Mirror Table Guest · 54 stories

A Mirror Table on Gwangbok-ro

Writes about cafes, restaurants, and beauty shops she visits around Busan and Gyeongnam. · Writes about: Cafés · Restaurants · Hair & beauty salons · Shopping · Things to do

PlaceMapo, SeoulRestaurants

Early Thai dinner in Sinchon: som tam & coconut dessert at Fong Thai

Fong Thai Sinchon Main Branch is a Thai restaurant run by a Thai local near Exit 6 of Sinchon Station in Mapo, Seoul. The writer went for an early dinner and ordered pad thai kung (shrimp pad thai), kung pad pong curry (stir-fried shrimp in egg curry), beef rice noodle soup and som tam (green papaya salad), and got a coconut dessert through the receipt event. Fong Thai Sinchon Main Branch serves generous, good-value Thai food if you arrive early and beat the peak-hour full house.

Written Aug 1, 2026Sponsored
PlaceYongsan, SeoulHair & beauty salons

Hannam hair salon summer scalp scaling for dye residue: ONLY FOR YOU

ONLY FOR YOU Hannam Main Branch is a hair salon in Hannam-dong, Seoul, on the 3rd floor of 70 Dokseodang-ro, Yongsan, running a summer promotion called the "Scalp Revival Project" that sells a 3-session scalp clinic pass. The writer's scalp had become sensitive from frequent root dyeing and showed dye residue, oil and redness. After scaling and a cooling scalp pack from Senior Designer Bandal, the writer felt the heat settle and the pores come clean. If summer scalp heat and itching bother you, the ONLY FOR YOU Hannam Main Branch scalp clinic is worth considering.

Written Jul 30, 2026Sponsored
PlaceHaeundae, BusanCafés

Dog-friendly terrace brunch café in Haeundae with Hanwoo burger: Oira

Oira (오이라) is a dog-friendly terrace brunch café in Jwa-dong, Haeundae, Busan, with a gallery space and a wide outdoor terrace. The writer ordered the signature dishes, truffle oil pasta (17,500 won), the Oira Hanwoo open burger (19,500 won) and the plain soufflé (16,000 won), and the soufflé baked to order and the Hanwoo (Korean beef) patty burger stood out most. Oira suits Haeundae dog owners who want both good food and a pleasant atmosphere with their dog.

Written Oct 6, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGijang, BusanRestaurants

Gijang outlet Western restaurant: drumstick kung pao pilaf, Bueokgan

Bueokgan Restaurant is a European-style Western restaurant on the 1st floor of the NORTH building at Shinsegae Simon Premium Outlets in Gijang, Busan. On a weekend visit many dishes at Bueokgan were sold out, but the writer ordered a sweet-and-salty jambon (French ham) pizza topped with crushed pistachios and a kung pao chicken pilaf with a big chicken drumstick, a filling meal after a tiring round of shopping. If you want pizza and a rice dish together without leaving the outlet, Bueokgan is an easy choice.

Written Oct 5, 2026Sponsored
PlaceBusanjin, BusanRestaurants

Seomyeon brunch restaurant with Bismarck focaccia: Odd Bird Oliver

Odd Bird Oliver is a brunch and Western restaurant near Jeonpo Station in Busanjin-gu, Busan, within the Seomyeon area, and it builds its sandwiches on focaccia baked fresh every day. The writer ordered a ricotta caprese salad, a Bismarck focaccia sandwich and an iced rooibos vanilla tea; the tomato salad dressed with scallion oil was bright and light, and the Bismarck sandwich with house-made jambon, poached egg and truffle oil was enough for a full meal. Odd Bird Oliver is worth a return visit for an unhurried Seomyeon brunch with a cup of tea.

Written Oct 4, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSuyeong, BusanRestaurants

Hanwoo BBQ near Geumnyeonsan Station, salt-dipped striploin: Yong Hanu

Yong Hanu Namcheon Branch (용한우 남천점) is a hanwoo (Korean beef) grill restaurant in Namcheon-dong, Suyeong-gu, Busan, close to Gwangalli Beach and Geumnyeonsan Station. The writer ordered the signature top-grade striploin and a hanwoo galbi-sal (rib meat) platter, grilled by staff and dipped in salt and wasabi, and also got a free hanwoo doenjang (soybean paste) stew and hanwoo yukhoe (beef tartare) for leaving a receipt review. With partitioned seating and staff grilling, Yong Hanu Namcheon Branch is an easy place to enjoy hanwoo on a date or a family meal out.

Written Oct 1, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSuyeong, BusanCafés

Gwangalli brunch café with a yogurt bowl and Egg in Hell: Famous Benny

Famous Benny Gwangalli Branch is an Australian-style brunch café tucked into an alley in Millak-dong, Suyeong-gu, Busan, open daily from 8am and brewing Dukes coffee beans. On this visit the order was a yogurt bowl, Egg in Hell, avocado toast and an Americano; the Egg in Hell at Famous Benny was rich and filling, and the avocado toast was piled with enough avocado to make a full meal. With a bright, sunlit second floor, Famous Benny Gwangalli Branch is a great pick for a morning meetup or brunch before a walk along Gwangalli.

Written Sep 28, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSuyeong, BusanCafés

Gwangalli drone show café for family pizza: Working Holiday Millak

Working Holiday Millak is a brunch café on the 7th floor of the Bada Maru building on Millak Subyeon-ro in Suyeong-gu, Busan, with a panoramic view of Gwangan Bridge. On an early-evening family get-together at Working Holiday Millak, we ate a margherita and a pistachio cream jambon pizza made with 72-hour biga-fermented dough, then watched the sky turn to sunset as the meal wound down. If you want a prime seat for the Gwangalli fireworks or drone show, Working Holiday Millak is the answer.

Written Aug 10, 2026Sponsored
PlaceHaeundae, BusanRestaurants

Songjeong, Busan Japanese restaurant: kombu vinegar mazesoba, Yuok

Yuok is an Osaka-style eel bowl and mazesoba restaurant on Songjeong-ganbyeon-ro in Haeundae-gu, Busan. After a walk along Songjeong Beach, the writer ordered Yuok's signature eel bowl, mazesoba and a side of karaage (Japanese fried chicken), pouring kombu vinegar over the mazesoba halfway through for a tangy second flavour. With garden views and a calm, tidy dining room, Yuok works equally well for solo meals, family dinners and hosting guests.

Written Aug 13, 2026Sponsored
PlaceHaeundae, BusanRestaurants

Family gathering with free parking at Haeundae Chinese: Bueokgan

Bueokgan Chinese Haeundae Branch is a Chinese restaurant on the first floor of a standalone building on Dalmaji-gil in Haeundae, Busan. Visiting for a family gathering, the writer ordered poached-egg pork belly ganjjajang (noodles with black bean sauce), black vinegar tenderloin tangsuyuk (sweet and sour pork), mapo tofu rice bowl and eggplant fritters, in a hall dressed with George Nelson bubble lamps and European furniture that felt like a hotel dining room. With free parking and mild, un-fiery seasoning, Bueokgan Chinese suits family meals out with children.

Written Aug 11, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGijang, BusanCafés

Ciabatta flavors and fall breads at Gijang bakery café Mandali To Go

Mandali To Go Ilgwang Branch is a brunch and bakery café near Ilgwang Beach in Gijang, Busan. This visit packed one of every ciabatta at Mandali To Go — whole wheat levain nurungji (scorched rice), olive, tomato basil, spinach potato cranberry, a 100% whole wheat campagne, and the new fall sweet potato cream cheese and honeyed chestnut ciabatta. Both floors fill up at peak hours, so come slightly off-peak if you want a seat instead of takeout.

Written Aug 18, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGyeongju, GyeongbukCafés

Chuseok souvenir walnut pastries and americano in Gyeongju: Buja Hodu

Buja Hodu is a takeout-only walnut pastry (hodu-gwaja) shop on Hwangnidan-gil in Gyeongju, Gyeongbuk, where the pastries are made with 100% rice dough. For a Chuseok holiday gift, I bought the 24-piece mix — 12 red bean, 6 pea cream cheese and 6 matcha, priced at 27,000 won per six-piece set — and ate a few with a low-acidity americano at the outdoor tables. Whole walnuts inside and gift-ready boxes make Buja Hodu an easy Gyeongju souvenir.

Written Sep 26, 2026Sponsored