Mirror Mug Keeper · 55 stories

Mirror and Mug

I write about beauty finds and café visits around Seoul. · Writes about: Hair & beauty salons · Cafés · Restaurants · Bars · Things to do

PlaceSeocho, SeoulRestaurants

Gyodae Station noodle house: rainy-day jang kalguksu and jeon, Daseon

Daseon Kalguksu Gyodae (다선칼국수 교대직영점) is a Korean restaurant serving kalguksu (knife-cut noodle soup) and bossam (boiled pork wraps) near Exit 14 of Gyodae Station in Seocho, Seoul. On a rainy return visit, the writer skipped the drinking menu and ordered à la carte: jang kalguksu (noodles in a soybean-paste broth), the bossam kalguksu set, extra bossam meat and a jeon platter of beef, shrimp and zucchini pancakes, with free unlimited barley rice on the side. The rich jang kalguksu, odor-free pork and non-greasy jeon make Daseon Kalguksu a great pick near Gyodae Station when a rainy day calls for hot broth and jeon.

Written Nov 1, 2026Sponsored
PlaceBupyeong, IncheonRestaurants

Bupyeong seafood jjim, crunchy bean sprouts and minari: Donghae

Haemulmyeongga Donghae Haemultang (해물명가 동해해물탕) is a seafood jjim (spicy braised seafood) and seafood stew restaurant at the start of Bupyeong's seafood stew street, near Bupyeong Station in Incheon. On a friend's recommendation, the writer ordered the seafood jjim, which came loaded with octopus, crab and roe in a savory sauce with no fishy taste that soaked into crunchy bean sprouts and minari (Korean water dropwort), then added fried rice. For a spicy, generous seafood jjim in a spacious dining room, Haemulmyeongga Donghae Haemultang is a satisfying choice.

Written May 23, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSiheung, GyeonggiRestaurants

Red scallop seafood bucket kalguksu with parents in Oido: 52 Degree

52 Degree Kalguksu Oido Main Branch is a seafood bucket kalguksu (knife-cut noodle soup) restaurant on Oido-ro in Siheung, Gyeonggi. On a family trip to Oido, the writer and their parents sat by the second-floor sea view and had 4 servings of seafood bucket kalguksu (21,000 won per serving) and black octopus pajeon (savory pancake, 15,000 won) with somaek (soju mixed with beer). The bucket was generous with Korean red scallops, small octopus, blue crab and abalone, and staff even prepped the crab. Verdict: 52 Degree Kalguksu is an Oido seafood spot worth taking your parents to instead of the usual grilled clams.

Written May 26, 2026Sponsored
PlaceJungnang, SeoulRestaurants

Sagajeong dakgangjeong with cheese mustard for baseball: Pyeongjeong

Pyeongjeong Dakgangjeong is a takeout dakgangjeong (sweet, crispy fried chicken bites) and fried chicken shop at the entrance of Myeonmok Market, near Sagajeong Station in Jungnang, Seoul. On a visit to the shop they return to about once a month with a friend, the writer took home a medium mild dakgangjeong, fried chicken gizzards and a 500-won cheese mustard sauce to eat at home. Pyeongjeong Dakgangjeong stays crisp after takeout and its prices are easy on the wallet, which keeps bringing regulars back to this market chicken shop.

Written May 29, 2026Sponsored
PlaceJungnang, SeoulRestaurants

Jungnang chicken shop: griddle-tossed dakgangjeong, Pyeongjeong

Pyeongjeong Dakgangjeong (평정닭강정) is a dakgangjeong (sweet, crispy glazed fried chicken) and fried chicken shop at the entrance of Myeonmok Market in Jungnang, Seoul, near Exit 3 of Sagajeong Station. A regular of several years took home the mildly spicy (medium-spicy) dakgangjeong and the Puringkle dakgangjeong, and found generous portions weighed on a scale, chicken tossed on an iron griddle right in front of customers, and a coating that stays crunchy after tossing. For good-value dakgangjeong near Sagajeong Station, Pyeongjeong Dakgangjeong is a sure pick.

Written Oct 27, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMichuhol, IncheonRestaurants

Eel & pork neck buffet with parents in Hakik-dong: Songrim Bokjangeo

Songrim Bokjangeo Inha Univ. Hakik-dong branch is an all-you-can-eat freshwater eel and meat restaurant on Soseong-ro in Michuhol, Incheon. The writer visited with Mom and Dad, grilled thick freshwater eel plus pork neck, chicken neck and pork belly at the table, and went back for refills; Dad liked how clean and mild the eel tasted. Songrim Bokjangeo is a solid pick for a nourishing meal out with parents or a group dinner in Hakik-dong.

Written Oct 26, 2026Sponsored
PlaceYeonsu, IncheonRestaurants

Songdo Korean restaurant with mom: pumpkin porridge bar at Bomseol

Bomseol Songdo International City is a Korean set-menu (hanjeongsik) restaurant on the first floor of Building A at S-Five City in Songdo, Yeonsu, Incheon. The writer and her mom ordered the Bomseol Set (23,000 won) with cheonggukjang (fermented soybean stew), pot rice, bossam (boiled pork), grilled mackerel and seasoned raw crab, then helped themselves to pumpkin porridge, barley rice and fried eggplant at the self-serve bar. With a spacious dining room, 2 hours of free parking and mild side dishes, Bomseol Songdo International City was a very satisfying spot for a family meal with parents in Songdo.

Written Jun 3, 2026Sponsored
PlaceJungnang, SeoulBars

Korean pub in Sagajeong: shrimp minari pancake & spicy shabu at Bomsul

Bomsul Sagajeong Main Branch (봄술 사가정본점) is a Korean cooking pub near Exit 1 of Sagajeong Station in Jungnang, Seoul, serving nabe (hot pots), pasta, jeon (savory pancakes) and fried dishes alongside soju, highballs, makgeolli and more. On a return visit, the writer ordered the spicy flower mushroom shabu, a generous hot pot with kalguksu noodles, bunmoja (chewy sweet potato starch noodles), fish cake and tofu pouches, plus a shrimp and minari pancake that was crisp outside, moist inside and mild in flavor. With its roomy space and good-value dishes, Bomsul Sagajeong Main Branch is a solid Sagajeong bar for drinks with friends or group gatherings.

Written Jun 5, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGangnam, SeoulRestaurants

TV-featured conveyor sushi in Seolleung: 20 plates, Sushi Ian N

Sushi Ian N Seolleung Station (스시이안앤 선릉역점) is a conveyor-belt sushi restaurant on the 2nd floor of a building near Seolleung Station in Gangnam, Seoul, with plates from ₩1,990. After seeing Sushi Ian N on TV, the writer booked on Naver, walked in after work on a weekday evening without waiting, and ordered from the chef 20 plates, including salmon sushi, aged kimchi (mukeunji) sushi and gamtae uni sushi (sea urchin with thin green seaweed). For sushi this good at ₩1,990 a plate, Sushi Ian N Seolleung Station is a great-value spot worth a 100% return visit.

Written Jun 5, 2026Sponsored
PlaceNowon, SeoulRestaurants

Weekend family sushi buffet near Hagye Station: lamb chops at Kuu Kuu

Kuu Kuu Nowon Branch is a sushi buffet on the 6th floor of the Seoul Oncheon Building near Hagye Station in Nowon, Seoul. After a satisfying first visit, the whole family returned on a weekend for Norwegian raw salmon sashimi, botan shrimp sushi, the new grilled lamb chops and smoked duck, and bead ice cream, which is now also served at weekday lunch. Weekend parking can fill up, but the menu and spacious dining room make Kuu Kuu Nowon Branch a family gathering spot worth returning to.

Written Oct 26, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGangnam, SeoulRestaurants

Korean BBQ in Sinnonhyeon, Seoul: free tartare, salt-first ribs, Sojei

Sojei Seoul Flagship Store is a beef Korean BBQ restaurant near Sinnonhyeon Station in Gangnam, Seoul; the brand began in Seomyeon, Busan, and is known for LA-style fresh beef ribs and braised oxtail. The writer ordered 500g of LA flower ribs, a tasting-size braised oxtail, doenjang stew (soybean paste stew) and jjolbibim (spicy chewy noodles); staff grilled all the meat, served free beef tartare and explained how to eat each cut. Sojei Seoul Flagship Store is a relaxed Sinnonhyeon spot for a work dinner, where you can talk instead of tending the grill.

Written Jun 9, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSeocho, SeoulBars

Gangnam Station oden bar: one mild oden set for round two, Odeng Osaek

Odeng Osaek Gangnam Station Branch is an oden bar and izakaya in Seocho, Seoul, between Gangnam Station and Sinnonhyeon Station. After a filling first round, the writer stopped by Odeng Osaek with a friend, ordered just one mild oden set with the free tuna mayo and crackers, and found the fresh broth served in an individual pot hygienic and the handmade fish cakes, high in fish content, pleasantly chewy. For a light round two that is easy on the stomach, Odeng Osaek Gangnam Station Branch is a good fit.

Written Oct 23, 2026Sponsored