Cup and Plate Wanderer · 40 stories

Cup & Plate by the Harbor

Writes about restaurants and cafés visited around Busan and Gyeongnam. · Writes about: Restaurants · Cafés · Bars · Things to do · Hair & beauty salons · Stays

PlaceGangseo, BusanRestaurants

Mazesoba shop in Myeongji, Busan: free rice and park views at Menmen

Menmen Main Branch (멘멘 본점) is a mazesoba and ramen restaurant facing Neoul Park in Myeongji International New City, Gangseo, Busan. On a weekend lunch visit, the writer had spicy mazesoba and spicy tonkotsu ramen, and because rice at Menmen Main Branch is free, mixed it into the leftover mazesoba sauce; the long solo tables and the park's forest view were highlights. For good-value mazesoba in Myeongji, whether eating alone or on a date, Menmen Main Branch is a great fit.

Written Jul 7, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSuyeong, BusanRestaurants

Gwangalli pork BBQ set with 70g pork tail, kimchi stew: Haean Sutbul

Haean Sutbul Galbi Gwangalli Main Branch is a retro-style charcoal pork galbi (pork rib) restaurant tucked into an alley in Gwangalli, Suyeong, Busan. The writer ordered the pork galbi set for 2-3 people (2 servings of raw pork galbi, 2 servings of marinated pork galbi and 70g of pork tail) with Asahi draft beer, then finished with kimchi stew with added potato noodles. With friendly service and cutlery sterilized in boiling water, Haean Sutbul Galbi is a satisfying, good-value Korean BBQ spot in Gwangalli.

Written Jul 5, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGeumcheon, SeoulRestaurants

Gasan Korean BBQ lunch: free crab & cold soba, Choi Woo-young Gogiya

Choi Woo-young Gogiya (최우영고기야) is a charcoal-grill, yakiniku-style Korean BBQ restaurant near Gasan Digital Complex Station in Geumcheon-gu, Seoul. On a weekday lunch visit, the writer had pre-grilled pork belly and marinated galbisal (short rib meat), the free doenjang-jjigae, ssambap and marinated crab set that comes with any meat order, and cold soba for dessert. With standout side dishes like gajami-sikhae (fermented flatfish) and barley doenjang sauce, Choi Woo-young Gogiya is a solid pick for office lunches and team dinners near Gasan Station.

Written Jul 5, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMapo, SeoulCafés

Seogyo-dong vegan café with cornflake pudding: Naemyeonui Balgyeon

Naemyeonui Balgyeon (내면의 발견) is a gallery-like café in Seogyo-dong, Seoul, between Mangwon Station and Hongdae, with a different concept on every floor from the ground floor to the rooftop. On a weekday evening visit for coffee and cornflake pudding, the potato-soft texture of the pudding, the plush sofa seats and the magazine-like interiors at Naemyeonui Balgyeon stood out. Naemyeonui Balgyeon is a crowd-pleasing Seogyo-dong café for a quiet solo break or an easy conversation.

Written Jul 4, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSuwon, GyeonggiRestaurants

Suwon hangover soup for groups & free black rice: Jeju Eunhuine

Jeju Eunhuine Haejangguk Suwon Ingye Branch is a Jeju-style haejangguk (hangover soup) restaurant in Ingye-dong, Suwon, near City Hall Station. A group shared haejangguk, perilla offal soup and seasonal squid mulhoe (cold raw squid soup), and the self-serve black rice was free with one dish ordered per person. Hot gukbap (rice soup) paired with icy squid mulhoe made Jeju Eunhuine Haejangguk a no-fail way to enjoy the Jeju original's flavor in Suwon.

Written Jul 4, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMapo, SeoulRestaurants

Hongdae noodle shop for solo diners: spicy mazesoba, Myeon Sikdang

Myeon Sikdang Hongik University Branch is a noodle and pork cutlet (katsu) chain restaurant on the 2nd floor of a building on Wausan-ro, right in front of the Hongik University main gate in Hongdae, Seoul. Dining alone at a bar seat, the writer had spicy mazesoba (brothless Japanese mixed noodles), 2 pieces of mozzarella cheese katsu and a lemonade, and was very happy with the katsu packed with real cheese and the generous minced meat in the mazesoba. With an outlet at every bar seat, Myeon Sikdang Hongik University Branch is an easy, comfortable spot for a solo meal in Hongdae.

Written Jul 10, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMapo, SeoulRestaurants

Rainy-day tonkatsu & cold udon set in Yeonnam-dong: Katsu Monster

Katsu Monster Yeonnam Main Branch is a Japanese tonkatsu (pork cutlet) restaurant on Donggyo-ro 38-gil in Yeonnam-dong, Mapo, Seoul. On a drizzly, rainy day the writer took a solo bar seat at Katsu Monster and had the triple katsu (cheese, fillet and loin on one plate) with a cold udon set, served with multigrain rice, miso-style soup and gangjeong (sweet crunchy snack) for dessert, plus mouthwash and candy at the entrance. Verdict: the Katsu Monster cold udon is good enough to come back for on its own, and trading bites between it and the tonkatsu makes a great summer combo.

Written Jul 12, 2026Sponsored
PlaceYangsan, GyeongnamRestaurants

Western restaurant in Mulgeum for wine groups: vintage decor, Bueokgan

Bueokgan Restaurant Yangsan Oslo Park Branch is a European-style Western restaurant on basement level 1 of Building BL at Oslo Park in Mulgeum, Yangsan. The writer toured Bueokgan's arched interior, said to be inspired by Sweden's National Museum of Fine Arts, its vintage pieces sourced from Europe, its free corkage for up to 3 bottles of wine and its kid-friendly facilities. Bueokgan Restaurant suits anyone near Yangsan Pusan National University Hospital looking for a stylish lunch spot or a dinner gathering over wine.

Written Jul 12, 2026Sponsored
PlaceJongno, SeoulRestaurants

Jongno burgers at weekday last order: real onion rings at Reel Burger

Reel Burger Gwanghwamun is a handmade burger restaurant on Sambong-ro in Jongno, Seoul, right next to KB Kookmin Bank, created with consulting from chef Lee Won-il. Arriving around 7:50 p.m. on a weekday, just before the 8 p.m. last order, the writer had the El Taco burger set and the egg Benedict burger, and found the Cajun fries, the onion rings made from real onions and the self-serve sauce bar all satisfying. For well-balanced burgers and sides, the onion rings at Reel Burger Gwanghwamun are a must-order.

Written Jul 10, 2026Sponsored
PlaceNam-gu, UlsanRestaurants

Dal-dong, Ulsan milmyeon restaurant serving broth in a bowl: Samsam

Samsam Milmyeon Main Branch is a milmyeon (wheat noodles in cold broth) restaurant in Dal-dong, Nam-gu, Ulsan, near the intercity bus terminal. A Busan native stopped at Samsam Milmyeon Main Branch for lunch on a summer trip, ordered milmyeon and ₩6,000 dumplings, and was surprised that the broth is served in a bowl with pickled radish on the side, unlike in Busan. For mild, not-too-strong milmyeon, Samsam Milmyeon Main Branch is a good fit.

Written Jul 27, 2026Sponsored
PlaceNam-gu, UlsanRestaurants

Pork belly BBQ on an Ulsan trip: free ramyeon and coffee at Biniljip

Biniljip Suam Branch (비닐집 수암점) is a pork belly and pork neck BBQ restaurant in Suam-dong, Nam-gu, Ulsan, where ramyeon, kimchi jeon (kimchi pancake), chive jeon and coffee are free. On an Ulsan trip, the writer ordered the 50,000-won Biniljip Hanpan stew set; the pork belly was so rich and nutty that the writer's companion called it the most memorable meat they'd had lately, and the kimchi stew came packed with meat. Biniljip Suam Branch suits anyone who wants a self-serve bar, good pork belly and a hearty stew in one Suam-dong meal.

Written Jul 27, 2026Sponsored
PlaceNam-gu, BusanRestaurants

Kyungsung Univ Station pork soup, 2,000-won extra meat: Geumsu Dwaeji

Geumsu Dwaeji Gukbap Gyeongseong-Pukyongdae Branch is a dwaeji gukbap (pork and rice soup) restaurant in Nam-gu, Busan, a 2–3 minute walk from Exit 1 of Kyungsung University–Pukyong National University Station. On a cool-weather visit, the writer found a clean broth with no gamey smell, generous meat, and unlimited thin noodles and rice at the self-serve bar. The verdict: big eaters should pay the extra 2,000 won for the meat-loaded bowl at Geumsu Dwaeji Gukbap.

Written Sep 28, 2026Sponsored