Second Drawer, Seoul-Busan Rounds — Two City Drawer

Gyodae Station poke shop: half-rice, half-salad steak bowl, Olla Poke

Olla Poke Seocho Gyodae Branch (올라포케 서초교대점) is a poke and salad restaurant on basement level 1 between Seocho Station and Gyodae Station in Seocho, Seoul. On a solo weekday-afternoon visit, the writer had a steak poke (half rice, half salad, with wasabi mayo sauce) and a side of Buldak octopus kkakdugi (spicy octopus side), plus a free americano from the self-serve bar. With generous portions and a clean dining room, Olla Poke Seocho Gyodae Branch is a good pick for a salad lunch or a solo meal near Gyodae Station.

Written Jul 6, 2026Sponsored

PlaceSeocho, SeoulCafés

Café near Yangjae Flower Market: Helsinki latte & egg tart, Mini Male

Mini Male Coffee Roaster Juam Branch is a specialty coffee and bakery café next to a children's park in Yangjae-dong (on the Juam-dong side), Seocho, Seoul. After browsing the Yangjae Flower Market, the writer stopped in on a weekday afternoon for the signature Helsinki latte, butter babka, egg tart, pain au cream and a scone, both to eat in and to take away. The nutty, deep-tasting Helsinki latte and the Portuguese-style egg tart are what make Mini Male Juam memorable.

Written Jul 30, 2026Sponsored

PlaceMapo, SeoulRestaurants

Mapo brunch café after a shady summer walk: tofu seafood risotto, HEOD

HEOD Gongdeok (also known as HEOD Mapo) is a Korean-Western fusion brunch café beside Gyeongui Line Forest Park, between Daeheung Station and Seogangdae Station in Mapo, Seoul. On a hot summer day, after a walk under the park's thick tree shade, the writer ordered the soft tofu seafood risotto and a rich orange juice; the strong tomato flavour and generous seafood stood out, and the spice is gentle enough for people who can't handle heat. HEOD Gongdeok is an easy Gongdeok brunch stop to pair with a walk.

Written Aug 2, 2026Sponsored