Yeongildae Shutter Pilgrim · 10 stories

Open Shutter, Incheon and Daejeon Rounds

Writes about bars, restaurants, cafes, and shops across Incheon, Daegu and Gyeongbuk, Gyeonggi, Seoul, and Daejeon and Chungcheong. · Writes about: Bars · Cafés · Restaurants · Shopping

PlacePohang, GyeongbukRestaurants

Pohang snow crab restaurant, a local's first dine-in: Yeonggwang Hoe

Yeonggwang Hoe Daegae Center (영광회대게센타) is a snow crab and sashimi restaurant at the entrance of Daegae (Snow Crab) Alley in Jukdo Market, Pohang. A lifelong Pohang local who had only ever ordered takeout ate in for the first time with an aunt, a cousin and a niece. They shared the 3-person bakdal snow crab set, which ran from chopped live octopus, assorted sashimi and abalone mulhoe (cold raw fish soup) to rice in the crab shell, crab ramyeon and spicy fish stew, and three adults plus one elementary schooler nearly burst. For meat-packed bakdal crab with a generous side-dish spread, Yeonggwang Hoe Daegae Center is the answer.

Written Aug 1, 2026Sponsored
PlacePohang, GyeongbukBars

Pohang izakaya for chicken skin yakitori and highballs: Yomo

Yomo is a Japanese-style izakaya with the feel of a local Japanese tavern, on Yanghakcheon-ro near the Railroad Forest (Cheolgil-sup) in Pohang, Gyeongbuk. On a night out with a cousin, the writer started with yuzu-shu and Earl Grey highballs, then moved on to chicken skin and negima (chicken and scallion) yakitori, fried wings topped with peanut powder and Asahi draft beer. The atmosphere, food and drinks at Yomo were all satisfying; if you plan to drink beer, check the set menu first.

Written Jul 30, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGyeongju, GyeongbukRestaurants

Gyeongju pot rice restaurant with new kiln pork bulgogi: Handa Sot

Handa Sot Gyeongju (한다솥 경주점) is a two-story hanok pot rice (sotbap) restaurant right in front of Daereungwon on Hwangnidan-gil in Gyeongju. With temperatures near 40°C, the writer gave up on touring Daereungwon and ate abalone pot rice for 19,000 won, the new kiln-roasted pork bulgogi for 17,000 won and an extra kiln-grilled Spanish mackerel for 11,000 won, served with 9 standard side dishes and seaweed soup. With big windows overlooking Daereungwon and a nurungji (scorched rice) finish, Handa Sot Gyeongju made a very satisfying last meal of the trip.

Written Jul 30, 2026Sponsored
PlacePohang, GyeongbukRestaurants

Pohang crab restaurant in closed season: bakdal-only set at Dongnam

Dongnam Hoe Sikdang is a snow crab restaurant that has held the same spot in the sashimi-and-crab alley of Jukdo Market in Pohang for 30 years. During the late-July fishing closed season, only the bakdal (premium snow crab) set for two could be ordered, and it brought soy-marinated crab, a seafood platter, braised half-dried pollack, mulhoe (Pohang cold raw fish soup), a sashimi platter, seafood ramyeon, bakdal crab, crab-shell fried rice and spicy fish stew. Visiting with her mom, the writer found the Dongnam Hoe Sikdang set so generous they were full before the main crab arrived.

Written Aug 3, 2026Sponsored
PlacePohang, GyeongbukRestaurants

Pohang braised rib house: galbijjim for two and tortillas at Honcalla

Honcalla Soigalbijjim (홍칼라소갈비찜) is a Korean restaurant specializing in galbijjim (braised beef short ribs), located on a main road in Jangseong-dong, Buk-gu, Pohang. Two friends ordered the braised beef ribs for two at the mild spice level. The ribs came with a neat spread of side dishes including steamed egg, grilled flounder and tortilla salad, and the meat slid off the bone at the touch of the tongs. Honcalla Soigalbijjim served such a generous meal that the friends never made it to the fried rice.

Written Aug 4, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGyeongju, GyeongbukCafés

Gyeongju Bomun tea café with a private VIP room for 4–16: Bibibidang

Bibibidang Gyeongju is a traditional tea and dessert café on the 1st floor of the Uyang Museum in Gyeongju's Bomun Tourist Complex. On a summer day nearing 40°C, the writer dropped the sightseeing plan and ordered Bibibidang's two-person set of pumpkin bingsu (shaved ice), chrysanthemum tea, black sesame dasik (pressed tea cookies) and yanggaeng (sweet jelly), then looked around the goods shop and the private VIP room for 4–16 people. With generous space between tables, Bibibidang Gyeongju is a relaxing place to rest during a Gyeongju trip.

Written Jul 28, 2026Sponsored
PlacePohang, GyeongbukRestaurants

Pohang snow crab restaurant with welcome abalone porridge: Gallilli

Gallilli Daegae Hoe Sikdang (갈릴리대게회식당) is a snow crab and seafood restaurant at the start of the crab-and-sashimi street in Jukdo Market, Pohang. During the summer fishing-ban season, the writer and a friend booked a morning slot, sat on the first floor and ordered the bakdal snow crab set for two. Welcome abalone porridge, mussel soup, soy-marinated crab (ganjang gejang), mixed sashimi and mulhoe (cold raw fish soup) filled the table before the crab even arrived. With meaty bakdal crab, rice in the crab shell and seafood ramyeon to finish, Gallilli is a place to enjoy a truly generous seafood spread.

Written Aug 1, 2026Sponsored
PlacePohang, GyeongbukRestaurants

Songdo, Pohang restaurant after Wolpo surfing: spicy pilaf at Plan A

Plan A Restaurant is an ocean-view Western-style restaurant on the 4th floor, right in front of Songdo Beach in Pohang. After surfing at Wolpo, the writer and her niece ordered beef tomato spaghetti for 16,000 won, beef pilaf for 17,000 won and beef chop steak for 22,000 won, choosing the spicy flavor for the pilaf and the chop steak. With picture-window views over Songdo Beach to Yeongildae and a spicy kick that even spice-shy diners can handle, Plan A Restaurant made for a thoroughly satisfying meal.

Written Aug 2, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGyeongju, GyeongbukRestaurants

Gyeongju Korean restaurant, annex room and Sumi chicken stew: Dongyang

Dongyang Baekban Gyeongju Hwangridan-gil Main Branch is a traditional Korean restaurant in the heart of Hwangridan-gil in Gyeongju. On a summer vacation, two friends sat in an annex-style room at Dongyang Baekban and ordered Sumi dakbokkeumtang (spicy braised chicken stew) for 28,000 won. They added egg rice, pollock roe rice, cheese tteokgalbi (grilled patty) and a mini perilla-oil yukjeon (pan-fried beef), then finished the stew by mashing the potatoes and stirring in seaweed flakes. One lunch at Dongyang Baekban was filling enough to skip dinner.

Written Jul 26, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGeomdan, IncheonBars

Geomdan omakase bar August course with pear-yuzu granita: Matgim

Matgim is an omakase-style bar and restaurant on the ground floor of the Megabox building by Dokjeong Station in Geomdan, Incheon. Booking the 7pm slot for a cousin's housewarming celebration, the writer ate through the August course — tomato and yuzu salad, the signature grilled napa cabbage, chili con carne, shrimp pasta, pork tenderloin steak and pear and yuzu granita. With two courses at 35,000 won and 50,000 won and one drink required per person, Matgim serves polished cooking at an easy price.

Written Aug 13, 2026Sponsored
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