Sharp Focus Eater · 45 stories

Meals in Focus

I write about meals and impressions from restaurants I visit in Gyeonggi. · Writes about: Restaurants · Cafés · Bars · Things to do · Hair & beauty salons

PlaceSeo-gu, IncheonRestaurants

Wanjeong Station BBQ after work: grilled white kimchi, Dwitgolmok

Dwitgolmok Ddotgalbi Geomdan Main Branch is a Korean BBQ restaurant near Wanjeong Station in Seo-gu, Incheon, specializing in Jeju-style aged bone-in pork belly (ddotgalbi). A meat-loving couple visited around 5:50 pm on a weekday, ordered 2 servings of the signature ddotgalbi plus 1 more, and mixed Hallasan soju with beer. The staff grilled the ddotgalbi and white kimchi over charcoal, and the white kimchi was a highlight. The verdict: Dwitgolmok Ddotgalbi is the best BBQ place the writer has found since moving to Geomdan.

Written Apr 24, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMapo, SeoulBars

After-dinner wine bar near Gongdeok Station: octopus ceviche, Danjeong

Danjeong Gongdeok (단정) is a wine bar in the Gongdeok Park Xi shopping arcade near Exit 1 of Gongdeok Station in Mapo, Seoul. After dinner, the writer and her husband went on to Danjeong for a second round. They sat at the bar facing the open kitchen and had octopus ceviche, 2 glasses of red wine and 1 glass of white. Verdict: Danjeong's octopus ceviche with wine by the glass is a good match for a light drink when you're already full.

Written Apr 21, 2026Sponsored
PlaceJongno, SeoulRestaurants

Insa-dong noodle house with my husband: pollock makguksu set, Goshine

Goshine Donghae Makguksu Jongno branch (고씨네동해막국수 종로직영점) is a hanok-style makguksu (buckwheat noodle) restaurant on Insa-dong 12-gil in Jongno, Seoul, near Exit 6 of Anguk Station. The writer and her husband shared the two-person set of pollock makguksu, bulgogi stone pot bibimbap and suyuk (boiled pork slices); the house-made noodles were springy and the suyuk thick enough to leave them both stuffed. For a clean, fairly priced Korean meal in Insa-dong, the Goshine Donghae Makguksu two-person set is a safe choice.

Written Apr 25, 2026Sponsored
PlaceJongno, SeoulThings to do

Beginner perfume workshop in Bukchon, Seoul: couple's 1:1 class, UMTM

UMTM (움틈) is a reservation-only 1:1 perfume workshop on Samcheong-ro 2-gil in Bukchon, Jongno, Seoul, near Anguk Station. A couple with no perfume knowledge used 45 fragrance oils, guided by a perfumer, to make one 50ml perfume and 2 mini samples for ₩50,000 per person. The scent came out exactly as they wanted and lasted well. UMTM is a Bukchon date idea where you can make your own perfume without knowing scents or worrying about ruining it.

Written Apr 25, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGangseo, SeoulRestaurants

Korean BBQ at Balsan Station: staff-pick beef galbi for two, Ihwajeong

Ihwajeong Galbi Myeongga Magok-Balsan Branch is a newly opened Korean BBQ restaurant near Balsan Station in Gangseo, Seoul, known for marinated beef galbi (short ribs) that the owner sprays with pear juice just before grilling. On a staff recommendation, the writer and her husband ordered 2 servings of marinated beef galbi, bibim naengmyeon (spicy cold noodles) and a bottle of Saero soju, and enjoyed the gently sweet marinade, the tender meat, the hanjeongsik-style side dishes and the dessert. Ihwajeong Galbi Myeongga Magok-Balsan Branch is a solid pick for family dinners and work gatherings built around beef galbi and bibim naengmyeon.

Written Apr 30, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMapo, SeoulCafés

Gongdeok bakery: my top 3 sweets after a gift, Fluffy Bake Shop

Fluffy Bake Shop is a baked-goods dessert shop near Gongdeok Station in Mapo, Seoul, said to use Lescure AOP butter. After falling for Fluffy Bake Shop's sweets as a gift from a friend, the writer visited around 3 p.m. and took home a mix of madeleines, financiers and canelés. The writer's top 3 at Fluffy Bake Shop were the apple churros financier, the Earl Grey canelé and the yuzu madeleine.

Written Apr 29, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGangseo, SeoulRestaurants

Seafood bar in Magok: spring baby octopus & live abalone, Neoul Magok

Neoul Magok is a seasonal seafood and raw fish restaurant on the first floor of Magok iPark in Gangseo, Seoul, near Balsan Station, and a popular outdoor-seating spot in Magok. A couple arrived at 5:30 pm and paired roe-filled spring baby octopus (jjukkumi sukhoe, lightly boiled) and 5 pieces of abalone sashimi, taken live from the tank, with East Sea soju; the baby octopus was tender and the abalone was crunchy with no fishy smell. For seasonal seafood and an outdoor-seating vibe around Magok and Balsan Station, Neoul Magok is a no-regrets choice.

Written May 1, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGangseo, SeoulBars

Balsan pub, 24% Manwol raspberry spirit & bossam: Yeonnam Jumak 1987

Yeonnam Jumak 1987 Balsan branch (연남주막1987 발산점) is a retro Korean pub on the first floor of Magnum 797, near Balsan Station in Gangseo, Seoul. After work, a married couple paired aged-kimchi bossam (boiled pork wraps) and cheese potato jeon (pancake) with Manwol, a 24% ABV bokbunja (Korean black raspberry) spirit. The clean-tasting pork, tangy kimchi and crispy jeon all suited Manwol. With quality food and partitioned seats, Yeonnam Jumak 1987 is a quiet spot for traditional liquor in Balsan and Magok.

Written May 3, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMapo, SeoulRestaurants

Sangsu ramen shop: thick-noodle iekei vs thin Jin Ramen, Ramen Truck

Ramen Truck Sangsu Main Branch (라멘트럭 상수본점) is a Japanese ramen restaurant on Dongmak-ro 14-gil near Sangsu Station Exit 4 in Mapo, Seoul, and has been there for over 10 years. Over lunch the writer compared iekei ramen and Jin Ramen side by side, with a mini chashu don (braised pork rice bowl). The iekei ramen has thick, chewy noodles in a rich tonkotsu-soy broth, while the Jin Ramen has thin house-made noodles soaked in a deep pork-and-chicken broth. At Ramen Truck, pick iekei for something chewy and hearty, or Jin Ramen for something smooth and light.

Written May 3, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMapo, SeoulRestaurants

Pet-friendly Hongdae Korean BBQ, cubed pork neck & sirloin: Gogikkun

Gogikkun Gimchunbae Hongdae Supgil Branch is a hanok-style, pet-friendly Korean BBQ restaurant beside the Gyeongui Line Forest Park path in Mapo, Seoul. The writer and her husband ordered the Korean pork and hanwoo (Korean beef) set for 2, with pork neck, galbi-sal (rib finger meat) and the hanwoo of the day, plus half-and-half naengmyeon (cold noodles) and cubed pork fried rice; staff grilled the day's sirloin and the thick cubed pork neck at the table. Gogikkun Gimchunbae Hongdae Supgil Branch is most satisfying when you start with the set and add the sides.

Written May 4, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGangseo, SeoulRestaurants

Magok Korean BBQ: yukhoe wraps, mustard-leaf kimchi at Chadol Grill

Chadol Grill Magok (차돌그릴 마곡) is a charcoal-grilled beef brisket restaurant on the 1st floor of GMG Tower, near Exit 3 of Magok Station in Gangseo-gu, Seoul. A couple ordered the hanwoo (Korean beef) brisket yukhoe ssam (raw beef wraps) and aged brisket, wrapping cold yukhoe in hot grilled brisket. They loved the contrast of temperature and texture, the sauce that wasn't too salty and the crunchy mustard-leaf kimchi. Chadol Grill Magok is a different kind of Korean BBQ meal at Magok Station when the usual pork belly feels boring.

Written May 5, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMapo, SeoulCafés

Hongdae café: strawberry Valrhona soufflé gone in 10 min, Think Fruit

Think Fruit (띵크프룻) is a soufflé dessert café on Wausan-ro 29-gil in Mapo, Seoul, near Exit 7 of Hongik Univ. Station. Visiting with a friend, the writer ordered a strawberry Valrhona chocolate soufflé and two iced Americanos, and the rich Valrhona chocolate, Häagen-Dazs vanilla ice cream and fresh strawberry slices disappeared in under 10 minutes. Think Fruit's strawberry Valrhona chocolate soufflé is a special dessert worth the 20–30 minute wait.

Written May 3, 2026Sponsored