Thin Mirror Walker · 9 stories

Thin Mirror, Seoul Tables and Faces

Writes about Seoul restaurants and beauty spots she visits around the city. · Writes about: Restaurants · Hair & beauty salons

PlaceGangseo, SeoulRestaurants

Balsan Station Korean BBQ for Mom's birthday: 310g galbi, Ihwajeong

Ihwajeong Galbi Myeongga Magok-Balsan Branch is a newly opened galbi (Korean BBQ short rib) restaurant near Balsan Station in Gangseo, Seoul. For Mom's birthday lunch we ordered 2 portions of marinated beef king galbi (310g), doenjang jjigae (soybean paste stew) and rice. The organic pear-juice marinade, tender 144-hour cross-aged meat, refilled side dishes and free pear sorbet all hit the mark. For a parent's birthday or a family gathering, Ihwajeong Galbi Myeongga Magok-Balsan Branch is a great fit.

Written Jun 29, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGangseo, SeoulRestaurants

Balsan Station Korean BBQ after a workout: aged pork, Chamdwaejitgan

Chamdwaejitgan Magok Branch (참돼짓간 마곡점) is a Korean BBQ restaurant near Balsan Station in Gangseo, Seoul, where staff grill aged pork at your table. After a workout, the writer and her boyfriend ordered Jirisan black pork skin-on belly, Jirisan black pork neck and Cham pork belly; the in-store aging fridge, the minari, kimchi and bean sprouts grilled alongside the meat, and the free milk thistle supplement served with alcohol orders stood out. The thick Jirisan black pork neck was the best cut, and Chamdwaejitgan Magok Branch is a good date-night Korean BBQ spot where you can leave the grilling to staff and focus on the conversation.

Written Jun 28, 2026Sponsored
PlaceJung-gu, SeoulRestaurants

Half-and-half jokbal lunch near Euljiro 1-ga Station: Miss Jokbal

Miss Jokbal Seoul Myeongdong Branch is a jokbal (braised pig's trotters) restaurant between Euljiro 1-ga Station and Myeongdong Station in Jung-gu, Seoul, with group reservations and tablet ordering at every table. On the day the writer had wedding bands made, lunch at Miss Jokbal was half-and-half jokbal (original jokbal + perilla fire jokbal) for 49,000 won and a steamed egg and rice ball set for 7,000 won, plus complimentary kimchi-broth kalguksu (knife-cut noodle soup) and salad that made for a generous spread. With original jokbal that had no gamey smell and a perilla fire jokbal that was savory rather than hot, Miss Jokbal made a satisfying, filling meal after Myeongdong shopping.

Written Jul 7, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGangseo, SeoulRestaurants

Magongnaru pasta restaurant for friends: hot rosé risotto, Pasta Go

Pasta Go Magok Branch is a budget-friendly pasta and risotto restaurant on the 2nd floor of the Botanic Prugio City officetel, right in front of Magongnaru Station in Gangseo, Seoul. Catching up with an old friend, the writer ordered shrimp Toowoomba pasta and hot rosé chicken risotto at the mildly spicy level, plus cream churros from a Naver review event, and found both the taste and portions satisfying. With pasta near ₩20,000 common these days, Pasta Go Magok Branch suits a friends' meal in Magok when you want generous portions at easygoing prices.

Written Jul 9, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGangseo, SeoulRestaurants

Balsan Mexican restaurant: weekday taco set with a friend, Taqueros

Taqueros Magok Main Branch is a Mexican family restaurant on the 2nd floor of Magok GMG Tower, right in front of Magok Station in Gangseo, Seoul, serving Texas BBQ ribs, tacos and fajitas as sets. On a weekday with a friend, the writer ordered the Signature Couple Set for two (₩56,000), which came with a fish taco, a chicken taco and a fajita served with scorched rice (nurungji), and upgraded both drinks to ades for ₩1,500 each. With its spacious, private-feeling dining room and generous set, Taqueros Magok Main Branch is a satisfying pick for anyone wanting something different to eat around Balsan and Magok.

Written Jul 19, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGangseo, SeoulRestaurants

Magok eel restaurant for work dinners: 1kg + king prawns, Jangsuchon

Jangsuchon Pungcheon Eel is a spacious eel restaurant on the 2nd floor of a building near Balsan Station in Gangseo, Seoul. At Jangsuchon Pungcheon Eel, the writer ordered 1kg of grilled eel (₩59,000) and grilled king prawns (₩15,000). Staff grilled them in a separate area, and eel juice and eel chueo-tang (loach-style soup) came as standard. For a restorative meal or a work dinner around Magok and Balsan Station, Jangsuchon Pungcheon Eel is a satisfying choice.

Written Jul 20, 2026Sponsored
PlaceJongno, SeoulRestaurants

Ikseon-dong Korean BBQ for an engaged couple, kudzu noodles: Cham

Cham Dwaejitgan Jongno Main Branch (참돼짓간 종로본점) is a pork BBQ restaurant in Jongno, Seoul, a 1-minute walk from Jongno 3-ga Station and 3 minutes from Ikseon-dong. After choosing wedding bands, the writer and her fiancé had lunch at Cham Dwaejitgan: Jirisan black pork five-layer belly (₩19,000), Jirisan black pork neck (₩18,000) and Jirisan kudzu bibim naengmyeon (spicy mixed cold noodles, ₩7,000), with staff grilling the meat over charcoal. Pork piled on grilled potato was the standout, and Cham Dwaejitgan suits both dates and group dinners.

Written Jul 23, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGangseo, SeoulRestaurants

Korean BBQ date in Balsan, Seoul: black pork belly for two at Kimchiok

Kimchiok Magok Main Branch (김치옥 마곡본점) is a kimchi-focused Korean BBQ restaurant on Magokdong-ro in Gangseo, Seoul, near Balsan and Magok, that says it uses only nuruk-fermented black pork. On a date, the writer and her boyfriend ordered the 59,000-won family set: thick-cut pork belly, old-style pork belly, hangjeongsal (pork jowl), pork skin, pudding-style steamed egg and kimchi-mari guksu (cold kimchi noodles). It filled them both up. With a generous set and fast service, Kimchiok Magok Main Branch is a Balsan pork belly spot worth recommending for anything from dates to team dinners.

Written Jul 26, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGangseo, SeoulHair & beauty salons

Magok brow bar shaping grown-out brows into symmetry: Mio Brow Bar

Mio Brow Bar is a brow and waxing studio on the first floor of Daebang DMC Officetel, right in front of Exit 7 of Yangcheonhyanggyo Station in Gangseo, Seoul. After self-trimming threw the shape off, the brows were grown out before the visit, and a 1:1 design based on overall face balance plus eyebrow waxing brought both sides into symmetry. Because the space above the eyes is narrow, Mio Brow Bar trimmed more along the lower line so the brows do not look heavy — the detail that stood out most.

Written Aug 16, 2026Sponsored
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