Meal Bookmarker · 19 stories

Meal Bookmarks

I write about restaurants I visit in Seoul and the meals I have there. · Writes about: Restaurants · Cafés

PlaceMapo, SeoulRestaurants

Seogyo-dong Korean BBQ at Saturday 5 PM opening, public parking: Ijjok

Ijjok Kimchi Samgyeopsal is a Korean BBQ restaurant in Seogyo-dong, near Exit 3 of Hapjeong Station in Mapo, Seoul, where the owner grills the pork belly and whole pork jowl at your table. The writer parked in a nearby public lot and arrived at the Saturday opening time of 5 PM to find Ijjok Kimchi Samgyeopsal already filling with work dinner groups and couples on dates. For anyone who loves kimchi with pork belly, Ijjok Kimchi Samgyeopsal is worth it, but book ahead on Saturdays.

Written Jun 1, 2026Sponsored
PlaceYeongdeungpo, SeoulRestaurants

Yeongdeungpo restaurant: chili chicken stew, DIY rice balls, Doriyeon

Doriyeon Dakdoritang Yeongdeungpo-gu Office branch is a dakdoritang (spicy braised chicken stew) restaurant near Exit 4 of Yeongdeungpo-gu Office Station in Seoul. After booking on Naver, the writer ordered the chili (ttaengcho) chicken stew with added glass noodles and ate it with rice balls shaped by hand with pickled radish. The fiery chili kick and the glass noodles stood out, and the portion for two was generous enough to take leftovers home.

Written Oct 24, 2026Sponsored
PlaceBucheon, GyeonggiCafés

Yeokgok café for Sunday morning filter coffee: Wonder Coffee Bar

Wonder Coffee Bar Yeokgok (분더커피바 역곡본점) is a roastery café near Yeokgok Station in Bucheon, Gyeonggi, that started in an 8-pyeong (about 26 m²) space in 2019 and has since opened branches in Sinchon and Songdo. After a good first visit, the writer returned with her husband right after waking up on a Sunday morning and ordered filter coffee and a fruit sando (Japanese-style fruit sandwich). Wonder Coffee Bar Yeokgok pairs a white-and-wood interior with music and a soft scent, making it a Yeokgok café where you want to linger.

Written Jun 8, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGangseo, SeoulRestaurants

Magok Station Exit 4 pork cutlet for two: self-pack leftovers, Tteudon

Tteudon Magok Branch (뜨돈 마곡점) is a handmade pork cutlet restaurant on the 2nd floor of a building near Exit 4 of Magok Station in Gangseo, Seoul. Two diners paid ₩29,800 for a Tteudon pork cutlet, a Tteudon stir-fried spicy pork udon and a cola, and were especially pleased with the self-bar (DIY cutlet burgers, tteokbokki and ice cream) and the self-serve wrapping paper for taking leftovers home without awkwardness. For a good-value pork cutlet lunch near Magok Station, Tteudon Magok Branch is a solid choice.

Written Jun 15, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGangneung, GangwonCafés

Dog-friendly Gangneung café for cup & saucer souvenirs: Coffee Dripper

Coffee Dripper (Drip.per) is a drip coffee roastery café on Nanseolheon-ro in Chodang-dong, Gangneung, which opened in Gyo-dong in 2012 and moved to Chodang-dong in May 2026. On a weekday visit, the writer looked around Coffee Dripper's wood-toned interior, the view from the window bar table, the outdoor seats where dogs are welcome, and the in-house goods, including cups & saucers (₩10,000–35,000) and T-shirts (₩25,000), as well as the coffee beans for sale. Coffee Dripper is a good stop on a Gangneung trip with your dog, for drip coffee and souvenirs alike.

Written Jun 26, 2026Sponsored
PlaceAnsan, GyeonggiRestaurants

Galbi house by Gojan Station, Ansan: garlic & green onion 2+2, Yangmun

Yangmun Ansan Gojan (남영동양문 안산고잔점) is a charcoal-grilled beef galbi (short rib) restaurant on the food alley behind NC Department Store in Gojan-dong, Ansan. The writer, who usually prefers unmarinated ribs, ordered the made-to-order marinated short rib 2+2 set (₩49,900) with green onion and garlic seasoning, and also tried the haejangguk (hangover soup), bibim naengmyeon (spicy cold noodles) and ice cream that came with the table setting. With a marinade that isn't too sweet and a generous spread, Yangmun Ansan Gojan is a good-value Korean BBQ spot near Gojan Station.

Written Jun 30, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSejongRestaurants

Sushi restaurant in Sejong for lunch with Mom: light rice, Sushi Resto

Sushi Resto Sejong Sodam Main Branch is a casual sushi restaurant on the 2nd floor of Icomstar City in Sodam-dong, Sejong. After visiting the Sejong Arboretum, the writer and her mom ordered futomaki (thick sushi roll) and the 12-piece Recommended Sushi by tablet, for 36,000 won in total. The writer chose Sushi Resto because she had heard the rice portions are not too heavy, and with hall, bar and private room seating, it is a good sushi spot for a meal with parents.

Written Jul 1, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGimpo, GyeonggiRestaurants

Shabu kalguksu in Gimpo, a 2pm mother-daughter lunch: Homilwon

Homilwon Shabu Kalguksu Gimpo Main Branch (호밀원샤브칼국수 김포본점) is a shabu kalguksu (shabu-shabu with knife-cut noodles) restaurant in Geolpo-dong, Gimpo, where fresh rye noodles are cooked in sanghwang mushroom broth. Visiting around 2pm with her mother, the writer ordered two servings of the No. 1 bestseller, the Hansang Gadeuk Special Sanghwang Shabu Kalguksu (19,900 won), and the dining room was still fairly busy well after lunch hours. With warm boiled pork, stir-fried baby octopus and shabu kalguksu in one meal, Homilwon Shabu Kalguksu is an easy pick for a first family meal out.

Written Jul 12, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGangseo, SeoulRestaurants

Station-connected hot pot in Magok, Seoul: weekend lunch set, J's Pot

J's Pot Magok Branch is a hot pot restaurant on basement level 2 of COEX Magok in Gangseo, Seoul, connected directly to Magongnaru Station. On a return visit for a weekend lunch, the writer had the 17,500-won lunch set as one pot per person: a choice of 1 of 5 broths, served with mixed vegetables, 100g of thinly sliced beef brisket, steamed white rice and fish balls. Because the J's Pot lunch set runs on weekends too, the writer rates it a Magok hot pot spot worth coming back to.

Written Oct 11, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMapo, SeoulCafés

Hongdae soufflé café: friends pick peach over strawberry, Think Fruit

Think Fruit is a soufflé dessert café in Mapo, Seoul, near Hongik Univ. Station on the Gyeongui Line Forest Park side. After lunch in Hongdae, three friends dropped by Think Fruit planning on the strawberry soufflé but shared the seasonal peach soufflé (₩22,000) instead: a whole peach filled with Greek yogurt. Think Fruit's peach soufflé costs a little more, but for what you get it is actually good value.

Written Jul 26, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGangseo, SeoulRestaurants

Balsan Station Korean BBQ with parking, private rooms, kids: Ihwajeong

Ihwajeong Galbi Myeongga Magok-Balsan Branch is a 200-pyeong pork galbi (marinated pork ribs) restaurant in Gangseo, Seoul, a 3-minute walk from Balsan Station Exit 4, with several private rooms. Two diners ordered 2 servings of marinated grilled pork, doenjang jjigae (soybean paste stew) and 1 bowl of rice, and the generous portions left them full. Verdict: Ihwajeong Galbi Myeongga is a Balsan Station Korean BBQ spot that meets all three key needs: parking, private rooms and kid-friendliness.

Written Jul 28, 2026Sponsored
PlaceYuseong, DaejeonCafés

Mountain-view café in Sutonggol, Daejeon: lemonade on a drive, Luonto

Luonto Sutonggol Branch is a large café with three floors and an outdoor garden at the entrance to Sutonggol in Deokmyeong-dong, Yuseong, Daejeon, and a well-known spot for chimney bread. On a drive with friends, the writer sat at a 2nd-floor panoramic window facing the mountains and had plain chimney bread, an Americano, a café latte made with bright, acidic beans and a lemonade. The outdoor seats can get hot in midsummer, but Luonto Sutonggol Branch is a great drive-stop café for window views and chimney bread together.

Written Aug 1, 2026Sponsored