Stool and Shopping · 6 stories

Tall Stool, Seoul-Gyeonggi Bars, Restaurants and Shopping

Writes about bars, restaurants, and shopping spots across Seoul and Gyeonggi. · Writes about: Bars · Restaurants · Shopping

PlaceJongno, SeoulThings to do

Hyehwa custom phone case shop: baby photo couple cases at Casedby

Casedby Hyehwa (케이스드바이 혜화) is an unmanned custom phone case shop near Exit 4 of Hyehwa Station in Jongno, Seoul, open every day of the year. After seeing a play in Daehangno with her husband, the writer scanned a QR code at Casedby Hyehwa and made matching couple cases with their baby's photo and a GPT-made baby emoji in about 3 minutes, and was pleased with the sharp print and matte grip. Casedby Hyehwa is a unique thing to do in Seoul for a keepsake after a Hyehwa theater date.

Written Jun 7, 2026Sponsored
PlaceJongno, SeoulRestaurants

Hyehwa Taiwanese noodle shop, solo dining at bar seats: Cheonghwawon

Cheonghwawon Daehangno Branch (청화원 대학로점) is a Taiwanese beef noodle and dim sum restaurant in Hyehwa, Jongno, Seoul, a 2-minute walk from Hyehwa Station Exit 4. Before a weekend play, the writer ate knife-cut beef noodles (10,500 won), crystal dumplings (9,500 won) and guobaorou (crispy sweet-and-sour pork, 17,000 won), and found the bar tables and 2-seat tables across the 1st and 2nd floors easy for dining solo. Cheonghwawon Daehangno Branch is a convenient, solo-friendly Daehangno meal spot with good knife-cut noodles.

Written Jun 12, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSeongbuk, SeoulRestaurants

Bomun Station pho counter: tendon pho with scallop jjajo at Mibundang

Mibundang Sungshin Women's University Branch (미분당 성신여대점) is a pho restaurant in Seongbuk, Seoul, tucked in an alley between Sungshin Women's Univ. Station and Bomun Station, where diners eat quietly at counter seats wrapped around the kitchen. After prepaying at the kiosk outside, the writer had the brisket, flank and tendon pho (₩13,000) and a scallop jjajo (fried spring roll, ₩3,000), and the clear, deep broth, chewy tendon and crackly jjajo stood out. Mibundang Sungshin Women's University Branch is a good choice for a solo meal or a neat bowl of pho for two.

Written Jun 12, 2026Sponsored
PlaceJung-gu, SeoulRestaurants

Jung-gu donburi restaurant: salmon bowl and pork jowl set at Haekbap

Haekbap Dongguk (핵밥 동국대본점) is a Japanese-style donburi (rice bowl), ramen and soba restaurant in Jung-gu, Seoul, a 4-minute walk from Exit 1 of Chungmuro Station. On a weekend visit, the salmon bowl (15,900 won) and the pork jowl donburi set (14,900 won) both satisfied, with thick-cut salmon, pork jowl crisp outside and juicy inside, and a set that adds mini udon and karaage. Haekbap Dongguk is a Chungmuro rice bowl spot worth recommending for a hearty solo meal or a meal with friends.

Written Jul 12, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGangnam, SeoulRestaurants

Date restaurant in Apgujeong Rodeo: red shrimp risotto at Pepite

Pepite is a Japanese-French Western restaurant on Dosan-daero 85-gil, an alley between Apgujeong Rodeo and Cheongdam in Gangnam, Seoul. On a Gangnam date, the writer ordered Pepite's red shrimp risotto (26,000 won) and white ragu pasta (30,000 won) and was happy with both the softly lit, cozy room and the quality of the cooking. Verdict: Pepite is a recommended Apgujeong Rodeo date dinner spot for couples who want atmosphere and flavor in equal measure.

Written Jul 21, 2026Sponsored
PlaceJung-gu, SeoulBars

Euljiro 3-ga date bar for eggplant, pizza and highballs: Hey Jinny

Hey Jinny (을지로 헤이지니) is a gastropub on the second floor of a building near Euljiro 3-ga Station Exit 10 in Jung-gu, Seoul. The writer paired Sancho Kick! Crispy Yuxiang Eggplant (18,000 won) and Cheese Waterfall Classic Tomato Pizza (19,000 won) with a mojito highball and a watermelon bar highball, and found that the highballs cut through the oily richness for a great combination. Hey Jinny is a good fit for anyone looking for a date bar in Euljiro that isn't noisy.

Written Jul 22, 2026Sponsored
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