Line Reader Diner · 14 stories

Between the Menu Lines

I write about restaurants I visit around Seoul. · Writes about: Restaurants · Bars

PlaceBusanjin, BusanBars

Korean pub in Jeonpo, Busan: Mui makgeolli in crystal glasses, Judorak

Judorak Jeonpo-jeom (주도락 전포점) is a fusion Korean pub near Jeonpo Station in Busanjin, Busan. On the last night of a Busan trip, the writer and her husband shared two Judorak signatures: the Yukjeon-dameun Suyuk Jeongol (boiled beef hot pot with yukjeon, pan-fried battered beef) and Judorak Mui makgeolli, served in crystal makgeolli glasses. With its cozy beam-projector lighting and deep hot pot broth, Judorak Jeonpo-jeom made a satisfying place to end a Busan trip.

Written Nov 6, 2026Sponsored
PlaceNam-gu, BusanRestaurants

Shabu kalguksu lunch after the Oryukdo Skywalk, Busan: Yunujae

Yunujae Munhyeon Shabu Kalguksu (윤우재 문현샤브 칼국수) is a shabu kalguksu restaurant with house-made noodles in Munhyeon-dong, Nam-gu, Busan. After walking the Oryukdo Skywalk on a chilly day following rain, the writer and her husband took the subway to Yunujae Munhyeon Shabu Kalguksu, ordered the 11,000 won per person course in spicy red broth, and added extra sirloin and a mushroom and minari (water dropwort) platter. For a warm, filling lunch after an Oryukdo trip, Yunujae Munhyeon Shabu Kalguksu is a good fit.

Written Nov 5, 2026Sponsored
PlaceDong-gu, BusanRestaurants

Korean restaurant at Busan Station Exit 6: icy mul milmyeon, Yeongdong

Yeongdong Milmyeon & Dwaeji Gukbap Busan Station Branch is a milmyeon (Busan-style cold wheat noodles) and dwaeji gukbap (pork and rice soup) restaurant right in front of the Exit 6 elevator at Busan Station in Dong-gu, Busan. On their first day in Busan, a couple shared a late lunch of icy mul milmyeon, dwaeji gukbap and dumplings, and the spacious, clean dining room made eating with suitcases easy. Yeongdong Milmyeon & Dwaeji Gukbap is a good place to try Busan's signature dishes in one meal as soon as you step off the train.

Written Nov 4, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSeocho, SeoulRestaurants

Eel bowl and herbal chicken soup at Gangnam Station: Jangsimdo Gangnam

Jangsimdo Gangnam (장심도 강남) is an eel rice bowl restaurant on basement level 2 of a building right by Exit 5 of Gangnam Station in Seoul. On a day when the temperature suddenly dropped, the writer and her husband shared a late lunch of the Seonsang charcoal whole-eel rice bowl and Jangsaeng Guseontang, a reinvented samgyetang (ginseng chicken soup). Thanks to the charcoal-scented eel and the clean, boneless soup, they cleaned their bowls. For a hearty, restorative lunch near Gangnam Station on a chilly day, Jangsimdo Gangnam is a good fit.

Written Oct 30, 2026Sponsored
PlaceNamdong, IncheonRestaurants

Hanu bulgogi set lunch near Incheon City Hall: Iganeun Hanu Bulgogi

Iganeun Hanu Bulgogi is a Korean restaurant serving hanu (Korean beef) bulgogi in Namdong-gu, Incheon, between Incheon City Hall Station and Seokbawi Market Station, right next to Nam-Incheon Post Office. The writer and her husband shared the seasoned hanu bulgogi set for two at lunch, which came with tender bulgogi, pot rice, hanu yukhoe (beef tartare), fried ppollak (rockfish) and a grandma-style doenjang jjigae (soybean paste stew), and both were very satisfied. With above-ground and underground parking, 3 hours of free parking, private rooms, self-serve side dish refills and vending machine coffee after the meal, Iganeun Hanu Bulgogi is a solid pick for a neat Korean lunch near Incheon City Hall.

Written Oct 26, 2026Sponsored
PlaceJung-gu, SeoulRestaurants

Italian restaurant in Euljiro 3-ga for sisters: mackerel pasta at Pyu

Pyu Euljiro is an Italian dining restaurant of about 80 pyeong (roughly 264 m²) near Euljiro 3-ga Station in Jung-gu, Seoul. The writer booked a table with her older sister and ordered Pyu Euljiro's signature mackerel pasta and garden tomato risotto, plus a non-alcoholic Gyullulala and a lemonade, and loved the mackerel's lack of any fishy taste and the risotto's bright, tangy tomato. With widely spaced tables and basement parking in the building, Pyu Euljiro is a great pick for driving in and enjoying a long, relaxed chat over a meal.

Written Oct 19, 2026Sponsored
PlaceNamdong, IncheonRestaurants

Fish restaurant in Namdong, Incheon: mixed grill after autumn leaves

Sorae-san Hwadeok Saengseon Gui (소래산화덕생선구이) is a clay-oven grilled fish restaurant in Manuigol, Namdong-gu, Incheon, at the entrance to Soraesan Mountain. After an autumn walk at Incheon Grand Park, a couple shared the Sorae-san hwadeok mixed grill of baekdae (tonguefish), mackerel, Atka mackerel and Spanish mackerel with stone-pot rice and a doenjang (soybean paste) stew for each person. They also used the self-serve corner with tteokbokki and fish cake, added a 3,000-won self-serve ramyeon and finished with sungnyung (scorched-rice tea). With fish that is crisp outside, moist inside and free of any fishy smell, plus a spacious dining room, Sorae-san Hwadeok Saengseon Gui is a recommended spot for a neat Korean meal after an outing.

Written Oct 12, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMichuhol, IncheonRestaurants

Hagik-dong bulgogi restaurant: brass-griddle lunch for two, Dongchuwon

Dongchuwon Bulgogi (동추원불고기) is a Korean beef bulgogi restaurant in Hagik-dong, Michuhol-gu, Incheon, reportedly listed in the Blue Ribbon Survey every year from 2022 to 2026. A couple ordered the bulgogi set for 2 at lunch, poured broth over the beef on a brass griddle and let it simmer, then chose one mul naengmyeon (cold noodles in broth) and one bibim naengmyeon (spicy mixed cold noodles) as the set's meal. With friendly service, a spacious dining room and parking support, Dongchuwon Bulgogi is a place worth returning to for family gatherings.

Written Aug 2, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSeohae, IncheonRestaurants

Fruit-broth mulhoe at a Seongnam-dong sashimi restaurant, Incheon

Uridongne Yeonan Budu Seongnam Main Branch is a flatfish (dodari) sashimi restaurant near Gangnam Market in Seongnam-dong, Incheon, open for 10 years. Visiting with her husband on a Sunday at 6pm, the writer ordered the flatfish set and mulhoe (chilled raw fish soup) and received noodle-long strips of flatfish makhoe, an icy fruit-broth mulhoe, and side dishes of live abalone, sea squirt, mullet sashimi and soy-marinated shrimp. Seeing the live fish tank before eating made the flatfish mulhoe at Uridongne Yeonan Budu especially memorable.

Written Aug 11, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGangseo, SeoulRestaurants

Magok Italian restaurant birthday dinner with squash blossoms: Romaok

Romaok Magok is an Italian restaurant on the 3rd floor of LG Art Center Seoul, linked indoors to Exit 3 of Magongnaru Station in Gangseo, Seoul. Booked in advance for a husband's birthday dinner, the meal ran from the ciabatta pre-meal bread to mozzarella squash blossom fritters with carrot puree, abalone geou (innards) pasta and eclipse squid ink risotto. With its high ceilings and arched interior, Romaok Magok suits a celebration dinner.

Written Sep 26, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGangseo, SeoulRestaurants

Balsan Korean restaurant: flounder seaweed soup and soy crab, Mikodam

Mikodam Magok-Balsan Branch is a Korean restaurant near Exit 4 of Balsan Station in Gangseo, Seoul, serving seaweed soups and cockle dishes. On a weekend visit with her husband, the writer ordered the Full-Table Set for Two and picked flounder seaweed soup, vinegar-dressed cockles and soy-marinated crab, with stir-fried pork, japchae and grilled mackerel included as standard sides. Free parking in the restaurant's own garage building and a quiet dining room made Mikodam an easy weekend meal for two.

Written Aug 19, 2026Sponsored
PlaceYeongdeungpo, SeoulRestaurants

Mullae teppanyaki spot with highballs and waterfall potato: Jojo

Jojo Mullae Branch is a Japanese teppanyaki restaurant a 5-minute walk from Exit 1 of Mullae Station in Yeongdeungpo, Seoul. On a weekday afternoon with a husband on a half-day off, the order was the 2-person monjayaki (savory pan-fried batter) set with extra mochi, plus a highball, karai yakisoba and pokpo (waterfall) potato. The monjayaki tasted like the real thing in Japan, so Jojo Mullae Branch is an easy recommendation for anyone looking for good food in Mullae.

Written Sep 18, 2026Sponsored