Suwon Door Opener · 56 stories

Through Restaurant Doors

I write about meals and impressions from restaurants I visit in Seoul. · Writes about: Restaurants · Things to do · Cafés · Hair & beauty salons · Bars

PlaceYeongdeungpo, SeoulRestaurants

Yeouido IFC Mall tteokbokki bar: 10-minute kit at home, Hyeonseonine

Hyeonseonine Premium IFC Mall Branch is a tteokbokki and Korean snack bar on basement level 2 of IFC Mall in Yeouido, Seoul. After falling for it in the shop, the writer often takes home the instant tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes cooked in a pot) for 2 at 22,000 won; the vacuum-packed ingredients plus 500ml of water tasted just like the shop's in 10 minutes. Hyeonseonine's instant tteokbokki is worth ordering both in the shop and as a takeout kit.

Written Oct 27, 2026Sponsored
PlaceJung-gu, SeoulRestaurants

Euljiro 3-ga gimbap shop, keto crab and tofu-pouch dinner: 29 Tamago

29 Tamago Euljiro Branch is a keto gimbap, fusion gimbap and fresh-pressed juice shop on the 2nd floor above Mega Coffee near Euljiro 3-ga Station in Jung-gu, Seoul. At 7pm on a weekday, the writer ate four rolls there (keto tuna, keto crab, keto veggie and tofu-pouch gimbap, 9,000 to 10,500 won each), and the whole rolled omelet and vegetables packed right to the ends made them filling even without carbs. 29 Tamago Euljiro Branch suits Euljiro office workers looking for a low-sugar, low-carb, high-fat solo meal.

Written Jun 4, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMapo, SeoulRestaurants

Burrito shop in Sangam, Seoul: smoky chicken beats lamb, Zilhal Bros

Zilhal Bros Sangam is a New York street halal-style kebab, burrito and over rice shop in Savoy City DMC, Sangam-dong, Mapo, Seoul. The writer shared a chicken kebab burrito (₩10,800), a lamb kebab burrito (₩11,400), a chicken kebab without rice (₩6,800) and French fries (₩6,500), and found the smoky chicken kebab burrito tastier than the lamb. Thanks to its spotless, neatly organized open kitchen, Zilhal Bros Sangam is a lunch spot in Sangam you can eat at with confidence.

Written Oct 24, 2026Sponsored
PlaceJung-gu, SeoulRestaurants

Euljiro ramen shop, solo weeknight: pork belly chashu shoyu, Mentsuru

Mentsuru Euljiro Branch is a Japanese ramen shop in an alley near Exit 9 of Euljiro 3-ga Station in Jung-gu, Seoul, serving classic ramen alongside Japanese rice bowls. On a weekday around 8 p.m., the writer ordered the 11,000-won shoyu (soy sauce) ramen in a clam-and-chicken broth, topped with pork belly chashu, chashu, a soft-boiled egg and seaweed, plus a 4,000-won peach soda and homemade karaage. Mentsuru Euljiro Branch's shoyu ramen has a solid, non-greasy broth and well-made noodles, making it a good pick for a solo meal or a date in Euljiro.

Written Jun 8, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMapo, SeoulRestaurants

Hongdae pasta spot: toowoomba, seasoned potatoes, churros, Pasta Go

Pasta Go Hongdae Branch is a budget pasta restaurant on Wausan-ro 33-gil in Mapo, Seoul. On a June 2026 visit, the Shrimp Toowoomba Pasta solo set came at Shin Ramyun spice level and the Gnocchi Lover at the default level, with seasoned potatoes as the set side and choux cream churros from a review event. With 20% off every menu item and 25% off sets, Pasta Go Hongdae Branch serves pasta in the low-to-mid ₩10,000s, making it a great-value pasta spot in Hongdae.

Written Jun 13, 2026Sponsored
PlaceBucheon, GyeonggiRestaurants

Jakdong Korean restaurant, mackerel set with 12 banchan: Gim Myeongju

Gim Myeongju Tteuranchae Bapsang Bucheon Main Branch is a large Korean restaurant in Jakdong, Bucheon, near Kkachiul Station on Line 7. The writer, who has visited Gim Myeongju Tteuranchae Bapsang several times with their parents, ordered the grilled mackerel set (29,000 won) and got 12 banchan (side dishes), hwangmi (yellow) rice cooked in a stone pot and cheonggukjang (fermented soybean stew) in one spread. Unlimited banchan refills at the self-serve bar make Gim Myeongju Tteuranchae Bapsang a hearty Jakdong Korean restaurant where overeating is a real risk.

Written Jun 11, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSuwon, GyeonggiRestaurants

Suwon pizzeria, steak burrata with mushroom-filled crust: The European

The European Haenggung Main Branch (더유로피언 행궁본점) is a wood-fired pizza and Western restaurant in Haenggung-dong, Suwon, near Hwaseong Fortress, where the food is reportedly made by a Western-cuisine chef with 10 years at the Shilla Hotel. The signature steak burrata pizza (₩31,000) came generously topped and filling, with well-cooked steak and a chewy mushroom-filled crust. For steak and salad on one pizza, the steak burrata pizza at The European Haenggung Main Branch is a sure pick.

Written Jun 17, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSuwon, GyeonggiRestaurants

Suwon katsu spot: solo curry katsu & potato croquettes, Myeonsikdang

Myeonsikdang Mangpo Station is a Japanese and pho restaurant on the first floor of Golden Square, right outside Exit 3 of Mangpo Station in Suwon. On a solo lunch stop during an errand in Suwon, the order was spicy curry katsu (13,500 won), 2 pieces of mozzarella cheese katsu, 4 potato croquettes and a lemonade, and the thick handmade pork loin cutlet paired well with the rich, thick Japanese curry. With charger-equipped solo bar seats and no break time, Myeonsikdang Mangpo Station is an easy place to eat alone near Mangpo Station.

Written Oct 17, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSuwon, GyeonggiCafés

Suwon bagel café: smell 6 teas & see the rooftop at Orange Bagel

Orange Bagel is a large Brooklyn, New York-style bakery café on Omokcheon-ro in Gwonseon-gu, Suwon. On an early visit, the writer browsed a display of about 20 kinds of bagels and Orange Bagel merchandise, smelled 6 teas before choosing one, and toured the 1st- and 2nd-floor seating, the terrace and the 3rd-floor rooftop. With its spacious interior, ample parking and wide bagel selection, Orange Bagel is a Suwon bakery café that works for any company.

Written Jun 15, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSuwon, GyeonggiThings to do

Silver ring one-day class in Suwon: 42 fixed-price designs at Loventa

Loventa Suwon Haenggung (반지공방 로벤타 수원행궁) is a silver ring workshop running one-day classes near the Haenggung-dong mural village in Suwon, Gyeonggi. The writer chose the Amelia design from 42 fixed-price options, shaped it by hand with a file and sandpaper, then explored Haenggung-dong and collected the ring the same day. At 80,000–140,000 won Loventa feels a little pricey, but top-grade materials and 1:1 coaching mean even beginners can make a ring without worrying about ruining it.

Written Jun 18, 2026Sponsored
PlaceBucheon, GyeonggiRestaurants

Pizza shop in Bucheon: cheese-crust bacon potato to go, Choegang

Choegang Pizza Main Branch (최강피자 본점) is a delivery and takeout pizza shop in the Hallamaeul Complex 3 shopping arcade on Doyak-ro, Wonmi-gu, Bucheon, Gyeonggi, known for its farro dough made with the superfood farro and generous toppings. The writer picked up a large Bacon Potato pizza (26,900 won) with a cheese crust added (4,000 won) and praised the wedge-potato-loaded topping, the strongly garlicky dipping sauce and how good the leftovers tasted reheated in an air fryer the next day. With 7,000 won off on Wednesdays plus a takeout discount, Choegang Pizza Main Branch is worth considering for late-night or park-picnic pizza in Bucheon.

Written Jun 24, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMapo, SeoulRestaurants

Hongdae oven chicken takeout with a 41g-protein chicken bake: Goobne

Goobne Chicken Hongdae Red Road is a newly opened oven-baked chicken restaurant on Jandari-ro in Mapo, Seoul, near Hapjeong Station and Hongdae KT&G Sangsang Madang, with terrace seating and dining halls on two floors. After a look around, the writer took home Gochu Basasak (crispy chili chicken, 22,900 won) and a first-ever chicken bake (8,000 won), and with the chicken bake added, the meal was filling enough to leave a third of the usual whole chicken. Goobne Chicken Hongdae Red Road opens at 11 a.m. every day of the year, making it a good pick for daytime drinks or evening chicken and beer on the terrace.

Written Oct 15, 2026Sponsored