Exit Bowl Finder · 38 stories

A Bowl Near the Exit

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

PlaceSeocho, SeoulHair & beauty salons

Brown coral lip tattoo over hidden pigment in Gangnam: Lamoon Brow

Lamoon Brow is a semi-permanent lip tattoo studio on Seocho-daero 78-gil in Seocho, Seoul, near Exit 5 of Gangnam Station. The writer thought her lips were simply pale, but the Lamoon Brow consultation revealed dark pigmentation. She had 1 round of complementary-color neutralizing, then a brown-tinged coral lip tattoo matched to her autumn warm light tone. Pain was about 1 on the outer lips and 5 on the inner lips, more manageable than expected, and the result left her wondering why she hadn't done it sooner.

Written Nov 2, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGangnam, SeoulBars

Weeknight izakaya in Cheongdam: sake-cup soju and tripe miso nabe, Osa

Osa Cheongdam is a stylish izakaya (Japanese-style pub) on the 2nd floor at 37 Seolleung-ro 152-gil in Gangnam, Seoul, near Apgujeongnodeo Station and Cheongdam. On a weekday evening with a reservation, the writer had the 12-kind seasonal sashimi moriawase (34,000 won for two, ordered twice) and a Korean beef motsu miso nabe (38,000 won) loaded with beef tripe. The writer also got a Häagen-Dazs matcha monaka through the review event. Verdict: Osa Cheongdam is a great Cheongdam pick for dates and group nights when you want both a striking interior and good food with your drinks.

Written Oct 29, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGangnam, SeoulRestaurants

Yeoksam eel restaurant: bar seats & outlets for solo diners, Yangsando

Yangsando Yeoksam is a hitsumabushi (Nagoya-style grilled eel rice bowl) restaurant near Exit 3 of Yeoksam Station in Gangnam, Seoul. The blogger ate alone on a weekday just after the lunch rush, ordering hitsumabushi (27,000 won) and salmon sashimi (12,000 won), and especially liked the plump eel with no fine bones, the bar seats and the power outlet at every seat. Yangsando Yeoksam is a solid pick for office workers looking for a solo eel meal near Yeoksam Station.

Written Jun 2, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMapo, SeoulRestaurants

Wine-focused fine dining in Mangwon: anchovy pasta & Iberico, Noju

Noju is a wine-focused fine dining restaurant on the 2nd floor of a building in Mangwon, Seoul, a 2–3 minute walk from Mangwon Station. The writer booked a weekday 12:00 table through Catch Table and had Noju's 8-course lunch (55,000 won per person) at a window seat, where the truffle gnocchi and Iberico pork stood out. Noju's lunch course is good-value fine dining in Mangwon for an anniversary or any day you want a special atmosphere.

Written Jun 4, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMapo, SeoulBars

Hapjeong izakaya: amberjack sashimi and heart skewers at Ppaeret

Ppaeret (빼레) is a sashimi-focused izakaya (Japanese-style pub) on Dongmak-ro 5-gil near Hapjeong Station in Mapo, Seoul. Craving aged sashimi on a weekday evening, the writer and a friend ordered the greater amberjack and flounder sashimi (65,000 won), clam sake rice, chicken heart and pork jowl skewers, and black sesame karaage, and were happy with the aging, the skewers and the cozy wood interior. Verdict: Ppaeret is a strongly recommended Hapjeong sashimi bar with good food, atmosphere and friendly service.

Written Jun 7, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGangnam, SeoulRestaurants

Gangnam Station ramen after a holiday shift: iced green tea, Oreno

Oreno Ramen Gangnam is a chicken paitan ramen shop on the 2nd floor of the Tteokdoritang building near Gangnam Station in Seoul. After working a public holiday, the writer stopped by alone in the evening for tori paitan ramen (chicken paitan ramen) with tsukune chashu and a soft-boiled egg, and was impressed by the rich but not greasy broth, unlimited pickles, iced green tea and friendly service. Oreno Ramen Gangnam is a ramen shop near Gangnam Station worth recommending whether you dine solo or as a pair.

Written Jun 9, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMapo, SeoulBars

Daytime-drinking izakaya in Gongdeok, Seoul: Sarang gwa Pyeonghwa

Sarang gwa Pyeonghwa (사랑과평화) is a seasonal fish course izakaya on Baekbeom-ro near Gongdeok Station in Mapo, Seoul. On a weekday afternoon, the writer ordered the Sarang Course for two (₩58,000 per person) with Hwayo 25 soju and worked through mackerel bar sushi, mackerel sashimi, brown croaker sashimi, herring, steamed abalone and spicy fish stew, all while looking out at greenery through floor-to-ceiling windows. Sarang gwa Pyeonghwa is a Gongdeok bar worth recommending to anyone who wants a seasonal fish course with a relaxed daytime-drinking mood.

Written Jun 12, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGangnam, SeoulRestaurants

Yeoksam Station Korean BBQ: nurungji soup and marinated galbi, Raviok

Raviok Yeoksam Main Branch is a beef-specialist Korean BBQ restaurant about a 5-minute walk from Yeoksam Station in Gangnam, Seoul. At Raviok, the writer ordered 2 servings of snowflake jingalbi roast (₩29,000 per serving) medium-rare, finished with a fire show, then added galbi yukgaejang (spicy beef short rib soup), cauldron nurungji soup (scorched rice soup) and Ravi marinated galbi. Because Raviok staff trim and grill the beef at the table, the tender, nutty beef is easy to enjoy.

Written Jun 15, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMapo, SeoulBars

Second-round Gongdeok izakaya with abalone shrimp agemono: Orot Robata

Orot Robata (오롯로바타) is an izakaya on the ground floor of Gongdeok Park Xi near Gongdeok Station in Mapo, Seoul, and has won a Blue Ribbon six years in a row. After dinner elsewhere, the writer stopped at Orot Robata for a second round on an early weekday evening, took a corner bar seat and ordered abalone shrimp agemono (fried abalone and shrimp, ₩28,000), tomato kaisen nabe (tomato seafood hot pot, ₩37,000) and a Hwayo soju set (₩38,000). Orot Robata serves dishes that feel like an experience rather than standard bar snacks, making it a Gongdeok bar worth returning to.

Written Jun 14, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMapo, SeoulHair & beauty salons

Gongdeok lash salon: dual lift for upper and lower lashes, Iyo Shop

Iyo Shop is a lash lift and extension salon on the 2nd floor of the Park Palace 2 shopping arcade, near Exit 3 of Gongdeok Station in Mapo, Seoul. After six months without finding a regular lash salon, the writer got a dual lash lift at Iyo Shop, including the under-lash perm a previous salon had refused because it supposedly would not work. In about 1 hour 15 minutes the upper lashes were lifted high and the lower lashes stretched straight down. Verdict: if you want a firm curl on your lower lashes too, Iyo Shop near Gongdeok Station is worth settling on.

Written Jun 16, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSeocho, SeoulRestaurants

Gyodae Station kalguksu house, no break time: 4 PM somaek at Daseon

Daseon Kalguksu (다선칼국수) Gyodae branch is a kalguksu (knife-cut noodle soup) restaurant and Korean pub near Gyodae Station in Seocho, Seoul, open with no break time and welcoming solo diners and drinkers. After skipping food until 4 PM, the writer ordered kalguksu for ₩10,000, bulnakji bokkeum (spicy stir-fried octopus and beef) for ₩34,000 and a plate of suyuk (boiled pork) for ₩15,000, with Terra and Jinro for somaek (soju-beer mix). Daseon Kalguksu is a Gyodae Station noodle house where you can eat heartily even at an awkward in-between hour.

Written Oct 18, 2026Sponsored
PlaceYeongdeungpo, SeoulRestaurants

Yeouido Japanese restaurant: solo payday uni & fatty tuna bowl, Ilpum

Ilpum Yeouido Branch is a Japanese restaurant specialising in kaisendon (seafood rice bowls) and sushi, in the basement of the Anwon Building near National Assembly Station in Yeouido, Seoul. Dining solo at the counter around 2 PM, the reviewer ordered the uni-toro don (sea urchin, fatty tuna and salmon roe rice bowl, ₩55,000) and a Hokkaido scallop cream croquette (₩5,000), followed by egg custard, mini udon and mango pudding like a small course. Ilpum Yeouido Branch's uni-toro don is a bowl worth giving yourself as a payday reward.

Written Jun 18, 2026Sponsored