Riverside Stroller · 13 stories

Worn Tray, Seoul-Gyeonggi/Jeju Restaurants and Cafes

Writes about restaurants and cafes across Seoul, Gyeonggi, and Jeju. · Writes about: Restaurants · Cafés · Bars

PlaceJeju, JejuRestaurants

Gujwa Korean restaurant, solo at opening time: Woljeongri Galbibap

Woljeongri Galbibap (월정리갈비밥) is a Korean restaurant in Woljeong-ri, Gujwa-eup, Jeju, serving an 11-dish set meal built around Jeju ingredients. The writer went alone from nearby lodging, arrived at opening time and was the second one in, then ate the ₩19,000 set at a bar seat with half soy, half spicy fire-grilled marinated meat. Woljeongri Galbibap is an easy place to eat alone, and the haemul pajeon (seafood scallion pancake) and spicy grill were the highlights.

Written Jun 11, 2026Sponsored
PlaceJeju, JejuRestaurants

Jeju City lunch box shop: Jungmun box big enough for two, Jejju

Jejju City Hall Branch (제쭈 시청점) is a lunch box shop on Sinseong-ro in Jeju City that specializes in raw salmon and fire-grilled baby octopus (jjukkumi), with more than 50 menu items and group lunch box orders. The writer phoned ahead for the Jungmun lunch box (중문도시락), picked it up and ate it at their accommodation, and especially enjoyed the rolled-omelet sushi, the smoky stir-fried baby octopus and the crispy fish cutlet. The Jejju City Hall Branch Jungmun lunch box is generous enough for two, making it an ideal takeout meal for a night in or late-night snacks with drinks on a Jeju trip.

Written Jun 12, 2026Sponsored
PlaceJeju, JejuCafés

Oedo, Jeju bakery revisit: basalt bread and fresh donuts, Bakery Onyu

Bakery Onyu Jeju Oedo Branch is a handmade bakery on Ujeong-ro in Jeju City, run by two generations: a master baker father and his son and daughter-in-law. Returning after a visit last year, the writer tried Bakery Onyu's popular garlic-packed bread, basalt bread, fresh donuts, cookies, chestnut manju (sweet filled bun) and a salt bread sandwich. With a large parking lot and breads made with Jeju specialties, Bakery Onyu Jeju Oedo Branch is worth a stop for locals and for travelers on a bakery tour near Jeju Airport.

Written Jun 13, 2026Sponsored
PlaceJeju, JejuShopping

Noyeon-ro dessert shop in Jeju: first red bean egg tart, Today Jeju

Today Jeju Shilla Duty Free Shop Jeju Branch is a Jeju dessert and local souvenir shop on the first floor of the Shilla Duty Free building on Noyeon-ro, Jeju City. The writer went to buy the 8-flavor set of Harubangne (madeleines shaped like Jeju's harubang stone statues), tried a red bean egg tart for the first time, and found the tangerine and Earl Grey Harubangne a hit with coworkers, who loved the cute shape. For a Jeju-style dessert gift on the last day of a Jeju trip, Harubangne from Today Jeju Shilla Duty Free Shop Jeju Branch is a good fit.

Written Jun 17, 2026Sponsored
PlaceOsan, GyeonggiRestaurants

Osan Segyo shabu kalguksu, mugwort noodles to take home: Dongchundang

Dongchundang Shabu Shabu Kalguksu Osan Dugok Branch is a shabu-shabu kalguksu (knife-cut noodle soup) restaurant of about 140 pyeong on Seobu-ro in Osan, Gyeonggi. Over an opening-hour lunch with my parents, we had a shabu kalguksu set with beef and 2 plates of Eonyang-style crispy bulgogi, refilled the geotjeori (fresh kimchi) twice, and bought a bag of the mugwort kalguksu noodles to take home. With its clean, mild broth, spacious dining room and large parking lot, Dongchundang Osan Dugok Branch makes an easy family meal out with parents.

Written Jun 17, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSeodaemun, SeoulRestaurants

Hongdae snack bar for solo meals: jjolmyeon & salad gimbap at Kimgane

Kimgane Donggyo-dong Samgeori (김가네 동교동삼거리점) is a Korean snack bar (bunsik) on Sinchon-ro near Exit 5 of Hongik Univ. Station in Seodaemun, Seoul. The writer ate alone, ordering jjolmyeon (chewy spicy-sweet cold noodles) and the new salad gimbap, and found the bar seats and two-person tables made a solo meal easy. With a menu running from gimbap to stews and rice bowls, Kimgane Donggyo-dong Samgeori is an easy, no-pressure place to eat alone in Hongdae.

Written Jul 4, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSeodaemun, SeoulRestaurants

Hongdae poke shop: black pepper chicken & tofu poke to go, Slow Cali

Slow Cali Hongdae Entrance Station Branch is a salad and poke restaurant near Exit 4 of Hongik Univ. Station in Seodaemun, Seoul. Around 1:30 pm, after the lunch rush, the writer picked up a warm Black Pepper Chicken Bowl on brown rice (12,500 won) and a cold Oriental Tofu Poke on buckwheat noodles (10,500 won); the chicken bowl was generous, and the tofu poke was light and easy on the stomach. For a healthy meal that isn't heavily seasoned, Slow Cali Hongdae Entrance Station Branch is a good fit.

Written Jul 3, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSeodaemun, SeoulCafés

Yeonnam-dong bakery haul of 5 breads: jalapeño ciabatta wins, Mandong

Mandong Jegwa Yeonnam Branch (만동제과 연남점) is a bread-pilgrimage bakery in Yeonnam-dong, Seoul, about 460m from Exit 3 of Hongik Univ. Station, selling bread baked the same day. On a weekday after lunch, staff offered samples, and the haul was five breads: chilled cappuccino bread (2 for 5,600 won), eongdeongi 'butt' bread (3,500 won), fig campagne (5,800 won), jalapeño ciabatta (4,800 won) and yakbap pound cake (3,800 won), with the jalapeño ciabatta the clear favorite. With hefty, generously filled breads and friendly staff, Mandong Jegwa Yeonnam Branch is an easy stop on any Hongdae or Yeonnam-dong outing.

Written Jul 2, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMapo, SeoulRestaurants

Gongdeok salad shop dinner takeout: chicken tofu noodles, Why Starve

Why Starve Diet Gongdeok Main Branch (와이스타브 다이어트 공덕본점) is a salad, poke and protein box shop on basement level 1 of Lotte Castle President, connected to Exit 2 of Gongdeok Station in Mapo, Seoul. The writer ordered at the kiosk and took home a chicken tofu noodle protein box (9,900 won) with honey mustard sauce and an Egg Bomb chicken protein bowl (8,900 won) with oat rice for dinner; the chicken breast was softer than expected and the tofu noodles had a pleasant texture. Why Starve Gongdeok is a filling, lower-carb dinner that makes sticking to a diet easy.

Written Jul 7, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMapo, SeoulCafés

Gongdeok bake shop: office gift box & big salt bread, Fluffy Bake Shop

Fluffy Bake Shop is a café specializing in baked sweets in the SK Leaders View Complex 2 shopping arcade near Exit 2 of Gongdeok Station in Mapo, Seoul. On an early-morning visit, financiers and madeleines were packed into a 6-piece gift box and shared with coworkers as a lunch dessert the next day, and the salt bread and egg tart were tasted separately. With a wide variety and neat packaging, Fluffy Bake Shop is a solid pick for gift-worthy baked sweets near Gongdeok Station.

Written Jul 5, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMapo, SeoulRestaurants

Gyoza bar on Hongdae's Red Road, relocated from Bongcheon: MANDOO BAR

MANDOO BAR is a fusion-topping K-gyoza restaurant on Hongdae's Red Road in Mapo, Seoul, which moved there from Bongcheon. The writer read the visitor notebook during a wait of about 10 minutes and took out MANDOO BAR's kimchi steamed dumplings (₩8,000), yuringi gyoza (topped like yuringi, fried chicken in a tangy soy sauce) and a half-meat, half-kimchi basic gyoza (₩9,500); the crispy, juicy gyoza and the packed steamed dumplings were all delicious. With solid basic dumplings, MANDOO BAR works for snacking along Red Road or for drinks in the shop.

Written Oct 8, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMapo, SeoulRestaurants

QR-order chicken takeout in Hongdae: Volcano & Chicago pizza, Goobne

Goobne Chicken Hongdae Red Road is an oven-roasted chicken pub on Hongdae's Red Road in Mapo, Seoul. After a look around Goobne Chicken Hongdae Red Road's black-and-red 1st-floor bar, its outdoor tables and the spacious 2nd-floor hall, the writer ordered boneless half Original, half Volcano chicken and a Chicago pizza by QR code to take home. Verdict: the spicy Volcano chicken paired with the cheese-loaded Chicago pizza was the standout combination.

Written Oct 7, 2026Sponsored