Pocket Reader · 23 stories

A Pocket Paperback

I write about books and clothing that catch my attention. · Writes about: Books & stationery · Fashion · Beauty products · Restaurants · Cafés · Bars · Home & living · Food & snacks

ProductInnerpeBeauty products

Pre-makeup cream for very dry skin: Innerpe Coconut Pudding Cream

Innerpe Coconut Pudding Cream is a cooling summer moisturizer with a milky, translucent pudding texture. A blogger with very dry, redness-prone skin used Innerpe Coconut Pudding Cream as a makeup base, a before-and-after-workout soother and a sleeping pack, and found it hugged the skin without stickiness and kept makeup from lifting as much. Verdict: Innerpe Coconut Pudding Cream is worth recommending if inner dryness keeps making your makeup lift.

Written Jul 16, 2026Product provided
PlaceSeongdong, SeoulRestaurants

Seongsu burger shop lunch, no wait: Shrimp O.G. set at Bored & Hungry

Bored & Hungry Seongsu is an American-style handmade burger shop on Seongsui-ro 18-gil near Seongsu Station in Seongdong, Seoul. Arriving right at lunchtime meant walking in without a wait to order the Shrimp O.G. burger set, chipotle spicy corn ribs and butter garlic fries. The Shrimp O.G. burger's patty is so big that the self-serve disposable gloves are a must, and the generous portions at Bored & Hungry Seongsu meant taking leftovers home.

Written Aug 6, 2026Sponsored
PlaceJongno, SeoulCafés

Ikseon-dong bakery bread packed for a trip to Ulsan: Munhwa Bakery

Munhwa Bakery is a bakery in Ikseon-dong, Jongno, Seoul, a 5-minute walk from Jongno 3-ga Station, known for baking its bread fresh each day and selling out the same day. On a last stop before heading down to Ulsan, the writer took home injeolmi bread (bread with roasted soybean-dusted rice cake), an onion bagel and sweet potato bread in a Munhwa Bakery paper bag, and none of the loaves got squashed on the trip. Munhwa Bakery's loaves are big enough that one fills you up, and the signature garlic bread and coffee bread are worth aiming for next time.

Written Aug 10, 2026Sponsored
PlaceJung-gu, SeoulRestaurants

Staff-grilled gopchang for a second round in Sindang, Seoul: Jinseong

Jinseong Hanwoo Gopchang Sindang Direct Branch is a Korean beef gopchang (grilled beef intestine) restaurant a 1-minute walk from Sindang Station in Sindang-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul. On a Seoul trip, the writer came for a second round just after dinnertime and ordered 2 servings of beef gopchang (small intestine) and 1 of beef daechang (large intestine); staff set a timer, grilled and cut everything, so there was nothing to do but wait. Even in sweltering midsummer heat, the air conditioning was strong, and the minari and pickled garlic sauce with grilled green onion kimchi made Jinseong Hanwoo Gopchang a standout.

Written Aug 9, 2026Sponsored
PlaceNam-gu, UlsanRestaurants

Haejangguk restaurant near Ulsan Grand Park after Aqua Sis: Boksan

Boksan Haejang Nam-gu Sinjeong Branch is a Korean haejangguk (hangover soup) restaurant on Munsu-ro in Nam-gu, Ulsan, near Gongeop Tower and Ulsan Grand Park's Aqua Sis water park. After a morning of water play at Aqua Sis, a family ate Boksan haejangguk, yukhoe bibimbap (raw beef rice bowl) and Boksan pork bulgogi, and the restaurant set out a children's tray, fork, spoon and seaweed flakes for the child. Boksan Haejang is an easy, kid-friendly lunch for shaking off the chill and fatigue after swimming.

Written Aug 8, 2026Sponsored
PlaceYongsan, SeoulRestaurants

Itaewon Korean pub: aged kimchi gamjatang and somaek for two, Nuri

Nuri Maeul Gamjatang Itaewon Branch is a 24-hour gamjatang (pork bone stew) and Korean restaurant on the 2nd floor right in front of Itaewon Station Exit 4 in Yongsan, Seoul. Two of us ordered the mukeunji (aged kimchi) gamjatang with somaek (soju mixed with beer), and the portion was big enough for 3 to 4 people, with the aged kimchi braised meltingly soft and the pork neck bone meat pulling off easily. With a spacious dining room and late hours, Nuri Maeul Gamjatang is a solid pick for an Itaewon group dinner or a second-round drinking spot.

Written Aug 9, 2026Sponsored
PlaceJung-gu, SeoulBars

Euljiro3-ga bar table for two: Hyomoje cheongju and gosorisul, Moss

Moss is a traditional Korean liquor bar in Jung-gu, Seoul, a four-minute walk from Euljiro3-ga Station exit 11, up an alley to the second floor. Two of us sat at the bar table and drank Hyomoje cheongju (11.3%) and gamtanju by the glass with doenjang ragu pasta, then finished with Sojudaum and gosorisul straight. With its low, mossy lighting, Moss suits a quiet drink and a long conversation.

Written Aug 11, 2026Sponsored
PlaceNam-gu, UlsanRestaurants

Samsan-dong Ulsan lamb skewer restaurant: grill-your-own Simya Kkochi

Simya Kkochi is a lamb skewer restaurant in Samsan-dong, Nam-gu, Ulsan, in the alley behind Samsan Lotte Department Store. Skewers start at 20 and can be mixed in units of 5, so Simya Kkochi lets you pick lamb ribs, lamb belly and lamb skewers and grill them on an automatic rotating rack, with Chinese-style egg soup served free and side dishes from a self-serve bar. The pick-your-own-cut format makes Simya Kkochi an easy choice for dinner with friends or a team night out.

Written Sep 22, 2026Sponsored
ProductMEDIPICKMEBeauty products

Hair removal cream with a no-mess silicone tip: MEDIPICKME Touch Up

MEDIPICKME Touch Up is a 150ml self hair removal cream with a silicone tip built into the tube opening, so the cream never gets on your hands. Spread thickly over a broad, curved area like the legs and left on for 5 to 10 minutes, MEDIPICKME Touch Up came off with the included scraper, lifting cream and hair together, with no harsh smell or stinging and skin still feeling moist after rinsing. It is a hair removal method worth trying for anyone tired of razor nicks and waxing strip irritation.

Written Jul 14, 2026Product provided
ProductDangye EnglishBooks & stationery

Graded reader, 5 levels to original: Dangye English The Little Prince

Dangye English The Little Prince is a five-level English learning book from Korea, with Level 1 through the original text at Level 5 in one volume. I reread The Little Prince from the easiest level, used it for read-aloud time with my child and audio shadowing, then enjoyed the original text after bedtime. Verdict: a reassuring way for hesitant adults and young readers to start English books.

Written Dec 8, 2025Product provided
ProductBohemian BlueFashion

Tummy-covering ruched one-piece swimsuit: Bohemian Blue Gingham Check

Bohemian Blue Gingham Check is a red-and-white gingham one-piece swimsuit worn on a family trip to Miyakojima. Its front and waist ruching eased my worries about showing my stomach and waistline, while the adjustable straps stayed put during butterfly strokes at the hotel pool. Verdict: A flattering, well-made swimsuit with a design I loved.

Written May 8, 2026Product provided
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