Cosmetic Box Keeper · 17 stories

The Makeup Shelf

I write about beauty finds and everyday routines from Gyeonggi. · Writes about: Restaurants · Hair & beauty salons · Shopping · Cafés · Bars

PlaceSeocho, SeoulCafés

Seocho cake shop: boyfriend's birthday mini cake at Seasonique

Seasonique Shinsegae Department Store Gangnam is a fruit cake shop in Sweet Park, on the B1 floor of Shinsegae Department Store Gangnam by Express Bus Terminal Station in Seocho, Seoul. The writer had planned on a different cake shop, but the strawberry mango cake in the Seasonique showcase won her over, so she chose the strawberry mango mini cake for her boyfriend's birthday and loved how the fruit was piled so high the sponge barely showed, and how sweet it was. Verdict: as long as you keep the box level on the way, Seasonique is worth returning to for a birthday mini cake.

Written Apr 20, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGwangmyeong, GyeonggiRestaurants

Korean BBQ in Gwangmyeong: soft galbi for grandparents, Seoseo Galbi

Gwangmyeong Seoseo Galbi is a charcoal-grill galbi restaurant near Gwangmyeong Sageori Station, on the Gwangmyeong Traditional Market side, in Gwangmyeong, Gyeonggi. The writer's family dipped saengpo galbi (fresh, unmarinated beef ribs) in the house special sauce, added pork galbi, got a complimentary country-style doenjang (soybean paste) stew and finished with 5,000-won naengmyeon (cold noodles). Gwangmyeong Seoseo Galbi's closely scored ribs are tender enough for grandparents and kids, which makes it a good pick for family gatherings.

Written Apr 25, 2026Sponsored
PlaceJeonju, JeonbukRestaurants

Jeonju pho restaurant, spicy beef pho with kimchi and Mom: Phodam

Phodam Jeonju City Hall Branch is a Vietnamese pho restaurant on Paldal-ro near Jeonju City Hall in Wansan-gu, Jeonju. On a weekday lunch with Mom, the writer waited about 15 minutes, then ate a large spicy beef pho, banh xeo (Vietnamese crispy pancake) on the next table's recommendation, and cha gio (fried spring rolls) as a side. Verdict: the spicy beef pho and banh xeo combo at Phodam is a must-try, and the banh xeo was even more memorable than the pho.

Written May 6, 2026Sponsored
PlaceJeonju, JeonbukHair & beauty salons

Couples foot & lower-body massage with mom in Jeonju: Kozy Foot Shop

Kozy Foot Shop (코지풋샵) is a reservation-only foot massage shop on Baekje-daero in Wansan-gu, Jeonju, offering a foot bath and treatments in private rooms. On the last day of a Jeonju trip, after a lot of walking around Jeonju Hanok Village and to Jeonju Bus Terminal, the writer and their mom booked the 60-minute Kozy lower-body care + foot care as a couple at 7:30 PM, and the mom was very satisfied. Kozy Foot Shop is a great final stop for unwinding with your parents at the end of a Jeonju trip.

Written May 6, 2026Sponsored
PlaceAnsan, GyeonggiCafés

Late-night Jungangdong café, Ansan: matcha Oreo Basque cake, Deep Dive

Deep Dive is a cake and dessert café on the 2nd floor of the Hyujio officetel shopping arcade in Jungangdong, Ansan, open daily until 2am. After a late dinner with a friend, the writer ordered a decaf Americano (500 won extra), a dark choco Einspänner without the espresso shot and a matcha Oreo Basque cake, and none of it was overly sweet. For late-night dessert and coffee in Jungangdong, Ansan, Deep Dive is a good fit.

Written Nov 5, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSuwon, GyeonggiRestaurants

Post-run gyukatsu lunch near Gwanggyo Lake Park, Suwon: Gyuen-dang

Gyuen-dang Avenue France Gwanggyo Branch is a Japanese restaurant serving gyukatsu (breaded beef cutlet) and rice bowls on the B1 floor of Avenue France Gwanggyo in Suwon, Gyeonggi. After a run at Gwanggyo Lake Park, the writer and her boyfriend grilled tenderloin gyukatsu in butter on a mini brazier, then tried the steak bowl and mushroom tempura. For a filling, protein-rich meal after a workout, the tenderloin gyukatsu and steak bowl combination at Gyuen-dang Gwanggyo is a strong pick.

Written May 14, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSuwon, GyeonggiRestaurants

Suwon pizza date near Banghwasuryujeong: 4-flavor R size, Backstreet

Backstreet Pizza is an American-style pizzeria on the 2nd floor of a building near Banghwasuryujeong in Haenggung-dong, Suwon, where a couple stopped in on a weekend date and shared the R-size Quarter Street, one pie with four flavors, with cola. Even in R size the Quarter Street was generous, the four flavors were different enough that the pizza never got boring, and Potato Killer made the strongest impression. For a date or pizza and beer in Haenggung-dong, Backstreet Pizza is worth a visit.

Written May 17, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGwangmyeong, GyeonggiRestaurants

24-hour BBQ in Cheolsan with scallion pork skirt: Snug Roastery

Snug Roastery (삼목집 철산본점) is a 24-hour charcoal-grilled Korean BBQ restaurant near Exit 1 of Cheolsan Station in Gwangmyeong, Gyeonggi. The writer's family ordered Snug Roastery's Sammok whole-scallion galmaegisal (pork skirt), grilled at the table by staff, with beef brisket doenjang stew and steamed egg on the side, and came away impressed by the meat quality and friendly service. For a family dinner or team dinner near Cheolsan Station, Snug Roastery is worth considering, and the writer says they would return 100%.

Written May 22, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGangnam, SeoulRestaurants

Italian near Coex after a conference: burrata radiatori, Mano di Chef

Mano di Chef Samsung Branch is a Blue Ribbon–listed Italian restaurant near Samseong Station in Gangnam, Seoul. After her boyfriend finished a conference training session at Coex, the writer booked a table and ordered the blueberry & arugula pizza and the burrata & bolognese radiatori (fresh pasta), and was happy with both the calm atmosphere and the well-balanced seasoning. For an occasion that needs the right mood, such as a dinner to hand out wedding invitations, Mano di Chef Samsung Branch is worth considering.

Written May 22, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGangnam, SeoulHair & beauty salons

Gangnam hair salon muted brown dye for faded, patchy hair: Beorn Hair

Beorn Hair Cheongdam (비오른헤어 청담점) is a hair salon occupying its own 2nd floor on Seolleung-ro in Gangnam, Seoul, near Exit 3-1 of Gangnam-gu Office Station. Inspired by a muted brown shade seen on an Instagram Reel, the writer had old, faded and patchy hair dyed a natural, calm brown after a consultation. If you want a brown dye that isn't obvious but still makes a clear change, Beorn Hair Cheongdam is a good fit.

Written May 30, 2026Sponsored
PlaceYongin, GyeonggiRestaurants

Shabu kalguksu date after Giheung CGV, first fried rice: Deungchon

Deungchon Shabu Kalguksu Giheung Station Branch (등촌샤브칼국수 기흥역점) is a shabu kalguksu (shabu-shabu with knife-cut noodles) restaurant on basement level 2 of ICT Valley Building B in Giheung-gu, Yongin, in the same building as Giheung CGV. After a movie at Giheung CGV, the blogger and her boyfriend stopped by for dinner and ordered mushroom kalguksu in spicy broth with extra shabu beef, then moved on to kalguksu noodles and dumplings, and tried the fried rice finish for the first time. Verdict: Deungchon Shabu Kalguksu Giheung Station Branch is a filling spot to walk straight to after a movie date.

Written Jun 2, 2026Sponsored
PlaceYongsan, SeoulRestaurants

Ramen shop in Yongsan I'Park Mall: weekday lunch date, mazesoba, Menya

Menya Seoul Yongsan I'Park Mall Branch is a Blue Ribbon Survey-listed ramen restaurant inside I'Park Mall at Yongsan Station, Seoul. On a weekday lunch date, Menya Seoul was full, so the couple sat in the mall's shared seating area and ate whole pork belly mazesoba, spicy dongpo chashu ramen and a set with karaage; the meat toppings were generous and the broth was clean. For a hearty ramen lunch at Yongsan Station, Menya Seoul Yongsan I'Park Mall Branch is a good fit.

Written Oct 27, 2026Sponsored