Small Pub Hopper · 19 stories

Small Bars of Seoul

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

PlaceGoyang, GyeonggiRestaurants

Baekseok Station BBQ tasting order for nakyeop-sal: Dokbul Janggun

Dokbul Janggun Ilsan Baekseok Branch is a Jeju special-cuts Korean BBQ restaurant a 4-minute walk from Baekseok Station in Goyang, Gyeonggi. The writer ordered the Dokbul72 Aged Jeju Platter 600g and ate it in the staff-recommended order — yukhoe (raw beef), kkodeul-sal (pork jowl), bol-hangjeong (cheek), nakyeop-sal (leaf-shaped pork cut), then volcano steamed egg — and found the clean, tender nakyeop-sal the best of the platter. With free cheonggukjang (fermented soybean stew) and hairtail fish sauce on the side, Dokbul Janggun works well for group dinners near Baekseok Station.

Written Sep 20, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMapo, SeoulRestaurants

Hapjeong group dinner at Korean BBQ with chicken porridge: Champpoppo

Champpoppo Jjokgalbi Hapjeong Branch is a Korean BBQ restaurant between Hapjeong and Sangsu stations in Mapo, Seoul, where the pork ribs arrive pre-grilled. The meal covered soy-marinated and spicy pork ribs plus cream pasta, chicken porridge, pork skin and rice balls. Champpoppo Jjokgalbi is an easy choice for a group meal with a few drinks.

Written Sep 13, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGoyang, GyeonggiRestaurants

Kimchi stew and marinated pork set at Baekseok Kkogijip, Goyang BBQ

Baekseok Kkogijip is a Korean BBQ restaurant a 4-minute walk from Baekseok Station in Goyang, Gyeonggi, where the staff grill the meat for you. The marinated pork (yangnyeom handon) 2-person set came with a choice of kimchi jjigae (kimchi stew) or doenjang sulbap, plus a taster of yukhoe (beef tartare), corn cheese and steamed egg, and the spicy kimchi jjigae with added sari noodles matched the sweet-salty pork well. With nobody stuck at the grill, Baekseok Kkogijip works well for a work dinner or group meal.

Written Sep 6, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMapo, SeoulRestaurants

Korean BBQ in Hongdae with a diced rice finish: Gogikkun Gimchunbae

Gogikkun Gimchunbae Hongdae Supgil Branch is a Korean BBQ restaurant in Mapo, Seoul, looking out over Gyeongui Line Forest Park, where you can eat both Korean beef (hanwoo) and Korean pork (handon). Staff grilled the meat at the table, so the meal stayed relaxed and conversational, and it ended generously with half-and-half naengmyeon (cold noodles) and kkakdukbap (diced rice). A scenic, easygoing dinner that pairs well with a walk along the forest path afterward.

Written Sep 13, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGoyang, GyeonggiRestaurants

Samsong breakfast haejangguk restaurant open at 9am: Jeju Eunhui-ne

Jeju Eunhui-ne Haejangguk Goyang Samsong Branch is a Jeju-style haejangguk (hangover soup) restaurant in Goyang, Gyeonggi, a 5-minute walk from Samsong Station and 3 minutes from Starfield Goyang. The haejangguk and the haejangguk & dombe pork set arrived packed with bean sprouts, beef blood, brisket, shank, napa cabbage and glass noodles, and one extra bowl of rice is free with each meal ordered. Jeju Eunhui-ne opens at 9am on weekends, so it also works as a filling Samsong breakfast.

Written Sep 6, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSeocho, SeoulRestaurants

Sinnonhyeon, Seoul jazz dining date: black pork tenderloin, Flat Nine

Flat Nine is a jazz dining restaurant in Seocho, Seoul, where guests can enjoy a course meal alongside live jazz. I tried the Classic course, from a cranberry-lemon-mint opening drink to Jeju black pork tenderloin steak and chocolate cake, while watching the Soyeong Quartet. Verdict: Flat Nine is a lovely pick for a date that feels a little different.

Written Sep 12, 2026Sponsored
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