Jung-gu Door Pusher · 83 stories

Through the Restaurant Door

I write about meals and visits to restaurants in Gyeonggi. · Writes about: Restaurants · Bars · Cafés · Hair & beauty salons · Shopping · Things to do

PlaceUijeongbu, GyeonggiCafés

Weekend-drive café in Uijeongbu, apple hibiscus & café mocha: Forerest

Forerest is a large, cabin-in-the-woods café on Nogyang-ro in Uijeongbu, Gyeonggi, that allows dogs indoors and is known for its gluten-free Basque cheesecake. On a weekend drive, the writer ordered an iced café mocha, an apple hibiscus and two Basque cheesecakes (plain and chocolate) for 28,800 won in total; the plain cheesecake was dense and creamy, and the chocolate one was pleasantly sweet. Even on a busy weekend, Forerest in Uijeongbu leaves room for a relaxed stroll on the terrace.

Written Apr 26, 2026Sponsored
PlaceYangju, GyeonggiRestaurants

Yangju Korean BBQ for Family Month, pudding egg and yukjeon: Manpo

Manpo Galbi Yangju Main Branch (만포갈비 양주본점) is a charcoal-grill beef and pork galbi restaurant on Songnang-ro in Yangju, Gyeonggi, that serves its house-made naengmyeon (cold noodles) for free. Looking for a Family Month gathering spot, the writer ate 2 servings of fresh pork galbi with doenjang jjigae (soybean paste stew), the hidden-menu pudding steamed egg (₩3,000) and an extra plate of yukjeon (pan-fried battered beef, ₩6,000). With a large parking lot, private rooms and baby chairs, Manpo Galbi is a Yangju Korean BBQ spot that suits family meals with parents or young children.

Written Apr 26, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSeongdong, SeoulCafés

Seongsu bakery open at 8am, black sesame salt bread: Rinon Bakehouse

Rinon Bakehouse (린온베이크하우스), also known as Gidaelbing (기댈빙), is a bakery and brunch café on Seoulsup 2-gil in Seongsu, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, a 9-minute walk from Ttukseom Station, and opens at 8am every day. Before work, the writer ordered takeout at the Rinon Bakehouse kiosk: a crescent multi-layer croissant, black sesame salt bread and plain salt bread. The writer also looked over the black sesame bungeoppang (fish-shaped pastry, 4 for 12,000 won), sandwiches, bingsu and house-made drinks. Rinon Bakehouse is a good stop in Seongsu for early-morning bread to go or brunch on the terrace.

Written Nov 13, 2026Sponsored
PlaceJung-gu, SeoulShopping

Subway-linked Dongdaemun vintage shop: fitting rooms & LPs, Viva Trade

Viva Trade Eulji Dundaun Dongdaemun Branch is a 200-pyeong (about 660 m²) warehouse-style vintage store on the 5th floor of the Dundaun building in Dongdaemun, Seoul, connected underground to Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station. The writer tried on shirts, pants and skirts in the store's 4 fitting rooms and browsed Polo clothing, Hello Kitty goods and LP records. Viva Trade Eulji Dundaun suits shoppers who want a comfortable vintage hunt in Dongdaemun without the crowds of Dongmyo.

Written Nov 13, 2026Sponsored
PlaceYuseong, DaejeonHair & beauty salons

Yuseong, Daejeon facial salon: 9-step winter hydration at Bitdam

Bitdam is a customized skin care salon in Wonsinheung-dong, Yuseong, Daejeon. After a consultation about winter dehydrated skin, the writer had Bitdam's 9-step signature hydration facial, from milk cleansing to a peptide ampoule and a collagen veil mask, and was pleased with the softly lit, forest-view treatment room and the thorough consultation. If dehydrated skin and rough texture are your concerns, Bitdam's customized hydration care is worth considering.

Written Nov 11, 2026Sponsored
PlaceNam-gu, GwangjuRestaurants

Chop steak set and spicy panne at Mitaly, a Gwangju pasta restaurant

Mitaly Gwangju Bongseon Branch is a budget pasta restaurant on the 1st floor of 180 Bongseon-ro, Nam-gu, Gwangju, known for its ₩6,800 pasta. On a trip to Gwangju, the writer ordered the chop steak + pasta + ade set for ₩28,800, and the spicy panne (pasta served in a bread bowl) and hallabong (Jeju citrus) ade were the standouts. With free parking in the Daiso lot, Mitaly Gwangju Bongseon Branch is the answer if you want a cozy Western meal for about ₩10,000 a person.

Written Apr 29, 2026Sponsored
PlaceNaju, JeonnamRestaurants

₩18,000 single-broth shabu-shabu lunch in Naju: Yuyu Shabu

Yuyu Shabu Naju Innovation City branch is a Japanese-style shabu-shabu restaurant with unlimited vegetable refills on Baemet 1-gil in Naju Innovation City, Jeonnam. The writer and a partner had lunch there, ordering the single-broth shabu-shabu (18,000 won, kalguksu noodles included) and egg porridge, and ate it as a course from the meat-and-vegetable plate to noodles and porridge. With generous portions and self-bar refills, Yuyu Shabu Naju Innovation City branch is a solid pick for a light but filling work lunch.

Written Apr 30, 2026Sponsored
PlaceJung-gu, SeoulCafés

Seoul Station 7 a.m. café, grilled mushroom ciabatta to go: Dance

Dance Dance Dance Seoul Station is a sandwich and baguette café on B3 of Grand Central at Seoul Station in Jung-gu, Seoul, and it opens at 7 a.m. For a light but filling commute breakfast, the writer ordered the grilled mushroom sandwich to go with the baguette swapped for ciabatta. It was ready in 10 minutes, and the soft bread and chewy mushrooms went so well together that both pieces were gone. For an early-morning sandwich at Seoul Station before the brunch places open, Dance Dance Dance Seoul Station is the answer.

Written Nov 11, 2026Sponsored
PlaceDaedeok, DaejeonRestaurants

Grilled galbi bibim pasta at Sanchez Danggoljip, a Daejeon poke shop

Sanchez Danggoljip (산체스 단골집) is a Hawaiian-style poke and salad shop near Hannam University and a theological university in Daedeok-gu, Daejeon. The writer ordered the flame-grilled galbi (marinated short rib) bibim pasta through the table QR code and finished the whole bowl, enjoying the smoky galbi, thin noodles and crispy onion flakes. Sanchez Danggoljip is worth a stop when you want generous, fresh poke and salads with no break time.

Written Nov 10, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSeongdong, SeoulHair & beauty salons

Sinseoldong hair salon Milbon Smooth clinic for tangles: Salon de L

Salon de L is a hair salon on the 2nd floor of Tenshill Mall in Seongdong, Seoul, between Sinseoldong Station and Sangwangsimni Station. With the weather turning chilly, the writer arrived with dry, tangled hair that a comb couldn't get through and had the Milbon Ojua Smooth clinic in 4 steps, from primer to treatment, with heat and steam, leaving with glossy hair. For anyone looking for a clinic suited to damaged hair, the Milbon Smooth clinic at Salon de L was a satisfying choice.

Written Nov 10, 2026Sponsored
PlaceJongno, SeoulRestaurants

Gwanghwamun Japanese restaurant for premium kaisendon: Ilpum

Ilpum Gwanghwamun Branch 2 (일품 광화문2호점) is a Japanese restaurant specialising in kaisendon (seafood rice bowl) and sushi, in the basement (B1) of Daewoo Plaza near Exit 1 of Gwanghwamun Station in Jongno, Seoul. On a Monday evening the writer booked counter seats through Naver Reservation and had the premium kaisendon, futomaki (thick sushi roll) and crab cream croquettes, and the writer's partner ranked Ilpum's kaisendon the best they have ever eaten, even better than the kaisendon they had in Japan. Verdict: Ilpum Gwanghwamun Branch 2 is a strong pick for a wedding invitation dinner with friends in Gwanghwamun.

Written Nov 9, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGwangjin, SeoulThings to do

Konkuk Univ. self-photo studio with number balloons & sashes: U&E

U&E Studio Seongsu is a self-photo studio on Gwangnaru-ro in Gwangjin, Seoul, near Exit 5 of Children's Grand Park Station (Line 7), where outfits, dresses, shoes and props can all be rented in one place. The writer booked a 60-minute self-shoot through Naver Booking (5 minutes of prep, 45 minutes of shooting, 10 minutes of cleanup) and tried pressing the remote every 5 seconds, plus event props like giant number balloons and birthday and wedding sashes. With originals emailed within 10 minutes of the shoot, retouched photos delivered to your home and a free frame, the writer calls U&E Studio Seongsu a hugely satisfying self-photo studio for an anniversary shoot.

Written Nov 9, 2026Sponsored