Lunch Chime · 15 stories

The Lunch Bell

I write about meals at restaurants I visit in Gangwon. · Writes about: Restaurants · Cafés

PlaceGangneung, GangwonRestaurants

Jumunjin sashimi texted ahead for friends at a pension: Ilchul Hoetjip

Ilchul Hoetjip (일출횟집) is a raw fish restaurant inside Jumunjin Fish Market in Gangneung, Gangwon, offering both takeout and dine-in. On a Gangneung trip with friends, the blogger texted Ilchul Hoetjip ahead for a medium seasonal assorted sashimi platter, picked it up and ate it at their pension (Korean guesthouse); the thick-cut slices were chewy, and abalone, shrimp and shellfish came packed alongside. Ilchul Hoetjip is a good fit for travelers who want quick sashimi takeout in Jumunjin for their lodging.

Written Oct 26, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGangneung, GangwonRestaurants

Gangneung tofu restaurant, ₩20,000 Chodang Tofu Table: Jeong Eunsuk

Jeong Eunsuk Chodang Sundubu is a tofu-focused Korean restaurant near Chodang Sundubu Village in Chodang-dong, Gangneung. On a trip with friends, the writer went around 10:30 a.m. the morning after a meat party and ordered the 20,000-won-per-person Chodang Tofu Table, which came with soft tofu hot pot and tofu samhap (handmade tofu, bossam and flatfish sikhae), and the friends agreed the soft tofu hot pot was a proper hangover cure. The Chodang Tofu Table suits Gangneung travelers who want to try both the soft tofu hot pot and the tofu samhap instead of picking just one.

Written Oct 25, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSokcho, GangwonRestaurants

Sokcho noodle restaurant on a foliage trip: flower rice cake noodles

Sokcho Haemul Kkot Jangkalguksu is a Korean restaurant in Joyang-dong, Sokcho, specializing in jangkalguksu (noodle soup in a soybean-paste broth) and seafood shabu-shabu. On an October fall foliage trip, the blogger ordered the stamina seafood shabu flower platter jangkalguksu for 2. They cooked crab, abalone, octopus and other seafood with beef as shabu-shabu, then finished with house-made kalguksu noodles topped with flower-shaped rice cakes and a whole ginseng root. For a chilly day in Sokcho with plenty of seafood and a rich jangkalguksu broth, Sokcho Haemul Kkot Jangkalguksu is a good fit.

Written Oct 18, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGwangju, GyeonggiRestaurants

Gwangju Korean BBQ: pork galbi before Hwadamsup fireflies, Jeongwon

Jeongwon Galbi Gyeonggi Gwangju Branch is a charcoal-grill galbi restaurant on Gyeongancheon-ro, near Songjeong, in Gwangju, Gyeonggi. Before going to see the fireflies at Hwadamsup, the blogger ordered 2 servings of pork galbi and 1 serving of beef rib meat (galbisal), plus doenjang stew (soybean paste stew), rice and naengmyeon (cold noodles). The blogger liked the not-too-sweet marinade and the rich, nutty flavor of the beef rib meat. Jeongwon Galbi made a filling, satisfying dinner stop before or after a Hwadamsup outing.

Written Jun 19, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGimpo, GyeonggiRestaurants

Gimpo steak restaurant: lamb chop steak and chili shrimp pasta, Polia

Restaurant Polia Gimpo Unyang Branch is a wood-fired pizza, steak and pasta restaurant in Unyang-dong, Gimpo, near Gimpo Bird Ecological Park. On a rainy weekend evening, two of us ordered the premium lamb chop steak, a chuck flap tagliata salad and the meat chili shrimp pasta at Restaurant Polia, and everything from the garlic baguette served before the meal to the balance of the three dishes was satisfying. With free parking and a spacious dining room, Restaurant Polia is well worth recommending for a date or a family meal in Gimpo.

Written Jun 21, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGwangju, GyeonggiCafés

Gonjiam bakery café before Hwadam Forest fireflies: cookies, La Cuesta

La Cuesta Gwangju is a large bakery café in Gonjiam, Gwangju, Gyeonggi, a short drive from Hwadam Forest. With time to spare before seeing the Hwadam Forest fireflies, the writer tried La Cuesta's meju bread (a bean-packed loaf), sausage bread, La Cuesta latte and lemon bow ade, then decorated cookies for two with the cookie decorating set. With a big parking lot, meju bread full of whole beans and a cookie session full of laughs, La Cuesta is a good stop before or after Hwadam Forest.

Written Jun 22, 2026Sponsored
PlacePocheon, GyeonggiRestaurants

Rainy drive to a Pocheon steak restaurant: Hanwoo striploin, Eoneu Dal

Eoneu Dal (어느달) is a steak and pasta restaurant on Jeongmundong-gil in Pocheon, Gyeonggi, near Pocheon Art Valley. On a rainy weekend drive, the writer ordered Hanwoo striploin steak, beef tomato pasta and a salmon salad at Eoneu Dal and especially remembered the spacious white-toned dining room decorated with yellow flowers. Verdict: the beef tomato pasta sauce at Eoneu Dal is good enough to pile onto the bread, and the Hanwoo striploin steak is a must-order.

Written Jul 12, 2026Sponsored
PlaceJongno, SeoulRestaurants

Jongno burgers near Nakwon Arcade: mild jalapeño mayo, Reel Burger

Reel Burger Gwanghwamun is a handmade burger restaurant on Sambong-ro in Jongno, Seoul, the Gwanghwamun branch of the Reel Burger brand that drew attention in Ttukseom and at The Hyundai Seoul. On a stop after visiting Nakwon Arcade, the writer ordered a cheeseburger and a jalapeño mayo burger, both with an extra patty, plus maple sweet potato fries. Even people who can't handle spicy food can enjoy Reel Burger's jalapeño mayo burger, and adding the extra patty was the best call of the meal.

Written Jul 11, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSongpa, SeoulRestaurants

Garak Mall fish shop: live croaker platter for 3 to go, Narae Susan

Narae Susan (나래수산) is a live fish and seafood shop at Unit 48 on the 1st floor of the Panmae-dong building in Garak Mall, Songpa, Seoul. Because croaker (mineo) on its own was hard to get that season, the writer reserved Narae Susan's live croaker platter for 3, picked it up, and got a free swim bladder plus a spicy fish stew kit for a restaurant-style spread at home. Thickly cut, chewy croaker and careful cold packing made Narae Susan's takeout a satisfying sashimi fix without a trip to the sea.

Written Jul 19, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSeongnam, GyeonggiRestaurants

Boknal shabu-shabu buffet in Namwirye with spicy broth porridge: Dadam

Dadam Shabu Shabu & Wolnamssam Wirye Branch is an all-you-can-eat vegetable and beef shabu-shabu restaurant on the 3rd floor of G&G Plaza near Namwirye Station in Seongnam. On Boknal, the traditional hottest days of summer when Koreans eat restorative food, the writer came after work for shabu-shabu in a half-and-half broth and rice paper wraps (wolnamssam). The writer then made porridge in the spicy broth with rice, egg and laver, much like ramen porridge (rajuk), and finished with affogato from the Dadam Cafeteria. With vegetables said to come from Garak Market and that spicy broth porridge, Dadam Wirye made a great Boknal alternative to the usual chicken.

Written Jul 17, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSuwon, GyeonggiRestaurants

Suwon eel grill with a self-serve bar and eel soup finish: Songnim Bok

Songnim Bok Jangeo Freshwater Eel All-You-Can-Eat Suwon Main Branch is an all-you-can-eat freshwater eel restaurant in Gwonseon-gu, Suwon, Gyeonggi. Adults pay 29,900 won plus a 3,000 won table charge, or 32,900 won per person, for unlimited freshwater eel, charcoal pork belly and chicken neck meat taken from the self-serve bar, with eel soup and ramyeon ordered at the end. Even at an all-you-can-eat price the eel was thick and barely fishy, making Songnim Bok Jangeo a satisfying stamina meal.

Written Aug 20, 2026Sponsored
PlaceDanyang, ChungbukRestaurants

Spicy pork ssambap for two in Danyang: Danyang Heukmaneul Ssambap

Danyang Heukmaneul Ssambap is a Korean ssambap restaurant on a main road near Gyeonggyeong Market in Danyang, Chungbuk. Two of us ordered the black garlic spicy pork ssambap for two, which came with black garlic rice, a full tray of wrap greens, side dishes and doenjang stew, and the pork carried a gentle garlic aroma that grew with each bite instead of the bitterness black garlic can have. It makes a filling meal to slot in before or after a walk through Gyeonggyeong Market.

Written Sep 13, 2026Sponsored