Threshold Pilgrim · 25 stories

Through the Restaurant Door

I write about restaurants I visit in Seoul and the meals I have there. · Writes about: Restaurants · Food & snacks · Bars · Cafés · Things to do

PlaceIcheon, GyeonggiRestaurants

Icheon Korean BBQ with a baby: steamed cabbage wraps, Neul Gogi Jip

Neul Gogi Jip Icheon Main Branch (늘고기집 이천본점) is a charcoal-grill Korean BBQ restaurant on Gyeongchung-daero in Icheon, Gyeonggi, open for more than 30 years and selected for the 2026 Blue Ribbon Survey and as a Korean cuisine master (Hansik Myeongjang). With parents and a baby, the writer had 3 servings of nuruk-marinated pork galbi neck (57,000 won), beef tendon doenjang stew and hwangmi (yellow rice) pot rice, and the staff grilled all the meat. From the side dishes to the soft serve dessert, Neul Gogi Jip is a no-miss Icheon galbi house for three-generation family meals.

Written Jun 5, 2026Sponsored
PlaceIcheon, GyeonggiRestaurants

Burgers with a baby in Icheon: Crossroad Chicken Burger, Gladyburger

Gladyburger Icheon Jungri District branch (글래디버거 이천중리지구점) is a handmade burger restaurant on Buak-ro in Icheon, Gyeonggi, known for teff buns baked in-store every day and patties prepped every morning. The writer visited with their mom and baby and ordered the signature Glady Burger combo, the new Crossroad Chicken Burger combo, chicken tenders and a milkshake, enjoying the lemon mayo sauce, the fresh avocado and the mild sides the baby happily ate. With high chairs and a private parking lot, Gladyburger is an easy stop for a family meal or a weekend date in Icheon.

Written Jun 6, 2026Sponsored
PlaceIcheon, GyeonggiRestaurants

Family BBQ restaurant in Icheon with window views: Jangrokdong 365

Jangrokdong 365 (장록동365) is a hanwoo (Korean beef) and Korean pork grill restaurant at 74 Jinsangmi-ro 2344beon-gil in Icheon, Gyeonggi. The writer's family ordered the hanwoo and pork value set (75,000 won for 3 people), and the owner grilled the meat at the table from start to finish, torching and resting it, and even prepared kid-friendly beef and a Pororo drink for the child. With floor-to-ceiling windows, group seating and dog-friendly dining, Jangrokdong 365 is a family gathering spot the writer wants to return to.

Written Jun 7, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMapo, SeoulRestaurants

Hapjeong Thai team dinner, 12-seat room and sea bass: Saeng Augustine

Saeng Augustine Hapjeong Branch is a Thai and Asian restaurant on basement level 1 of Mecenatpolis by Hapjeong Station in Mapo, Seoul, with private rooms for up to 12 people and 3 hours 30 minutes of free parking. The writer visited with her sister at weekday opening time and, instead of the usual pho (rice noodle soup) and poo pad pong curry (stir-fried crab curry), ordered chili sea bass (36,000 won) and king prawn pad thai (19,000 won). Crispy outside, tender inside and free of any fishy taste, the chili sea bass at Saeng Augustine Hapjeong is worth ordering for a team dinner too.

Written Jun 9, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMapo, SeoulCafés

Yeonnam-dong café with my sister: Sidra & Sidama G1 drip, Central Site

Central Site Yeonnam (센트럴사이트 연남점) is a three-floor specialty coffee café in Yeonnam-dong, Mapo, Seoul, near Hongik Univ. Station, that hand-brews single-origin beans from around the world. In June the writer and her sister sat at a 2nd-floor window seat with an Ecuador Sidra Inox Natural hand drip (₩11,000), an Ethiopia Sidama G1 Washed hand drip (₩8,000) and a classic tiramisu (₩8,500). Even if you know little about coffee, the barista's explanations and tasting notes at Central Site Yeonnam make its fruity drip and tiramisu pairing easy to enjoy.

Written Jun 9, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMapo, SeoulRestaurants

Hongdae anniversary restaurant: taco-like Cajun ragu pasta, Rangteu

Rangteu Yeonnam is an East-meets-West fusion restaurant with floor-to-ceiling windows in a Yeonnam-dong alley near Hongdae Station Exit 3 in Mapo, Seoul. At Rangteu Yeonnam the writer ordered Cajun ragu pasta (₩18,900), Monterey gochujang cream gnocchi (₩18,900) and blue yuzu ade (₩4,800), enjoyed the fresh sour cream pairing and finished everything, down to the white kimchi pickles served as a side. With its resort-like feel in the middle of the city, Rangteu Yeonnam is a solid pick for a first date or an anniversary.

Written Jun 12, 2026Sponsored
PlaceYangcheon, SeoulRestaurants

Mokdong Korean BBQ: shovel-pan fried rice and every side at Gamgol

Gamgol Yeontanjip Mokdong is a retro Korean BBQ restaurant grilling over charcoal briquettes, right in front of Omokgyo Station Exit 2 in Mokdong, Seoul. At Gamgol Yeontanjip Mokdong, the writer ordered the Juljuri special pork neck and gochujang briquette bulgogi plus every side on the menu: flat bibim noodles, diced briquette fried rice, young radish kimchi noodle soup and a plum slush. The pork neck with basil ssamjang was the standout. Gamgol Yeontanjip Mokdong is a can't-miss Mokdong pick for anyone who wants Korean BBQ with a full round of sides.

Written Jun 11, 2026Sponsored
PlaceIcheon, GyeonggiRestaurants

Korean BBQ near Seolbong Park in Icheon with a baby: Yuksik Wang

Yuksik Wang (육식왕) is a charcoal-grill wagyu and Korean Handon pork BBQ restaurant on Jungnicheon-ro in Icheon, Gyeonggi, a 2-minute walk from Icheon Terminal. With a baby, the writer had the 75,000-won wagyu platter (chuck flap, sirloin and rib meat), the 16,000-won juicy pork belly and the 10,000-won Handon kimchi stew packed with pork. Yuksik Wang also served a free earthenware steamed egg, Pororo baby tableware and juice. Yuksik Wang is a warm, baby-friendly Icheon BBQ stop after a trip to Terme Den or Seolbong Park.

Written Jun 18, 2026Sponsored
PlaceYangcheon, SeoulRestaurants

Mokdong Chinese restaurant for a family meal with a baby: Yugwanjang

Yugwanjang Banjeom Omokgyo Station Branch is a newly opened Chinese restaurant with private rooms near Exit 2 of Omokgyo Station in Mokdong, Yangcheon, Seoul. The writer, her husband and their baby shared beef jjamppong (spicy noodle soup) made with bone broth, mini tangsuyuk (sweet and sour pork) and condensed-milk flower buns; the deep jjamppong broth and the flower buns the baby happily ate stood out most. Yugwanjang Banjeom suits anyone looking for a Chinese restaurant with a private room for family gatherings or group dinners.

Written Jun 10, 2026Sponsored
PlaceYeongdeungpo, SeoulRestaurants

Yeongdeungpo Korean BBQ, baby's portion cut first: Choryang Saenggalbi

Choryang Saenggalbi (초량생갈비) is a Korean BBQ restaurant near Yeongdeungpo-gu Office Station in Yeongdeungpo, Seoul, where staff grill fresh galbi on a cast-iron grill for you. The writer visited on a weekend evening with her husband and baby daughter and ordered SET A (galbi, kkot-hangjeong pork jowl, hwangjesal, kimchi stew and cheesy steamed egg) for 50,000 won, and staff cut the baby's portion small and served it first without being asked. Choryang Saenggalbi is an easy Yeongdeungpo pick for family dinners or company outings when you don't want to grill the meat yourself.

Written Jun 21, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGuro, SeoulRestaurants

Sindorim bossam restaurant: flame-warmed bossam with a baby, Sambaekga

Sindorim Sambaekga (신도림삼백가) is a Sangju-themed jokbal (braised pig's trotters), bossam (boiled pork wraps) and kalguksu (knife-cut noodle soup) restaurant in the Sindorim Prugio shopping arcade in Guro, Seoul. On a weekend afternoon with her husband and baby, the writer ordered the 42,000 won Sambaek Bossam + Kalguksu set, upgraded it to a large bossam for 9,000 won more, and especially loved the bossam kept warm over a flame to the last piece, the garlic sauce, the persimmon geotjeori (fresh kimchi) and the free self-serve barley rice. Sindorim Sambaekga was a can't-miss choice for a hearty bossam and kalguksu meal out with a baby.

Written Jun 22, 2026Sponsored
PlaceYeongdeungpo, SeoulRestaurants

Yeongdeungpo Korean BBQ: basil ssamjang & yeolmu noodles at Gamgol

Gamgol Yeontan-jip Seonyudo Station Branch is a retro coal-briquette Korean BBQ restaurant on Seonyu-ro in Yeongdeungpo, Seoul, between Seonyudo Station and Dangsan Station. At Gamgol Yeontan-jip the writer ate rock-salt pork belly and special pork neck with basil ssamjang (dipping paste), gochujang briquette bulgogi, shrimp steamed egg, the summer-only yeolmu kimchi noodles (cold noodles in young radish kimchi broth), plus grilled jwipo (dried filefish) and plum slush. With quality Korean pork, scallion kimchi and a thoughtfully kept restroom, Gamgol Yeontan-jip is an easy recommendation for both dates and company dinners.

Written Jun 25, 2026Sponsored