Stool Collector · 31 stories

The Cafe Stool

I write about cafes I visit around Seoul. · Writes about: Cafés · Restaurants · Hair & beauty salons · Shopping · Bars · Stays

PlaceJung-gu, SeoulRestaurants

Euljiro burger pub, late dinner for two: smoky corn salad, Daily Fix

Daily Fix Euljiro is a handmade burger restaurant near Euljiro 1-ga Station in Jung-gu, Seoul, serving burgers at lunch and burgers with beer in a pub-like setting in the evening. Over a late dinner with her boyfriend, the writer shared a bacon cheeseburger set and a chicken burger set, thick and thin fries, and an extra smoky-sauce corn salad at Daily Fix Euljiro, and found the portions generous even for two. Daily Fix Euljiro is a handmade burger spot in Euljiro where one burger alone fills you up, and one worth coming back to.

Written Nov 12, 2026Sponsored
PlaceYongsan, SeoulRestaurants

Solo shabu-shabu at Seoul Station: 2-serving minimum, Deungchon

Deungchon Shabu Kalguksu Seoul Station branch is a mushroom kalguksu (knife-cut noodle soup) and shabu-shabu restaurant on the 1st floor of Gateway Tower, next to Exit 11 of Seoul Station in Yongsan, Seoul. Dining alone, the writer ordered 2 servings of spicy mushroom kalguksu plus 1 serving of extra shabu-shabu beef and ate the full course of hot pot, noodles and crispy fried rice. Even solo diners must order at least 2 servings of mushroom kalguksu at Deungchon Shabu Kalguksu, but the food came out fast and both the taste and the value were satisfying.

Written Apr 30, 2026Sponsored
PlaceJongno, SeoulRestaurants

Hyehwa pasta restaurant, 3 dishes for 2: 4-chili seafood pasta at Omil

Omil Hyehwa Daehangno is a Western restaurant serving pasta, omurice (omelet over fried rice), gnocchi and steak, located on the 2nd floor of a building on Daemyeong-gil in Jongno, Seoul, near Hyehwa Station. Two diners shared three dishes there: Rubber Duck Omurice, gochujang (Korean chili paste) butter pasta and a spicy seafood pasta rated 4 chilies for heat, and they also enjoyed the clean, stylish interior, the self bar and a free drink from the receipt or review event. Omil Hyehwa Daehangno is a Daehangno pasta restaurant worth recommending for a Christmas date or a blind date.

Written Nov 10, 2026Sponsored
PlaceNamyangju, GyeonggiRestaurants

Korean BBQ near Jinjeop Station: new pork galbi with parents, Ujeong

Ujeong Hanu Myeongga Gyeongbokdae branch (우정한우명가 경복대점) is a Korean beef and pork BBQ restaurant on Jugok-ro in Jinjeop, Namyangju, with private rooms on the 2nd floor. Hearing that a new Handon pork galbi (marinated Korean pork ribs) had launched, the writer came with their parents and ordered 3 servings of pork galbi, yukhoe bibimbap (raw beef bibimbap) and doenjang jjigae (soybean paste stew); even at a beef specialist, the pork galbi was sweet and tender. For a family get-together in a quiet private room, Ujeong Hanu Myeongga Gyeongbokdae branch is a good fit.

Written May 6, 2026Sponsored
PlaceJongno, SeoulRestaurants

Anguk burger shop for solo lunch: sweet potato fries at Downtowner

Downtowner Anguk is a craft burger chain branch on the ground floor at 6-4 Bukchon-ro in Jongno, Seoul, near Anguk Station. An office worker stopped by alone for a weekday lunch and ordered the avocado burger, cheese fries and sweet potato fries, and found the Downtowner avocado burger so good they couldn't stop eating. With no break time and unlimited drink refills at the self-serve bar, Downtowner Anguk is an easy pick for a Bukchon work lunch or a casual date meal.

Written May 6, 2026Sponsored
PlaceJongno, SeoulRestaurants

Pasta restaurant in Hyehwa: clam vongole lunch at Pasta Market

Pasta Market Hyehwa flagship is a hanok-style pasta and wood-fired pizza restaurant on Daehak-ro 11-gil in Jongno, Seoul, 5 minutes from Hyehwa Station. On a weekday lunch the writer ordered the Manila clam vongole pasta, the Parma margherita pizza and a pink lemonade, and Pasta Market stood out for fresh ingredients, generous portions and pickles that taste homemade. For a date or blind date in Daehak-ro, Pasta Market Hyehwa is an easy, no-pressure choice.

Written May 14, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGwangmyeong, GyeonggiRestaurants

Korean BBQ for one in Gwangmyeong: solo galbi and soju, Seoseo Galbi

Gwangmyeong Seoseo Galbi (광명서서갈비) is a beef and pork galbi restaurant near Gwangmyeong Traditional Market and Gwangmyeong Sageori Station in Gwangmyeong, Gyeonggi. The writer came alone, grilled 2 servings of seoseo galbi (marinated beef ribs) with soju, and also enjoyed the unlimited marinated crab at the self-serve bar and mul naengmyeon (cold noodles in broth) for dessert. As long as you order 2 servings, Gwangmyeong Seoseo Galbi is a galbi house where you can eat and drink alone without feeling awkward.

Written May 19, 2026Sponsored
PlaceJeonju, JeonbukStays

Jeonju hanok guesthouse's smallest room for two: Haetsalgadeuk

Haetsalgadeuk (햇살가득) is a hanok guesthouse on Hyanggyo-gil near Omokgyo in Jeonju Hanok Village. On a first one-night road trip to Jeonju with her boyfriend, the writer stayed in Mongnyeon, Haetsalgadeuk's smallest room, which was compact but had a TV, vanity mirror, private bathroom, air conditioning and amenities, and the owner sent directions to free weekend parking in advance. Haetsalgadeuk suits couples looking for good-value hanok lodging where a toothbrush and cleansing products are all you need to pack.

Written May 24, 2026Sponsored
PlaceJeonju, JeonbukRestaurants

Jeonju Hanok Village stall: cream beer, corn cheese skewer, Munkkocchi

Munkkocchi Mungangjeong Jeonju Hanok Village Branch is a street-food stall on Eunhaeng-ro in Jeonju Hanok Village that sells octopus skewers, chicken skewers and mungangjeong (crispy fried octopus bites). The writer ordered a honey corn cheese chicken skewer, a spicy katsuo octopus skewer and 2 cream draft beers for a daytime drink in the seating area out front. The spicy version was described as Shin Ramyun-level but tasted closer to the hotter Yeol Ramyun. Verdict: Munkkocchi Mungangjeong is recommended for anyone who wants skewers and draft beer to feel like a real trip in Jeonju Hanok Village.

Written May 24, 2026Sponsored
PlaceJeonju, JeonbukRestaurants

Jeonju dakgangjeong takeout eaten at Cheongyeonru with moju: Mannyeon

Mannyeon Dakgangjeong Hanok Village Direct Store is a takeout-only dakgangjeong (sweet glazed Korean fried chicken) shop at the entrance to Jeonju Hanok Village. Around 9 p.m. on a weekend, just before closing, the writer picked up a large half-and-half box in mild and soy flavors plus a small moju and ate them picnic-style at Cheongyeonru pavilion; the chicken was packed with meat and thinly fried, so it stayed crisp. Verdict: Mannyeon Dakgangjeong is a must-try late-night snack and street food on a Jeonju trip.

Written May 25, 2026Sponsored
PlaceYeongdeungpo, SeoulRestaurants

Hangover soup spot in Lotte Yeongdeungpo: Andong gukbap set at Hantiok

Hantiok Lotte Department Store Yeongdeungpo branch is a Korean restaurant serving Andong guksi (noodle soup) and Andong gukbap (rice soup) in the B1 food court of Lotte Department Store Yeongdeungpo, Seoul. Curious after seeing Andong guksi on Culinary Class Wars, the writer went solo and ordered the bossam set for one: bossam (boiled pork slices), 2 mandu (dumplings) and Andong gukbap, and finished the rich gukbap and generous bossam completely. Hantiok Lotte Department Store Yeongdeungpo branch is a good fit for anyone in Yeongdeungpo looking for a hangover lunch or a filling solo meal.

Written May 27, 2026Sponsored
PlaceJeonju, JeonbukRestaurants

Jeonju Korean restaurant with medium spicy galbi-jjim lunch: Mujinjang

Mujinjang Sogalbitang Jeonju Main Branch (무진장소갈비탕 전주본점) is a Korean restaurant on Paengnamu 4-gil in Deokjin-gu, Jeonju, specialising in beef short rib soup (galbitang), spicy braised short ribs (maeun galbi-jjim) and grilled meats. On a trip to Jeonju, the writer ordered the medium-size spicy braised short ribs, piled with bean sprouts; the ribs were tender enough that the bones slipped right out, pleasantly spicy, and came with free steamed egg and short rib soup broth. With generous, tasty spicy braised short ribs and a clean self-serve bar, Mujinjang Sogalbitang is a Jeonju local favourite worth returning to.

Written May 26, 2026Sponsored