Back Lane Taster · 5 stories

Back Lane Bites, Gyeonggi, Incheon, Gangwon and Seoul

Writes about restaurants, cafes and bars she visits across Gyeonggi, Incheon, Gangwon and Seoul. · Writes about: Restaurants · Cafés · Bars

PlaceJongno, SeoulRestaurants

Jongno 3-ga mandu hot pot, full at weekday lunch: Jongga Mandu

Jongga Mandu is a Korean restaurant specializing in mandu (dumpling) hot pot and shabu-shabu, on the ground floor along Supyo-ro just inside the Jeon Tae-il Memorial Hall in Jongno 3-ga, Seoul. Even at weekday lunch Jongga Mandu was full, and the half-and-half broth mandu hot pot for two (14,000 won per person) came with clear hwangtae (dried pollack) broth and spicy broth, handmade meat and kimchi dumplings, shabu-shabu beef, assorted vegetables and kalguksu noodles to finish. With extra geotjeori (fresh kimchi) and pickled radish from the self-serve bar, Jongga Mandu makes a warm, comforting meal that is easy on the stomach.

Written Aug 7, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGeomdan, IncheonRestaurants

Beef makchang and ₩8,900 gopchang hot pot in Geomdan: Hwang Gop

Hwang Gop Geomdan New Town Branch is a hanwoo (Korean beef) gopchang and makchang restaurant on the first floor of the Geomdan 26-danji apartment shopping arcade in Wondang-dong, Geomdan New Town, Incheon. The order was hanwoo gopchang (beef small intestine), grilled beef makchang, a 8,900 won ttukbaegi gopchang jeongol (hot pot in an earthenware bowl), fried rice and beer, with yukhoe (beef tartare) and muksabal (acorn jelly in chilled broth) served free as starters. Hwang Gop's gopchang arrives pre-grilled, so it's easy to cook at the table and has no gamey smell, a satisfying stop for anyone who loves gopchang.

Written Aug 6, 2026Sponsored
PlaceBucheon, GyeonggiRestaurants

Chunui-dong, Bucheon Korean restaurant with non-fishy soy crab: Gim

Gim Myeongju Tteuranchae Bapsang Bucheon Main Branch is a Korean set-meal restaurant in Chunui-dong, Bucheon, a 10-minute walk from Kkachiul Station. The writer ordered the Tteuranchae Bapsang set for two (13,000 won per person) plus an à la carte ganjang gejang (soy-marinated raw crab). The meal came with stone-pot rice, cheonggukjang (fermented soybean stew) and banchan served in brass bowls, and the soy crab had no fishy smell, with sungnyung (scorched-rice tea) as a pleasant finish. Verdict: with a spacious parking area right in front, Gim Myeongju Tteuranchae Bapsang is a good choice for a meal with your parents.

Written Aug 10, 2026Sponsored
PlaceNamdong, IncheonRestaurants

Five-cut beef half set, 300g, at a Nonhyeon-dong BBQ: Hanmaeum

Hanmaeum Jeongyuk Sikdang Incheon Nonhyeon Branch is a wet-aged beef and pork Korean BBQ restaurant on Pogu-ro in Nonhyeon-dong, Namdong, Incheon, a 7-minute walk from Soraepogu Station. The 300g beef half set brings five cuts at once — jingalbisal, galbisal, bone-in galbi, wusamgyeop and buchaesal — and the doenjang jjigae (soybean paste stew) came with free broth refills. With a kids' zone and a large parking lot, Hanmaeum Jeongyuk Sikdang suits families with children and group dinners.

Written Aug 12, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSokcho, GangwonRestaurants

Sokcho market stall for sorghum pancake to reheat: Ddogi-ne Twigim

Ddogi-ne Twigim is a squid sundae and tempura stall in the middle of Sokcho Jungang Market (Jungang Market) in Sokcho, Gangwon. This order was nurungji (scorched-rice) squid sundae, egg-battered squid sundae and 3 pieces of sujubukkumi (sorghum pancake), all packed to go and reheated in the microwave at the hotel, where the crisp edges and chewy texture still held up. Tasting the two squid sundae styles side by side was the fun part at Ddogi-ne Twigim, and the sujubukkumi made a perfect snack.

Written Aug 14, 2026Sponsored
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