Dim Window, Seoul and Gyeonggi — T. Yoonho

Dumpling hot pot finished with rice porridge in Siksa-dong: Arirang

Arirang Gaeseong Son Mandu Siksa Branch is a Korean restaurant serving mandu (dumpling) hot pot and beef shabu-shabu on Dongguk-ro in Ilsandong-gu, Goyang, Gyeonggi. On a weekend lunch with my parents, we ordered the shabu mandu hot pot with half meat and half kimchi dumplings, beef shabu-shabu for two, and finished with rice porridge cooked in the deep broth, which was the best part of the meal. Leftover dumplings can be packed to go, so Arirang is worth a return trip for an autumn family meal.

Written Sep 27, 2026Sponsored

PlaceYeongdeungpo, SeoulRestaurants

Yeouido eel restaurant with private rooms and lunch eel set: Jangeo-in

Jangeo-in is a grilled eel restaurant in the basement arcade of the Kyobo Securities building by Yeouido Station in Yeongdeungpo, Seoul, where every seat is in a private room. On Bok-nal, the Korean summer day for restorative food, the writer ordered the lunch special eel set and ate the grilled eel with roasted garlic, wasabi and ginger, finishing with eel soup. Jangeo-in suits anyone who wants a full eel meal in a quiet, cozy room.

Written Aug 20, 2026Sponsored

PlaceMapo, SeoulRestaurants

Yeonnam-dong weekend lunch: salmon belly don, ebi tempura udon, Jongno

Jongno Donburi Yeonnam is a basement Japanese rice bowl restaurant in Yeonnam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, a 10-minute walk from Hongik University Station Exit 3. On a weekend lunch with a friend, we ordered the staff-recommended salmon belly don for 20,000 won, ebi tempura udon for 11,500 won and an onsen tamago add-on for 1,500 won. The salmon belly was thick and fresh, and a stroll along the Gyeongui Line Forest Trail afterwards makes Jongno Donburi Yeonnam an easy lunch date course.

Written Sep 26, 2026Sponsored