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I write about books I pick up and beauty products I try in everyday life. · Writes about: Books & stationery · Beauty products · Restaurants · Cafés
Downtowner Gangnam is a burger shop on Teheran-ro 1-gil near Gangnam Station in Seoul. On a weekend day off, the writer ate alone, ordering a beef-patty Classic Cheeseburger and a Sprite Zero, and used the self-serve pickle and hot sauce bar, the drink dispenser for refills and the bar-table seats. It was the writer's first Downtowner burger, and satisfying enough that they now want to try other Downtowner branches.
Downtowner Gwanggyojungang Station is a handmade burger shop right next to Gwanggyojungang Station in Suwon, Gyeonggi. Lunch at Downtowner Gwanggyojungang Station was a Classic Cheeseburger, a Crispy Chicken Burger, Jumbo Mozzarella Sticks and onion fries, with free use of the self-serve soda dispenser and pickle bar, plus about 1 hour of parking covered. The crunchy, cheese-packed Jumbo Mozzarella Sticks made even the sides a highlight of this Gwanggyojungang Station lunch.
Boriook Main Branch (보리옥 본점) is an all-you-can-eat barley rice Korean restaurant on Yeongtong-ro 200beon-gil in Yeongtong-gu, Suwon. At Boriook Main Branch, the writer paired a mackerel side with a self-serve bar of mostly namul (seasoned vegetable) side dishes, pressed a self-serve kimchi pancake thin and fried it until crisp, and found that the cheonggukjang (fermented soybean stew) served first had a mild, easygoing aroma. Boriook Main Branch is a spacious, comfortable barley rice restaurant for a generous meal of namul sides and dessert.
Downtown Burger Shinsegae Department Store Cheonan-Asan is a handmade burger restaurant on the 4th floor of Building B at Shinsegae Department Store, near Cheonan Terminal. Still craving the taste from the Gangnam branch, the writer stopped by while in Cheonan and ordered the Double Cheese Truffle burger (12,400 won), the signature Downtown Burger, jumbo mozzarella sticks and fries. Verdict: Downtown Burger Cheonan-Asan serves a juicy burger with a rich truffle aroma, and a nearby baby lounge makes it an easy pick with a child.
Taqueros Magok Main Branch is a Mexican family restaurant on the 2nd floor of Magok GMG Tower in Gangseo-gu, Seoul. On an outing with a baby, the writer had the free nacho chips and the Taqueros Signature menu served on a sizzling plate, and found the visit easy because staff offered a high chair before being asked and parking support is available. With generous portions and a pleasant atmosphere, Taqueros is worth recommending for a family meal in Magok.
Chilseong Jemyeonso Suji Main Branch (칠성제면소 수지본점) is a noodle restaurant on the first floor of Seohui Starhills in Seongbok-dong, Suji-gu, Yongin, serving jjolmyeon (chewy spicy noodles), udon, tonkatsu and bibimbap. On a visit with a baby, the writer had meat-topped bibimbap, bibim flat mandu (flat dumplings tossed in spicy sauce) and an udon set with tonkatsu, and found plenty of high chairs, kids' plates and utensils, and a menu stamp event that awards a 50,000-won meal voucher. With generous portions and easy parking, Chilseong Jemyeonso is a good fit for family meals with kids.
Myeonsikdang Mangpo Station (면식당 망포역점) is a Japanese restaurant on the first floor of Golden Square, right outside Mangpo Station in Suwon, serving tonkatsu, ramen, soba, rice bowls and rice noodles. On a weekend family meal with a baby, the writer ordered mazesobap (mazesoba served over rice), basic udon with skewered fishcake, a smoky mini buta-don (pork rice bowl) and a soft-boiled egg topping. Myeonsikdang Mangpo Station offers generous portions at easy prices, and its high chairs and friendly staff make it a comfortable Japanese restaurant near Mangpo Station for families with a baby.
Jju Baksa Magok Branch (쭈박사 마곡점) is a jjukkumi (webfoot octopus) restaurant on the first floor of Daebang DMCity 2nd in Magok-dong, Gangseo, Seoul, near Yangcheon Hyanggyo Station and Seoul Botanic Park. A Naver booking let the blogger skip the wait. They sat on the outdoor patio, which has burners and blankets, and ate a pork belly and octopus set at a mildly spicy level said to be about as hot as Shin Ramyun, adding spaghetti noodles and cheese steamed egg. With reserved seats, parking support and staff who stir-fry the food for you, Jju Baksa Magok Branch is an easy, comfortable octopus lunch spot in Magok.
Gungmin Nakgopsae Gangseo Branch is a nakgopsae (stir-fried octopus, offal and shrimp) restaurant on Gangseo-ro near Balsan Station in Gangseo, Seoul. Visiting with a baby, the writer used one of the restaurant's high chairs and shared a medium nakwoosae (octopus, offal and shrimp) between two, with no parking stress thanks to the large outdoor lot behind the building. With high chairs, a roomy dining room and parking, Gungmin Nakgopsae Gangseo Branch works for both family meals and team dinners.
Deokbang Research Institute’s Protect Your Jeonse and Monthly Rent Deposits is a Korean real-estate beginner’s book for readers in Korea. After first finding Deokbang Research Institute on YouTube, I found its repeated examples helpful for unfamiliar rental terms. Verdict: a friendly first guide for anyone worried about rental-deposit scams.
SoulGoddess is an oracle card deck from Korea for drawing cards and starting conversations at home. Drawing cards on the same topic with my husband, I loved the pretty package, illustrations, and feel in the hand—and one message made us burst out laughing. Verdict: SoulGoddess is a fun, quick conversation starter to bring out instead of a board game at a housewarming.
HEEDA Jirisan Moisture Charcoal Cleansing Foam is a 150ml mildly acidic charcoal face wash in a tube, tested through a season change when skin felt dry and breakout-prone. Light tone-up cream and sunscreen washed off cleanly with HEEDA Jirisan, and the finish was moist and fresh rather than tight. A gentle everyday cleanser for dry-season skin.
