Vanity Pouch Traveler · 5 stories

A Vanity Pouch Between Seoul and Sokcho

Writes about cafes, restaurants, and small beauty finds around Seoul and Gangwon. · Writes about: Cafés · Restaurants · Hair & beauty salons

PlaceMapo, SeoulHair & beauty salons

Hongdae salon for a Pilates profile shoot low bun: Moi Hair Makeup

Moi Hair Makeup is a hair and makeup salon on basement level 1 of the Hyosung Hongikingan building, right by Exit 3 of Hongik Univ. Station in Hongdae, Mapo, Seoul. Before a Pilates profile shoot, the writer got cool-tone makeup and a low bun for equipment photos at Moi Hair Makeup; everything from basic skincare to hair took about 1 hour, and the updo surcharge was 22,000 won. Even without a reference photo, just describing the tone and mood was enough for Moi Hair Makeup to create a clean, profile-ready look quickly.

Written Jun 13, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMapo, SeoulRestaurants

Friday Korean BBQ in Hongdae: pork skin in soybean powder, Chopilsal

Chopilsal Pork Grill Hongdae Branch is a Korean BBQ restaurant on Donggyo-ro near Hongik Univ. Station in Mapo, Seoul, opened by a pork grill restaurant well known in Busan. Shortly after 6pm on a Friday, the writer took a window seat and ordered 2 servings of salted pork belly, 1 serving of real dwitgogi (pork neck and back cuts), Pilsal pork skin dipped in roasted soybean powder and a ₩4,500 double cheese steamed egg, and found the meat, the friendly staff and the breezy window seating all satisfying. For a relaxed after-work Friday of pork and pork skin in Hongdae, Chopilsal Pork Grill Hongdae Branch is worth recommending.

Written Jun 14, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMapo, SeoulRestaurants

Hongdae jokbal restaurant for a rainy-day work dinner: Manjok Ohyang

Manjok Ohyang Jokbal Hongdae Station Branch (만족오향족발 홍대역점) is a jokbal (braised pig's trotters) and bossam (boiled pork) restaurant a 3-minute walk from Exit 2 of Hongik Univ. Station in Mapo, Seoul. On a cold, rainy evening after work, two people shared a medium basic five-spice jokbal with warm dumpling soup, generous side dishes, chewy collagen skin and tender meat. With a spacious dining room and a group table for about 8, Manjok Ohyang Jokbal is a solid pick for a jokbal work dinner in Hongdae.

Written Jun 22, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSokcho, GangwonCafés

Makgeolli bread with no line at Sokcho Jungang Market: Sokcho Sulppang

Sokcho Sulppang is a shop near the entrance of Sokcho Jungang Market in Sokcho, Gangwon, selling freshly steamed makgeolli sulppang (rice wine steamed bread) and honeycomb ice cream. After giving up on the long line at the original sulppang shop, the writer bought warm sulppang at Sokcho Sulppang right away with no wait; the bread is mild and not too sweet, and it pairs well with other market food like ojingeo sundae (stuffed squid). For travelers who want to taste Sokcho's signature snack without losing time in line, Sokcho Sulppang is a satisfying choice.

Written Aug 6, 2026Sponsored
PlaceJongno, SeoulRestaurants

Jongno 3-ga Seoul Korean BBQ: last of 30 outdoor tables, Tapgol Set

Tapgol Gongwon Jongno 3-ga Branch is a frozen pork belly Korean BBQ restaurant with outdoor tables on Supyo-ro near Jongno 3-ga Station in Seoul. Arriving five minutes before opening on a Saturday, a friend lined up 30th out of the 30 outdoor tables and took the last seat of the first round, and the group ordered the Tapgol Set for three — pork belly, marbled pork neck and duck roast — grilling kimchi and bean sprouts alongside the meat. With Tapgol Park's stone wall and tiled roof in view, the outdoor seats at Tapgol Gongwon Jongno 3-ga Branch deliver the Jongno open-air BBQ mood at its best.

Written Sep 24, 2026Sponsored
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