Table Talk Mapo · 87 stories

Rice and Conversation

I write about meals at restaurants I visit in Gangwon and Seoul. · Writes about: Restaurants · Beauty products · Cafés · Shopping · Bars · Hair & beauty salons · Food & snacks · Fashion · Books & stationery

PlaceSeongdong, SeoulCafés

Seongsu donut café with chewy, cream-packed donuts: Overdose

Overdose Donut & Coffee Seongsu is a donut café on Wangsimni-ro 10-gil in Seongdong-gu, Seoul, near Ttukseom Station. The writer stopped by Overdose Donut & Coffee by chance while looking for a dessert café in Seongsu and tried Earl Grey, pistachio and crème brûlée donuts, enjoying the dense, chewy texture, the generous cream and a calm atmosphere where laptop work is possible. Overdose Donut & Coffee is a safe Seongsu café pick when you want one really good donut.

Written Apr 28, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSeongdong, SeoulHair & beauty salons

Seongsu hair salon: C-curl volume magic on curly hair, Onzon Hair

Onzon Hair Seongsu is a hair salon in Seongsu-dong, Seoul, right in front of Ttukseom Station. With fine, slightly curly hair, the blogger got a C-curl volume magic (a Korean straightening perm that keeps root volume) plus a cut, and the designer personally handled every step from consultation and solution to neutralizing and finishing, leaving lifted roots and ends falling into a natural C-curl. Onzon Hair Seongsu is worth recommending to anyone nervous about straightening curly or damaged hair.

Written Apr 27, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSeongdong, SeoulCafés

Sunny window-seat date café in Seongsu: strawberry soufflé at Andamiro

Andamiro Pancake Seongsu is a soufflé pancake dessert café on the 2nd floor of a building in Seongsu, Seoul, within walking distance of Seoulsup Station and Ttukseom Station. At a sunny window seat, the writer ordered a strawberry soufflé pancake, an americano and a vanilla latte, and loved both the cloud-like, melt-in-the-mouth texture and the natural light. Andamiro Pancake Seongsu is a destination dessert café worth planning into a Seongsu date or a Seoulsup walk.

Written Apr 27, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMapo, SeoulCafés

Mangwon bakery weekday 5pm: balsamic campagne, Boulangerie Copain

Boulangerie Copain is a bakery on Mangridan-gil in Mangwon-dong, Mapo, Seoul, featured in 2018 on SBS's Master of Living (생활의 달인) as a baguette and croissant master. On a weekday visit around 5 pm the baguettes at Boulangerie Copain were already sold out, so the writer bought croissants, madeleines and a campagne, and the big campagne dipped in balsamic sauce was the most satisfying pick. To get a Boulangerie Copain baguette, go early after 10 am; for a discount, time your visit for the 7 pm time sale.

Written Nov 7, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMapo, SeoulRestaurants

Sushi bar near Hapjeong café street with ankimo: Hapjeong Sushi House

Hapjeong Sushi House (합정초밥집) is a sushi restaurant on the 2nd floor at Dongmak-ro 3-gil in Mapo-gu, Seoul, near the Hapjeong café street. On a visit with a friend, the writer had a sushi lineup with mackerel bar sushi, ankimo (monkfish liver), fatty tuna and wagyu, plus chawanmushi, salad and mini udon; the mackerel bar sushi was not fishy at all and the sushi rice was pleasantly loose and fluffy. Hapjeong Sushi House suits anyone who wants omakase-level quality in a relaxed, low-pressure setting.

Written May 12, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMapo, SeoulCafés

Yeonnam-dong coffee shop, floor by floor: bar to rooftop, Central Site

Central Site Yeonnam is a local roastery café specializing in hand-drip coffee on Yeonhui-ro in Yeonnam-dong, Seoul, about a 6-minute walk from Hongik Univ. Station. The visit covered all three floors of Central Site Yeonnam: the 1F bar seats, the 2F window seats and the covered 3F rooftop. On the menu were a Colombian Geisha Peach Punch, an Ethiopian Muntasha 2022 COE #1 and a classic tiramisu. Central Site Yeonnam suits coffee lovers who pick a café for aroma and flavor before looks.

Written May 14, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSeodaemun, SeoulHair & beauty salons

Ewha hair salon root dye + chemical care for heat damage: Eco Revy

Eco Revy Hair Ewha Branch is a hair salon focused on scalp care and head spa treatments, on the 2nd floor near Ewha Womans Univ. Station in Seodaemun, Seoul. For hair left dry and frizzy by repeated root dyeing and flat irons, the writer had a root dye, chemical hair care and head-spa-style scalp care at the shampoo station, which left the ends less frizzy with a natural shine. If you want a salon that takes care with everything from the damaged-hair consultation to home-care tips, Eco Revy Hair Ewha Branch is a good fit.

Written May 16, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMapo, SeoulBars

Packed Gongdeok izakaya: uni pasta & black pepper kaisen, Orot Silbi

Orot Silbi (오롯실비) is a Japanese fusion izakaya on the 3rd floor of a building near Exit 10 of Gongdeok Station in Mapo, Seoul. On a nearly full evening, the writer ordered chipotle baby potatoes, uni cream pasta and black pepper kaisen (seafood) stir-fry, and all three dishes were dining-izakaya quality rather than ordinary bar snacks. Orot Silbi is a Gongdeok bar that delivers on both atmosphere and food, so book ahead for the evening peak.

Written May 16, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMapo, SeoulHair & beauty salons

Hapjeong hair salon clinic for Airwrap heat damage: Pieum Hair

Pieum Hair Hapjeong Main Branch is a hair salon on Dongmak-ro near Hapjeong Station in Mapo, Seoul. After Airwrap and blow-dry heat left the writer's hair dry and tangled, a moisture-focused clinic and peppermint scalp scaling at Pieum Hair left the hair smooth to the ends, with fewer morning tangles days later. For hair damaged by frequent heat styling, the moisture clinic at Pieum Hair Hapjeong Main Branch is worth a try.

Written May 18, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMapo, SeoulRestaurants

Mangwon Station taco spot: enchilada and crispy fish taco, Taco Dot

Taco Dot Mangwon Market Main Branch is a Mexican taco restaurant in an alley inside Mangwon Market, near Mangwon Station in Mapo, Seoul. On a weekday evening, with the room nearly full, the order was a paprika sauce enchilada, a mango shrimp taco, a fried fish taco and a Coke Zero; the spices were not overpowering, yet the food still tasted authentically Mexican. Taco Dot is a Mangwon Station taco spot that should please both Mexican-food first-timers and longtime fans.

Written May 19, 2026Sponsored
ProductYunoaBeauty products

Dark spot tone care ampoule for sensitive skin: Yunoa Melablur Ampoule

Yunoa Melablur Melasma Ampoule (Yunoa 멜라블러 기미앰플) is a 30ml dropper-type ampoule from Korea made for melasma, dark spots and dull skin tone. The writer, who has sensitive skin, used the Yunoa Melablur Ampoule morning and night as daily care and felt almost no irritation; its rich, moist texture left her skin tone looking clearer and more even overall. The Yunoa Melablur Melasma Ampoule suits anyone who wants a gentle feel and steady tone and texture care rather than a dramatic short-term change.

Written May 22, 2026Product provided
PlaceMapo, SeoulRestaurants

Gongdeok omakase, aged sashimi and charcoal eel: Jeulgeoun Maeumeuro

Jeulgeoun Maeumeuro (즐거운마음으로) is an omakase Japanese restaurant on Baekbeom-ro 24-gil near Gongdeok Station in Mapo, Seoul. The writer was most impressed by the chef's detailed explanations, the friendly service, and the aged sashimi, uni and charcoal-scented eel on the course. Verdict: Jeulgeoun Maeumeuro is worth recommending for a relaxed special-occasion omakase in Gongdeok.

Written May 26, 2026Sponsored