Steam Rising, Seoul and Gyeonggi — Kettle Side Booth

Dog-friendly brunch café by Samyang Station, Seoul: Cafe Mendeolli

Cafe Mendeolli Suyu Branch is a vintage-style brunch café on the taxi-driver restaurant street between Hwagye Station and Samyang Station in Gangbuk, Seoul. The writer visited with their dog and ordered 2 ciabatta sandwiches, an avocado sandwich, an iced Americano, a fresh orange juice and a lemonade, and was pleased with the ciabatta the café says it bakes daily, the arugula aroma and the generous portions. Cafe Mendeolli Suyu Branch is a good fit for Gangbuk locals who want a relaxed brunch with their dog.

Written Apr 27, 2026Sponsored

PlaceGangbuk, SeoulRestaurants

Gangbuk, Seoul Chinese restaurant with mild jjamppong: Miseong Banjeom

Miseong Banjeom is a Chinese restaurant at the start of 4.19-ro in Gangbuk, Seoul, reportedly run by a chef who was formerly the head chef for the Blue House and the presidential office. The writer, her husband and one other adult ate Miseong jjamppong (spicy seafood noodle soup), unijjajangmyeon (black-bean noodles with finely minced sauce), aged pork loin tangsuyuk (sweet-and-sour pork) and handmade fried dumplings. The jjamppong broth was refreshing but not harsh, so even a pregnant diner ate it comfortably. With free parking and private rooms, Miseong Banjeom is a safe choice for families looking for mild Chinese food.

Written Jun 5, 2026Sponsored

PlaceGoyang, GyeonggiRestaurants

Ilsan sushi restaurant while pregnant: extra flatfish fin, Hwangje

Hwangje Sushi Ilsan Main Branch is a sushi restaurant on the first floor of the Sangga-dong building at Baengma-ro in Janghang-dong, Ilsandong-gu, Goyang. The pregnant writer and her husband ordered the VIP sushi 12-piece and the live fish assortment sushi 12-piece and enjoyed the seasonal porridge and tempura, and the husband liked the flatfish fin so much that he ordered extra. Hwangje Sushi Ilsan Main Branch is an easy Ilsan sushi stop with free parking, as long as you take elevator No. 5 from the parking lot instead of the shopping-arcade elevator.

Written Jul 3, 2026Sponsored