A Table by the Gwangju Window — Yerin Cha

Yuxiang eggplant and tomato egg soup at a Paju Chinese pub

Sannaemaeul Yang Kkochi & Qingdao is a lamb skewer and Chinese pub in Unjeong, Paju, Gyeonggi, on the 2nd floor of World Tower 3. Over a couple's night out, Sannaemaeul Yang Kkochi & Qingdao served yang kkochi (lamb skewers) with yuxiang eggplant, tomato egg soup and a free bean sprout stir-fry the owner sent to every table, and the auto-rotating grill meant no one had to watch the meat mid-conversation. With a roomy free basement parking lot in the building, it is an easy pick for a drive-in date or group dinner in Unjeong.

Written Sep 13, 2026Sponsored

PlacePaju, GyeonggiCafés

Paju bakery café with cinnamon bread and pistachio strawberry: Barirus

Barirus is a large two-floor bakery café on Bongseosan-ro in Paju-eup, Paju, Gyeonggi. Pulled in by the building's grand exterior while out on a drive, the writer tried the cinnamon bread and croissants baked fresh every morning, the house-roasted americano and the seasonal signature pistachio strawberry drink, then looked around the teepee zone on the outdoor lawn terrace. The bread, the drinks and the mood at Barirus were all good enough to come back with parents.

Written Sep 13, 2026Sponsored

PlacePaju, GyeonggiCafés

Paju café for financiers and green tangerine ade: Pound Coffee

Pound Coffee Unjeong Main Branch is a café and dessert shop in Paju, Gyeonggi, near GTX Unjeong Jungang Station, where the baked goods are made fresh every morning. Pound Coffee's plain, chocolate and caramel financiers were crisp outside and moist inside without any dryness, and the signature green tangerine ade, made with the owner's homemade citrus preserve, was tart and sweet with no syrup. With a dog watering station at the entrance and dogs welcome inside, Pound Coffee is an easy stop on a walk.

Written Sep 14, 2026Sponsored