Drawer Note Keeper · 6 stories

Second Drawer, Seoul/Gyeonggi Restaurants, Cafes and Beauty

Writes about restaurants, cafes, beauty spots, and weekend outings around Seoul and Gyeonggi. · Writes about: Restaurants · Things to do · Cafés · Hair & beauty salons

PlaceJongno, SeoulRestaurants

Korean BBQ by Jongno 3-ga Exit 2-1, pork belly & kudzu noodles: Cham

Cham Dwaejitgan Jongno Main Branch is a black pork belly Korean BBQ restaurant in Jongno, Seoul, a 1-minute walk from Jongno 3-ga Station Exit 2-1. The writer ordered 2 servings of Jirisan black pork belly (19,000 won per serving), Jirisan kudzu cold noodles (7,000 won) and rice, and liked the smoky aroma from grilling over charcoal and Korean rice husks, the staff grilling the meat at the table and the generous side dishes. Cham Dwaejitgan Jongno Main Branch is a Jongno pork belly spot so close to the station that it makes an easy place to meet up.

Written Jun 5, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGangseo, SeoulRestaurants

After-work Korean BBQ, Balsan Station: smoked pork, Chamdwaejitgan

Chamdwaejitgan Magok Branch (참돼짓간 마곡점) is a pork belly and black pork Korean BBQ restaurant on the first floor of Queens Park 9 Building C, one minute from Balsan Station in Gangseo, Seoul. On a return visit after work, the writer ordered 1 serving of black pork oh-gyeopsal (skin-on pork belly, 19,000 won) and 2 servings of Boseong Nokdon pork belly (16,000 won each), and was happy with the charcoal and Korean rice-husk smoked flavor, the staff grilling the meat, and the handmade grill that keeps fat from splattering. Chamdwaejitgan Magok Branch is a good Korean BBQ spot near Balsan Station for days when you crave rich pork belly.

Written Jul 8, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSeocho, SeoulRestaurants

Gangnam Station dakgalbi restaurant with free rice cakes: Dakgalbijeon

Dakgalbijeon Gangnam Branch is a dakgalbi (spicy stir-fried chicken) restaurant on the 2nd floor of Gangnam Dioville, between Gangnam Station and Sinnonhyeon Station in Seocho, Seoul, where dakgalbi and potato pancake come together as a set. Two women friends shared the gamssachidak set for two (₩40,000) plus fried rice and were especially happy with how much more meat than vegetables was in the pan and with the free wheat rice cakes they received on the house. For a good-value group meal near Gangnam Station, Dakgalbijeon Gangnam Branch is worth adding to your list.

Written Oct 9, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGangnam, SeoulRestaurants

Samseong Station Korean restaurant: tender squid bossam, Yangeunine

Yangeunine Samseong Station Branch (양은이네 삼성역점) is a Korean restaurant on Teheran-ro 83-gil in Gangnam, Seoul, specialising in dongtae-tang (pollack stew) and squid bossam (boiled pork with spicy stir-fried squid). On a weekend evening the writer ordered the medium squid bossam for 38,000 won and was happy with all of it: moist pork with no gamey smell, squid that wasn't chewy, self-serve siraegi (dried radish greens) soup and kimchi that tasted homemade. If you want a hearty bossam meal near Samseong Station on a day you crave protein, Yangeunine Samseong Station Branch's squid bossam is worth trying at least once.

Written Jul 29, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSeongbuk, SeoulRestaurants

Seongbuk chicken shop, Boknal boneless thigh half-and-half: Hidongi

Hidongi Chicken Seokgwan Branch is a takeout-only fried chicken shop at the entrance of Dolgoji Market in Seokgwan-dong, Seongbuk, Seoul. On Boknal (Korea's hottest summer days), the writer phoned ahead on the way home from work and picked up a garlic soy and yangnyeom (sweet-spicy) half-and-half for 19,000 won, upgraded to boneless thigh meat for 1,000 won extra. The two flavors came packed separately, the meat was tender, and two people still had leftovers, making Hidongi Chicken Seokgwan Branch a good-value takeout pick for boneless fans who want both flavors at once.

Written Jul 30, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSeongdong, SeoulRestaurants

Korean restaurant in Wangsimni, Seoul: crab kkotdoritang and pajeon

Hanyang Saram Moineun Got (한양 사람 모이는 곳) is a Korean restaurant on Muhakbong 28-gil near Wangsimni Station in Seongdong, Seoul, serving dakdoritang, gopdoritang and kkotdoritang (spicy braised chicken stew with blue crab). Two women shared a small kkotdoritang for 25,000 won and a seafood pajeon for 17,000 won, which was plenty of food, and also enjoyed the salted puffed-rice tube snacks served on the table and a dalgona ice cream to finish. Hanyang Saram Moineun Got is a good pick for an evening of spicy stew and makgeolli with friends.

Written Jul 31, 2026Sponsored
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