Paper Bag Strider · 77 stories

By the Paper Bag

Writes about restaurants and shopping stops around Seoul. · Writes about: Restaurants · Shopping · Hair & beauty salons · Cafés · Bars · Home & living · Stays

PlaceNowon, SeoulBars

Nowon pub for catching up over gopchang tteokbokki: Hoejangnimdaek

Hoejangnimdaek Nowon branch is a retro Korean pub on the 2nd floor of a building near Exit 1 of Nowon Station in Seoul, styled after a wealthy family's home of the 1980s and '90s. Meeting a friend for the first time in 2 years, the writer shared gopchang tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes with intestines) for 2 at 17,000 won, kimchi pancake at 10,000 won and steamed egg at 6,000 won with draft beer. The gopchang had no gamey smell and the kimchi pancake kept the tang of sour kimchi. Hoejangnimdaek Nowon branch is a cozy spot for a slow, long catch-up with an old friend.

Written May 23, 2026Sponsored
PlaceNowon, SeoulBars

Nowon seafood pub: spicy octopus hot pot & somaek, Pyeonghwaroun Jip

Pyeonghwaroun Jip Nowon Station branch is a seafood pub (pocha) on the second floor of the restaurant street by Nowon Station in Nowon, Seoul. Meeting a friend for the first time in 2 years, the writer went there for a second round and paired the spicy live octopus hot pot (35,000 won) with somaek (soju mixed with beer); the fresh live octopus and the spicy yet clean broth stood out. For a seafood bar with a good atmosphere in Nowon, the live octopus hot pot at Pyeonghwaroun Jip Nowon Station branch is a solid choice.

Written May 23, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSeongdong, SeoulRestaurants

Seongsu lamb BBQ date night: charcoal lamb belly for two, Hwaro Yangmi

Hwaro Yangmi (화로양미) is an aged-lamb restaurant near Exit 4 of Ttukseom Station in Seongdong-gu, Seoul, serving lamb ribs and lamb skewers alongside special cuts like lamb belly and lamb loin, plus mainland Chinese dishes. On a weekend evening, the writer and her boyfriend grilled 2 servings of lamb belly (170g, 18,000 won) over charcoal, with the owner personally checking when to turn the meat, and the lamb belly was tender and chewy with no gamey smell. Hwaro Yangmi is a recommended lamb restaurant for anyone wanting a date in Seongsu with something different from the usual barbecue.

Written May 24, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGangnam, SeoulRestaurants

Seolleung taco restaurant with lemon tequila highballs: Chilango

Chilango Seolleung Main Branch (칠랑고 선릉본점) is a Mexican home-style taco restaurant in an alley near Exit 1 of Seolleung Station in Gangnam, Seoul, and says it cooks with natural ingredients, no artificial seasonings and house-made salsas. The writer ordered the 2-person taco plate (₩44,000) with a lemon tequila highball and built tacos with wet-aged sirloin and cheese and chipotle cream shrimp. Chilango is a good Seolleung Station taco spot for anyone who wants clean, mild tacos rather than heavy, punchy flavors.

Written May 22, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGangnam, SeoulRestaurants

Yeoksam Station Korean BBQ with Mom: clam kalguksu, Raviok

Raviok Yeoksam Main Branch is a beef short rib (galbi) restaurant between Yeoksam Station and Eonju Station in Gangnam, Seoul, with free parking in the lot next to the building. On a weekday dinner with Mom, the writer ordered 2 servings of snowflake jingalbi roast, clam kalguksu (knife-cut noodle soup), spicy doenjang rice and truffle egg custard; the staff-grilled galbi finished with a torch for a smoky flavor and the better-than-expected clam kalguksu stood out. Raviok Yeoksam Main Branch gets both the meat and the service right, making it a family meal out where you feel well looked after.

Written May 22, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGangnam, SeoulRestaurants

Cheongdam family burger lunch: Bulgogi Smash & Hot Honey, Downtowner

Downtowner Cheongdam is a handmade burger shop on Dosan-daero 53-gil in Gangnam, Seoul, within walking distance of Apgujeongnodeo Station Exit 5. Before a weekend Han River park walk with family and the dog, we ordered the Downtowner Single (9,900 won), the Bulgogi Smash Burger Double (9,800 won) and the Hot Honey Chicken Burger (9,900 won), and the Bulgogi Smash Burger Double was everyone's favorite. For a family meal or a date in Cheongdam, Downtowner Cheongdam is an easy recommendation.

Written May 23, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGangnam, SeoulRestaurants

Weekend date lunch at a Seolleung sushi bar: BEST3 set, Sushi Maiu

Sushi Maiu Seolleung Station Branch is a conveyor-belt sushi restaurant near Exit 5 of Seolleung Station in Gangnam, Seoul. On a weekend date lunch with her boyfriend, before heading to a dog café in Namyangju, the writer ordered the Popular BEST3 sushi set: tuna, raw beef sashimi, soy-marinated shrimp, tako wasabi (octopus with wasabi) and live-fish sushi, plus a mini udon, all fresh and generous. Sushi Maiu Seolleung Station Branch is a good-value sushi spot near Seolleung Station that she keeps coming back to.

Written May 12, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGangnam, SeoulRestaurants

Hanti Station Korean restaurant for first-time Andong guksi: Hantiok

Hantiok is a Korean restaurant near Exit 3 of Hanti Station in Gangnam, Seoul, specializing in Andong guksi (noodle soup), bossam (boiled pork slices) and gukbap (rice soup), and it was formerly called Milsarang. On a weekday evening, the blogger and their boyfriend ordered Andong guksi for 15,000 won and a medium bossam for 35,000 won; the moist bossam had no gamey smell and paired especially well with the clear yet deep Andong guksi broth. Hantiok is an easygoing Korean restaurant near Hanti Station, even for anyone trying Andong guksi for the first time.

Written May 25, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSeocho, SeoulRestaurants

Yangjae noodle shop before Costco with Mom: clam kalguksu, Seonbawi

Seonbawi Memil Jangteo Yangjae Branch (선바위메밀장터 양재점) is a buckwheat Korean restaurant in Seocho, Seoul, a 2-minute walk from Yangjaesiminuisup Station. Before a Saturday-lunch trip to Costco Yangjae with her mom, the writer joined a wait list behind 8 groups and strolled along Yangjaecheon Stream. She then had 2 servings of buckwheat clam kalguksu (knife-cut noodle soup) and a neungi mushroom giant mandu (dumpling) for ₩34,000. The mountain of clams and clean broth at Seonbawi Memil Jangteo made the wait worthwhile.

Written Oct 31, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGangnam, SeoulRestaurants

Gangnam pasta spot for vongole and Bolognese with Mom: Cheongdam Ohu

Cheongdam Ohu (청담오후) is a pet-friendly pasta restaurant on the 2nd floor of 708 Seolleung-ro in Gangnam, Seoul, near Exit 3-1 of Gangnam-gu Office Station. After getting their hair done together, the writer and her mom booked dinner at Cheongdam Ohu and shared vongole pasta (16,000 won) and Bolognese ragù pasta (18,000 won), and the clean vongole and rich Bolognese made a perfect pair. If you want a pasta restaurant right by the station with easy parking, Cheongdam Ohu is a safe choice.

Written Oct 31, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGangnam, SeoulRestaurants

Pet-friendly Gangnam burgers with parking & cheesy chicken: Daily Fix

Daily Fix Gangnam Main Branch is a New York diner-style handmade burger restaurant on Nonhyeon-ro 85-gil near Yeoksam Station in Gangnam, Seoul. The writer ordered two bacon cheeseburgers (₩12,900 each) and a chicken burger (₩11,900) with American cheese added (+₩1,500), and was happy with the juicy patties, the crispy chicken, the building parking (₩3,600 for the first 60 minutes) and the fact that pets are allowed. If you're driving or bringing your dog and want burgers in Gangnam, Daily Fix Gangnam Main Branch is a good choice.

Written May 26, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSokcho, GangwonRestaurants

Sokcho makguksu spot for parents: picky Mom's last trip meal, Topgol

Sokcho Topgol Makguksu Main Branch is a makguksu (buckwheat noodle) restaurant near Sokcho Beach and the Sokcho Eye Ferris wheel in Sokcho, Gangwon. On the final meal of a 3-night, 4-day Sokcho trip, a Saturday lunch, the writer and her mother ordered deulmemak (perilla oil buckwheat noodles, ₩13,000), buckwheat makguksu (₩10,000), a shredded potato pancake and buckwheat jeonbyeong, and her mother, who always says when food is bad, praised every dish. With mild, clean flavors and wheelchair access, Sokcho Topgol Makguksu is a confident pick for a Sokcho trip with parents.

Written Oct 31, 2026Sponsored