Tide Kettle Regular · 28 stories

A Tide Kettle in Sonsu-dong

Writes about small restaurants and neighborhood eateries around Incheon. · Writes about: Restaurants · Bars · Cafés

PlaceGangnam, SeoulRestaurants

Cheongdam date restaurant after a dress tour: People the Terrace

People the Terrace is a Western-style restaurant in Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam, Seoul, on Dosan-daero 81-gil near Apgujeongnodeo Station. After a dress tour, the writer booked a weekday dinner at People the Terrace and ordered the chicken bucket (35,000 won), the mushroom cream truffle risotto with steak (33,000 won) and the beef brisket kimchi fried rice (23,000 won). With varied seating, a wide menu and plenty of drink options, People the Terrace is a recommended Cheongdam date restaurant.

Written Nov 14, 2026Sponsored
PlaceYeongdeungpo, SeoulBars

Dangsan pub with peach beer and rose ra-bokki: Long Time No See

Long Time No See Dangsan Branch is a self-tap craft beer pub near Dangsan Station in Yeongdeungpo, Seoul, serving 29 beers alongside pizza. After work, the writer and a younger sibling with plenty of office complaints poured Hand and Malt Sangsang Pale Ale and Lindemans Pecheresse, then shared a half-and-half herb garlic and double pepperoni pizza with cheese crust (26,500 won) and rose cream ra-bokki (ramen tteokbokki, 9,900 won). Long Time No See Dangsan Branch is a good after-work bar near Dangsan Station for light drinkers who want to sample fruity beers a little at a time.

Written Jun 12, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMapo, SeoulRestaurants

Indian curry near Hapjeong Station with a first-timer sibling: Mandala

Mandala Indian Lounge is a modern, bright Indian restaurant on the 3rd floor of 26 Dongmak-ro 3-gil in Mapo, Seoul, a 4-minute walk from Hapjeong Station Exit 3. On a visit with a younger sibling trying Indian curry for the first time, the order was chicken tikka masala (₩13,000) and paneer spinach curry (₩14,000) with butter naan and turmeric rice. Staff asked about spice level and cilantro up front, which made the meal easy for a beginner. For anyone new to Indian curry who wants a clean, comfortable setting, Mandala Indian Lounge is a safe choice.

Written Jun 18, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMapo, SeoulCafés

Gongdeok Station dessert café for salty-sweet fans: Fluffy Bake Shop

Fluffy Bake Shop (플러피 베이크샵) is a madeleine and financier dessert café on the first floor of a shopping arcade on Baekbeom-ro 31-gil, near Gongdeok Station in Mapo, Seoul. The writer took 7 items to go on a weekday afternoon, including a Dubai tart, a gamtae (thin green seaweed) financier and a blue cheese madeleine, tried a bite on the street, then shared the rest with a younger sibling over coffee at the weekend. Madeleines and financiers mostly cost ₩3,000-₩3,600, and anyone who loves salty, savory desserts should not miss the gamtae financier and blue cheese madeleine at Fluffy Bake Shop.

Written Jun 24, 2026Sponsored
PlaceYeongdeungpo, SeoulBars

After-work mala pub at Dangsan Station: ₩41,400 set for two, Yongyong

Yongyong Seonsaeng Dangsan Station branch is a late-night mala Chinese pub in Yeongdeungpo, Seoul, near Dangsan Station Exits 1 and 12, open until the early morning. On the way home from work, the writer and a younger sibling shared a two-person set of volcano mala hotpot, kkanpung fried chicken (sweet, spicy and garlicky) and soy sauce egg fried rice for 41,400 won. The mala at Yongyong Seonsaeng isn't heavy on huajiao (Sichuan pepper), so it pairs easily with beer and gaoliang. Verdict: a good-value spot for two to get a mala fix over drinks.

Written Jun 22, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSeodaemun, SeoulCafés

Hongdae bakery: fresh garlic baguette, basil tomato for work, Mandong

Mandong Jegwa Yeonnam Branch (만동제과 연남점) is a takeout-only bakery on Yeonhui-ro in Seodaemun, Seoul, near Hongik Univ. Station, best known for its moist garlic baguette (₩7,000). On a weekday visit around 4:30pm, the writer bought 5 breads at Mandong Jegwa: a garlic baguette fresh from the oven, a cucumber baguette that won them over at the tasting, squid ink bread, cappuccino bread and basil tomato bread. If you love soft, moist garlic bread, the Mandong Jegwa garlic baguette is worth seeking out at least once a year.

Written Jun 21, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSuwon, GyeonggiRestaurants

Haenggung-dong, Suwon anniversary course: chuck flap sous vide, Hado

Hado is a reservation-only course restaurant at the edge of Haenggung-dong in Paldal-gu, Suwon, near Paldalmun Gate. For an anniversary, the writer booked Hado's basic course for two and had the signature salad made to look like rapeseed flowers, bisque and pomodoro pastas, a sous vide steak switched to chuck flap, and Earl Grey ice cream with tomato granita. For a date or blind-date course dinner in Haenggung-dong that offers both atmosphere and good value, Hado is a strong pick.

Written Jun 26, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMapo, SeoulRestaurants

Hapjeong birthday pizzeria, fries-topped pizza and wine: Pizzeria O

Pizzeria O Hapjeong Station (핏제리아오 합정역점) is a wood-fired pizzeria serving aged-dough pizza in Mapo, Seoul, 2 minutes from Hapjeong Station Exit 2. For a cousin's birthday, the writer booked a weekday dinner at Pizzeria O Hapjeong Station and shared truffle oil fries, Patate e Wurstel (pizza topped with fries and frankfurter sausage) and Prosciutto e Rucola with house wine. Chewy dough and a cozy, chandelier-lit room make Pizzeria O Hapjeong Station a good fit for a small celebration.

Written Jun 27, 2026Sponsored
PlaceJung-gu, SeoulRestaurants

Myeongdong Italian spot: 20th-anniversary carrot set, Mano di Chef

Mano di Chef Myeongdong Branch is an Italian restaurant with a Namsan view on the 11th floor of the UNESCO Building in Myeongdong, Seoul. For its 20th anniversary carrot season, the writer ordered the Carrot Table set for two with an option upgrade for ₩95,900: carrot glacé, gamtae (seaweed) pesto octopus gnocchi and red shrimp bisque linguine, with mini carrots as soft and sweet as sweet potato. With an unlimited wine set and free corkage, Mano di Chef Myeongdong suits anyone looking for a stylish place for a get-together.

Written Jun 30, 2026Sponsored
PlaceJung-gu, SeoulRestaurants

Euljiro 3-ga makchang grill, rainy weekday with my sibling: Baegyeom

Baegyeom Makchang Euljiro Main Branch is a makchang (grilled beef intestine) restaurant one minute from Euljiro 3-ga Station Exit 11 in Jung-gu, Seoul, serving salt-aged makchang that arrives already pre-grilled. After work on a weekday, the writer and a younger sibling shared 3 servings of Daegu makchang and jeotgal fried rice (fried rice with salted seafood), and especially liked how quickly the plump pre-grilled makchang turned crispy and the complimentary kongbiji (soybean pulp stew). Baegyeom Makchang is a solid Euljiro 3-ga pick for crispy makchang without a long wait and some unusual sides.

Written Jul 5, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMapo, SeoulCafés

Daeheung Station café: Winsum americano and pecan choco scone, Ieo

Ieo Coffee Roasters Gongdeok Branch is a coffee roastery café on a side street between Daeheung Station and Gongdeok Station in Mapo, Seoul, near Gyeongui Line Forest Park. After a weekend walk along the park with a younger sibling, the writer tried an iced americano made with Winsum beans, an almond latte, an egg financier, a lemon cake and a walnut pecan chocolate scone, and the chocolate scone taken home was praised as "the best scone of my life." With four coffee beans to choose from and mostly two-person tables, Ieo Coffee Roasters Gongdeok Branch suits conversation or light work.

Written Jul 7, 2026Sponsored
PlaceYeongdeungpo, SeoulBars

Mullae teppanyaki bar for ex-coworkers: motsunabe set at Akai Teppan

Akai Teppan is a Japanese-style teppanyaki bar near Mullae Station in Yeongdeungpo, Seoul. After work, the writer and a group of former coworkers ordered the nabe okko set (45,900 won) with motsunabe (spicy beef intestine hotpot) and Akai okonomiyaki, plus honey sawa and lemonade. With a roomy, cool dining room, a spicy intestine-packed hotpot and a layered okonomiyaki, Akai Teppan is a good pick for a girls' night out or a date.

Written Jul 13, 2026Sponsored