Back Kitchen Stroller · 25 stories

A Back Kitchen in Seochon

Writes about small restaurants in Seoul she happens to eat at. · Writes about: Restaurants · Hair & beauty salons · Cafés · Bars · Things to do

PlaceJung-gu, SeoulRestaurants

Seoul Station sandwich shop, quiet weekend & drip bag coffee: Dance

Dance Dance Dance Seoul Station is a baguette and ciabatta sandwich shop on Basement 3 of Grand Central, across from Seoul Station in Jung-gu, Seoul. On the way back from Busan, the writer stopped at Dance Dance Dance on their sister's recommendation, ordered the signature chicken breast sandwich (11,900 won on its own) on ciabatta, and took a drip bag coffee home because it was late. The house whole-grain mustard sauce and generous fillings made the Dance Dance Dance chicken breast sandwich a proper, filling meal.

Written Nov 14, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSongpa, SeoulRestaurants

Bangi-dong Korean BBQ on a Friday night: thick pork neck, Hongkyojip

Hongkyojip Jamsil is a charcoal-grilled pork Korean BBQ restaurant in the Bangi-dong food alley in Songpa, Seoul. On a Friday night with a friend up from Busan, the writer ordered 2 servings of thick pork neck (₩19,000 per person), gochujang pork belly and crab doenjang stew (₩8,000), and Hongkyojip staff grilled the meat at the table so the two friends could focus on talking. If you want thick, juicy pork neck alongside spicy gochujang pork belly, Hongkyojip Jamsil is a great fit.

Written Nov 13, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSongpa, SeoulRestaurants

Midday beer and pastrami sandwich at a Jamsil burger joint: Daily Fix

Daily Fix Jangmi Sangga is a handmade burger restaurant on basement level 1 of Jangmi Sangga Building B in Jamsil, Songpa, Seoul. Two friends sat facing each other at the Daily Fix bar table for lunch and shared the daily-limited pastrami sandwich (15,900 won) and chili cheese fries with beer and soda. One sandwich and one order of fries made a filling lunch that never felt greasy.

Written Nov 12, 2026Sponsored
PlaceJongno, SeoulThings to do

Winter perfume class in Bukchon: cozy coconut 'Aki' scent at Muhwawon

Muhwawon Bukchon Perfume Workshop (무화원 북촌향수공방) is a perfume-making studio in Bukchon near Anguk Station in Jongno, Seoul, offering a 1 hour 30 minute one-day class. The writer visited with her older sister on a day off and blended a cozy, sweet winter scent over 3 rounds, adding a coconut note requested on the spot, to finish a 50ml perfume. Muhwawon Bukchon Perfume Workshop is a recommended Bukchon date activity for learning each other's tastes and making a special memory.

Written Nov 11, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGangdong, SeoulHair & beauty salons

Cheonho salon: gray-hair dark brown dye and layered cut, Yume's Hair

Yume's Hair Cheonho Branch is a hair salon on Cheonho-daero in Gangdong, Seoul, 264m from Gangdong Station Exit 1. Bothered by patchy root dye and limp long hair, the writer stopped by Yume's Hair before an afternoon shift. Because of some gray hair, the writer took the salon's recommendation of a full dark brown dye instead of red and added a layered cut. The visit was a successful refresh, with a soft deep brown in one even tone and layers that look good even tied up.

Written Nov 10, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSongpa, SeoulRestaurants

Ogeum Station Korean BBQ, squid in kale wraps & bibimbap: Baekhyang

Baekhyang Jipbulgui (백향짚불구이) is a Korean grill restaurant near Ogeum Station in Songpa, Seoul, serving straw-fire smoked grills with leafy wraps and a full table of side dishes. The writer and her sister ordered the straw-fire squid (serves 2–3, 32,000 won) for dinner and wrapped it in greens from the self-serve bar. They then mixed the leftover sauce with bean sprouts, radish salad and seasoned vegetables for a second round of bibimbap. If you like smoky straw-fire flavor with spicy seasoning, the straw-fire squid at Baekhyang Jipbulgui is a good fit.

Written Nov 9, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSongpa, SeoulRestaurants

Burger brunch near Seokchon Lake: cheese fries at Downtown Jamsil

Downtown Jamsil is a craft burger shop in Songpa, Seoul, between Songpanaru Station and the back of Seokchon Lake. The writer and her husband arrived at the 11am weekend opening and ate the best-selling Downtown Burger, a Classic Cheese Burger and thick fries topped with cheese. Downtown Jamsil is a good pick for a classic, back-to-basics burger in a roomy, hip space.

Written May 13, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSeocho, SeoulRestaurants

Gyodae Station gimbap shop: soak-your-own nurungji tteokbokki, Halls

Halls Gimbap Main Branch (홀스김밥본점) is a Korean snack bar (bunsik) near Gyodae Station in Seocho, Seoul, serving distinctive gimbap (seaweed rice rolls), tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes) and dakgangjeong (sweet crispy fried chicken). Before the lunch rush, the writer had the Jindo scallion tuna gimbap for 7,000 won and the Seocho-dong nurungji tteokbokki for 7,500 won. The black rice roll with light tuna and Jindo scallions was not greasy at all, and the nurungji (crispy rice crust) can be soaked in the broth to whatever texture you like. With bar seating for solo diners and one parking spot out front, Halls Gimbap Main Branch is a recommended spot near Gyodae Station for a quick, filling meal.

Written Nov 5, 2026Sponsored
PlaceHanam, GyeonggiRestaurants

Hanam Italian restaurant for a brunch gathering: cheesecake, Bokkeriu

Bokkeriu is an Italian restaurant with a Han River view on Misadong-ro in Misa, Hanam, Gyeonggi. For a brunch gathering on a sunny day, the writer shared Bokkeriu's 4-person steak set on the second floor: sourdough bread and corn soup, homemade jambon-beurre pasta, wood-fired margherita pizza, shrimp bisque risotto, Hanwoo steak and homemade cheesecake, and every course was satisfying. With open Han River and greenery views, Bokkeriu is a good pick for dates, anniversaries and family gatherings.

Written May 19, 2026Sponsored
PlacePocheon, GyeonggiCafés

Pocheon bakery café with my sister, chocolate pretzel: Geurine Oasis

Geurine Oasis is a large lake-view bakery café near Gomori Reservoir in Soheul-eup, Pocheon, Gyeonggi. The writer visited Geurine Oasis on a weekday with her older sister, explored the main hall, annex, terrace and annex rooftop, and had a chocolate pretzel and an iced americano served in a reusable cup. With a lake-view terrace, bread baked in-house and a 9,000 won fire pit, Geurine Oasis is a good stop on a Pocheon drive.

Written May 20, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSeocho, SeoulRestaurants

Pasta spot by Yangjaesiminuisup Station: pre-golf dinner at Pasta Gram

Pasta Gram Yangjae Main Branch is a pasta and pizza restaurant right by Exit 2 of Yangjaesiminuisup Station in Seocho, Seoul. After work and before a golf event in Yangjae, the writer and her older sister had dinner there: a salad, the 13,800 won shrimp rosé pasta and a quattro cheese & honey pizza, with a generously sauced pasta and a rich, cheesy wood-fired pizza that both satisfied. Verdict: close to the station, with parking, a terrace and dogs allowed, Pasta Gram is a solid pick for pasta and pizza near Yangjaesiminuisup Station.

Written Oct 30, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSongpa, SeoulRestaurants

Bangi-dong spicy braised rib restaurant, egg rice and tofu: Yetchon

Yetchon Spicy Galbi-jjim (옛촌매운갈비찜) is a spicy braised short rib restaurant in the Bangi-dong food alley in Songpa, Seoul, open for nearly 20 years. The writer and her spice-shy sister ordered the spicy beef galbi-jjim set for two at the base heat level (Shin Ramyun spiciness), adding the egg rice bowl, steamed egg and side tofu. Yetchon Spicy Galbi-jjim's sauce uses no capsaicin and is savory-spicy, so even people who struggle with heat can enjoy it.

Written Oct 28, 2026Sponsored