Itinerary Notebook · 11 stories

Loose Itinerary, Seoul, Gyeonggi, Gangwon and Jeju Restaurants, Stays and Things to Do

Writes about restaurants, stays, and things to do across Seoul, Gyeonggi, Gangwon, and Jeju. · Writes about: Restaurants · Stays · Things to do

PlaceJung-gu, SeoulRestaurants

Euljiro Thai restaurant: cilantro highball & leng saep, Kkai 9

Kkai 9 (까이9) is a local-style Thai restaurant on Chungmuro 5-gil near Euljiro 3-ga Station in Jung-gu, Seoul. Missing the leng saep from a trip to Thailand, the writer ordered Kkai 9's limited-quantity leng saep (spicy pork bone stew, 35,000 won), khao kha moo (braised pork leg over rice, 13,000 won), a cilantro highball and a tangmoban blended from fresh watermelon, and found the leng saep more garlicky and gentler on cilantro than in Thailand, which suits Korean tastes better. Kkai 9 brings back memories of a Thai trip, but the leng saep is a big portion, so for two people one leng saep plus a side dish is about right.

Written Jun 17, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGangneung, GangwonStays

Twin-bed spa pension in Jumunjin, Gangneung: Dangsinuianmok Room 502

Dangsinuianmok Juncheon (당신의안목 주문진점) is a newly built ocean-view pension right in front of Jumunjin Beach in Gangneung, Gangwon. The writer stayed in Grass Room 502, a duplex with twin beds, brought back raw fish from Jumunjin Fish Market, enjoyed the bubble spa before the 10 p.m. cutoff and got ready the next morning looking out over Jumunjin Beach. Friendly staff and a spotless room make Dangsinuianmok Juncheon a place the writer wants to return to on the next Gangneung trip.

Written Jun 19, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGangneung, GangwonStays

Gangneung pension with a Jungang Market food spread: Your Anmok 402

Your Anmok (당신의안목) is an ocean-view pension right in front of Anmok Beach in Gangneung, in the same building as the Coffee Bean Bread shop. The writer stayed one night in Room 402 in June, brought back snacks from Gangneung Jungang Market to eat at the room table while watching the sea and TV, and enjoyed a bath bomb spa before the 10 p.m. cutoff. Your Anmok Room 402 is a great pick for a couple who want a relaxed stay just steps from the sea.

Written Jun 24, 2026Sponsored
PlaceAnyang, GyeonggiRestaurants

Pyeongchon monkfish stew restaurant: 1.5 servings for 2, Haebonjeong

Haebonjeong Haemuljjim & Anguk-jjim Pyeongchon Branch (해본정해물찜&아구찜 평촌본점) is a new seafood and monkfish stew restaurant in the Pyeongchon academy district food alley in Anyang, Gyeonggi. Two diners meant to order 2 servings, but the owner recommended the 1.5-serving lunch special instead: boneless monkfish stew, mild-medium spice with strong seasoning, which came with crunchy bean sprouts, a monkfish-salad-like flavor and plenty of roe. Even 1.5 servings at Haebonjeong left leftovers for two, so it is a welcome find for a generous monkfish stew in the Pyeongchon academy district.

Written Jun 28, 2026Sponsored
PlaceYongsan, SeoulRestaurants

Gamjatang and kkakdugi fried rice in Huam-dong: Cheongnyeon Gamjatang

Cheongnyeon Gamjatang Sundaeguk Seoul Station branch is a gamjatang (pork bone stew) and bone hangover soup chain restaurant in Huam-dong, Yongsan, Seoul, near the CJ headquarters. Two diners ordered a small Cheongnyeon Gamjatang and one self-serve kkakdugi fried rice at dinner and were very happy with the towering pile of meat, the clean broth and the fried rice made with kkakdugi (cubed radish kimchi). If you visit Cheongnyeon Gamjatang Sundaeguk Seoul Station branch, the kkakdugi fried rice after the gamjatang is well worth ordering.

Written Oct 14, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSeongdong, SeoulRestaurants

Seoulsup steak restaurant with grilled scallions, no wait: Brivite

Brivite Seongsu is a pink-fronted pasta and steak restaurant in Ttukseom, Seongsu-dong, Seoul. After a date at Seoulsup and Ttukseom Han River Park, the writer walked into Brivite Seongsu at 5:30pm on a weekend with no wait and ordered the Brivite Steak (35,900 won) and the spicy vongole oil pasta (17,900 won); the grilled scallion garnish on the cheese-topped steak was the highlight. With generous portions for the price and a pleasant interior, Brivite Seongsu is a place worth revisiting for a Seongsu date.

Written Jul 9, 2026Sponsored
PlaceNowon, SeoulRestaurants

Nowon sushi buffet: best and worst dishes plus crepe cake at Kuu Kuu

Kuu Kuu Nowon Branch is an all-you-can-eat sushi buffet on the 6th floor of the Seoul Oncheon Building near Hagye Station in Nowon, Seoul, with a large hall and group rooms that suit family gatherings. The writer visited on a weekday just after 2pm for the 27,900 won lunch, tried the sushi, BBQ, made-to-order and dessert corners, and recommends the salmon sushi, jjamppong (spicy seafood noodle soup) and crepe cake, but not the cockle bibimbap, king crab sushi or mala tang. Verdict: with its wide menu, fresh fish, parking and high chairs, Kuu Kuu Nowon Branch is a top-rated franchise location the writer plans to stick with.

Written Jul 18, 2026Sponsored
PlaceAnyang, GyeonggiRestaurants

Beomgye restaurant, late weekday crabby pasta & steak: Two Find Peter

Two Find Peter Beomgye Branch is a pasta and steak restaurant on the 5th floor of Park Avenuel near Beomgye Station in Anyang, Gyeonggi. On a late weekday evening the writer walked in without a wait, ordered the spicy crabby pasta and a beef chuck flap steak cooked medium-rare, and received cheese balls through a review event. With dim, moody lighting and dishes that satisfied, Two Find Peter Beomgye Branch is a Western restaurant in Beomgye worth recommending for a date-night dinner.

Written Oct 6, 2026Sponsored
PlaceJung-gu, SeoulRestaurants

Seoul Station gyukatsu late lunch, extra karaage, no wait: Ichigyu

Ichigyu Seoul Station Branch is a brazier-grilled gyukatsu restaurant on basement level 1 of the LG Seoul Station Building in Jung-gu, Seoul. On a late lunch visit with no wait, the writer ordered the Steki Set and the karaage & jumbo shrimp tempura side; because the shrimp tempura had sold out, Ichigyu added extra karaage and served the last remaining shrimp. The verdict: a Seoul Station lunch as satisfying as the writer's all-time favourite gyukatsu in Osaka.

Written Oct 1, 2026Sponsored
PlaceJongno, SeoulRestaurants

Jonggak sashimi bar with perilla-wrapped flounder: Parang Haenyeojip

Parang Haenyeojip Jongno Branch is an aged sashimi and seafood pub near Exit 4 of Jonggak Station in Jongno, Seoul. After work on a weekday, with a table booked through Naver Reservation, the writer ordered the small aged sashimi platter (₩48,000) and spicy seafood ramyeon (₩12,000); all four kinds of aged fish, including flounder, sea bass and salmon, were thick-cut with no fishy taste. With flounder wrapped in perilla leaf and makjang (fermented soybean dipping paste) and a free bottle for a receipt review, Parang Haenyeojip Jongno Branch is worth saving for a return visit.

Written Sep 30, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSeongbuk, SeoulRestaurants

Summer date Korean BBQ near Seongshin Women's University: Jangheungjip

Jangheungjip Seongshin Women's University branch is a frozen pork belly (naengsam) restaurant near Exit 1 of Seongshin Women's University Station in Seongbuk, Seoul. Two diners shared the mixed medium platter — one serving each of pork belly, pork neck and beef brisket with brisket doenjang stew for 54,000 won — served with a 13-dish side spread, then finished with kimchi noodle soup and minari fried rice topped with a fried egg. The minari and the side dishes at Jangheungjip make it a place worth returning to whenever a summer naengsam craving hits.

Written Aug 13, 2026Sponsored
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