Compact Borrower · 7 stories

Borrowed Compact, Seoul-Gyeonggi-Gangwon Restaurants, Cafes and Beauty

Writes about restaurants, cafes, and beauty spots across Seoul, Gyeonggi, and Gangwon. · Writes about: Restaurants · Cafés · Hair & beauty salons

PlaceSeongdong, SeoulRestaurants

Seoulsup pasta restaurant on a Friday off: salmon steak pasta, Brivite

Brivite Seongsu is a pasta and Western restaurant with a pink sign, tucked in an alley near Ttukseom Station in Seongsu-dong, Seoul. On a Friday off work, the writer waited about 20 minutes through Catch Table and shared the Beet Set for 2: Greek yogurt salad (₩9,900), salmon steak pasta (₩18,900) and spicy jambon risotto (₩18,900). All three Beet Set dishes were hits, making Brivite Seongsu a lunch spot worth returning to near Ttukseom and Seoulsup.

Written Jun 8, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGwangjin, SeoulRestaurants

Tonkatsu shop by Konkuk Univ. Station: mixed katsu kake udon, Kosi

Kosi Konkuk University Branch is a udon and tonkatsu restaurant with house-made noodles in Gwangjin, Seoul, about 600 m from Konkuk Univ. Station Exit 9 toward Seongsu. On an early Saturday evening the writer ordered the mixed katsu kake udon set, a handmade cheese tonkatsu, tempura and a cider, and the thick, crispy katsu and chewy kake udon stood out most. For tonkatsu and udon in one meal near Konkuk Univ., Kosi Konkuk University Branch is a good choice.

Written Jun 21, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSokcho, GangwonRestaurants

Sokcho sashimi takeout for two with unfrozen mulhoe: Hoega

Hoega (회가) is a sashimi takeout restaurant in a residential part of Gyo-dong, Sokcho, close to Sokcho Jungang Market and Lighthouse Beach. After phoning ahead on a weekday evening, the writer picked up a small mixed sashimi platter and 1 portion of mulhoe (cold raw fish soup) and shared them with one other person at their lodging. The large, chewy sashimi and mulhoe that wasn't frozen solid were both satisfying. For two people in Sokcho, Hoega's small platter plus one mulhoe is a filling takeout combination.

Written Jun 27, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSokcho, GangwonCafés

Birthday-trip Sokcho café: iced matcha latte at Cafe Neorae

Cafe Neorae (카페너래) is a large bakery café in Haksapyeong Sundubu (soft tofu) Village in Sokcho, Gangwon, spread over floors 2 to 4 with views of Ulsanbawi rock. On a 2-day, 1-night Sokcho trip for a birthday and an early summer vacation, the writer visited Cafe Neorae at weekday lunchtime, ordered an iced latte, an iced matcha latte and an Earl Grey lemon tart, and took in the Ulsanbawi and Seoraksan views on each floor. Cafe Neorae gets both the taste and the view right, a big Sokcho café worth coming back to.

Written Jun 27, 2026Sponsored
PlaceJongno, SeoulRestaurants

Gwanghwamun Japanese restaurant for birthdays: kaisendon & udon, Ilpum

Ilpum Gwanghwamun (일품 광화문점) is a Japanese restaurant specializing in kaisendon (seafood rice bowls) and sushi, on the B2 level of Le Meilleur Jongno Town in Gwanghwamun, Seoul. For a birthday, the writer booked the first dinner slot at 5:30 pm on Naver Reservation and ordered the premium kaisendon (37,000 won) and the basic kaisendon (26,000 won); chawanmushi and cold tempura udon also came out, so the meal felt like a course. The bowls at Ilpum Gwanghwamun look small but hold generous amounts of sashimi and rice, making it a filling kaisendon pick in Gwanghwamun.

Written Jul 1, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSokcho, GangwonRestaurants

Sokcho ramen shop instead of resort breakfast: Ichiba Ramen

Ichiba Ramen (이찌바라멘) is a Japanese-style ramen shop on Jungangno in Yeongnang-dong, Sokcho, near the sea. Instead of the resort breakfast, the writer came to Ichiba Ramen around 10am for tonkotsu ramen, red crab and pollock roe cream ramen and butadon (pork rice bowl), and the tonkotsu broth, said to simmer for 30 hours, and the Sokcho-style cream ramen stood out. If you want ramen in Sokcho as a morning hangover meal or a special lunch, Ichiba Ramen beats expectations.

Written Jun 27, 2026Sponsored
PlaceDongdaemun, SeoulRestaurants

Hoegi burger spot after a Kyung Hee campus walk: 1986 Shibuya Burger

1986 Shibuya Burger is a Shibuya-style handmade burger restaurant in the Kyung Hee University food alley in Hoegi-dong, Dongdaemun, Seoul. On a quiet weekend during the school vacation, after a walk to Kyung Hee University, the writer ordered three things at 1986 Shibuya Burger: the Golden Jambon x2 Double Jambon Wagyu Burger set with Shibuya chili cheese fries, the Shibuya Golden Hash Burger and cheese sticks. With juicy patties and a generous self-serve bar, 1986 Shibuya Burger is worth recommending near Hoegi Station for a burger meal that feels familiar yet special.

Written Jun 28, 2026Sponsored
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