Corner Hearth · 20 stories

A Corner Stove Through Seongsu

Writes about small restaurants around Seoul, often returning to the same corner tables. · Writes about: Restaurants · Cafés

PlaceGangnam, SeoulRestaurants

Samseong-dong Korean BBQ for couples: crab doenjang stew, Gukbo Garden

Gukbo Garden Samsung Main Branch (국보가든 삼성본점) is a charcoal-grilled galbi (marinated short rib) restaurant at 608 Samseong-ro, Gangnam, Seoul, near Exit 3 of Samseongjungang Station. On a weekend lunch for two, the couple ordered the Gukbo beef marinated galbi set at 50,000 won per person: one with pot rice and crab doenjang (soybean paste) stew, the other with bibim naengmyeon (spicy cold noodles) for 1,000 won extra. The marinade's sweetness was well balanced with the beef flavor. Gukbo Garden Samsung Main Branch suits couples who want a relaxed weekend lunch in a quiet, upscale space.

Written Oct 29, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGangnam, SeoulCafés

Sinnonhyeon dessert café date by a sunny window: Upper and Under

Upper and Under is a dessert café on Gangnam-daero 102-gil near Sinnonhyeon Station in Gangnam, Seoul. On a weekday date, the blogger and their partner shared a pistachio financier (4,500 won), an Earl Grey canelé (4,500 won), a crème brûlée flan (6,900 won), an Einspänner (8,000 won) and a cold brew americano (6,800 won). Upper and Under is a good Sinnonhyeon date café for picking several desserts to share by a sunny window.

Written Oct 28, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSeocho, SeoulRestaurants

Seocho chicken spot for a chilly-day dinner for two: Seocho Jeonggye

Seocho Jeonggye is a Korean chicken restaurant on Beobwon-ro 1-gil near Seocho Station in Seocho, Seoul. On a chilly day, the writer returned with a partner for dinner right after the break time ended and shared a medium dakbokkeumtang (spicy braised chicken stew, serves 2–3, ₩32,000), the Jeonggye potato pancake (₩17,000) and steamed rice (₩1,000). Alternating the spicy stew with the nutty potato pancake makes Seocho Jeonggye the place the writer craves whenever the weather turns cold.

Written Oct 27, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSokcho, GangwonRestaurants

Sokcho noodle restaurant, travel dinner for two: potato starch noodles

Sokcho Haemul Kkot Jangkalguksu is a jangkalguksu (soybean-paste knife-cut noodle soup) restaurant on Joyang-ro in Sokcho, Gangwon, where you eat seafood and beef as shabu-shabu and then finish by boiling noodles in the broth. On a Sokcho trip, the writer and their partner ordered the Wongi Boyang Haemul Poktan Shabu Jangkalguksu for two at 25,000 won per person. The highlight was the final kalguksu, with the nutty, spicy soybean paste added to a broth rich from all the ingredients. It is a good meal for travelers who want seafood and Gangwon local food in one sitting.

Written Oct 26, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGangnam, SeoulRestaurants

Cheongdam Italian restaurant for a weekday brunch date: Osteria Eden

Osteria Eden is an Italian restaurant on Seolleung-ro 152-gil in Gangnam, Seoul, near Cheongdam and Apgujeong Rodeo. The writer took a weekday off for a brunch date at Osteria Eden and ordered French onion soup (₩19,000), king prawn aglio e olio (₩28,000) and scallop lemon butter pasta (₩33,000), lingering over the meal thanks to soft lighting and well-spaced tables. Osteria Eden is a solid pick for a weekday date in Cheongdam if you want pasta, soup and atmosphere together.

Written Oct 25, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSokcho, GangwonRestaurants

Sokcho market fried food, three dishes shared as a couple: Hwangbuja

Hwangbuja Twigim (황부자튀김) is a fried food, jeon (Korean pancake) and squid sundae (stuffed squid) shop inside Sokcho Central Market (Sokcho Tourist & Fish Market) in Sokcho, Gangwon. On a Sokcho trip, the writer and their partner took away nurungji squid sundae (₩15,000), a small shrimp gangjeong (₩10,000) and a potato vegetable jeon (₩6,000) to share at their lodging; the nurungji squid sundae was crispy, and the potato vegetable jeon was seasoned well enough to need no soy sauce. Hwangbuja Twigim is a good market takeout stop for couples who want to sample several dishes in small amounts.

Written Oct 24, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSokcho, GangwonCafés

Sokcho market egg tart bakery: two ₩15,000 boxes of originals, Doris

Doris Patisserie is a pink-fronted egg tart and baked-goods shop inside Sokcho Central Market (Jungang Market) in Sokcho, Gangwon. On a Sokcho trip with their partner, the writer stopped in while browsing the market and bought two boxes of the Original Egg Tart (6 per box, ₩15,000 a box), loving the balance of crisp pastry and soft, nutty egg filling. If you like classic flavors, start with the original at Doris Patisserie.

Written Oct 23, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSokcho, GangwonCafés

Sokcho café on a sunny day: Ulsanbawi view & chamomile at Cafe Neorae

Cafe Neorae (카페너래) is a large café on Wonamhaksapyeong-gil in Sokcho, Gangwon, known for its view of Ulsanbawi rock. On a bright sunny day, the writer and a partner took in Ulsanbawi through Cafe Neorae's floor-to-ceiling windows over the signature Neorae Latte (7,500 won), chamomile tea (6,000 won) and a choco croissant (5,000 won). Verdict: Cafe Neorae is a good Sokcho café for a break during a trip, especially on a clear day when Ulsanbawi is in full view.

Written Oct 21, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSokcho, GangwonRestaurants

Sokcho tofu restaurant: Shin Ramyun-level abalone sundubu, Yetgoeul

Yetgoeul Sundubu (옛고을순두부) is a soft tofu restaurant on Wonamhaksapyeong-gil in Sokcho, Gangwon, that says it makes its sundubu fresh every morning from Korean-grown soybeans. On a Sokcho trip, the writer and their partner ordered the abalone jjamppong sundubu (spicy seafood soft tofu stew, 19,000 won with pot rice). It was slightly spicier than Shin Ramyun, so they asked Yetgoeul Sundubu to leave off the chili topping. Even if you are sensitive to spice, Yetgoeul Sundubu lets you enjoy a hearty seafood sundubu comfortably once the chili topping is left off.

Written Oct 22, 2026Sponsored
PlaceJongno, SeoulRestaurants

Jonggak pork bone stew with big fluffy potatoes: Jangheon Gamjatang

Jangheon Gamjatang Jonggak (장헌감자탕 종각본점) is a Korean restaurant specializing in gamjatang (pork bone stew) and braised pork backbone, on basement level 1 near Jonggak Station in Seoul. Two people shared a medium pork bone stew for 33,000 won with a bowl of rice each, then finished with flying fish roe fried rice for 4,000 won, fried at the table by staff; the densely meaty bones and big, fluffy potatoes stood out. Jangheon Gamjatang Jonggak is a solid pick for Jonggak office workers who want a hot, hearty, meat-heavy lunch.

Written Oct 19, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSeongdong, SeoulCafés

Seongsu café for two: tangerine ginger, mango bingsu at Childish

Childish is a salted taiyaki café on the second floor of 114 Yeonmujang-gil in Seongsu, Seoul. After browsing a Seongsu pop-up, the writer and their partner shared two drinks, salted taiyaki (fish-shaped pastry), pizza salted taiyaki, mammoth chewy and Taiwanese mango bingsu (shaved ice) for 52,300 won in total. Childish is a good stop for a quirky dessert break after pop-up hopping in Seongsu.

Written Oct 18, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSeongdong, SeoulRestaurants

Seongsu Station shrimp burger date: avocado & wasabi sets, bd Burger

bd Burger is a burger restaurant on the 2nd floor on Seongsui-ro 14-gil, near Seongsu Station in Seongdong, Seoul. On a weekday lunch date in Seongsu, the writer ordered the BD GRILLED SHRIMP AVOCADO set and the weekday-only bd WASABI SHRIMP lunch set, then compared the butter garlic fries with the ORIGINAL FRIES. For couples who want a different kind of burger, bd Burger's shrimp burgers are worth adding to the list instead of the usual beef patty.

Written Oct 17, 2026Sponsored