Balm Shelf Keeper · 52 stories

The Lip Balm Shelf

I write about beauty products I try in everyday routines. · Writes about: Beauty products · Restaurants · Shopping · Hair & beauty salons · Cafés · Bars · Things to do

PlaceJung-gu, SeoulRestaurants

Gyukatsu dinner at Seoul Station: mentaiko cream udon, Ichigyu

Ichigyu Seoul Station Branch is a gyukatsu (breaded beef cutlet) restaurant on the B1 floor of the LG Seoul Station Building in Jung-gu, Seoul, near Exit 10 of Seoul Station. On a weekday evening after work, the writer shared a striploin gyukatsu and mentaiko cream udon with a potato croquette on the side; the striploin stayed tender even when cooked through, and the mentaiko cream udon was thick, rich and pleasantly salty. Ichigyu Seoul Station Branch is a good pick for a neat dinner or a date near Seoul Station.

Written Jun 14, 2026Sponsored
PlaceJongno, SeoulRestaurants

Hanok gomtang restaurant by Anguk exit 6 for a Bukchon date: Wolhadong

Wolhadong (월하동) is a hanok gomtang (clear meat soup) restaurant tucked into an alley off Insa-dong 8-gil, near Anguk Station in Jongno, Seoul. On a weekend Bukchon date after an exhibition, the writer ordered 2 bowls of Wolhagomtang, with clear, grease-free broth, thin slices of pork and cheonggeunjang, a sauce Wolhadong says it recreated from old Korean cookbooks. For a light yet filling Korean meal, Wolhadong's Wolhagomtang is a satisfying choice.

Written Jun 19, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMapo, SeoulRestaurants

Hanok Korean BBQ in Gongdeok with my sister: Gogikkun Kim Chunbae

Gogikkun Kim Chunbae Gongdeok Direct Store is a hanok-style Korean BBQ restaurant serving hanwoo (Korean beef) and handon (Korean pork) near Gyeongui Line Forest Park in Mapo, Seoul, within 10 minutes' walk of Gongdeok Station Exit 9. On a weekday evening the writer and an older sister who had just moved to Gongdeok shared the hanwoo and handon set for two (600g in total), half-and-half mul and bibim naengmyeon (cold noodles) and kkakdugi (radish kimchi) fried rice, and the meat was juicy and tender. From the meat to the sides, Gogikkun Kim Chunbae is a Gongdeok Korean BBQ spot worth going back to.

Written Jun 19, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSeocho, SeoulRestaurants

Gyodae gimbap shop takeout: Cheongyang chili dakgangjeong set, Halls

Halls Gimbap Main Branch (홀스김밥본점) is a self-service snack bar near Gyodae Station in Seocho, Seoul, that sells gimbap (seaweed rice rolls) alongside dakgangjeong (crispy sweet-glazed Korean fried chicken). On the way home from work, the writer picked up a Jindo scallion tuna gimbap and dakgangjeong set plus a Spam gimbap to go; the rolls had a thin layer of black rice and were packed with fillings, and they paired well with the crispy dakgangjeong made with Cheongyang chili. The Halls Gimbap Main Branch gimbap and dakgangjeong set is a solo-dining meal where a single roll makes a filling dinner.

Written Jun 24, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSeongdong, SeoulRestaurants

Japanese noodle spot by Ttukseom Station: zaru soba and tori-ten, Kosi

Kosi Seongsu Branch (코시 성수점) is a Japanese restaurant serving fresh pork loin tonkatsu and Sanuki udon in Seongsu, Seoul, about a 3-minute walk from Ttukseom Station Exit 6. On a hot Saturday, two of us walked in right as break time ended and ordered one tori-ten bukkake udon (cold udon with chicken tempura) and one zaru soba (chilled buckwheat noodles). The springy Sanuki fresh noodles, said to be aged for 48 hours, and the mild dipping sauce made the generous portions easy to finish. Kosi Seongsu Branch does summer noodles like cold udon and zaru soba just as well as its tonkatsu.

Written Jun 23, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGangnam, SeoulRestaurants

Gangnam Station Chinese lunch: guobaorou on beef fried rice, Sinbok

Sinbok Myeongwan (신복면관) is a Chinese restaurant in the Central Prugio City shopping arcade near Gangnam Station Exit 1 in Gangnam, Seoul, known for handmade Hong Kong-style dim sum and Taiwanese beef noodles made with house-made noodles. On a weekday lunch visit the writer took a number ticket, waited, then ordered beef fried rice, which came with egg soup in a generous portion, and guobaorou (Chinese sweet-and-sour fried pork), crisp outside and chewy inside. Topping the Sinbok Myeongwan beef fried rice with the tangy guobaorou is a perfect match, making it a solid pick for a Gangnam office lunch or a solo meal.

Written Jun 21, 2026Sponsored
PlaceJongno, SeoulRestaurants

Hyehwa Indian restaurant after shopping, half tandoori chicken: Meono

Meono Kkameona Daehangno Branch is an Indian restaurant in Jongno, Seoul, a short walk from Hyehwa Station Exit 4 toward the Sungkyunkwan University intersection. After a weekday evening of shopping in Daehangno, the writer combined butter chicken curry, shrimp curry pasta, a half tandoori chicken, sweet naan and basmati rice, all ordered à la carte. Diners new to Indian food can start comfortably at Meono Kkameona with the butter chicken curry and the cheese-topped curry pasta.

Written Jun 21, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSeongdong, SeoulCafés

Ttukseom petit cake café: whiskey Noix after dinner at home, Notldun

Notldun is a pastry boutique dessert café on the Seoulsup café street between Ttukseom Station and Seoulsup Station in Seongdong, Seoul. On a trip to Seongsu, the writer picked up Notldun's signature petit cake, the Signature Noix, to go and ate it at home after dinner, finding layers of dark cocoa, not-too-sweet chocolate cream, caramel and whiskey flavors, and a salty croustillant. Notldun's Signature Noix is a grown-up dessert that would pair well with an Americano.

Written Jun 23, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSongpa, SeoulHair & beauty salons

Songpa back-side aroma massage for swollen legs: The Hanoi Foot & Body

The Hanoi Foot & Body Songpa Garak Branch is a massage shop on the 2nd floor of the Songpa Sangteville shopping arcade near Exit 3 of Garak Market Station in Songpa, Seoul. On a weekday afternoon off, the writer had the 60-minute Aroma Therapy back-side course; after the writer mentioned lower-body swelling, the therapist focused on the legs and used hot stones on the back. The verdict was that the massage felt like pure bliss for a tired body, and the writer plans to try Stone Therapy or a longer course next time.

Written Jun 26, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGangdong, SeoulRestaurants

Japanese restaurant in Amsa, Seoul with no break time: Haekbap Amsa

Haekbap Amsa is a Japanese rice bowl and ramen restaurant on the second floor of a building near Exit 1 of Amsa Station in Gangdong, Seoul. Because Haekbap Amsa runs with no break time, the writer dropped in for a late solo lunch of the Hanwoo daechang (Korean beef large intestine) rice bowl and took home a Western-style king-size tonkatsu. Haekbap Amsa is a good Amsa Station pick for a filling Japanese home-style meal on your own at an in-between hour.

Written Jun 27, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGangnam, SeoulHair & beauty salons

Sinnonhyeon hair salon: lunch-break layered cut at Enbite Hair

Enbite Hair Sinnonhyeon is a hair salon in Gangnam, Seoul, about a 5-minute walk from Sinnonhyeon Station Exit 6, that charges no extra for long hair. On a work lunch break, the writer had heavy hair lightened with a women's layered cut at Enbite Hair Sinnonhyeon and was very happy with the side pieces shaped to her face and a length that skipped the awkward grow-out stage. Enbite Hair Sinnonhyeon suits office workers near Sinnonhyeon Station who want fixed prices and a careful cut.

Written Jun 28, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGuro, SeoulHair & beauty salons

Sindorim waxing salon for after-work calf waxing: Waxing Lounge

Waxing Lounge Sindorim Branch is a waxing and skin care salon on the 1st floor of Sindorim Techno Mart in Guro, Seoul. To get ready to wear a dress, the writer booked a women's calf wax (35,000 won) on a weekday evening; in a private room, each calf was waxed in turn up to above the knee and finished with tweezers, leaving the legs smooth. Waxing Lounge Sindorim Branch is worth considering as a leg waxing salon you can drop into straight from Sindorim Station after work.

Written Jun 26, 2026Sponsored