Jacket Flap · 24 stories

Inside the Dust Jacket

I write about books and the details that stay with me after a read. · Writes about: Books & stationery · Restaurants · Cafés · Stays · Hair & beauty salons · Food & snacks · Shopping

PlacePaju, GyeonggiCafés

Paju bakery vegan & no-egg guide, apple brie ciabatta: Boulangerie Tan

Boulangerie Tan Unjeong Main Branch is a European-style bakery on the ground floor of Farm Tower on Chorongkkot-ro in Unjeong, Paju. The writer read through Boulangerie Tan's bread ingredient guide (100% pure, no-milk & vegan, and no-egg lines) and its Lescure AOP butter notice. The writer then bought a carrot rapée sandwich, an apple brie cheese ciabatta, an olive cheese ciabatta and a marron (chestnut) pie for a coffee brunch. If you are looking for a range of ciabatta and sandwiches, Boulangerie Tan is a bakery worth a look at least once.

Written Nov 2, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGoyang, GyeonggiCafés

Ilsan bakery with a ₩9,000 giant sandwich for 4 meals: Tomoru Bakery

Tomoru Bakery Ilsan is a bakery on the ground floor of a building down a side street in Siksa-dong, Ilsandong-gu, Goyang, with a wide range of meal breads such as salt bread, ciabatta, campagne and focaccia. On a rainy third visit, the takeout haul was the giant sandwich (9,000 won), fig campagne, ham-and-cheese morning bread and salt bread. The giant sandwich alone stretched to 4 meals, and the bread tasted mild rather than heavily seasoned. Tomoru Bakery Ilsan isn't flashy, but it's an easygoing neighborhood bakery that meal-bread lovers keep coming back to.

Written May 26, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMapo, SeoulCafés

Hapjeong café for Han River cyclists: Black Moon Geisha, Central Site

Central Site Hapjeong is a specialty hand-drip café in Mapo, Seoul, just behind Mecenatpolis near Hapjeong Station Exit 2. On a break from a Han River bike ride, the writer ordered the Panama Geisha Black Moon Washed #3 (₩21,000) and a classic tiramisu (₩8,500). The writer smelled the freshly ground beans first, then watched the Black Moon brewed by hand at the counter, for a total of ₩29,500. Central Site Hapjeong is on the pricey side, but it suits a day when you want a special bean and a front-row view of the brewing.

Written Nov 1, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMapo, SeoulCafés

Mangwon bakery bike stop, 3 baguette sandwiches: Boulangerie Copain

Boulangerie Copain is a bakery on Mangridan-gil in Mangwon-dong, Mapo, Seoul, featured on SBS's Master of Living (생활의 달인) as a baguette and croissant master. On the way back from a bike ride, the writer stopped in from the Mangwon Hangang access gate, checked the display prices for croissants, danishes and meal breads, and bought basil, Colby Jack and ham-and-cheese baguette sandwiches to eat with coffee. Boulangerie Copain uses the same baguette with different fillings, so it's an easy Mangwon bakery to pick from by taste.

Written Oct 29, 2026Sponsored
PlaceOngjin, IncheonStays

Dog-friendly self check-in pension on Sido, Incheon: Poolside Pension

Poolside Pension (풀사이드펜션) is a dog-friendly pension, a Korean-style guesthouse, right in front of Sugi Beach on Sido island in Bukdo-myeon, Ongjin, Incheon. The writer took the ferry from Sammok Port, rode a Brompton around Sinsimodo, checked in without staff to duplex room 101, ate at Poolside Pension's first-floor restaurant, chicken shop, Hangang ramyeon corner and unmanned café, then walked the Sugi Beach mudflat with the dog the next morning. Poolside Pension is not flashy, but it is the one-night stay to remember when you want quiet time away with a dog.

Written May 30, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGoyang, GyeonggiCafés

Dog-friendly Wondang café: fresh mango snow bingsu, Baedagol

Baedagol Bakery House (배다골베이커리하우스) is a garden bakery café in Wondang, Deogyang-gu, Goyang, where dogs are welcome in the outdoor area. On her fourth visit, the writer walked the hydrangea garden with her dog Aegi and ordered the fresh mango snow bingsu (shaved milk ice, 25,000 won), an Americano and ciabatta. Verdict: Baedagol's bingsu comes with more fresh mango than ice, so the price stopped feeling steep.

Written Jun 6, 2026Sponsored
PlacePaju, GyeonggiCafés

Pet-friendly café in Unjeong, Paju: mocha bun salt bread, Paun Coffee

Paun Coffee Gyoha branch is a bakery café on Chaekhyanggisup-gil in Dongpae-dong, Paju, Gyeonggi, where pets are allowed indoors. The writer stopped at Paun Coffee Gyoha branch for a weekend lunch with their dog on the way to Lotte Outlet and had two Americanos made with non-acidic beans, truffle salt bread, mocha bun salt bread and a hazelnut chocolate financier. With a vaccination certificate and a leash, a dog can stay comfortably at Paun Coffee Gyoha branch, and the mocha bun salt bread is the most memorable bake.

Written Jun 7, 2026Sponsored
PlacePaju, GyeonggiCafés

Paju brunch café for spicy shrimp Toowoomba pasta: Brick Rouge

Brick Rouge (브릭루즈) is a large brick-fronted brunch and bakery café on Jimok-ro in Paju, Gyeonggi. The writer ordered the homemade ricotta cheese salad (₩15,000) and the shrimp mushroom Toowoomba pasta (₩23,000), then browsed the bakery and terrace; the ricotta was generous, and the spicy Toowoomba pasta never felt greasy. With spacious seating, easy free parking and an Americano discount from 12 to 2 PM, Brick Rouge is a large Paju café for a relaxed meal and coffee.

Written Oct 23, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGoyang, GyeonggiRestaurants

Ilsan Italian restaurant for gnocchi instead of pasta: Millepollie

Millepollie (밀레폴리에) is an Italian restaurant on Bamlidan-gil in Ilsan, Goyang, with a wine display and a wood-toned interior. Instead of the usual noodle pasta, the writer ordered genovese gnocchi (24,500 won) and added a ricotta salad (16,800 won), enjoying a full meal from focaccia bread to basil pesto gnocchi and a fresh salad. If you want a pasta alternative, Millepollie's genovese gnocchi and ricotta salad combo is a good choice.

Written Oct 22, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGoyang, GyeonggiRestaurants

Pungsan Station seaweed soup spot, abalone flounder for a cold: Haenon

Haenon Miyeok Ilsan Direct Branch is a Korean restaurant specializing in miyeokguk (seaweed soup) in the Aenigol food village of Pungdong, Ilsandong-gu, Goyang, near Pungsan Station. On a day with cold symptoms, the writer ordered abalone-flounder seaweed soup and beef seaweed soup. The eggplant tangsu (sweet-and-sour fried eggplant) and seasoned cockles from the self-serve bar stood out. Each person got a clay pot of soup, and over half was left, so it went home in two containers at ₩1,000 each. With a spacious dining room, easy parking and generous portions, Haenon Miyeok Ilsan Direct Branch is a good option for family meals or get-togethers with friends.

Written Oct 21, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGoyang, GyeonggiShopping

Cycling wear shop in Goyang for headbands and base layers: Ostaletti

Ostaletti Haengju (오스탈레띠 행주점) is a cycling apparel shop on Haengju-ro in Deogyang-gu, Goyang, Gyeonggi, and the offline store of Ostaletti, a Korean-made riding wear brand. After a Han River and Ara Waterway ride, the writer stopped at Ostaletti Haengju to rebuy a headband and a cycling base layer already used before, and staff even suggested trying the headband on while still sweaty. Verdict: Ostaletti Haengju is a good-value shop where riders heading home can see, try on and buy gear in person.

Written Jun 11, 2026Sponsored
PlacePyeongchang, GangwonRestaurants

Dog-friendly gopchang restaurant in Pyeongchang: Daegwallyeong Hanwoo

Daegwallyeong Hanwoo Gopchang & Gukbap is a hanwoo (Korean beef) gopchang (grilled beef offal) and gukbap (rice soup) restaurant on Ollimpik-ro in Daegwallyeong-myeon, Pyeongchang, Gangwon, where dogs can dine indoors. While staying at Ramada Pyeongchang Hotel & Suites with their dog, the writer ordered 2 servings of mixed gopchang and a bowl of yangseonji haejangguk (tripe and ox blood hangover soup); the pre-grilled gopchang had almost no gamey smell, and her husband called it the best gopchang of his life. The writer came to Daegwallyeong Hanwoo Gopchang & Gukbap for the dog-friendly seating, but the gopchang is what made the Pyeongchang dinner memorable.

Written Jun 12, 2026Sponsored