Empty Saucer Sitter · 5 stories

Empty Saucer, Incheon-Gangwon/Daegu-Gyeongbuk Cafes and Restaurants

Writes about cafes and restaurants noticed while moving between Incheon, Gangwon, and Daegu-Gyeongbuk. · Writes about: Restaurants · Cafés

PlaceGangneung, GangwonCafés

Gangneung sand play café: capsule hunt, persimmon jam—Gangneung Sand

Gangneung Sand Main Branch is the Santorini-style flagship store of Gangneung Sand, a Gangneung souvenir snack brand, on Seonggokgoyang-gil in Gangneung, Gangwon. The blogger bought dried persimmon, strawberry and purple sweet potato Gangneung Sand cookies, breakwater bread and dried persimmon jam, then toured the gallery and the upstairs sand play zone (7,000 won for play only, 9,000 won with a capsule hunt). With souvenir shopping and a place to rest with kids under one roof, Gangneung Sand Main Branch is worth adding to a Gangneung itinerary.

Written May 28, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSuyeong, BusanCafés

Gwangalli terrace café, family holiday brunch: Working Holiday Millak

Working Holiday Millak is a Gwangalli ocean-view café on the 7th floor of the Bada Maru building on Millaksubyeon-ro in Suyeong, Busan, where Gwangan Bridge and the beach are in full view and the terrace brings you even closer to the sea. The writer visited with family over a holiday and ordered the Big Breakkie, a chicken avocado sandwich set, gorgonzola pizza, a macadamia cream latte and an Americano. If you want ocean views and good food together, Working Holiday Millak is worth a visit, but book a window seat first.

Written Oct 13, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSeohae, IncheonRestaurants

Girls' night Korean BBQ in Cheongna with pork neck & hagfish: Gimgol

Gimgol Yeontan-jip Cheongna Branch (감골연탄집 청라점) is a retro-style Korean BBQ restaurant grilling over coal briquettes on Cheongnarubi-ro in Seohae, Incheon. The writer booked ahead for a get-together with older girlfriends and ate special pork neck (teukmoksal), aged pork belly, 24-hour-aged gochujang briquette bulgogi, shrimp steamed egg, grilled hagfish and briquette fried rice; the owner's own grilling tips kept the meat juicy with a good smoky flavor. For a group dinner in Cheongna with real fire-grilled flavor, Gimgol Yeontan-jip Cheongna Branch is a good fit.

Written Jul 13, 2026Sponsored
PlaceBuk-gu, DaeguRestaurants

Daegu pho restaurant: extra-meat Hanoi pho and trotter rice, Raichen

Raichen Chilgok Branch is a Vietnamese restaurant in Chilgok 3-jigu, Buk-gu, Daegu, near Palgeo Station on Daegu Metro Line 3. On a family meal with her parents' side of the family, the writer ordered Hanoi-style pho with extra meat, banh xeo, the summer-only cold pho and Raichen's jokbal rice (braised pork trotter over rice), and liked the jokbal rice best even while dieting. With high chairs, group seating and mild spices, Raichen Chilgok Branch suits family meals with everyone from toddlers to grandparents.

Written Jul 28, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGeomdan, IncheonRestaurants

Geomdan tonkatsu restaurant with yogurt-aged brazier gyukatsu: HOKATSU

HOKATSU is a Blue Ribbon-listed Japanese tonkatsu restaurant on Seogot-ro in Geomdan, Incheon, that says it dry-ages its meat with handmade yogurt made over 24 hours. On a weekend late afternoon, the blogger and their partner ordered HOKATSU's brazier-grilled gyukatsu (breaded beef cutlet), tonkotsu ramen and a side of 2 cheese katsu pieces. The gyukatsu was juicy and tender, but the cheese firmed up slightly because they missed the right moment to eat the cheese katsu. From the pre-meal yogurt to the ramen, HOKATSU felt like a full course and a solid Geomdan tonkatsu pick.

Written Sep 28, 2026Sponsored
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