Night Ledger Walker · 74 stories

Night Ledger, Seoul

I write about bars and unhurried evenings around Seoul. · Writes about: Bars · Restaurants · Shopping · Things to do · Cafés · Hair & beauty salons

PlaceBusanjin, BusanHair & beauty salons

Seomyeon U-curl keratin lash lift for long eyes: Almond Eyelashes

Almond Eyelashes is a private, one-on-one lash lift salon on Beomil-ro in Busanjin, Busan, near Seomyeon. The writer's eyes are long and horizontal, so a sharply bent L-curl had always looked awkward on her. After a consultation with the owner, she got a U-curl keratin lash lift in about 40 minutes, which left her with a glossy, springy, natural curl. If you want defined eyes without an eyelash curler, a tailored keratin lash lift at Almond Eyelashes is a good choice.

Written Nov 13, 2026Sponsored
PlaceHaeundae, BusanCafés

Busan cake shop: fig mini at opening after a sellout, Sijeunikeu

Sijeunikeu (시즈니크) Shinsegae Department Store Centum City Branch is a seasonal fruit cake shop on the B1 floor of Shinsegae Department Store at Senteomsiti Station in Haeundae, Busan. The writer arrived late one day to find the cakes sold out, then returned right after the department store opened the next morning and chose a fig mini cake to carry home to Seoul. To get the fruit cake you want at Sijeunikeu Centum City, go early and leave plenty of time.

Written Nov 13, 2026Sponsored
PlaceBusanjin, BusanRestaurants

Seomyeon noodle shop, kiosk prepay solo meal: Seomyeon Milmyeon

Seomyeon Milmyeon's Seomyeon main branch is a milmyeon (Busan-style wheat noodles in cold broth) restaurant in Eos Plaza near Seomyeon Station, Busan. The writer prepaid at the kiosk outside the restaurant and ordered milmyeon and mandu (dumplings) for a solo meal. The meal opened with a cup of warm broth, then went back and forth between slushy, icy milmyeon and hot mandu in a cold-hot-cold-hot rhythm. For a filling, crowd-pleasing meal in Seomyeon, the milmyeon and mandu combo at Seomyeon Milmyeon is well worth recommending.

Written Nov 13, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSuyeong, BusanRestaurants

Makchang BBQ near Suyeong Station, Busan: owner's picks at Chobbi

Chobbi Makchang Suyeong Main Branch (초삐막창 수영본점) is a charcoal-grill restaurant for makchang (beef intestine) and special pork cuts on Suyeong-ro 725beon-gil, near Suyeong Station in Busan. The writer drove there with friends and, on the owner's recommendation, ordered 2 servings each of beef makchang and galmaegisal (pork skirt meat), finding the makchang free of any off smell, the galmaegisal tender, and both a self-serve side bar and a free private parking lot on hand. For a group get-together or team dinner near Suyeong Station, Chobbi Makchang Suyeong Main Branch is worth considering.

Written Nov 13, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSeongdong, SeoulRestaurants

Gukbap restaurant in Seongsu for office lunch: ₩16,000 set at Doga

Doga Seongsu Main Branch is a modern gukbap (Korean rice soup) restaurant in Seongsu, Seoul, near Ttukseom Station. The sundae gukbap set (₩16,000) brings suyuk (boiled pork slices), pyeonyuk (pressed sliced meat) and sundae gukbap together, with free refills of chili peppers, kimchi and kkakdugi (cubed radish kimchi) from the self-serve bar. For a generous gukbap lunch in Seongsu with suyuk and pyeonyuk on the side, the Doga sundae gukbap set is a good fit.

Written Nov 6, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGwangjin, SeoulRestaurants

Konkuk Univ. salad shop: sriracha mayo salmon tofu noodles, Y-Stave

Y-Stave Diet Konkuk (와이스타브 건대점) is a protein salad and protein box shop on a main road near Konkuk Univ. Station in Gwangjin, Seoul. The writer ordered a salmon tofu noodle protein box with an extra beef topping, sriracha mayo sauce and an americano at the kiosk, and found the tofu noodles nutty and puffy like the fried tofu in malatang, better than expected. The Y-Stave salad is surprisingly filling and worth recommending for a meal near Konkuk Univ. that delivers both flavor and protein.

Written Nov 3, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSeodaemun, SeoulCafés

Yeonnam-dong bakery samples: yakbap bread Mom loved, Mandong Jegwa

Mandong Jegwa Yeonnam Branch is a takeout-only bakery in Yeonnam-dong, Seoul, reached by walking along Yeontral Park from Exit 3 of Hongik Univ. Station. After tasting the big slices that Mandong Jegwa staff hand out as samples, the writer took home a garlic baguette, a yakbap (sweet glutinous rice) bread and a cucumber baguette to share with family, and Mom asked for two yakbap breads next time. Because you can taste before you buy, Mandong Jegwa is a Yeonnam-dong bakery where it's hard to pick wrong.

Written Nov 3, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMapo, SeoulRestaurants

Hongdae ramen shop: the shrimp broth secret behind Shomendo's tonkotsu

Shomendo (쇼멘도) Hongik Univ. Station branch is a tonkotsu ramen restaurant in a Yeonnam-dong alley near Hongik Univ. Station in Mapo, Seoul. Eating alone at the long bar counter, the writer ordered Shomendo's signature shrimp tonkotsu ramen and gyoza, and heard from the owner how the shrimp stock is made. Because frozen shrimp are stir-fried, boiled and mashed by hand for the stock, Shomendo's shrimp tonkotsu ramen tastes less greasy, with a deeper broth.

Written Nov 3, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGwangjin, SeoulRestaurants

Konkuk Univ. ramen shop, chilly day: octopus fritters at Sonoki Ramen

Sonoki Ramen Konkuk Univ. main branch is a Japanese ramen shop with no break time in Jayang-dong, Gwangjin, Seoul, near Konkuk Univ. Station. On a chilly day, the writer ordered the basic ramen with an extra chashu topping, oolong tea and the signature octopus fritters, and was impressed by the rich broth with no off-flavor and the tender, smoky chashu. Sonoki Ramen Konkuk Univ. main branch is an easy stop for a solo meal or a filling lunch, with no need to watch the clock.

Written Nov 4, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGwangjin, SeoulRestaurants

Konkuk Univ. Japanese diner: salmon bowl & hot tonkotsu ramen, Hekbap

Hekbap Konkuk University Main Branch is a Japanese rice bowl and ramen restaurant with about 80 seats on the 2nd floor of a building near Konkuk Univ. Station in Gwangjin, Seoul. On a chilly evening the writer ordered a salmon soy rice bowl and a tonkotsu ramen with a friend. Even a single dish came as a one-person tray with side dishes, a mini salad and a dessert rice cake with grain syrup. Verdict: alternating the savory salmon soy rice bowl with the hot tonkotsu broth was the most satisfying part.

Written Nov 4, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMapo, SeoulHair & beauty salons

Yeonnam-dong nail salon: black and gray monotone nails, Byuazeu

Byuazeu Hongdae Nail, Lashes & Skincare is a total beauty shop for nails, lashes, skincare and waxing in a Yeonnam-dong alley near Hongik Univ. Station in Seoul. At Byuazeu Hongdae, the writer chose a design from the ₩49,000 November art line, switched the color to black, and got black, deep gray and light gray tone-on-tone monotone nails, with gentle cuticle care that didn't irritate the thin skin around her nails. Byuazeu Hongdae is a solid choice for calm, chic fall nails at a reasonable price.

Written Nov 4, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSeongdong, SeoulBars

Seongsu Station izakaya with seasonal yellowtail sashimi: Oukan

Oukan (오우칸) is a cozy izakaya on Yeonmujang-gil in Seongdong, Seoul, a short walk from Seongsu Station. The writer chose seasonal yellowtail sashimi over the assorted sashimi platter and got the back cut, mildly fatty with no fishy taste, plus oven-grilled salmon that the owner served free to every table. For seasonal yellowtail sashimi and quiet conversation near Seongsu Station on a chilly night, Oukan is a good pick.

Written Nov 2, 2026Sponsored