Shared Spoon Pal · 28 stories

The Shared Spoon

I write about restaurants I visit around Gyeonggi. · Writes about: Restaurants · Bars · Cafés · Things to do · Hair & beauty salons · Shopping

PlacePaju, GyeonggiRestaurants

Paju Chinese restaurant after Simhaksan trail: booth seats & jjamppong

Dolpanseok Jjamppong Paju Simhaksan Branch (돌판석짬뽕 파주심학산점) is a stone-plate jjamppong (spicy seafood noodle soup) Chinese restaurant on Dolgoji-gil in Paju, Gyeonggi. After a weekend walk on the Simhaksan trail with a child, the writer ate a medium level-1 (Shin Ramyun-spicy) stone jjamppong, a donchitang set and shrimp fried rice in a high-partition booth, and checked out the self-bar with pa-kimchi (green onion kimchi) and free unlimited rice, the baby food microwave and the dessert corner. Dolpanseok Jjamppong Paju Simhaksan Branch is a solid pick for a family meal with kids or before or after shopping at Lotte Premium Outlets Paju.

Written Oct 20, 2026Sponsored
PlacePaju, GyeonggiCafés

Paju juice café with kids: 1+1 mango and pineapple juice, Fruit Forest

Fruit Forest Paju Direct Store (과일의숲 파주직영점) is a café on Dolgoji-gil in Paju, Gyeonggi, near Simhaksan, serving 100% fresh-fruit drinks and bingsu (Korean shaved-ice dessert). On a weekend visit with the kids, the writer tried 4 mango and pineapple juices through a 1+1 deal, had Basque cheesecake on the outdoor terrace, and bought bungeoppang (fish-shaped pastry) in the parking lot on the way home. With thick real-fruit juice and plenty of space, Fruit Forest Paju Direct Store is a satisfying weekend drive stop with kids.

Written Oct 17, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSokcho, GangwonRestaurants

Sokcho gamjatang spot: takeout to cook at your pension, Gwandongjip

Gwandongjip (관동집) is a gamjatang (pork bone stew) and bone hangover soup restaurant on Seonsa-ro 2-gil in Sokcho, Gangwon, where a son carries on the recipe his parents began in 2005 at Jeopalgye Gamjatang in Hwacheon. On a family trip to Sokcho, the writer took out Gwandongjip's uncooked medium gamjatang for 3 and boiled it at the pension; it came with 4 side dishes plus sujebi (hand-torn dough) and glass noodle add-ons, and the pork spine meat fell off at a touch of chopsticks. For families in Sokcho who want an easy dinner or late-night meal at their lodging, Gwandongjip's gamjatang takeout is a satisfying choice.

Written Oct 14, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSokcho, GangwonCafés

Sokcho bakery café: not-too-sweet kids' potato bread, Bultan Gamja

Sokcho Bultan Gamja Bread Main Store (속초불탄감자빵 본점) is a bakery café on Haksapyeong-gil in Sokcho, Gangwon, known for its black potato bread. On a Sokcho trip with the kids, the writer took Bultan potato bread and squid jjondeugi (chewy squid snack) home and reheated them: the not-too-sweet potato bread made a good kids' snack, and the chewy squid jjondeugi suited the adults. For families looking for snacks to take home from Sokcho, Sokcho Bultan Gamja Bread Main Store is worth a stop.

Written Oct 13, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSokcho, GangwonRestaurants

Sokcho noodle restaurant for families: ₩17,000 potato pancake, Topgol

Sokcho Topgol Makguksu Main Branch (속초탑골막국수 본점) is a buckwheat noodle restaurant on Haeoreum-ro 188beon-gil in Sokcho, Gangwon, known for black buckwheat noodles made with squid ink and reishi mushroom and for deulmemak, its perilla oil makguksu (buckwheat noodles). On a family trip with a child, we shared four dishes at Sokcho Topgol Makguksu: a double portion of buckwheat makguksu, deulmemak, a pizza-pan-sized potato pancake for 17,000 won and a kids' set with jajang rice (rice in black bean sauce). With baby chairs and a kids' menu, Sokcho Topgol Makguksu is a good choice for a family meal with children in Sokcho.

Written Oct 12, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSokcho, GangwonRestaurants

Sokcho market deodeok chicken, plain pieces for kids: Seomin Gapbu

Seomin Gapbu Sijang Dakjip (속초시장닭강정) is a dakgangjeong (sweet, crispy glazed fried chicken) shop inside Sokcho Jungang Market in Sokcho, Gangwon, with its main shop at stall 4 and a second shop nearby at stall 24. The writer took out deodeok dakgangjeong (glazed fried chicken with a bitter mountain root) for the parents from the second shop, and because the couple's child can't eat spicy food, the owner set aside plain fried pieces before saucing so the whole family could eat together at their pension. With bitter deodeok, crunchy chicken and a thoughtful owner, Seomin Gapbu Sijang Dakjip is worth recommending to families traveling to Sokcho with kids.

Written Oct 11, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSokcho, GangwonShopping

Sokcho snack shop: after-class pumpkin chips, Sokcho Yetgokgan

Sokcho Yetgokgan (속초옛곳간) is a traditional snack shop in Sokcho Jungang Market, Gangwon, that makes its treats with jocheong (Korean grain syrup) instead of corn syrup or sugar. The writer stopped by while browsing the market with her child, sampled the roasted sweet pumpkin chips and bought a bag; at home the child reached for the pumpkin chips first, and the zip-bag packaging kept leftovers crisp. Verdict: Sokcho Yetgokgan's pumpkin chips worked both as an after-class snack for the child and with adult tea time, the bag is nearly gone, and a reorder by nationwide delivery is planned.

Written Oct 11, 2026Sponsored
PlaceUijeongbu, GyeonggiThings to do

Uijeongbu Station ring workshop date: Maris silver rings at Ring Plus

Ring Plus Uijeongbu Branch (반지더하기 의정부점) is a private-room ring workshop on the 5th floor of the McDonald's building at Uijeongbu Station in Gyeonggi. A married couple raising kids, whose wedding rings no longer fit, left the children with someone for a while and made Maris-design silver rings for each other; thanks to the teacher's one-on-one guidance, even a self-confessed clumsy maker finished without trouble. For couples who want to feel that newlywed excitement again, a date at Ring Plus Uijeongbu Branch is well worth it.

Written Oct 5, 2026Sponsored
PlaceNowon, SeoulRestaurants

Nowon sushi buffet after work: playroom and cream waffles, Kuu Kuu

Kuu Kuu Nowon Branch (쿠우쿠우 노원점) is a sushi buffet on the 6th floor of 247 Nowon-ro, Nowon-gu, Seoul, with a playroom for children under 7 and a private room for small events. After a tiring weekday, the blogger went to Kuu Kuu Nowon Branch for dinner (₩31,900 per adult) with her husband, who had just finished work, and their child. The family ate raw salmon sashimi, lamb chops and made-to-order fresh cream waffles, and got free draft beer through a Naver review event. Kuu Kuu Nowon Branch is an easy, filling spot for family meals in Nowon with kids.

Written Oct 5, 2026Sponsored
PlaceUijeongbu, GyeonggiRestaurants

Dust-proof dakgangjeong shop in Uijeongbu Jeil Market: Dalgom's

Dalgom's (달곰's) is a dakgangjeong (sweet crispy fried chicken) shop inside Jeil Market in Uijeongbu, Gyeonggi, that keeps its door closed to block market dust and fries its chicken with a robot called TuliBot. A mom blogger took home the sweet, soy and plain fried flavors to share with her kids: her son, a soy-chicken fan, gave the soy dakgangjeong a thumbs up, and the plain fried one had no spice, so the kids ate it happily. Prices start at ₩9,000 for a half chicken. If you want market dakgangjeong whose cleanliness you can check with your own eyes and feed to your kids without worry, Dalgom's is the answer.

Written Oct 4, 2026Sponsored
PlaceYangju, GyeonggiHair & beauty salons

Root-lifted bob straightening at Yangju hair salon Hair Design Whur

Hair Design Whur Ok-jeong Branch (헤어디자인후르 옥정점) is an appointment-based hair salon in Okjeong-dong, Yangju, Gyeonggi, right in front of Okjeong Lake Park. After a consultation with designer Haneul, a busy mom's frizzy, unstyled bob got straightening with the roots lifted so they wouldn't lie flat, plus a step-by-step clinic treatment. Verdict: Hair Design Whur gave honest advice with no pushy upselling, and the bob now turns out glossy with just a quick towel-shake and blow-dry.

Written Oct 3, 2026Sponsored
PlaceUijeongbu, GyeonggiRestaurants

Uijeongbu sundaeguk restaurant for a morning date: Yetnal Gyeongseong

Yetnal Gyeongseong Sundaeguk Nogyang Branch (옛날경성순대국 녹양점) is a newly opened sundaeguk (Korean blood sausage soup) restaurant on Dongil-ro in Uijeongbu, Gyeonggi. On a morning date with her husband, the writer ordered the pyeonyuk (sliced boiled pork) set and the spicy pyeonyuk set, and the spicy sundaeguk was one of the fieriest she has ever had, so she finished every drop of broth. Yetnal Gyeongseong Sundaeguk Nogyang Branch suits Uijeongbu couples who want a spicy morning bowl of gukbap to settle the stomach.

Written Oct 3, 2026Sponsored