Sharing Spoon · 33 stories

Shared Spoon, Seoul

I write about restaurants I visit around Seoul. · Writes about: Restaurants · Cafés · Bars · Things to do

PlaceJung-gu, DaejeonRestaurants

Jungangno Station fusion Korean: wasabi yukhoe & basil sujebi, Usul

Usul is a fusion Korean restaurant near Exit 3 of Jungangno Station in Jung-gu, Daejeon. The writer ordered the gochujang yukhoe (Korean beef tartare) with yubu (fried tofu pouch) rolls for ₩20,900, eaten with wasabi, and the signature basil doenjang (soybean paste) cream sujebi (hand-torn dough soup) for ₩14,900, mixed with its burst egg yolk. For familiar Korean ingredients combined in new ways near Sungsimdang, Usul is a solid pick.

Written Nov 12, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMapo, SeoulRestaurants

Mapo sashimi restaurant: ₩75,000 yellowtail in 5 cuts, Mapo Bamdada

Mapo Bamdada (마포밤바다) is a neighborhood sashimi restaurant near Exit 4 of Mapo-gu Office Station, close to Mangwon in Seoul. Around 8 p.m. on a Wednesday, the writer ordered the large yellowtail (daebang-eo) sashimi platter for 75,000 won and compared five cuts (saitsal, tail, back, gamatsal and belly), with complimentary sides of mulhoe (chilled raw fish soup), braised pollack and clam soup. Mapo Bamdada is a relaxed place to enjoy seasonal yellowtail cut by cut over a drink.

Written Nov 11, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGangnam, SeoulRestaurants

Solo sushi bar by Seolleung Station: 15 limited kuruma prawns, Sakai

Sakai is a sushi sakaba (sushi pub) on Yeoksam-ro 67-gil near Seolleung Station in Gangnam, Seoul. Dining alone in Sakai's counter-seat setting, the writer ordered by sticky note: blue-backed fish sashimi; salmon, sweet shrimp, yellowtail, otoro and horse mackerel sushi; kuruma prawn sushi limited to 15 pieces that day; and conger eel (anago) tempura. Verdict: with its aged fish and pick-only-what-you-want ordering, Sakai is a solid recommendation for solo sushi near Seolleung Station.

Written Nov 9, 2026Partially sponsored
PlaceDong-gu, BusanRestaurants

Busan Station pork soup restaurant: last-day suyuk baekban, Yeongdong

Yeongdong Milmyeon & Dwaeji Gukbap Busan Station Branch is a milmyeon (cold wheat noodle) and dwaeji gukbap (pork and rice soup) restaurant about a 2-minute walk from Exit 7 of Busan Station (Line 1) in Dong-gu, Busan. On the last evening of a Busan trip, the writer had suyuk baekban (boiled pork set meal) as a final meal before the train, eating pork with no gamey smell and milky broth seasoned with dadaegi (spicy seasoning paste) and chives until the bowl was empty. For a filling meal near Busan Station before a train, the suyuk baekban at Yeongdong Milmyeon & Dwaeji Gukbap Busan Station Branch is a safe choice.

Written Nov 5, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMapo, SeoulRestaurants

Yeonnam-dong Singaporean restaurant: olive fried rice at Ttasijia

Ttasijia Yeonnam is a Singaporean restaurant on Donggyo-ro 38-gil in Yeonnam-dong, Mapo, Seoul, from a brand said to be Michelin Guide-selected in Singapore. Behind an orange exterior, a teal roof and a bamboo entrance, the blogger ordered cumin pork back ribs, shrimp noodles with the standard noodles and olive fried rice, alternating between meat, noodles and rice. Ttasijia Yeonnam suits friends or couples looking for an unusual dinner in Yeonnam-dong.

Written Oct 29, 2026Sponsored
PlaceYeonsu, IncheonCafés

Outdoor terrace café at Songdo outlet: hojicha cone in the sun, Wunder

Wunder Coffee Bar Hyundai Premium Outlet Songdo Branch is a coffee and ice cream café on the B1 terrace side of Hyundai Premium Outlet Songdo (Songhyeona) in Yeonsu, Incheon. On a sunny day, the writer took a hojicha cone soft serve and a vanilla & hojicha cone soft serve out to the benches beside the terrace, and enjoyed the nutty, subtle hojicha flavor and the not-too-sweet taste. Wunder Coffee Bar is a good place for a break when you want something sweet while shopping at Hyundai Premium Outlet Songdo.

Written Oct 15, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMapo, SeoulCafés

Hongdae study café with sofa seats and crème brûlée cheesecake: Noknok

Noknok (녹녹) is a large two-floor café in Yeonnam-dong, Mapo, Seoul, reached by walking along the Gyeongui Line Forest Trail from Exit 3 of Hongik Univ. Station. Looking for somewhere to work on a laptop, the writer visited Noknok around 9pm, took a sofa seat on the first floor, ordered a crème brûlée cheesecake, a Nox coffee and a café latte, and was happy with the roomy space, outlets everywhere and strong Wi-Fi. With a ₩1,900 takeout americano on top, Noknok is a good-value pick for laptop work in Yeonnam-dong.

Written Jul 4, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMapo, SeoulBars

Hongdae solo bar for first-timers: cranberry cocktail at Woo Woo

Woo Woo is a solo-drinking bar in Hongdae, tucked in the alley by Exit 1 of Sangsu Station in Mapo, Seoul. On a first visit to a solo bar, the writer went with a friend around 8:30 pm on a weekday and ordered the Woo Woo signature cocktail (16,000 won) plus a Tequila Sunrise and a Blue Hawaii (14,000 won each), with complimentary cheese crackers on the side. Verdict: despite the writer's worries, Woo Woo in Hongdae felt wholesome and easy to chat in.

Written Jul 7, 2026Sponsored
PlaceYeonsu, IncheonRestaurants

Songdo date sushi spot: karaage set, wait despite booking, Sushi Doku

Sushi Doku The Songdo is a Japanese restaurant specialising in sushi sets on the 2nd floor of Onesta Mall, right in front of Tekeunopakeu Station in Songdo, Incheon. After shopping at Songhyeona, the writer arrived for a 5pm reservation, found a wait anyway, and ordered the Premium Sushi Special Set (10 pieces, ₩25,900). The set came as a single tray with half udon, salad, karaage (Japanese fried chicken), tsukemono (pickles) and truffle chawanmushi. Sushi Doku The Songdo suits a Songdo date meal when you want a variety of sushi and sides in one set.

Written Oct 11, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMapo, SeoulRestaurants

Yeonnam-dong chicken feet bar, level-1 boneless with mayo: Cheongnyeon

Cheongnyeon Dakbal 1987 Hongdae Branch is a chicken feet pub with outdoor seating in Yeonnam-dong, Mapo, Seoul, within walking distance of Hongik Univ. Station. A self-described spice wimp ordered the boneless Cheongnyeon Dakbal set at spice level 1 with jjagyechi (black bean instant noodles with egg and cheese) and pineapple soju. The writer cooled the heat with rice balls, muksabal (chilled acorn jelly soup) and a mayo dip. Verdict: the generous set and outdoor seating on a cool evening made Cheongnyeon Dakbal 1987 a very satisfying visit.

Written Jul 8, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGeomdan, IncheonBars

Geomdan course bar July menu with octopus salad and Chardonnay: Matgim

Matgim (맡김) is a course-meal bar on the first floor of Holyland, near Dokjeong Station in Geomdan, Incheon. At the bar, the writer had Matgim's July chef's choice course at 35,000 won with two glasses of white wine: six dishes, from an octopus and sweet corn cob salad to a watermelon and schisandra (omija) granita. For a date or anniversary course dinner at a reasonable price in Geomdan, rather than an ordinary pub, Matgim is a good fit.

Written Jul 10, 2026Sponsored
PlaceJongno, SeoulRestaurants

Sushi by Gwanghwamun Station, seared swordfish B set: Elephant Sushi

Elephant Sushi Gwanghwamun (코끼리초밥 광화문점) is a sushi restaurant in the basement of KT Tower, near Exit 2 of Gwanghwamun Station in Jongno, Seoul. The writer ordered the Elephant B set (12 pieces plus cold soba) and the Plump Shrimp Tempura (6 pieces), tried about ten kinds of sushi including monkfish liver, abalone and swordfish, and liked the aburi (torch-seared) swordfish best. Close to the station and with wide spacing between tables, Elephant Sushi Gwanghwamun is a solid pick for lunch or dinner in Gwanghwamun.

Written Jul 12, 2026Sponsored