Kitchen Peeker · 7 stories

A Back Kitchen in Suji

Writes about small restaurants and everyday meals found around Gyeonggi-do. · Writes about: Restaurants · Bars

PlaceGoyang, GyeonggiRestaurants

Siksa-dong dumpling spot: thin-skin mandu, kalguksu refills, Arirang

Arirang Gaeseong Son Mandu Siksa Branch is a Korean restaurant specializing in handmade mandu (dumplings) and mandu jeongol (dumpling hot pot) in Siksa-dong, Ilsandong-gu, Goyang, Gyeonggi. On a lunch stop during an errand in Ilsan, the writer ordered 2 servings of the Gaeseong handmade mandu & beef shabu single set and was struck by the unlimited handmade kalguksu (knife-cut noodles), the separately served kimchi and meat steamed mandu, and the big, thin-skinned handmade dumplings. Arirang Gaeseong Son Mandu Siksa Branch suits anyone looking for a filling lunch in a spacious, comfortable dining room.

Written May 4, 2026Sponsored
PlaceEunpyeong, SeoulRestaurants

Seoul Korean BBQ at Eungam Station: pork neck in pink salt, Yukjjip

Yukjjip (육쯥) Eungam Station main branch is a Korean BBQ restaurant about a 1-minute walk from Eungam Station in Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul, grilling Jirisan-aged pork over charcoal. At Yukjjip, the writer ordered 2 servings of the signature pork neck and yeolmu bibim guksu (spicy noodles with young radish kimchi), and staff grilled the meat at the table. Verdict: Yukjjip's thick pork neck stays juicy rather than dry, and is best dipped in pink salt or eaten topped with the yeolmu noodles.

Written May 5, 2026Sponsored
PlacePaju, GyeonggiRestaurants

Noodle house lunch on a Paju outlet drive, ₩28,000 for two: Cheonje

Cheonje Guksu (천제국수) is a Korean noodle and suyuk (boiled pork slices) restaurant on Saeori-ro in Tanhyeon-myeon, Paju, near Paju Premium Outlets and Heyri Art Village. On a drive to the Paju outlets, two of us ordered doenjang guksu (soybean paste noodles, ₩11,000), bibim guksu (spicy mixed noodles, ₩9,000) and a single serving of suyuk (₩8,000) for ₩28,000 in total, with banchan that includes tofu, a self-serve cucumber and pepper corner and instant coffee for dessert. At Cheonje Guksu, bibim guksu paired with a single serving of suyuk was the most satisfying combination.

Written Oct 19, 2026Sponsored
PlaceEunpyeong, SeoulRestaurants

Saejeol Station ramen shop, back after a year for karai paitan: Oreno

Oreno Ramen Eunpyeong is a chicken-broth ramen shop on Bulgwangcheon-gil near Saejeol Station in Eunpyeong, Seoul. A year after a first visit, the writer returned with a friend for a weekend lunch of tori paitan (creamy chicken-broth ramen), karai paitan (its spicy version), tsukune chashu and an extra soft-boiled egg, and nearly finished the broth despite rarely drinking ramen soup. The spicy karai paitan was the favorite of the day, and Oreno Ramen Eunpyeong is a ramen shop the writer will definitely revisit.

Written Jun 28, 2026Sponsored
PlaceEunpyeong, SeoulRestaurants

Birthday dinner Korean BBQ in Yeonsinnae: 300g hanwoo sirloin, Sambaek

Sambaek Hanu Daecheop (삼백한우대첩) is a hanwoo (Korean beef) restaurant in Yeonsinnae, Eunpyeong, Seoul. For her older sister's belated birthday, the blogger ordered the 300g fresh hanwoo sirloin set with steamed rice and beer, and received a free mul naengmyeon (cold noodles) through a Naver review event. The portion filled two people, and the sirloin with salt and wasabi was especially tender, making Sambaek Hanu Daecheop a satisfying birthday dinner.

Written Jul 18, 2026Sponsored
PlaceJung-gu, SeoulRestaurants

Solo seats with phone holders and motsu ramen in Jung-gu: Mentsuru

Mentsuru City Hall Branch is a ramen restaurant near Exit 10 of City Hall Station in Jung-gu, Seoul, open daily 11:00–21:30 with no break time. A late lunch visit meant a kiosk order of motsu ramen (beef intestine ramen) and hormone-don (seasoned beef offal over rice), with a free drink or fried gyoza for joining the Naver review event. Rich broth, beef intestine with no off smell and well-seasoned rice bowls make Mentsuru a filling meal alone or with a friend.

Written Aug 17, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGoyang, GyeonggiRestaurants

Saturday lunch ramen restaurant in Ilsan: rich motsu bowl at Gyedan

Gyedan Ramen Ilsan Main Branch is a tonkotsu ramen restaurant on Bamlidan-gil in Ilsandong-gu, Goyang, Gyeonggi. On a Saturday lunch there was no wait, and two diners shared motsu ramen ordered "jinhage" (rich), the standard Gyedan Ramen and tamago-bap (egg rice): the makchang was not chewy and the broth tasted deep with a clean finish. Stirring in a little of the table's spicy secret sauce partway through turns one bowl into two different flavors.

Written Sep 16, 2026Sponsored
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