A Slow Window in Seochon — Hyejin Nam

Dangsan craft beer date spot with cream pasta: Long Time No See

Long Time No See Dangsan Branch is a self-tap craft beer and pizza bar one minute on foot from Dangsan Station in Yeongdeungpo, Seoul. The half-and-half pepperoni and tomato-spinach pizza costs 20,500 won with a 3,000 won cheese crust add-on, and the Myeongryanghan cream pasta is 17,500 won; the spicy pepperoni and savory tomato-spinach halves both worked well with beer. With its retro mood and self-poured drafts, Long Time No See Dangsan Branch is an easy pick for a date night.

Written Sep 16, 2026Sponsored

PlaceMapo, SeoulRestaurants

Korean BBQ near Hapjeong Station: fresh pork ribs and jowl, Jeongyukdo

Jeongyukdo is a pork-focused Korean BBQ restaurant on Yanghwa-ro 6-gil in Mapo, Seoul, a one-minute walk from Hapjeong Station. The outdoor patio was full, so the meal happened at an indoor four-person table: two servings of pork jowl (300g) for 42,000 won, one serving of hanmdon Korean pork fresh ribs (250g) for 19,000 won and doenjang sulbap soybean-paste rice for 10,000 won, with the side dishes and shredded scallions just as good. The pork jowl is solid, but the fresh ribs — juicy and with no gamey smell — are the cut to order at Jeongyukdo.

Written Sep 16, 2026Sponsored

PlaceMapo, SeoulCafés

Gongdeok dessert café: 7 pastries tasted at home, Fluffy Bake Shop

Fluffy Bake Shop is a baked-pastry dessert café on Baekbeom-ro 31-gil near Gongdeok Station in Mapo, Seoul. On a fifth visit, the writer, whose office is nearby, boxed up 7 pieces — 1 plain canelé, 4 madeleines (chocolate, yuzu, green tea, raspberry) and 2 financiers (chocolate, nut) — then cut them open at home, and the canelé was crisp outside and very moist inside. The family finished the rest at dinner and everyone called it good, so Fluffy Bake Shop works for gifts too.

Written Sep 16, 2026Sponsored