Ladle Cornerman · 11 stories

Ladle Corners

I write about restaurants I visit around Seoul. · Writes about: Restaurants · Cafés

Eel restaurant at Seolleung Station: dinner-only nabe & udon, Manmok

Manmok is a Japanese eel restaurant on Seolleung-ro 82-gil in Daechi-dong, Gangnam, near Exit 2 of Seolleung Station in Seoul. Lunch at Manmok centers on Kanto-style eel bowls made with Gochang freshwater eel; this visit was for the dinner-only eel nabe (hot pot), with extra udon noodles, side dishes such as myeongi (pickled wild garlic leaves), and black tea or matcha ice cream for dessert. For eel enjoyed as a broth dish in a quiet setting, Manmok's dinner eel nabe is well worth ordering.

Written Apr 22, 2026Sponsored

PlaceSongpa, SeoulRestaurants

Songridan-gil pizzeria, sweet-salty Corn Brown: Pizza Never Sleeps

Pizza Never Sleeps Songridan-gil Branch is a pizzeria on Songridan-gil near Seokchon Lake in Jamsil, Seoul. The writer, who eats corn pizza often, ordered the signature Corn Brown pizza and was happy with its sweet-salty balance of corn and cheese and its chewy, not-too-thick dough. For corn pizza fans, the Corn Brown at Pizza Never Sleeps is top-tier and worth a return visit.

Written May 7, 2026Sponsored

PlaceJongno, SeoulRestaurants

Jonggak aged-meat Korean BBQ for clumsy grillers: Gogikkun Kim Chunbae

Gogikkun Kim Chunbae Jongno (고기꾼김춘배 종로직영점) is a Korean BBQ restaurant serving 1++ hanwoo (Korean beef) and domestic chilled sow pork grilled directly over charcoal, in the Jonggak, Jongno and Euljiro area of Seoul. The writer tried the 2-person recommended set, kkakdugi fried rice and half-and-half naengmyeon (cold noodles); the high-back seats felt private, and staff guidance on grilling made the meal easy even for someone who is bad at grilling meat. For a company dinner or a quiet get-together where both atmosphere and meat quality matter, Gogikkun Kim Chunbae Jongno is a good fit.

Written May 13, 2026Sponsored

PlaceYangju, GyeonggiRestaurants

Galbi house in Yangju for company dinners: free rooms for 8–24, Manpo

Manpo Garden is a butcher-style charcoal galbi (marinated short rib) restaurant on Godeok-ro in Yangju, Gyeonggi. On a visit with parents, Manpo Garden's handmade marinated galbi stood out for its gentle charcoal smoke, restrained marinade and house-made naengmyeon (cold noodles), and the restaurant offers free private rooms for a minimum of 8 and a maximum of 24 people plus a large parking lot. For a family meal or company dinner in Yangju, Manpo Garden is a dependable choice for both the meat and the space.

Written May 21, 2026Sponsored

PlaceYangju, GyeonggiRestaurants

Korean BBQ in Yangju for company dinners, private rooms: Manpo Garden

Manpo Garden (만포가든) is a charcoal-grilled galbi and hanwoo (Korean beef) butcher-style restaurant on Godeok-ro in Yangju, Gyeonggi. At Manpo Garden, the writer ate 2 servings of house-marinated pork galbi and 1 serving of gabrisal (pork jowl-to-shoulder cut), and staff swapped the grill when switching cuts. The meal also included yukhoe (seasoned raw beef) among the side dishes, 2 free bowls of mul naengmyeon (cold noodle soup), and coffee and ppeongseukrim (puffed-rice ice cream sandwich) for dessert. With private rooms, Manpo Garden is worth remembering if you need a company dinner or group gathering spot in Yangju.

Written Oct 16, 2026Sponsored

PlaceYongsan, SeoulRestaurants

Yongsan, Seoul Korean BBQ: parking and kimchi fried rice at Yukmong

Yukmong Yongsan Direct Store (육몽 용산직영점) is a Korean pork (Handon) BBQ restaurant near Samgakji Station and Yongridan-gil in Yongsan, Seoul. The writer parked in a nearby public lot, ordered the Handon pork assorted set and the radish kimchi fried rice with a fried egg, and was pleased with the staff grilling the meat, the doenjang jjigae (soybean paste stew) and the variety of side dishes. Yukmong Yongsan Direct Store is a Yongsan BBQ spot the writer is sure to revisit.

Written Jul 28, 2026Sponsored

PlaceGangnam, SeoulCafés

Gangnam Station indoor date café, strawberry latte: Selected Nicks

Selected Nicks is a multi-floor tiramisu café about a 5-minute walk from Gangnam Station in Seoul. On an indoor date, the writer ordered the original tiramisu and two strawberry lattes, especially liked the gallery-style 2nd floor, and checked the reservation-only hidden room and free parking for sedans up to a Genesis G80. With spacious seating and a tiramisu that isn't too sweet, Selected Nicks works well for dates, group meetups or time alone.

Written Jul 25, 2026Sponsored

PlaceGangnam, SeoulRestaurants

Gangnam Station rice bowl restaurant, beef belly swap: 1992 Deopbap

1992 Deopbap & Jjageuli Gangnam Main Branch is a Korean rice bowl restaurant near exits 1 and 4 of Gangnam Station in Seoul, serving Jeolla-style rice bowls and jjageuli (a thick, simmered Korean stew). The writer swapped the meat in both the Jeolla-style gochujang (chili paste) pork bowl and the doenjang (soybean paste) jjageuli to beef belly, and the kimchi stew served with the rice bowl tasted just like college days. With solo seats and wide tables, 1992 Deopbap & Jjageuli Gangnam Main Branch is a Korean lunch spot near Gangnam Station worth returning to.

Written Jul 25, 2026Sponsored

PlaceYangju, GyeonggiRestaurants

Yangju pork galbi spot, marinade fans add fresh ribs: Manpo Galbi

Manpo Galbi Yangju Main Branch is a pork galbi restaurant on Songnang-ro in Yangju, Gyeonggi, opened after the Uijeongbu branch. A family who love marinated pork ribs ordered them, then added fresh, unmarinated Korean pork (handon) ribs. With a meat order, the family also got free house-made Hamheung naengmyeon (cold buckwheat noodles) and side dishes including yukhoe (seasoned raw beef) and yukjeon (pan-fried beef). Manpo Galbi Yangju is a good-value spot for group dinners and gatherings in Yangju, and even the marinade fans loved the fresh ribs.

Written Oct 3, 2026Sponsored

PlaceYeongdeungpo, SeoulRestaurants

Autumn picnic takeout at Yeouido IFC Mall snack spot: Hyeonseonine

Hyeonseonine Premium IFC Mall Branch is a tteokbokki (spicy rice cake) and Korean snack restaurant on basement level 2 of IFC Mall in Yeouido, Seoul. The Hyeonseoni Set was ordered in the mild-spice version with one drink added and packed to go for Yeouido Hangang Park, where the tteokbokki tasted the best in years without any heat, backed by sundae (blood sausage), fried snacks and mini gimbap (seaweed rice rolls). Hyeonseonine Premium is a solid takeout pick for an autumn day by the Han River.

Written Sep 16, 2026Sponsored

PlaceJongno, SeoulRestaurants

Jonggak Station sushi: umami rice, free parking, Choe Uyeong Sushiya

Choe Uyeong Sushiya Jongno Branch is a sushi and sashimi restaurant in a basement arcade near Jonggak Station, Jongno, Seoul. The writer ordered the geukssang sushi, choesang sushi, and grilled beef brisket sushi sets, and the umami of the sushi rice (shari) itself stood out most, with no fishy or gamey smell at all. With 2 hours of free parking and ₩3,000 corkage per bottle, it's a place worth going back to.

Written Sep 8, 2026Sponsored

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