-daero in Dongnae, Busan, right next to Daedong Academy. After a weekend visit to the Dongnae Eupseong festival, the writer ordered 2 servings of aged whole pork belly (₩28,000), 1 serving of aged fresh pork neck (₩14,000), stone-pot kimchi stew and steamed egg. Staff grilled the meat over charcoal in an upscale space with rooms for 4 to 10 people, making Yukmildo Dongnae Direct Branch a room-equipped BBQ spot worth recommending for family meals, gatherings and company dinners in Dongnae.

Written Oct 21, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSuyeong, BusanRestaurants

Gwangalli sashimi bar: sole sushi & best abalone porridge, Gwanganda

Gwanganda Jjji Gwangalli Main Branch is a Tongyeong-style dachi (set seafood spread) sashimi restaurant on the 6th floor of Sanbada Hoe Town, next to Gwangalli Waterfront Park in Millak-dong, Suyeong, Busan. For ₩55,000 per person, the dachi spread came as a course with a Gwangan Bridge ocean view: flounder, sea bream and sole sashimi, steamed, marinated, grilled and fried dishes, then crab stew and abalone porridge. The abalone porridge at Gwanganda Jjji remains the best the writer has ever had.

Written Oct 20, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGangdong, SeoulRestaurants

Cheonho Station pub, ₩45,000 baby octopus & soju for 2: Jjuksami

Jjuksami Cheonho Main Branch (쭉삼이 천호본점) is a griddle-cooked baby octopus (jjukkumi) restaurant in the Seongnae-dong baby octopus alley in Gangdong, Seoul, open since 2006. Visiting from outside Seoul in the early evening, the writer ordered baby octopus with shrimp for 2, a Rich Gold cheese plate, flying fish roe fried rice and two bottles of soju for ₩45,000 in total. With free corn cheese refills, mayo dipping sauce and fried rice that staff cook with butter at the table, Jjuksami Cheonho Main Branch is a good Cheonho Station pub for drinks with friends.

Written Jun 10, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGangdong, SeoulRestaurants

2nd-round charcoal chicken galbi in Cheonho, fried gizzards: Ondogye

Ondogye (온도계) is a charcoal-grilled chicken galbi restaurant on Cheonho's Jjukkumi (webfoot octopus) Alley in Gangdong, Seoul. A Busan blogger visiting Seoul stopped at Ondogye for a second round and had garlic-salt and soy-marinated chicken galbi (270g for ₩17,000 each), grilled by the staff and paired with soju-beer and free fried chicken gizzards. With tender chicken, a gentle charcoal aroma, generous portions and fair prices, Ondogye is a solid second-round spot near Cheonho Station.

Written Jun 11, 2026Sponsored
PlaceHaeundae, BusanRestaurants

Black-concept tonkatsu in Songjeong, Busan: fish cutlet soba set, Hana

Hana Donkatsu Songjeong Beach Branch (하나돈까스 송정해수욕장점) is a black-concept tonkatsu (breaded pork cutlet) restaurant on a back street behind Songjeong Beach in Haeundae, Busan. With a child in tow, the writer ordered a fish cutlet soba set (15,000 won), a tenderloin cutlet soba set (15,000 won), a croquette and a Terra draft beer, and found that baby chairs and kids' tableware made the family meal easy. Hana Donkatsu Songjeong Beach Branch delivers on both atmosphere and taste, with the fish cutlet and the summer cold soba as top picks.

Written Jun 26, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSuyeong, BusanRestaurants

Millak-dong Korean BBQ: scored pork belly, scallion salad at Donbegi

Donbegi Gwangan Branch (돈베기 광안점) is a two-story Korean BBQ restaurant in Millak-dong, Suyeong, Busan, tucked in the alley behind Sealand Raw Fish Center near Gwangalli Beach, where staff grill 480-hour aged pork at your table. We ordered 2 servings of knife-scored pork belly (33,600 won), 1 serving of pork neck (16,800 won) and doenjang stew (5,500 won); the pork neck, served about 80% cooked, was as tender as beef, and the pork belly was crisp outside, juicy inside and rich with charcoal smoke. Donbegi Gwangan Branch is an easy pick for aged pork in Gwangalli, whether for a date, a family dinner or a work get-together.

Written Jun 22, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGeumjeong, BusanRestaurants

Busan sushi and drinks near PNU: 10 fried shrimp, Moshi Moshi

Moshi Moshi PNU Branch is a sushi and traditional Japanese restaurant in Geumjeong, Busan, on the busy street across from NC Department Store near Pusan National University, where it has been open for more than 15 years. Set 4 (18 pieces of sushi, fried shrimp and seafood yaki udon, 64,000 won) came with 10 fried shrimp and a sizzling stone-plate seafood yaki udon that was perfect with drinks. Moshi Moshi PNU Branch is a strong recommendation for traditional-style sushi at an easygoing price.

Written Oct 11, 2026Sponsored
PlaceHaeundae, BusanRestaurants

Haeundae weekend date restaurant: real sweet potato fries, Bueokgan

Bueokgan Haeundae Branch (부엌간 해운대점) is a Western restaurant on Dalmaji-gil in Haeundae, Busan, styled after an English vintage hotel. On a weekend date, the writer and his wife ordered shrimp rosé pasta (20,000 won), abalone cream risotto (20,000 won) and sweet potato fries (8,000 won); the fries made from real sweet potatoes and the risotto with finely chopped abalone stood out most. With moderate prices for such an elegant setting, Bueokgan Haeundae Branch is an easy pick for a Haeundae date.

Written Jul 11, 2026Sponsored
PlaceDongnae, BusanRestaurants

Dongnae BBQ with honeycomb pork skin, truffle mayo: Sanseong Meat Shop

Sanseong Meat Shop Dongnae Main Branch (산성식육점 동래본점) is a Korean BBQ restaurant on Myeongnyun-ro in Dongnae, Busan, where staff grill nuruk-aged pork neck and pork belly over charcoal for you. Arriving early in the evening, the writer ordered 2 servings of nuruk pork neck (28,000 won), 1 serving of nuruk pork belly (14,000 won), buckwheat pot rice, honeycomb pork skin and Suntory mini highballs, and enjoyed the mild, tender meat, sides like the truffle oil scallion mayo, and the staff moving the grilled meat onto a mini brazier. Sanseong Meat Shop is a Dongnae BBQ spot that suits team dinners, dates and family meals with kids alike.

Written Jul 16, 2026Sponsored
PlaceDongnae, BusanRestaurants

Dongnae charcoal BBQ: ₩54,000 pork set for two, Sanseong Meat Shop

Sanseong Meat Shop Dongnae Main Branch is a charcoal-grill Korean BBQ restaurant with private rooms on Myeongnyun-ro in Dongnae, Busan, serving nuruk (rice-yeast) aged pork. The writer ordered the ₩54,000 pork set for two (pork neck, pork belly and gabrisal, a pork shoulder cap cut), adding ₩6,000 pork skin and buckwheat pot rice, and enjoyed the free beef and radish soup, green onion truffle mayo side dish and an egg roll cooked in the meat fat. Sanseong Meat Shop is a Dongnae BBQ spot for group and work dinners where everything from the side dishes to the staff grilling makes you feel well looked after.

Written Oct 10, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSuyeong, BusanCafés

Weekend Gwangalli brunch café: banana bacon French toast, Famous Benny

Famous Benny (Gwangalli Branch) is an Australian-style brunch café in Millak-dong, Suyeong, Busan, tucked into an alley behind Millak Sea Land. On a weekend visit around 10am with a child, the writer ordered The Famous Benny, a croissant eggs Benedict topped with salmon (18,000 won), French toast with grilled banana, bacon and blueberry compote (17,000 won) and lattes. Staff carried everything up to the second floor, and the specialty coffee stood out. Famous Benny is a solid weekend brunch pick for anyone who wants both fresh ingredients and good coffee.

Written Oct 9, 2026Sponsored