Crooked Bench Mapo · 18 stories

Crooked Bench, Gangwon-Seoul Outings

Writes about cafes, restaurants, and things to do around Gangwon, Seoul, and Incheon. · Writes about: Cafés · Restaurants · Things to do

PlaceYangcheon, SeoulRestaurants

Yangcheon gukbap restaurant: new pork jowl suyuk bowl, Bosung Hoegwan

Bosung Hoegwan Deungchon Station Branch is a gukbap (rice soup) restaurant near Deungchon Station in Yangcheon, Seoul. On a weekday when the heat had killed their appetite, the writer went alone to Bosung Hoegwan for the new pork jowl suyuk gukbap and was pleased with the bone broth that had no gamey smell, the generous pork jowl, and the geotjeori kimchi and kkakdugi said to be made every morning. For anyone after a hearty lunch, the pork jowl suyuk gukbap at Bosung Hoegwan Deungchon Station Branch is a safe pick.

Written Jun 15, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGangseo, SeoulRestaurants

Balsan Station restaurant for weekday-lunch nakgopsae: Gungmin

Gungmin Nakgopsae Gangseo Branch (국민낙곱새 강서점) is a nakgopsae (spicy octopus, beef intestine and shrimp stew) restaurant near Balsan Station in Gangseo, Seoul, known as a spot for company dinners. The writer visited at a fairly relaxed weekday lunch, ate the Hanwoo daechang nakgopsae, then finished with fried rice made in the leftover sauce with seaweed flakes and sesame oil, scraping the crust off the bottom of the pan. The verdict: Gungmin Nakgopsae Gangseo Branch made a satisfying lunch, with rich broth, clean spiciness and a fried-rice finish worth ordering.

Written Jun 16, 2026Sponsored
PlaceYeongdeungpo, SeoulRestaurants

Yeouido tteokbokki bar: rice ball & sundae trio combo, Hyeonseonine

Hyeonseonine Premium IFC Mall Branch (현선이네 프리미엄 IFC몰점) is a tteokbokki (spicy rice cake) and Korean street-snack shop on the B2 level of IFC Mall in Yeouido, Seoul. During a weekend shopping trip in Yeouido, the writer ordered the Hyeonseonine combo set of tteokbokki, sundae (Korean blood sausage), rice balls and curly fish cake; there was a short wait, but turnover was fast. The Hyeonseonine combo set is a filling snack spread worth recommending, even shared between two, when shopping leaves you peckish.

Written Jun 17, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGangseo, SeoulCafés

Balsan Station café: window seat, mango wakppu & financiers, Byway

Byway Bakers Balsan Station (바이웨이 베이커스 발산역점) is a bakery and dessert café near Balsan Station in Gangseo, Seoul. On a weekend, the writer sat at a window table at Byway Bakers with a best friend and shared 1 mango wakppu bread and 2 financiers with an iced americano; the financiers were crisp outside and chewy inside. For crisp-chewy financiers and a zesty mango wakppu bread, Byway Bakers Balsan Station was satisfying enough to want to return the very next week.

Written Jun 15, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMapo, SeoulRestaurants

Salad brunch near Mangwon Station: yuzu avocado salad, Green & Fini

Green & Fini Mangwon (그린앤피니 망원본점) is a salad brunch restaurant on the 2nd floor near Exit 2 of Mangwon Station in Mapo, Seoul. On a weekend morning the writer ordered the avocado salad and the egg sandwich; the yuzu dressing, which cut the richness of the avocado, stood out most, while the egg sandwich made the meal filling. For a light, healthy brunch in Mangwon-dong, the avocado salad and egg sandwich pairing at Green & Fini Mangwon is a good match.

Written Jun 18, 2026Sponsored
PlaceYangcheon, SeoulRestaurants

Yeomchang snack bar: brisket tteokbokki, flower enoki, Deokbokhui-jip

Deokbokhui-jip (덕복희집) is an instant tteokbokki (spicy rice cake) and handmade fried food snack bar near Yeomchang Station in Yangcheon, Seoul. Two people shared 2 servings of brisket tteokbokki and an assorted fry platter; the standouts were the savory broth enriched with beef brisket fat, the enoki mushroom fry spread open like a flower, and the cozy interior with Hahoe mask ceramics and scholar's rocks on display. Deokbokhui-jip suits anyone who wants instant tteokbokki and freshly fried handmade fritters in a pleasant setting near Yeomchang Station.

Written Oct 16, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMapo, SeoulRestaurants

Hongdae pasta date, chili tomato & chicken tender Caesar: Hey Joji

Hey Joji is a pasta restaurant in a quiet alley on the walk from Hongik Univ. Station toward Yeonnam-dong in Mapo, Seoul. On a weekend afternoon date, the writer ordered the bocconcini meat chili tomato pasta and the chicken tender Caesar salad, and the gentle chili heat, nutty bocconcini cheese, crispy chicken tenders and generous portions stood out. Hey Joji is a Yeonnam-dong date spot worth revisiting for both food and atmosphere.

Written Jun 18, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGangseo, SeoulRestaurants

Magongnaru pasta restaurant: table-side Cheese Shower Pasta, Pasta Go

Pasta Go Magok Branch is a pasta restaurant near Magongnaru Station and Seoul Botanic Park in Gangseo, Seoul. On a friend's recommendation, the writer ordered the signature Cheese Shower Pasta, which staff finish by pouring cheese over it at the table, along with the creamy Gnocchi Lover and a Coke Zero; the chewy gnocchi and generous portions were the highlights. Pasta Go Magok Branch is a good-value pasta meal worth recommending after a walk in Seoul Botanic Park.

Written Jun 23, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGeumcheon, SeoulRestaurants

Quick office-lunch burger in Gasan: avocado set, Downtown Gasan Public

Downtown Gasan Public is a handmade burger restaurant in Building A of Public Gasan, near Gasan Digital Complex Station in Geumcheon-gu, Seoul. Arriving around 11:40 on a weekday, the writer walked in with no wait and ordered the avocado burger set with extra cheese sticks. The food came out fast enough for a short lunch break. Creamy avocado balanced the beef patty neatly, making Downtown Gasan Public a satisfying lunch for Gasan office workers.

Written Jun 23, 2026Sponsored
PlaceJongno, SeoulRestaurants

Hanok pizza restaurant in Anguk: chewy crust in garlic dip, Low Five

Low Five Anguk is a hanok (traditional Korean house) pizza restaurant on Bukchon-ro in Jongno, Seoul, about a 5-minute walk from Anguk Station. On a weekday visit just after lunchtime, with a short wait, the order was truffle cream pasta, avocado kimchi fried rice and wood-fired pizza, and the standouts were the exposed rafters, the open kitchen and a crust edge as chewy as rice cake, dipped in garlic sauce. Low Five Anguk is a solid pick for a Bukchon or Insadong date or a casual meal with friends.

Written Jul 16, 2026Sponsored
PlaceJongno, SeoulThings to do

Weekday-afternoon couples perfume workshop in Bukchon: Muhwawon

Muhwawon Bukchon Perfume Workshop (무화원) is a perfume atelier in Bukchon, Jongno, Seoul, near Changdeokgung Palace, that blends with scents inspired by Korean nature and culture, such as hanji paper, temples, traditional medicinal herbs and wildflowers. The blogger and their partner took a weekday afternoon off and booked Muhwawon's 2-person perfume-making experience, moving from smelling single notes to blending, bottle packaging and photos together. The verdict: Muhwawon is a recommended Bukchon date for a quiet weekday afternoon spent talking and picking scents that suit each other.

Written Jul 16, 2026Sponsored
PlaceYeongjong, IncheonRestaurants

Shabu-shabu buffet in Yeongjong with no wait after work: Pyeonpyeonjip

Pyeonpyeonjip Yeongjong Sky City branch is an all-you-can-eat shabu-shabu restaurant near Guyeupbaetteo in Yeongjong, Incheon. The writer, an office worker who often stays late, walked into Pyeonpyeonjip on a weekday evening after work with no wait, refilled broth, vegetables and meat, and finished with porridge or fried rice. For a filling dinner on a quiet weeknight, Pyeonpyeonjip Yeongjong Sky City branch is a good fit.

Written Jul 20, 2026Sponsored