Hapjeong Lane Reader · 8 stories

Plain Shelf, Seoul and Daegu-Gyeongbuk Restaurants and Cafes

Writes about small restaurants, cafes, and bars in Seoul and Daegu-Gyeongbuk. · Writes about: Bars · Restaurants · Cafés

PlaceGwanak, SeoulRestaurants

Sillim Korean BBQ: review-event odol galbi, pork skin at Sillim Hwaro

Sillim Hwaro (신림화로) is a pre-grilled charcoal Korean BBQ restaurant on Bongcheon-ro in Gwanak, Seoul, near Sillim Station. The writer ordered the grill set for 2 (pork neck, pork belly and odol galbi, or pork rib cartilage) with doenjang stew and bibim naengmyeon (spicy cold noodles), received odol galbi and pork skin through the review event, and was also given a strawberry milk hwachae (fruit punch) on the house. Sillim Hwaro suits anyone looking for good-value Korean BBQ in Sillim, with smoky charcoal-flavored meat, plenty of side dishes and generous extras.

Written Jun 21, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGyeongju, GyeongbukCafés

Gyeongju Bomun café near closing: pumpkin bingsu for one, Bibibidang

Bibibidang Gyeongju (비비비당) is a Korean-style café inside the Uyang Museum in the Bomun area of Gyeongju. Arriving near closing time, the traditional red bean bingsu (shaved ice) was sold out, so the order was a single-serving pumpkin bingsu and dawan coffee, a cold brew served in a bowl, both with elegant presentation, a gentle pumpkin flavor and rich coffee. Bibibidang Gyeongju is pricey, but one look at the tray explains why, and it delivers a refined taste of Korea.

Written Jul 2, 2026Sponsored
PlaceYeongdeungpo, SeoulBars

Weekend izakaya in Yeouido: ₩40,000 Set 1, chicken skin skewer, Sodam

Robadayakki Sodam Yeouido Branch is a robatayaki izakaya (Japanese grill pub) on Yeouidaebang-ro 65-gil near Saetgang Station in Yeongdeungpo, Seoul. On a weekend evening the writer ordered Set 1 (40,000 won: oden nabe hotpot and mixed skewers) and added grilled mackerel (19,000 won). Highlights were the free fried egg, the chicken skin skewer and the big grilled mackerel. Robadayakki Sodam Yeouido Branch is a good pick for anyone who wants easy conversation over drinks and tasty bar food.

Written Oct 13, 2026Sponsored
PlaceJung-gu, SeoulRestaurants

Pre-train gyukatsu dinner at Seoul Station, bound for Pohang: Ichigyu

Ichigyu Seoul Station Branch is a gyukatsu (breaded beef cutlet) and steki (Japanese-style steak) restaurant on basement level 1 of the LG Seoul Station Building in Jung-gu, Seoul. After work, before a train to Pohang, the writer booked a 7 PM table through Naver and had Set 4 (striploin gyukatsu and striploin steki), a mini curry and the free karaage that comes with a reservation. The writer came to Ichigyu for the gyukatsu but left naming the striploin steki as the dish to order.

Written Jul 1, 2026Sponsored
PlacePohang, GyeongbukRestaurants

Pohang mulhoe spot, pink decor and review-event fried squid: Ppwang

Ppwang Mulhoe (퐝물회) is a mulhoe (cold raw fish soup) restaurant on Haean-ro by Yeongildae Beach in Pohang, known for its pink-themed interior and a buffet-style self-serve side dish bar. We ordered the squid mulhoe and the signature Ppwang mulhoe and got fried squid through a review event, and every squid dish at Ppwang Mulhoe, from the self-bar squid soup to the mulhoe and fried squid, was delicious. Verdict: Ppwang Mulhoe is a squid lover's dream and a Yeongildae mulhoe spot especially worth recommending to families with kids.

Written Jul 2, 2026Sponsored
PlaceYeongdeungpo, SeoulRestaurants

Yeouido burger spot with unlimited chip and sauce refills: Bass Burger

Bass Burger Yeouido is a handmade burger restaurant on basement level 1 of the Yulchon Building near Yeouido Station in Seoul, where dine-in guests get unlimited refills of James Gam potato chips and sauces. The writer paired the Bass Burger set (12,100 won) and the wasabi mayo shrimp burger set with a chili mochi cheese bar and Bass Lager; at lunchtime Bass Burger Yeouido filled up fast, so arriving even a little late meant a wait. Verdict: if you love sauces, dining in at Bass Burger Yeouido, a true sauce heaven, clearly beats ordering delivery.

Written Jul 15, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGwanak, SeoulRestaurants

Sillim Indian restaurant, first pani puri with parents: India Darbar

India Darbar is an Indian curry restaurant on the 2nd floor of 309 Sillim-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, near Sillim Station. A regular who has been to India Darbar more than five times brought their parents, tried pani puri for the first time, and shared a 17,500 won weekend set for one (palak paneer, chicken tandoori and lassi) plus a chicken makhani curry à la carte. India Darbar has a few things to improve, but it is a Sillim Indian curry spot where you can properly enjoy authentic-tasting Indian food.

Written Oct 6, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMapo, SeoulBars

Hapjeong Station chicken pub: cumin fries and Tsingtao draft at Hogye

Hogye Hapjeong Main Branch is a Hong Kong-style whole chicken pub in a basement on Yanghwa-ro 6-gil near Hapjeong Station in Mapo, Seoul. On a Tuesday at 6:30 pm, the writer ordered the signature Morning Glory whole chicken for 26,500 won with review-event cumin fries, Tsingtao draft beer and lemonade, and finished the chicken and rice in 30 minutes. The Morning Glory whole chicken at Hogye Hapjeong Main Branch is a must-try.

Written Aug 3, 2026Sponsored
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