Cheonan Bell Seat · 41 stories

Near the Service Bell

I write about restaurants in Chungcheong and Gyeonggi. · Writes about: Restaurants · Cafés · Hair & beauty salons · Books & stationery

PlaceMapo, SeoulHair & beauty salons

Hongdae hair salon: men's volume magic for thin hair at Juno Hair

Juno Hair Hongdae Entrance Branch is a hair salon on the 2nd floor of the Magellan 21 Officetel, right in front of Hongik Univ. Station in Mapo, Seoul. A man with thin hair, torn between an iron perm and volume magic (a Korean straightening treatment that keeps natural volume), consulted the vice director and got a men's cut plus volume magic that tamed his frizzy sides and brought back natural volume. For men with thin hair considering a new style, a consultation at Juno Hair Hongdae Entrance Branch is a good place to start.

Written Jul 8, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMapo, SeoulCafés

Solo café in Yeonnam-dong: arugula jambon-beurre salt bread at Noknok

Noknok (녹녹) is a two-floor bakery café in a Yeonnam-dong alley in Mapo, Seoul, within walking distance of Hongik Univ. Station. On a solo visit to Noknok, the writer had an americano, an arugula jambon-beurre salt bread and a double chocolate loaf, and stayed a long time thanks to the roomy seating and outlets. Verdict: Noknok has high-quality bread and a quiet mood, and suits solo rest, laptop work or a brunch date.

Written Jul 4, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMapo, SeoulRestaurants

Hongdae Korean restaurant for solo pork kimchi stew: Bap Jangin

Bap Jangin Hongdae Branch is a Korean restaurant focused on kimchi stew, in an alley near Hongik Univ. Station in Mapo, Seoul. The writer went alone, ordered the pork kimchi stew at a moderately spicy level, and mixed rice with self-bar side dishes plus the sesame oil and seaweed flakes on the table. Verdict: Bap Jangin Hongdae Branch makes a satisfying solo kimchi stew meal in Hongdae, with no awkwardness about eating alone and plenty of pork.

Written Jul 5, 2026Sponsored
PlaceCheonan, ChungnamRestaurants

Cheonan pork cutlet date with icy-broth cold jjolmyeon: Jinsim Wang

Jinsim Wang Donkatsu Cheonan Buldang (진심왕돈까스 천안불당점) is a king-size pork cutlet restaurant in the heart of Buldang-dong, Cheonan. On a date for two, the writer and his girlfriend ordered the double king pork cutlet and the new summer cold jjolmyeon (chewy wheat noodles in icy broth), with soup and broth from the self-bar and lettuce wraps on the side. The crispy double king cutlet and the slushy-broth cold jjolmyeon at Jinsim Wang Donkatsu made a well-matched, generously portioned combo for two to share.

Written Jul 9, 2026Sponsored
PlaceCheonan, ChungnamRestaurants

Salmon sushi and icy soba for one in Buldang-dong, Cheonan: Ganghan

Ganghan Sushi Cheonan Buldang Branch is a sushi restaurant in the central shopping area of Buldang-dong, Seobuk-gu, Cheonan. For a solo lunch, the writer ordered thick raw salmon sushi and cold soba (buckwheat noodles) with icy slush in the broth, and was pleased with how the salmon had no fishy smell and paired with the clean broth. Ganghan Sushi is a Buldang-dong sushi restaurant where you can have a quick lunch alone without feeling awkward.

Written Jul 11, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSongpa, SeoulRestaurants

Jamsil gimbap shop, solo late lunch with tteokbokki: Jamsil Cheotjip

Jamsil Cheotjip is a gimbap and Korean snack bar on the first basement floor of the Jamsil Trigium shopping arcade, near Saenae Station in Songpa, Seoul. On a solo late lunch, the writer ordered aged kimchi tuna keto mayo gimbap packed with egg and old-school tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes), whose sweet, mildly spicy sauce paired well with the gimbap. With no break time and separate seats for solo diners, Jamsil Cheotjip is an easy pick for a late lunch alone near Saenae Station.

Written Aug 1, 2026Sponsored
PlaceYeongdeungpo, SeoulRestaurants

Yeongdeungpo Korean restaurant: solo gabrisal pork rice bowl, Gangmun

Gangmun Times Square Branch is a Korean restaurant in the Food Square on B1 of Times Square in Yeongdeungpo, Seoul. On a solo lunch between errands, the writer ordered the shishito pepper gabrisal rice bowl (kkwari-gochu gabrisal deopbap, with a tender pork cut) and a half-moon shredded potato pancake, and the soft gabrisal, mildly spicy peppers and crispy-chewy pancake paired well. For a filling but not heavy Korean meal while shopping at Times Square, Gangmun Times Square Branch is a safe choice.

Written Sep 30, 2026Sponsored
ProductWhere Myths RemainBooks & stationery

Greek myth book for revisiting Europe trip photos: Where Myths Remain

Where Myths Remain (Where Myths Remain) is a book that pairs the ruins and landscapes of Greece with the myths behind them. The blogger read Where Myths Remain while looking back through photos from a past Europe trip with a girlfriend. Unlike sightseeing-focused travel books, Where Myths Remain tells the story tied to each place first, which made the blogger reopen the photo album. It is a book worth recommending to anyone planning a trip or interested in Greek mythology and European history.

Written Aug 9, 2026Product provided
PlaceCheonan, ChungnamRestaurants

Cheonan sashimi date: flounder, salmon, tuna platter at Donghae Bada

Donghae Bada Hoetjip (동해바다횟집) is a sashimi and seafood stew restaurant in Dujeong-dong, Cheonan. On a date for two, the mixed sashimi and seafood stew set for two cost 110,000 won and brought a flounder, salmon and tuna platter with seaweed soup, grilled dab, chive pancake and bossam (boiled pork slices), followed by a seafood stew packed with large pieces of octopus and crab that staff cooked and cut up at the table. Donghae Bada Hoetjip makes a generous, easy sashimi dinner for a couple.

Written Aug 8, 2026Sponsored
PlaceYongsan, SeoulHair & beauty salons

Hannam hair salon men's scalp cut for overgrown hair: ONLY FOR YOU

ONLY FOR YOU Hannam Main Branch is a hair salon in Hannam-dong, Yongsan, Seoul, on the 3rd floor of 70 Dokseodang-ro. After more than a month without a haircut, the writer booked a men's scalp cut, which pairs a trim with care for a sensitive scalp: a scalp product, steam and shampoo, followed by a consultation, cut and blow-dry. The men's scalp cut at ONLY FOR YOU Hannam Main Branch suits men who want a natural, easy-to-style-at-home haircut with scalp care included.

Written Sep 29, 2026Sponsored
PlaceCheonan, ChungnamRestaurants

Cheonan Buldang-dong sushi for two: 12P set plus 4 add-ons at Ganghan

Ganghan Sushi Cheonan Buldang Branch is a sushi restaurant in Buldang-dong, Cheonan, Chungnam. The writer and his wife shared the Ganghan Special Sushi 12P for 17,000 won and added single pieces of fried shrimp, scallop, salmon and soy sauce shrimp; the chewy swordtip squid (hanchi) and the ankimo (monkfish liver) gunkan stood out most. Built around the Ganghan Special Sushi with a few add-ons, Ganghan Sushi makes a well-rounded meal for two.

Written Sep 28, 2026Sponsored
PlaceYongsan, SeoulRestaurants

Yongsan I'Park Mall mazesoba for one: pork belly set, Menya Seoul

Menya Seoul Yongsan I'Park Mall Branch is a ramen restaurant in the 7th-floor dining area of Yongsan I'Park Mall in Yongsan, Seoul. On a solo visit before a movie, the writer skipped ramen and ordered the whole pork belly mazesoba set. The subtly smoky pork belly and springy noodles came with the set's karaage and the lemon kelp vinegar kept on every table. Menya Seoul's pork belly mazesoba is a hearty, filling meal even when you're eating alone.

Written Sep 28, 2026Sponsored