Jina Baum · 46 stories

Paper Tote, Incheon-Gyeonggi-Seoul

Writes about shopping stops, beauty counters, cafes and small restaurants around Incheon, Gyeonggi and Seoul. · Writes about: Restaurants · Cafés · Shopping · Hair & beauty salons

PlaceSeo-gu, IncheonRestaurants

Generous kongbul dakgalbi lunch for three in Geomdan: Cheolpanjeong

Cheolpanjeong is a dakgalbi (spicy stir-fried chicken) and iron-plate fried rice restaurant in Geomdan New Town, Seo-gu, Incheon. At lunch the writer ordered Cheolpanjeong's signature kongbul dakgalbi (spicy chicken with bean sprouts), and the portion was so big that three people still had leftovers, with sides including radish wraps, salad and steamed egg. With clean flavors and friendly service, Cheolpanjeong is a Geomdan lunch spot worth going back to.

Written Jun 23, 2026Sponsored
PlaceYeonsu, IncheonRestaurants

Korean restaurant in Songdo Zone 1: lunch with a college kid, Eonyang

Eonyang Dak Kalguksu Incheon Songdo Branch is a Korean restaurant in Songdo Zone 1, Incheon, specializing in chicken kalguksu (knife-cut noodle soup) and dak-gomtang (chicken soup). Over lunch with a college-age child home on break, the writer ordered chogye bibim guksu (spicy cold chicken noodles), chicken kalguksu and Eonyang-style kalguksu, and liked the milky, non-greasy broth, the chewy noodles and the spicy kimchi at the self-serve bar. For a mild, comfortable Korean lunch in Songdo, Eonyang Dak Kalguksu is a safe choice.

Written Jun 24, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSeo-gu, IncheonRestaurants

Geomdan tonkatsu detour from Cheongna: perilla oil loin at HOKATSU

HOKATSU is a tonkatsu restaurant on Seogot-ro in Geomdan New Town, Seo-gu, Incheon, that has been making tonkatsu since 2012 and is reportedly listed in the Blue Ribbon Survey 2026. On a stop during an errand toward Cheongna, the blogger ordered the premium loin katsu, the Soknorang cheese katsu and tatari cold soba, and the premium loin katsu, eaten with a drop of perilla oil as the staff recommended, was especially tender. For anyone who loves soft, tender katsu, HOKATSU is a perfect fit.

Written Jun 23, 2026Sponsored
PlaceNamdong, IncheonRestaurants

Guwol-dong pasta spot, jjamppong pasta after the 1pm rush: Withwich

Withwich is a Blue Ribbon pasta, sandwich and pizza brunch restaurant on Seonsuchongongwon-ro in Guwol-dong, Namdong-gu, Incheon. On a late lunch with her husband, the writer ordered a baguette with ricotta cheese, a spicy perilla-leaf bulgogi sandwich, beef brisket jjamppong pasta (pasta in a spicy Korean-Chinese seafood-noodle-style broth), a lemonade and a grapefruit ade, and the fiery beef brisket jjamppong pasta was the standout. Withwich is quieter after 1pm and well worth a return visit.

Written Jun 22, 2026Sponsored
PlaceNamdong, IncheonRestaurants

Nonhyeon, Incheon ramen shop: 13-year regular's spicy black garlic

Hongdae Gureume Incheon Nonhyeon Branch is a Japanese ramen and set-meal restaurant in Nonhyeon-dong, Namdong-gu, Incheon, which has stayed in the same spot for more than 10 years. A regular since 2015 came back for the spicy special Uiseong black garlic Kumamoto ramen and a ramen set meal, and liked the peppery broth with no greasiness and a set that comes with fried shrimp, a croquette and inari sushi (sweet tofu-pouch rice). With ramen at 9,900 won a bowl, Hongdae Gureume Incheon Nonhyeon Branch is the answer if you want good value and a taste that hasn't changed.

Written Jun 22, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMichuhol, IncheonRestaurants

Lotte Incheon Korean restaurant: mild Andong guksu & bossam, Hantiok

Hantiok Lotte Department Store Incheon Branch is a Korean restaurant in the B1 restaurant floor of Lotte Department Store in Michuhol, Incheon, focused on hanwoo (Korean beef) noodle soup and rice soup. After shopping, the writer had the bossam (boiled pork) set meal, Andong guksu (knife-cut noodle soup) and bibim makguksu (spicy buckwheat noodles), and found Hantiok's side dishes and broth mild rather than salty, an easy, light meal. For anyone let down by department store food courts, Hantiok is a dependable Korean choice.

Written Jun 25, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSiheung, GyeonggiRestaurants

Siheung hamburg steak spot with easy parking and rosé pasta: Jeongssi

Jeongssi Hambak Baegot Branch is a Western-style restaurant on the 2nd floor of a building on Seouldaehak-ro 278beon-gil in Baegot, Siheung, serving handmade hamburg steak, pasta and pork cutlet. The writer has a Jeongssi Hambak near home but chose the Baegot Branch for its roomy parking and clean dining room, and two people shared rosé pasta (11,500 won), Jeongssi hamburg steak (11,500 won) and spicy pork cutlet (12,500 won), plus welcome tteokbokki and a self-serve side dish corner. Verdict: Jeongssi Hambak Baegot Branch gets the atmosphere, portions and flavor right, and the writer wants to return with family.

Written Jun 29, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSeo-gu, IncheonHair & beauty salons

College son's natural perm, Geomdan hair salon: Lee Kyung Min Foret

Lee Kyung Min Foret Geomdan New Town Branch is a hair and makeup salon on Ieum 1-ro in Geomdan New Town, Incheon. A college student home on break got a men's cut and an easy-care natural men's perm at Lee Kyung Min Foret, and the manager handled everything from the consultation to an extra perm on the bangs and a re-cut after the perm. Even a son who is fussy about his hair enjoyed the visit and was happy with the result.

Written Jun 25, 2026Sponsored
PlaceYeonsu, IncheonRestaurants

Songdo Indian restaurant with NFC ordering: chicken tikka, Manokamana

Manokamana Triple Street Branch 2 is an Indian curry restaurant at Triple Street in Songdo, Incheon. Ordering with the kids by NFC tag at the table, the family had chicken tikka (13,000 won), palak paneer, butter naan and sweet naan, along with a pickle set and fennel seeds after the meal. The spices at Manokamana are mild enough that a child trying Indian curry for the first time asked to come back, making it an easy family meal.

Written Jun 25, 2026Sponsored
PlaceBupyeong, IncheonRestaurants

Off-menu garlic-spicy jokbal half-and-half in Bupyeong: Jangmo Jokbal

Jangmo Jokbal Bupyeong Market Station Branch is an old-school jokbal (braised pig's feet) restaurant within walking distance of Bupyeong Market Station in Incheon. The writer went for dinner with a child, asked the owner for a garlic jokbal and fiery spicy jokbal half-and-half that wasn't on the menu, and had it with tray noodles. The tray noodles came out late, but tender jokbal and friendly service make Jangmo Jokbal a solid pick for a family dinner out.

Written Jun 25, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSiheung, GyeonggiRestaurants

Weekday lunch Korean BBQ in Baegot, Siheung: aged pork belly at Hamdon

Hamdon Baegot (함돈 배곧직영점) is a Korean BBQ restaurant in Baegot, Siheung, that grills aged pork over charcoal. On a weekday lunch visit, the lunch BBQ set with extra ogyeopsal (skin-on pork belly) came with kimchi stew, minari (water dropwort) and pot rice, and staff grilled the meat at the table. The juicy aged pork belly and the nurungji (scorched rice) finish stood out, making Hamdon Baegot worth a return trip for a proper lunch in Baegot, just as a friend recommended.

Written Jul 1, 2026Sponsored
PlaceYeonsu, IncheonRestaurants

Songdo pasta restaurant at 11am opening, spicy shrimp rosé: Cenacolo

Cenacolo Artfore is a Blue Ribbon Italian pasta restaurant on the 2nd floor of Artfore Building C in Songdo, Incheon. On a weekday, the writer booked ahead, arrived at the 11am opening and ordered quattro formaggi pasta, shrimp rosé pasta made spicy, and the soup of the day (sweet potato soup); the quattro formaggi pasta's spice level can't be adjusted, and every table was full by about 11:30. Verdict: arrive right at the 11am opening at Cenacolo Artfore if you want to avoid waiting.

Written Jun 30, 2026Sponsored