Water Jug · 29 stories

The Water Pitcher

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

PlaceMapo, SeoulRestaurants

Gongdeok wedding-diet food shop: mala salmon tofu noodles, Why Starve

Why Starve Diet Gongdeok Main Branch is a diet food restaurant in Mapo, Seoul, on the B1 level of Lotte Castle President, connected directly to Gongdeok Station Exit 2. Dieting before a wedding, the writer ate alone around 2 p.m. and ordered the mala salmon tofu noodle protein box (₩14,900) with sriracha mayo sauce and a zero-sugar berry kombucha. Seeing staff clean even the kitchen floor during break time built trust in the hygiene. If you want diet food that isn't bland, Why Starve's mala protein box is the answer.

Written Nov 8, 2026Sponsored
PlaceJongno, SeoulRestaurants

Hyehwa poke shop dining solo: duck protein pasta & salmon, Sallering

Sallering Daehak-ro is a poke and protein pasta shop in Jongno, Seoul, a 2-minute walk from Exit 2 of Hyehwa Station, with mostly two-person tables. The writer ordered the smoked duck protein pasta (12,500 won) with basil garlic mayo and the real raw salmon bibim poke (13,900 won) with pollock roe wasabi mayo dressing, and was happy with both. For a light but filling solo meal before a Daehak-ro play, Sallering Daehak-ro is a good fit.

Written Nov 5, 2026Sponsored
PlaceJeonju, JeonbukRestaurants

Jeonju chicken soup restaurant for parents after the flu: Eonyang Dak

Eonyang Dak Kalguksu Songcheon-dong Eco City Branch (언양닭칼국수 송천동에코시티점) is a restorative chicken-broth restaurant near the Songcheon Station intersection in Deokjin-gu, Jeonju, serving kalguksu (knife-cut noodle soup), dak gomtang (chicken soup) and handmade dumplings made with long-simmered chicken broth. After a seasonal bout of flu, the writer's parents shared a chicken kalguksu and dumpling set (13,500 won), Eonyang-style kalguksu (8,500 won) and dak gomtang (11,000 won), and liked it enough to add extra chicken for 4,000 won. With a large parking lot and a private room, Eonyang Dak Kalguksu is a solid pick for a nourishing family meal with parents.

Written Oct 31, 2026Sponsored
PlaceJung-gu, SeoulRestaurants

Rice-bowl shop at City Hall Station: after-work hormone-don, Mentsuru

Mentsuru City Hall Branch is a Japanese ramen and rice-bowl restaurant near Exit 10 of City Hall Station in Jung-gu, Seoul. After work, the writer ate dinner alone at a counter seat with a power outlet and ordered the hormone-don, a 15,000 won rice bowl topped with beef large intestine (daechang) and thin-sliced beef brisket in teriyaki sauce. The portion was generous and the sweet-salty flavor was addictive. For office workers near City Hall Station who want a filling solo dinner, the hormone-don at Mentsuru City Hall Branch is a strong pick.

Written May 27, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGangseo, SeoulRestaurants

Kkachisan Station Korean BBQ: anchovy-dipped kkodeulsal, Gwangseonjip

Gwangseonjip Kkachisan Station Main Branch is a charcoal-grilled Korean BBQ restaurant specializing in pork specialty cuts, near Exit 2 of Kkachisan Station in Gangseo, Seoul. A regular ordered the 540g mixed half platter for two (49,700 won), dipped kkodeulsal and bodeulsal (chewy and tender pork specialty cuts) in anchovy fish sauce, and added side dishes like corn cheese plus braised scallion kimchi. Gwangseonjip suits anyone near Kkachisan Station who wants specialty pork cuts and generous banchan without the hassle of grilling.

Written Oct 27, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSeocho, SeoulBars

Sadang bar for taco fajitas and alcohol-free Bundaberg: Weizenhaus

Weizenhaus Bangbae Branch 1 is a large two-level basement beer bar a 1-minute walk from Exit 11 of Sadang Station in Seocho, Seoul. The writer and a friend ordered taco fajitas (₩29,000), Harry Potter dark beer (₩6,800) and a non-alcoholic Bundaberg (₩6,000), and liked the addictive complimentary sweet potato snack, the nutty dark beer and the clean space with 2000s K-pop playing. With plenty of seats right by the station, Weizenhaus Bangbae Branch 1 is a solid pick for group dinners and get-togethers near Sadang Station.

Written Jun 4, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGangnam, SeoulHair & beauty salons

Apgujeong nail salon short-nail extensions, white gradient: Naeil Didi

Naeil Didi is a sky-view nail salon on the 6th floor of a building in Apgujeong, Gangnam, Seoul, a 4-minute walk from Exit 6 of Apgujeongnodeo Station. Three days before her wedding shoot, a bride-to-be with short nails had her first nail extensions at Naeil Didi (₩8,000 per nail) plus a gradient design (₩70,000). She tested white and peach before choosing a white-tipped gradient syrup. The 2-hour session made her fingers look longer and slimmer and matched her white dress, making Naeil Didi a satisfying choice for wedding nails.

Written Oct 25, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMapo, SeoulRestaurants

Sinchon Thai restaurant: soy-based beef noodle soup for 3, Fong Thai

Fong Thai Sinchon Main Branch is a Thai restaurant on the 2nd floor of a building on Baekbeom-ro near Sinchon Station Exit 6 in Mapo, Seoul, known for Thai-style rice noodle soup with a soy sauce–based broth. Three diners filled up on beef rice noodle soup (₩9,500), pad thai goong (shrimp pad thai), stir-fried morning glory and poo pad pong curry (crab curry), and the deep-colored broth's subtle, herbal-medicine-like flavor tasted authentically Thai. Fong Thai Sinchon Main Branch suits anyone looking for a richer Thai-style noodle soup rather than Vietnamese pho.

Written Jun 12, 2026Sponsored
PlaceYangcheon, SeoulRestaurants

Garlic gopchang on half-outdoor seats near Omokgyo Station: Omokgyo

Omokgyo Gopchang Mokdong Main Branch is an old-school gopchang (grilled beef intestines) restaurant in Yangcheon, Seoul, a 3-minute walk from Omokgyo Station Exit 1. At a half-outdoor table, we had 2 servings of the traditional handmade garlic gopchang (₩28,900 per person, limited to 30 servings a day) and added 1 serving of mixed gopchang (₩27,900). The meal came with complimentary sundubu-jjigae (soft tofu stew), cheonyeop (beef tripe), a fire show and hutgae (hangover) jelly sticks after the meal. Verdict: for gopchang and soju in an open-air setting on a cool evening, the garlic gopchang at Omokgyo Gopchang is a great choice.

Written Jun 12, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMapo, SeoulBars

Hapjeong wine bar date: futomaki & burrata pasta at Hangil Bistro

Hangil Bistro Hapjeong is a dining wine bar in Hapjeong, Mapo, Seoul, a 2-minute walk from Hapjeong Station Exit 6, serving Italian-based dishes with Japanese touches. At a window seat, the writer had futomaki (thick Japanese sushi roll, 4 pieces, 18,000 won) and burrata cheese tomato pasta (26,000 won) with wine, and found the spacious room of about 57 pyeong, dim and cozy yellow lighting and generously spaced tables ideal for quiet conversation. Hangil Bistro Hapjeong is a wine bar worth recommending for a blind date, a second date or an anniversary dinner.

Written Jun 19, 2026Sponsored
PlaceJung-gu, DaejeonRestaurants

Seonhwa-dong pasta restaurant: squid-ink vongole and lasagna at Plate

Plate is a fresh pasta restaurant in Seonhwa-dong, Jung-gu, Daejeon, where diners choose their own pasta noodles. After a stop at Sungsimdang, the writer arrived at Plate a little before the dinner rush, got the last open table, and ordered the squid-ink white vongole set (₩14,900) and the round lasagna (₩15,900). Plate won on fresh noodles, price and portions alike, making it a satisfying Seonhwa-dong date spot.

Written Jun 20, 2026Sponsored
PlaceMapo, SeoulRestaurants

Hongdae gukbap spot where friends fight over beef jeon: Yukjeon

Yukjeon Gukbap Seogyo Branch (육전국밥 서교점) is a 24-hour gukbap (Korean rice soup) and yukjeon (pan-fried beef) restaurant, a 5-minute walk from Exit 1 of Hongik Univ. Station in Mapo, Seoul. Over dinner with a friend, the writer had miso gomtang (mild beef bone soup, ₩11,000) and a makguksu (buckwheat noodle) set (₩17,000), and the freshly fried beef yukjeon was so good she took her friend's share too. With a roomy, clean dining room and free parking, Yukjeon Gukbap Seogyo Branch is a Hongdae gukbap spot that works for solo diners and groups alike.

Written Oct 16, 2026Sponsored