Mangwon Line Reader · 6 stories

Between the Menu Lines

I write about restaurants and cafés I visit around Seoul. · Writes about: Cafés · Restaurants

Kkachisan Station rice bowls eaten unmixed: pork galbi set, Hekbap

Hekbap Kkachisan Branch is a Japanese home-style rice bowl and ramen restaurant on the 2nd floor of the Lotteria building at Exit 3 of Kkachisan Station in Gangseo, Seoul. The writer and Dudu ordered the marinated pork galbi rice bowl set (13,900 won) and the salmon rice bowl (15,900 won), then followed the table's 'how to enjoy your rice bowl' guide: no mixing, just deep scoops of rice topped with the toppings and fresh wasabi. Hekbap Kkachisan Branch is a solid Japanese spot near Kkachisan Station for a proper rice bowl, whether you're eating alone or with a group.

Written Nov 14, 2026Sponsored

PlaceMapo, SeoulRestaurants

Korean BBQ in Hapjeong: weekend call-back waitlist, Jeongyukdo

Jeongyukdo is a charcoal Korean BBQ restaurant on the 2nd floor of a building near Exit 5 of Hapjeong Station in Mapo, Seoul, serving grade 1 Handon pork and 1++ Hanwoo beef. After a short wait around 6:30 pm on a weekend evening, the writer ordered Jeongyukdo's 500g Handon special-cut pork set with Hanwoo doenjang (soybean paste) stew and compared the side-dish pairings one by one. Verdict: galmaegisal (skirt meat) was best with salt, gabrisal (shoulder cap) with wasabi and scallion salad, and hangjeongsal (pork jowl) with pickled chili and pickled onion.

Written Nov 4, 2026Sponsored

PlaceYangcheon, SeoulRestaurants

Yeomchang Station pizza pub before Yongwangsan fireworks: Eopija

Eopija is a pizza pub in Yangcheon, Seoul, in the back alley behind Exit 4 of Yeomchang Station, serving pizza alongside a range of beers and bar snacks. Before heading to the fireworks at Yongwangsan Skywalk, two people shared a two-flavor whole pizza (potato and Johnsonville sausage) with Coke Zero and Kirin draft beer, enjoying the thin dough and crust edges as crisp as crackers, but took about half the pizza home because the portion was so large. Eopija's whole pizza suits three or more people, so pairs should order the half-pizza set.

Written Oct 18, 2026Sponsored

PlaceMapo, SeoulRestaurants

Hongdae rainy-day lunch restaurant: porcini shrimp gnocchi at Brivit

Brivit Hongdae Yeonnam is a pasta, gnocchi and steak restaurant on the 2nd floor at the start of Gyeongui Line Forest Park, by Exit 3 of Hongik Univ. Station in Mapo, Seoul. On a rainy holiday lunch that replaced a trip to Haneul Park, the Beat Set of porcini shrimp gnocchi, salmon steak pasta and spicy fried eggplant came to ₩52,700. Brivit Hongdae Yeonnam stands out for its colorful plates, crisp-outside, tender-inside fried eggplant and an orange juice that cuts the richness, making it a solid Western restaurant for dates and group meetups.

Written Oct 11, 2026Sponsored

PlaceGangseo, SeoulRestaurants

Magok Mexican restaurant lunch date with queso dip nachos: Taqueros

Taqueros Magok Main Branch is a Mexican family restaurant on the 2nd floor of Magok GMG Tower, near Exit 3 of Magok Station in Gangseo, Seoul. Two people visited at lunchtime and ordered the Taqueros Signature Couple Set (fajita plus 2 tacos, chicken and fish). The homemade queso dip with nachos, a first for the writer, and the crispy tacos were the highlights. Taqueros Magok Main Branch is a Magok date spot that gets even better value when you book through Naver Reservation and claim the free buffalo wings coupon.

Written Sep 30, 2026Sponsored

PlaceMapo, SeoulCafés

Mangwon Hangang Park café for pistachio choco-bing: Puru Papa

Puru Papa Hangang MAPOINT Branch is a dessert café in Mapo, Seoul, on the first floor of floating MAPOINT by the Han River. After a picnic at Mangwon Hangang Park, I had pistachio chocolate bingsu, a lemon caramel latte, cheesecake, and chocolate ganache cake indoors. Verdict: a handy stop for cool desserts or picnic takeaway by the river.

Written Sep 9, 2026Sponsored

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