Sizzling Basket · 17 stories

Sizzle and Steam

I write about food I’ve tried and the small details I remember from each meal. · Writes about: Beauty products · Food & snacks · Restaurants · Hair & beauty salons · Cafés · Shopping · Fashion

PlaceGwanak, SeoulRestaurants

Sillim Station sashimi bar for a second round of drinks: Doha Susan

Doha Susan (도하수산) is a newly opened raw fish restaurant near Exit 4 of Sillim Station in Gwanak, Seoul. The writer came to Doha Susan for a second round of drinks and ordered the medium 5-fish live sashimi platter of flounder, salmon, red sea bream, olive flounder and rockfish for 45,000 won, and the chilled silver plate kept the sashimi cold to the last slice. For sashimi and a casual drink in Sillim, Doha Susan is a solid choice.

Written Apr 25, 2026Sponsored
PlaceYongsan, SeoulRestaurants

Hannam burger shop for one after Leeum: truffle burger at Daily Fix

Daily Fix Hannam (데일리픽스 한남점) is a handmade burger shop serving 100% hanwoo (Korean beef) patties in the Gourmet 494 food court on B2 of Nine One Hannam in Yongsan, Seoul. After an exhibition at Leeum Museum of Art, the writer ate alone and ordered a truffle mushroom burger with a fries and Zero Coke set plus coleslaw for 26,700 won in total. The rich beefy hanwoo patty paired with truffle mayo sauce was the standout. Daily Fix Hannam is a dependable pick for a filling solo burger meal in Hannam.

Written Nov 9, 2026Sponsored
PlaceYongsan, SeoulRestaurants

Gangjeong stand, Yongsan Station: post-train cream shrimp, Ppareuju

Ppareuju Deopbap & Gangjeong (빠르쥬 덮밥&강정) is a takeout shop for dakgangjeong (sweet, crispy fried chicken bites), rice bowls and cream shrimp on the 3rd-floor platform side of Yongsan Station in Seoul. Hungry after getting off a train, the writer ordered a large seasoned dakgangjeong (₩12,000), a medium garlic soy dakgangjeong (₩9,000) and cream shrimp (₩8,000), and the food came out quickly enough to take straight home. Ppareuju Deopbap & Gangjeong is a good stop at Yongsan Station when your train time is tight or you need food right after arriving.

Written May 4, 2026Sponsored
PlaceJung-gu, SeoulCafés

Cheonggyecheon bakery café: hazelnut pain au chocolat—Lemangdoré

Lemangdoré Gwanghwamun is a three-floor bakery café on Mugyo-ro in Jung-gu, Seoul, near Cheonggyecheon stream. The writer browsed the baked goods and breads on the 1st floor, then ordered an iced americano made with Noir beans, a pistachio croissant and a pain au chocolat filled with hazelnut praline, and enjoyed them at a 3rd-floor window seat looking out on trees. With its spacious floors and wide range of breads, Lemangdoré Gwanghwamun is a good café for relaxing alone during a Cheonggyecheon walk.

Written May 7, 2026Sponsored
ProductVANTAGE MAXFashion

Running socks for ankle support: Vantage Taping Compression Socks Pro

Vantage Taping Compression Socks Pro are functional sports socks from Vantage Max with ankle-focused taping compression and a fully non-slip sole, which Vantage Max says were co-developed with the director of a manual therapy center. The writer runs 3 or more times a week and enters marathons. In the neon Vantage Taping Compression Socks Pro in size S (usual Korean shoe size 235), landings wobbled less and the foot slid less inside the shoe, and post-run swelling was fine without separate compression stockings. For runners bothered by ankle instability or a shifting foot, Vantage Taping Compression Socks Pro are a well-balanced running sock.

Written May 12, 2026Product provided
PlaceGwanak, SeoulRestaurants

Sillim Station salad takeout: new Beef Cobb with lemon garlic, Prepers

Prepers Diet Food Sillim Main Branch is a diet food shop specialising in salads, pasta and rice bowls near Exit 3 of Sillim Station in Gwanak, Seoul. After the renovation that expanded its two floors, the writer looked around the shop, then took home the new Beef Cobb Salad (11,900 won, with lemon garlic sauce) and the Beef Salad Pasta (13,900 won), adding a soft-boiled egg and a baked egg, for dinner. Generous toppings made it a light but filling meal, and Prepers Sillim Main Branch is worth returning to whenever a salad craving hits.

Written May 18, 2026Sponsored
PlaceYeongdeungpo, SeoulRestaurants

Yeouido burger shop's Hawaiian with grilled onions: Bass Burger

Bass Burger Yeouido is a handmade burger shop on the B1 level of the Yulchon Building in Yeouido, Seoul, across from The Hyundai Seoul and near IFC Mall. After shopping at The Hyundai Seoul, the writer ordered a Hawaiian Burger (9,800 won) and a Double Bacon Cheeseburger (11,300 won), both with free grilled onions, plus a Chili Cheese Bar and a Bass Lager. With free self-serve potato chips on top, Bass Burger Yeouido is a great spot for a handmade burger and a beer.

Written May 16, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSeongdong, SeoulShopping

iPhone 17 Pro case shop in Seongsu: sky-blue phone grip match, Casedby

Casedby Seongsu is a 24-hour unmanned custom phone case shop near Seongsu Station in Seongdong, Seoul. The blogger uploaded two designs made at home and had iPhone 17 Pro MagSafe cases ready 2-3 minutes after paying, with the original colors reproduced faithfully. Casedby Seongsu is a fun Seongsu stop for anyone who wants a case in their own design, color-matched right down to their phone grip.

Written May 18, 2026Sponsored
ProductYunoaBeauty products

Dark spot serum for a runner's dehydrated oily skin: Yunoa Mela Blur

Yunoa Mela Blur Melasma Ampoule is a 30ml dropper-type brightening serum that combines 2% tranexamic acid with 5% niacinamide. Applied two or three drops at a time, morning and evening, on dehydrated oily skin dulled by outdoor running, Yunoa Mela Blur absorbed quickly without stickiness and left the complexion looking slightly more even. Yunoa Mela Blur Melasma Ampoule suits dehydrated oily skin that wants daily brightening care without worrying about irritation.

Written May 23, 2026Product provided
PlaceGangnam, SeoulRestaurants

Yeoksam eel restaurant: 1.5-eel deluxe hitsumabushi for one, Chisot

Chisot Yeoksam Main Branch (치솟 역삼본점) is a Japanese restaurant specialising in hitsumabushi (Nagoya-style grilled eel over rice) on Bongeunsa-ro 30-gil in Yeoksam-dong, Gangnam, Seoul. Feeling run down, the writer went alone and ordered the deluxe hitsumabushi with 1.5 eels (48,000 won), eating it the three ways shown in the guide and finishing with ochazuke (rice in broth). Chisot Yeoksam Main Branch makes even a solo diner feel well looked after, which makes it a good place for a restorative meal.

Written May 29, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSeocho, SeoulCafés

Naebang Station café: nut pie gift set to go, Hodukkakki Brothers

Hodukkakki Brothers Bangbae branch is a premium handmade pie café in Seocho, Seoul, a 5-minute walk from Exit 8 of Naebang Station. On a rainy day the writer took away the Premium Nut Pie Set (₩34,900) and tried the macadamia cheese, pecan, walnut and hazelnut cacao pies, singling out the thin, crisp crust and the upscale packaging. Hodukkakki Brothers Bangbae branch is a solid pick for anyone weighing up a pie set as a gift.

Written Jun 2, 2026Sponsored
PlaceYongsan, SeoulRestaurants

Post-movie solo ramen at Yongsan I'Park Mall: jambon & dongpo, Menya

Menya Seoul Yongsan I'Park Mall Branch is a ramen shop in the middle of the food court on the 7th floor of Living Park at Yongsan I'Park Mall in Yongsan, Seoul. On a movie day, the writer ate alone at Menya Seoul: the No. 3 spicy broth set (17,900 won) topped with jambon and dongpo pork (braised pork belly), with karaage and a Coke Zero, plus 2 free red bean spring rolls from the 2–6 p.m. visit event. Tender dongpo pork and a garlicky spicy broth make Menya Seoul a good place for a filling solo meal.

Written Oct 11, 2026Sponsored