Small Pub Hopper · 19 stories
I write about bars I visit around Seoul. · Writes about: Bars · Hair & beauty salons · Restaurants · Cafés · Shopping
Restaurant Polia Gimpo Unyang Branch is an Italian restaurant in Unyang-dong, Gimpo, with a group space for 18–20 people plus high chairs and kids' tableware. Under its Christmas tree, the writer had Restaurant Polia's strip loin steak set with crab pesce pasta, tiramisu and herbal tea after the meal. Verdict: Restaurant Polia is a solid pick for a year-end family dinner or end-of-year party in Gimpo.
Sannaemaeul Yang Kkochi & Qingdao (산내마을양꼬치앤칭따오) is a lamb skewer and Chinese restaurant on the 2nd floor of World Tower 3 in Sannae Village, Unjeong, Paju. On a weekend visit around 7 p.m., the lamb skewers dipped in cumin seasoning were chewy with no gamey smell, the guobaorou (sweet-and-sour crispy pork) was crisp outside and chewy inside, the spicy jjamppong (seafood noodle soup) had a deep smoky wok flavor, and a waiting line had formed by the time we left. For lamb skewers and guobaorou together in Unjeong, Sannaemaeul Yang Kkochi & Qingdao is worth it, but book on Naver before a weekend visit.
Kkua Gimpo Janggi Branch is a Hanoi-style pho restaurant in Janggi-dong, Gimpo, and the Gimpo location of Kkua, a well-known pho spot in Seongsu. At Kkua Gimpo Janggi Branch the writer had the meat-packed pho and the spicy meat-packed pho, used the 1 free noodle refill, and dipped the side order of quẩy (Vietnamese fried dough sticks) into the pho broth the way it is eaten in Vietnam. For rich meat broth and generous brisket, Kkua Gimpo Janggi Branch is worth a visit, and the quẩy is worth adding to the order.
Chodaechang Baekseok Branch is a Korean BBQ restaurant near Baekseok Station in Ilsan, Goyang, specializing in beef tripe and daechang (beef large intestine). At Chodaechang Baekseok Branch, the blogger had grilled daechang, grilled beef heart and salted galbi-sal (beef rib finger meat) with kimchi mari guksu (cold kimchi noodles), plus staff grilling at the table and Excellent ice cream for dessert. The daechang was moist with no gamey smell, and even the salted galbi-sal impressed, making Chodaechang Baekseok Branch a solid pick for group dinners.
Jjamppong Jijeon Seooreung Branch is a Chinese restaurant specializing in jjamppong (spicy seafood noodle soup) on Seooreung-ro in Deogyang-gu, Goyang. The meal included rice noodle jjamppong, sujebi jjamppong (with hand-torn dough), glutinous rice tangsuyuk (sweet and sour pork) and the new jjamppong mandu (dumplings). Other highlights were a self bar with unlimited bean sprouts and rice, a parking lot for 30+ cars, and Naver booking split into parties of 2-4 and groups of 12-40. Jjamppong Jijeon Seooreung Branch is a solid pick for a family meal or group dinner if you want spicy jjamppong and plenty of bean sprouts.
Brick Rouge is a large four-floor brunch and bakery café on Jimok-ro in Paju, Gyeonggi, near Lotte Premium Outlets Paju and Paju Book City. Remembering a tasty earlier visit, the writer returned to Brick Rouge for the Meat Big Brunch, stuffed the egg bun with egg and meat to eat it like a burger, and was happy with the generous portion. With a big parking lot, a floor-seating family zone and a nursing room, Brick Rouge is a Paju café where families can enjoy a hearty brunch.
Ilpum Magok is a Japanese restaurant in Magok, Gangseo-gu, Seoul, serving kaisendon (Japanese seafood rice bowls), omakase and sushi sets. The writer ordered the premium kaisendon topped with tuna, salmon, sweet shrimp, scallop and sea urchin, wrapped bites in nori and gamtae (thin green seaweed), and worked through chawanmushi (steamed egg custard), soup, udon and a mango syrup panna cotta. Verdict: the Ilpum Magok premium kaisendon is a bowl even people who rarely eat seafood bowls will enjoy.
Ihwajeong Galbi Myeongga Magok-Balsan Branch is a pork galbi (marinated rib) restaurant in Gangseo, Seoul, a 3-minute walk from Balsan Station, with private rooms and a grilling service where staff cook the meat at your table. The writer ordered marinated pork neck galbi and bibim naengmyeon (spicy cold noodles), then finished with pear sherbet, and found the finely scored pork neck moist and tender. For a Magok family gathering in a clean setting where you can talk over the meal, Ihwajeong Galbi Myeongga Magok-Balsan Branch is a good fit.
Gogijip (고기짚) is a premium charcoal-grill Korean BBQ restaurant a 3-minute walk from Gochon Station in Gimpo, Gyeonggi. The woodae galbi set for two (one 560g woodae galbi beef short rib plus 200g of thick Korean Handon 1+ grade pork belly) arrived pre-grilled and was finished at the table by staff, served with sundubu-jjigae (soft tofu stew) and homemade side dishes. Gogijip is a good Gochon BBQ spot for having beef and pork belly in one meal, with partitioned seats that make conversation easy.
Jeongwon Galbi Gimpo Main Branch is a charcoal-grill galbi restaurant in the Gurae-dong area of Yangchon-eup, Gimpo, where pork galbi, beef galbi and other cuts are grilled over charcoal. The writer ordered beef rib finger meat, idong galbi (soy-marinated beef short ribs) and naengmyeon (cold noodles), and was happy with both the beef rib finger meat, good even without any sauce, and the sweet soy-based idong galbi. With a spacious dining hall, private rooms, a kids' playroom and a front garden, Jeongwon Galbi Gimpo Main Branch is a solid pick for family meals and group gatherings.
Gwaireui Sup Yeosu Branch (과일의숲 여수점) is a fruit bingsu (Korean shaved ice) dessert café in Dolsan-eup, Yeosu, near the Yeosu Marine Cable Car. During a Yeosu trip, the writer ordered the Hybrix melon bingsu, piled high with melon and Shine Muscat grapes. Fruit rings and a Melona-flavored sauce came on the side, keeping it tasty down to the last of the milk ice. With parking, dogs welcome and hours until 1 a.m. the next day, Gwaireui Sup Yeosu Branch is a good late stop after riding the cable car.
Eugmm Plus Glasses Paju Unjeong Station Branch (으뜸플러스안경 파주운정역점) is a fixed-price optician on the 2nd floor of the Unjeong Class One officetel in Unjeong, Paju. Every frame at Eugmm Plus Glasses carries a price tag, which makes it easy to compare within a budget, and after an eye exam running from auto-refraction to binocular balance testing, the glasses were ready in about 20 minutes. Eugmm Plus Glasses is worth considering if you're planning progressive lens advice or a new pair of glasses.
