Pine Window Guest · 49 stories

By the Pine Window

I write about stays I visit across Gangwon. · Writes about: Stays · Restaurants · Shopping · Things to do · Cafés · Hair & beauty salons

PlaceSeongdong, SeoulRestaurants

Okonomiyaki restaurant by Seoulsup, then Bite Me and 29CM Home: Hotcho

Hotcho Seongsu (핫쵸 성수점) is a Japanese teppan restaurant serving okonomiyaki and yakisoba near Exit 5 of Seoulsup Station in Seongdong, Seoul. On a second visit, this time a weekday date, the writer ordered the Signature Set for Two (Hiroshima okonomiyaki, tougarashi yakisoba and yakigyoza), parked at the Seongsu Residents' Sports Center (성수구민종합체육센터) public lot, then continued the Seoulsup date at Bite Me, 29CM Home and Fermente. Close to Seoulsup Station with easy public parking, Hotcho Seongsu is a solid place to eat on a Seoulsup date.

Written Oct 21, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSongpa, SeoulRestaurants

Bangi-dong kids' play room Korean BBQ: pork neck set, valet, Hantiok

Hantiok Bangi (한티옥 방이점) is a third-generation gukbap (rice soup) and Korean BBQ restaurant in Bangi-dong, Songpa, Seoul, near Olympic Park, with a play room like a kids' café. After booking and handing the car to valet, the writer had the owner-recommended pork belly and neck set with Andong soup (55,000 won), Korean pork galbi (26,000 won) and a non-alcoholic beer, and the pork neck grilled by staff was especially tender. For parents looking for Korean BBQ in Seoul to enjoy with kids, Hantiok Bangi's play room and private rooms make it a dependable choice.

Written Oct 19, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSeongnam, GyeonggiRestaurants

Pizza place in Wirye, new set menu and World Cup Coke: Jackson Pizza

Jackson Pizza Wirye Branch is an American-style pizza restaurant at Wirye Central Plaza in Seongnam, Gyeonggi. On a third visit for a weekday lunch, the writer ordered from the new set menu, a regular Super Jackson, cheese oven spaghetti, coleslaw and a soft drink, and found that a bottle of water, pickles and ranch sauce are now free. With fresh ingredients and a clean open kitchen, Jackson Pizza Wirye Branch is a solid pick for a relaxed weekday lunch.

Written Jun 15, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSongpa, SeoulRestaurants

Dog-friendly Korean BBQ in Jamsil with a dog stroller: Sutbul Seonghwa

Sutbul Seonghwa (숯불성화) is a hanwoo (Korean beef) charcoal BBQ restaurant on Songnidan-gil near Seokchon Station in Songpa, Seoul, where dogs are allowed if they come in a pet bag or dog stroller. The writer visited Sutbul Seonghwa on a weekday with a dog stroller, left the car with the valet, ate the Seonghwa Platter (99,900 won), then added 2 servings of Seonghwa Sirloin and a hanwoo doenjang stew (soybean paste stew). For Jamsil and Seokchon visitors who want proper Korean beef with their dog, Sutbul Seonghwa is an easy pick.

Written Oct 17, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGangdong, SeoulRestaurants

Charcoal chicken galbi BBQ in Cheonho, scallion sauce refills: Ondogye

Ondogye (온도계) is a charcoal chicken galbi restaurant on Jjukkumi Alley in Cheonho, Gangdong, Seoul. The writer visited Ondogye around 5:30 PM on a weekday and ordered garlic-salt chicken galbi for two (270g, ₩17,000), cheese steamed egg, jumeokbap (rice balls, ₩3,000) and spicy chicken galbi (170g, ₩17,000). The freshly fried chicken gizzards and doenjang (soybean paste) stew served as side dishes, plus chicken thigh galbi grilled entirely by staff, make Ondogye a very satisfying Korean BBQ dinner in Seoul.

Written Jun 20, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGangdong, SeoulRestaurants

Dunchon Park Foreon taco restaurant: a fourth visit to The Taco Booth

The Taco Booth Dunchon Park Foreon branch is a taco and quesadilla restaurant on the B1 level of the Dunchon Park Foreon shopping arcade in Gangdong, Seoul, right outside Exit 1 of Dunchondong Station. On a fourth visit to The Taco Booth, counting other branches, the writer again ordered the birria taco (13,600 won) and the steak quesadilla (17,500 won); both arrived within 5 minutes of ordering and both were satisfying. The Taco Booth in Dunchon is a proven taco spot, good enough to order the same dishes every time.

Written Jun 29, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGwangjin, SeoulCafés

Konkuk Univ. bakery holiday takeout: Maldon salt bread at Stack Bakery

Stack Bakery (스택베이커리) is a bakery café in Jayang-dong, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, between Konkuk Univ. Station and Ttukseom. On a public holiday, the writer returned for the bread, took away pastries with an Americano and a green grape ade, and tried Stack Bakery's Maldon salt bread (3,000 won) and signature croissant (4,500 won) at home. Bread sells out fast and the 2nd floor fills up on holidays, but Stack Bakery's wide, tasty selection is good enough to bring a self-confessed bread lover back.

Written Oct 12, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSongpa, SeoulRestaurants

Korean BBQ in Bangi Food Alley: paid parking, Chowon Salt Grill samhap

Chowon Salt Grill (초원소금구이) is a Korean BBQ restaurant serving hanwoo (Korean beef) brisket samhap in the Bangi-dong food alley (Bangi Meokja Golmok) in Songpa, Seoul. Chowon Salt Grill has no parking lot of its own, so the writer parked at a paid lot near the Bangi food alley, walked over and ordered the samhap for two (56,000 won), then added extra brisket and king scallop and finished with fried rice. If you drive, plan your own parking, but Chowon Salt Grill's samhap-focused menu is good enough that you will likely order more.

Written Jul 7, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGwangjin, SeoulCafés

Jayang-dong bakery for Maldon salt bread and gift boxes: Stack Bakery

Stack Bakery Konkuk University Station Main Branch is a two-floor bakery café on Ttukseom-ro 31-gil in Jayang-dong, Gwangjin, Seoul. With an Americano and a Shine Muscat ade, the writer tried pain au jambon-fromage, a flat croissant, Maldon salt bread (₩3,000), a plain croissant and a plain queen-amann, then bought extra bread boxed up as a housewarming gift. Verdict: Stack Bakery's Maldon salt bread is the best salt bread the writer has ever had, making it a Jayang-dong bakery worth a bread tour.

Written Jul 13, 2026Sponsored
PlaceJung-gu, SeoulCafés

SFC Mall café with free Sunday parking in Gwanghwamun | Center Coffee

Center Coffee Gwanghwamun is a roastery coffee shop on basement level 1 of SFC Mall in Gwanghwamun, Seoul, and the writer notes it has earned a Blue Ribbon 8 years in a row. On a Sunday visit the writer parked for free in the SFC Mall underground car park and had a flat white (5,500 won), a decaf cold brew (6,500 won, no extra charge for decaf) and a Matilda Chocolat cake (8,000 won). Verdict: Center Coffee Gwanghwamun is a good café to drive to for a long, relaxed chat.

Written Jul 11, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSongpa, SeoulRestaurants

Private-room Korean BBQ in Jamsil: Happy Day Platter, Sutbul Seonghwa

Sutbul Seonghwa (숯불성화) is a hanwoo (Korean beef) charcoal BBQ restaurant with private rooms on the ground floor of the Yuseong Building in Jamsil, between Seokchon Station and Seokchon Lake in Seoul. The writer parked at nearby Jamsil Art Nouveau Palace, walked 3 minutes, and ate the Happy Day Platter (129,000 won) and hanwoo doenjang-jjigae (soybean paste stew, 8,000 won); staff grilled the first round of beef, and soft indirect lighting set a calm mood. For a company dinner or anniversary with hanwoo in Jamsil or Seokchon, Sutbul Seonghwa is a safe choice.

Written Jul 19, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSeongdong, SeoulRestaurants

Seoulsup okonomiyaki restaurant, eco-car parking deal: Hotcho Seongsu

Hotcho Seongsu is an okonomiyaki restaurant on Wangsimni-ro 5-gil in Seongdong, Seoul, near Exit 5 of Seoulsup Station. The writer arrived as the first customer on a weekday before lunch and ordered the Signature Set for two: Hiroshima okonomiyaki (18,000 won), chili yakisoba (14,000 won) and yakigyoza (pan-fried dumplings, 8,000 won). The writer parked at a nearby public lot with a low-emission vehicle discount. Verdict: Hotcho's chili yakisoba, stir-fried in chili oil, beat the yakisoba the writer had eaten on trips to Japan.

Written Jul 15, 2026Sponsored