Bench Lunch Regular · 59 stories

Lunch by the Bench

I write about restaurant meals I come across in Gyeonggi. · Writes about: Restaurants · Hair & beauty salons · Cafés · Bars · Things to do

PlaceHwaseong, GyeonggiRestaurants

Dongtan seafood restaurant with a private group room: Susanjang

Susanjang Dongtan (수산장 동탄점) is a seafood and Japanese-style restaurant in the main dining district of Dongtan North Plaza in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi, with a private group room at the back. The writer ordered the extra-large spicy seafood stew and the cheese-loaded sirloin katsu, and used Susanjang Dongtan's unlimited self-serve bar of fried shrimp, fried squid and cold buckwheat noodles. With a generous seafood stew and that self-serve bar, Susanjang Dongtan is a place the writer plans to revisit for work dinners and family gatherings.

Written Oct 24, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSuwon, GyeonggiHair & beauty salons

Mangpo hair salon in Suwon: root dye and tassel cut at Hwasa Hair Room

Hwasa Hair Room (화사헤어룸) Mangpo Station branch is a hair salon near Mangpo Station in Yeongtong-gu, Suwon. At Hwasa Hair Room, the writer had a root touch-up that matched the existing hair color with no visible line, followed by tassel cut styling. Verdict: a photogenic interior, a relaxing shampoo room and careful consultation made Hwasa Hair Room a satisfying visit.

Written Jun 13, 2026Sponsored
PlaceYongin, GyeonggiRestaurants

Giheung Station kalguksu spot: minari dipped in wasabi soy, Deungchon

Deungchon Shabu Kalguksu Giheung Station Branch (등촌샤브칼국수 기흥역점) is a mushroom kalguksu (knife-cut noodle soup) restaurant on basement level 2 of ICT Valley near Giheung Station in Yongin, Gyeonggi. The signature spicy mushroom kalguksu came as a course: minari (Korean water parsley), oyster mushrooms and potato dipped in wasabi soy sauce, then kalguksu noodles, then egg fried rice stir-fried in the kitchen. With easy parking and a spacious, clean dining room, Deungchon Shabu Kalguksu Giheung Station Branch is a can't-miss choice for a spicy noodle soup meal.

Written Jun 16, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSuwon, GyeonggiBars

Suwon Station room bar with spicy braised pork ribs: Manseokjip

Manseokjip Suwon Station Branch (만석집 수원역점) is a private-room pub on the 2nd and 3rd floors near Rodeo Street by Suwon Station in Suwon. Catching up with a friend she hadn't seen in a while, the writer shared spicy braised pork ribs served in a yangpun (large metal bowl), flying fish roe mayo rice balls and meoktae (dried pollack) with non-alcoholic beer at Manseokjip. Verdict: Manseokjip Suwon Station Branch suits a Suwon Station meetup where you want hearty bar food and a quiet room to focus on conversation.

Written Oct 17, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSuwon, GyeonggiRestaurants

Suwon dining pub date with pastry pizza and 1+1 beer: Barefoot

Barefoot Gwanggyo is a dining pub with an exotic feel on Gwanggyohosugongwon-ro in Yeongtong-gu, Suwon. On a weekend evening at Barefoot Gwanggyo, the writer ordered basil salad pasta, a mushroom teriyaki pastry pizza and a grapefruit non-alcoholic highball, and also used a buy-one-get-one (1+1) beer deal that happened to be running. The verdict: the pastry-crust pizza is the standout, making Barefoot Gwanggyo a great pick for a Gwanggyo date or a night out with friends.

Written Jun 24, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSuwon, GyeonggiRestaurants

Ingye-dong chicken set meals, salt steak & cutlet burgers: Gyewondang

Gyewondang Ingye Branch is a Korean restaurant in Ingye-dong, Suwon, that specializes in chicken set meals. On a weekend visit, the writer had the fire-grilled salt steak set with brown rice and the 1.5-serving Gyewon chicken cutlet set swapped to hot dog buns. The light salt steak with seasoned bean sprouts and the mini chicken burgers made with the free yangnyeom (sweet-spicy) chicken sauce were the standouts. For a light but filling set meal, the fire-grilled salt steak set at Gyewondang Ingye Branch is a good fit.

Written Jul 9, 2026Sponsored
PlaceYongin, GyeonggiRestaurants

Sangha-dong, Yongin grilled fish: couple's weekend 5-fish set, Guigo

Guigo (구이고) is a wood-fired grilled fish restaurant on a main road in Sangha-dong, Giheung-gu, Yongin, Gyeonggi. On a weekend, the writer and her husband ordered Guigo's signature set for two, an assorted grilled fish platter with sotbap (rice cooked in a stone pot), and got cutlassfish, yellow croaker, flatfish, rockfish and mackerel, crisp outside and moist inside, followed by nurungji sungnyung (scorched-rice tea). With a large parking lot, a clean dining room and friendly service, Guigo is also a good choice for a family meal with parents.

Written Jul 8, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSuwon, GyeonggiBars

Gwonseon-dong pub in Suwon: jjapaghetti, fried dumplings at Munpocha

Munpocha (문포차) is a Korean pub (pocha) on Seji-ro in Gwonseon-gu, Suwon, with a local reputation in Gwonseon-dong for its anju (drinking food). After work, the writer and friends ordered spicy braised short ribs, jjapaghetti (black bean instant noodles) with a fried egg, and fried dumplings with spicy mixed vegetables. Munpocha added a free bindaetteok (mung bean pancake) and offered friendly service and a cozy atmosphere. For a relaxed drink with plenty of anju in Gwonseon-dong, Munpocha is a good fit.

Written Jul 18, 2026Sponsored
PlaceJeonju, JeonbukHair & beauty salons

Jeonju couples massage after a 3-hour drive: Jin Thai Therapy

Jin Thai Therapy Massage Jeonju Branch is a massage shop on Hongsannam-ro in Jeonju's Sinsigaji (new downtown) area, known for its couples massage. After nearly 3 hours of driving, the writer made Jin Thai Therapy the first stop of the Jeonju trip and booked the 60-minute couples massage, which opens with a foot bath and tea time; stiff shoulders and neck felt much lighter afterward. Verdict: a good fit for couples who want to shake off a long drive before exploring Jeonju.

Written Jul 20, 2026Sponsored
PlaceHwaseong, GyeonggiBars

Dongtan pub with non-alcoholic beer and pork bossam: Jusangnakwon

Jusangnakwon (주상낙원) Dongtan North Plaza is a Korean pub serving food at Dongtan North Plaza (Bukgwangjang) in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi. The writer had gabrisal suyuk bossam (boiled pork shoulder cap wraps) and crispy shrimp minari jeon (water dropwort pancake) with non-alcoholic beer, and liked the tender pork with no gamey smell, the crunchy jeon and the spacious, clean dining room. Verdict: Jusangnakwon is a good Dongtan North Plaza pub for enjoying a night-out mood without drinking alcohol.

Written Oct 9, 2026Sponsored
PlaceJeonju, JeonbukRestaurants

Jeonju snack stall with mild octopus gangjeong, icy sikhye: Munkkocchi

Munkkocchi Mungangjeong Jeonju Hanok Village Branch is a street snack stall selling octopus gangjeong (crispy glazed fried octopus bites) and octopus skewers in the middle of the main street of Jeonju Hanok Village. The order was the signature mild mungangjeong with a strawberry slushy and icy homemade sikhye (sweet rice drink); the line was long but moved quickly, and the octopus was crispy without being chewy. For a non-spicy snack and a cold drink in Jeonju Hanok Village, Munkkocchi Mungangjeong is a good choice.

Written Jul 22, 2026Sponsored
PlaceJeonju, JeonbukRestaurants

Korean BBQ in Jeonju Sinsigaji for a trip's first meal: Mongyudo

Mongyudo Sinsigaji Branch is a Korean BBQ restaurant in the busy Sinsigaji downtown area of Jeonju, Jeonbuk, where staff grill the meat over charcoal for you. For the first meal of a Jeonju trip, the writer and a partner ordered the Mongyudo set for two with doenjang sulbap (soybean paste soup with rice), then added steamed egg and sotpan fried rice (rice fried on a hot iron plate), and were happy with the clean dining room, the grilling service and the meat. Mongyudo Sinsigaji Branch is a good pick for an easy, filling first meal in Jeonju.

Written Jul 21, 2026Sponsored