Dresser Drawer · 94 stories

The Vanity Drawer

I share impressions from my visits to beauty spaces in Seoul. · Writes about: Beauty products · Hair & beauty salons · Restaurants · Cafés · Food & snacks · Shopping · Things to do · Bars

PlaceGangnam, SeoulRestaurants

Yeoksam eel restaurant for coworker lunch: hitsumabushi 3 ways, Chisot

Chisot Yeoksam Main Branch (치솟 역삼본점) is a Japanese restaurant near Yeoksam Station in Gangnam, Seoul, known for hitsumabushi (Nagoya-style grilled eel over rice). On a weekday lunch, the writer ordered the Special Hitsumabushi at Chisot Yeoksam Main Branch and alternated between three ways of eating it: as is, with the side condiments added, and with warm broth poured over. The verdict: when you want a filling, out-of-the-ordinary office lunch instead of the usual Korean set meal, the Special Hitsumabushi at Chisot Yeoksam Main Branch is a great choice.

Written Oct 27, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGangnam, SeoulRestaurants

Yeoksam office lunch, gukbap & solo suyuk: Namdo Changpyeong Gukbap

Namdo Changpyeong Gukbap (남도창평국밥) is a gukbap (Korean rice soup) restaurant on Nonhyeon-ro near Yeoksam Station in Gangnam, Seoul. On a weekday lunch break, the writer ordered the meat gukbap set and a single-serving suyuk (boiled pork), alternating between the clear, clean broth and the tender pork for a filling meal. Namdo Changpyeong Gukbap suits Yeoksam office workers and solo diners who want a mild Korean lunch instead of something spicy.

Written Oct 26, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGangseo, SeoulCafés

Balsan Station bakery: regular financier run for my wife, Byway Bakers

Byway Bakers Balsan Station is a financier-focused bakery café near Balsan Station in Gangseo, Seoul. The writer stops by Byway Bakers often whenever visiting Balsan Station, buying mostly financiers (small French butter cakes) for his wife, who loves them, and praises the rich butter aroma, the not-too-sweet taste and the good value of the salty financier. Verdict: Byway Bakers Balsan Station is a dessert café near Balsan Station worth trying at least once if you love financiers.

Written Jun 2, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGangseo, SeoulRestaurants

Magok Station Japanese restaurant, ₩35,000 set for two: Weanssi Sushi

Weanssi Sushi Magok Main Branch is a sushi and sashimi restaurant on Gonghang-daero near Magok Station in Gangseo, Seoul. The writer ordered the Weanssi Special for two (35,000 won) and got sushi, sashimi, tempura and grilled rockfish together on one table. Weanssi Sushi's Weanssi Special suits two people who want to try a range of Japanese dishes without ordering anything extra.

Written Oct 25, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSeo-gu, IncheonShopping

Seogucheong home goods store for beginner running gear: On Saenghwal

On Saenghwal (온생활) is a large home goods store on the 1st and 2nd floors of Seonmin Building, 57 Tagok-ro, near Seogucheong in Seo-gu, Incheon. After taking up running at home and failing to find running accessories at Daiso, the writer went to On Saenghwal for beginner gear like a running armband, compression socks and a sports water bottle, and also browsed the storage, kitchen and seasonal sections. On Saenghwal is a good place for new runners to pick up accessories at prices that won't strain the budget.

Written Jun 3, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGangnam, SeoulRestaurants

Yeoksam Station Chinese for one: jjajangmyeon feast, Jjamppong Jijon

Jjamppong Jijon Yeoksam Branch is a Chinese restaurant specializing in jjamppong (spicy seafood noodle soup) on Teheran-ro 10-gil near Yeoksam Station in Gangnam, Seoul. Dining alone, the writer ordered jjajangmyeon (black bean noodles) as the base, with crispy menbosha (shrimp toast) and tangy yuringi (fried chicken in a sweet-sour soy sauce), and was happy to enjoy three distinct flavors in one meal. For office workers near Yeoksam Station who want a proper Chinese meal on their own, Jjamppong Jijon Yeoksam Branch deserves a spot on the list.

Written Oct 23, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGangseo, SeoulRestaurants

Balsan Station gyukatsu for office workers: jumbo set & curry, Ichigyu

Ichigyu Balsan Station Branch is a Japanese restaurant serving gyukatsu (breaded, fried beef cutlet) near Balsan Station in Gangseo, Seoul. The writer ordered the jumbo gyukatsu set together with Japanese curry, alternating between the crispy coating, the tender beef and the rich curry. When a busy day calls for a filling, slightly special meal, the jumbo gyukatsu set and curry combo at Ichigyu Balsan Station Branch is a good fit.

Written Oct 23, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGangnam, SeoulRestaurants

Samseong Station bossam restaurant: stew-to-naengmyeon set, Yangeunine

Yangeunine Samseong Station Branch is a bossam-focused Korean restaurant on Teheran-ro 83-gil near Samseong Station in Gangnam, Seoul. The writer ordered the Daepyo Yangeunine set, which brings pollack stew (dongtae-jjigae), squid bossam and mul naengmyeon (cold noodles in broth), starting with the warm stew, moving on to the bossam and finishing with the icy noodles. On a day when you want stew, meat and noodles rather than a single dish, the Daepyo Yangeunine set at Yangeunine Samseong Station Branch is a hearty choice.

Written Oct 20, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGangnam, SeoulRestaurants

Gangnam Station Chinese: top-form guobaorou & mala tofu, Sinbok

Sinbok Myeongwan (신복면관) is a Chinese restaurant on the B1 floor of Central Prugio City near Gangnam Station Exit 1 in Seoul, serving everything from knife-cut noodles and dim sum to dishes like guobaorou (crispy sweet-and-sour pork) and mala tofu. On this visit the writer ordered guobaorou and mala tofu, and the crispy, chewy, tangy-sweet pork and the numbing, spicy tofu balanced each other so neither got tiring to the last bite. For anyone looking for guobaorou near Gangnam Station, the Sinbok Myeongwan guobaorou deserves to be called the one in top form right now.

Written Oct 22, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGangseo, SeoulRestaurants

Balsan Korean restaurant with my daughter: abalone set for 2, Mikodam

Mikodam Magok-Balsan Branch (미꼬담 마곡발산점) is a tidy Korean set-meal restaurant near Balsan Station in Gangseo, Seoul. The writer and her daughter ordered the set meal for 2 with abalone added. They got a full spread of cockles, grilled mackerel, seaweed soup, yukjeon (pan-fried beef) and refillable side dishes, and finished two bowls of rice. For a generous Korean meal with a child near Balsan Station, Mikodam Magok-Balsan Branch's set for 2 with abalone is a satisfying choice.

Written Jun 10, 2026Sponsored
PlaceYeongdeungpo, SeoulRestaurants

Seonyudo gukbap spot for a solo suyuk set and seafood pajeon: Deundeun

Deundeun Haejanggukbap Seonyudo Station Branch is a 24-hour gukbap (rice soup) restaurant on Yangpyeong-ro near Seonyudo Station in Yeongdeungpo, Seoul. The writer went alone late at night, ordered the spicy pork gukbap with a suyuk (boiled pork) set and a seafood pajeon (savory pancake), and liked the all-you-can-eat sundae (Korean blood sausage) best. For a hearty late-night solo meal without feeling out of place, Deundeun Haejanggukbap Seonyudo Station Branch is a good choice.

Written Oct 19, 2026Sponsored
PlaceYeongdeungpo, SeoulCafés

Yeongdeungpo café: Dubai choco salt bread with an americano, BYWAY

BYWAY BAKERS Yeongdeungpo Branch is a bakery café on Dangsan-ro 27-gil, near Yeongdeungpo-gu Office Station in Seoul. The writer had an americano and several baked goods in the shop, and the sweet-salty Dubai chocolate salt bread was the most memorable. BYWAY BAKERS Yeongdeungpo Branch is a good stop when you want to slowly enjoy coffee and bread in a pleasant, stylish space.

Written Oct 19, 2026Sponsored