Empty Glass Diarist · 5 stories

Empty Tumbler, Seoul Bars and Restaurants

Writes about neighborhood bars and small restaurants around Seoul. · Writes about: Bars · Cafés · Restaurants

Yangjae café with butter tteok, Dubai cake and lattes: Reflect Coffee

Reflect Coffee Roasting Lab is an award-winning hand-drip coffee shop near Yangjae Station in Seocho, Seoul, with a track record in roasting competitions. On a weekday evening the writer ordered a decaf iced americano, a latte made with nutty beans, butter tteok (butter rice cake) and a Dubai chocolate cake, and was happy with both the latte and the desserts. Reflect Coffee Roasting Lab suits anyone near Yangjae Station who wants good coffee and good desserts in one stop.

Written Apr 21, 2026Sponsored

PlaceGwangjin, SeoulRestaurants

Gopchang restaurant by Konkuk Univ. Station with dongchimi: Eunseong

Eunseong Hanu Gopchang Geondae Station branch is a farm-direct hanu (Korean beef) gopchang (beef intestine) restaurant on the 2nd floor in front of Konkuk Univ. Station in Gwangjin, Seoul. Two people shared the mixed platter of beef heart, beef belly, makchang, gopchang and daechang, which arrived pre-grilled with gopchang packed full of rich filling, plus a free soft tofu stew and refreshing dongchimi (radish water kimchi). Eunseong Hanu Gopchang serves portions so generous that the pair was too full for fried rice, making it a satisfying gopchang spot near Konkuk Univ.

Written May 6, 2026Sponsored

PlaceGwangjin, SeoulRestaurants

Konkuk Univ. Japanese diner: summer-special slushy soba & udon, Hekbap

Hekbap Konkuk University Main Branch is a Japanese restaurant specializing in rice bowls, on Neungdong-ro near Konkuk Univ. Station in Seoul. On a summer visit, the order was the salmon and soy-marinated shrimp rice bowl set with cold udon, plus the summer-special soba on its own. The salmon and shrimp had no fishy taste, the cold udon was chewy, and the soba came in a cool broth with a layer of slushy ice. With plenty of solo seating and satisfying prices and portions, Hekbap Konkuk University Main Branch is a good pick for a summer meal alone.

Written Jul 14, 2026Sponsored

PlaceJongno, SeoulRestaurants

Gwanghwamun burger spot: no-onion double cheeseburger at Reel Burger

Reel Burger Gwanghwamun is a newly opened handmade burger restaurant on Sambong-ro in Jongno, Seoul, known as Lee Won-il's burger place. The writer, who only eats cheeseburgers, ordered by table QR code: a no-onion cheeseburger with an extra patty and extra American cheese (15,100 won in total) and a Classic Burger with an extra patty. With a fluffy bun and a well-seared patty that is crisp outside and juicy inside, Reel Burger Gwanghwamun is an easy recommendation for cheeseburger lovers in Gwanghwamun.

Written Jul 27, 2026Sponsored

PlaceSeongdong, SeoulCafés

Seongsu study café behind a pizza shop: mild americanos at T Coffee

T Coffee is a new café in Seongsu, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, on basement level 1 of 159 Achasan-ro, reached by walking past a pizza shop to an entrance further inside. At T Coffee the writer ordered two mild iced americanos, one with the nutty bean and one with the acidic bean, and noted the varied seating with outlets and the thin glasses. T Coffee is quiet, nicely designed and serves good coffee, making it a Seongsu study café worth a return visit.

Written Oct 2, 2026Sponsored

You've reached the end · 5 stories