Basin Corner Regular · 12 stories

Yeonnam Lunches, Cheongdam Mirrors

Writes about restaurants, cafes, and beauty counters she stops by around Seoul. · Writes about: Restaurants · Cafés · Hair & beauty salons

PlaceYongsan, SeoulHair & beauty salons

Hannam-dong hair salon summer cooling head spa: At Noun Maison Hannam

At Noun Maison Hannam (앳나운 메종한남) is a boutique hair salon on the 2nd floor of the Brighton Hannam building in Hannam-dong, Yongsan, Seoul. To deal with a damp scalp from summer sweat and heat, the writer had a scalp diagnosis, a cooling enzyme application, a steam head spa and a scalp massage shampoo at At Noun Maison Hannam; the heat on the crown dropped sharply and the hair felt softer. At Noun Maison Hannam is a good place in Hannam-dong for a head spa when you need summer scalp care or a refresh.

Written Jun 26, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGangbuk, SeoulRestaurants

Suyu Station tonkatsu: cheese katsu & kimchi nabe at Katsu Shokudou

Katsu Shokudou Suyu is a Japanese tonkatsu restaurant specializing in yuzu-marinated, low-temperature-aged pork, on the 1st floor of Episode Suyu 838 near Suyu Station in Gangbuk, Seoul. With the tenderloin katsu sold out that day, the writer ordered cheese katsu and kimchi nabe (kimchi hot pot) and was happy with the stretchy cheese, thick pork, sweet-and-spicy kimchi nabe broth, and generous rice and cabbage salad. Katsu Shokudou Suyu is a Suyu Station spot for classic, back-to-basics tonkatsu that is easy to enjoy even when dining alone.

Written Jun 28, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGangbuk, SeoulRestaurants

Small-dog-friendly naengmyeon spot in Suyu: galbitang, Iseol Myeonok

Iseol Myeonok Suyu Main Branch is a 20-year-old naengmyeon (cold noodle) and Korean restaurant run by Korean cuisine master chef Lee Chun-geun, at the start of 4.19-ro in Gangbuk, Seoul. On an early-evening revisit, prompted by memories of coming with parents, the writer ordered mul naengmyeon (cold noodles in broth), galbitang (short rib soup) and a half plate of king dumplings, and was struck by the clean broth, the meaty ribs and flavors that never went overboard. With easy parking, valet service and spacious seating, Iseol Myeonok Suyu Main Branch is a place worth returning to for a summer family meal.

Written Jun 29, 2026Sponsored
PlaceJung-gu, SeoulRestaurants

Seoul Station sandwich shop, a sit-down jambon jalapeño set: Dance

Dance Dance Dance Seoul Station is a baguette sandwich shop on basement level 3 of Grand Central near Seoul Station in Jung-gu, Seoul. Skipping the Hannam main branch, which has little room to eat in, the writer came after the lunch rush for a jambon jalapeño sandwich and Americano set at ₩12,400 and loved the balance of crisp baguette, mild tofu cream cheese and jalapeño. For a roomy, quiet seat and a distinctive sandwich near Seoul Station, Dance Dance Dance Seoul Station is a good choice.

Written Jun 29, 2026Sponsored
PlaceJung-gu, SeoulCafés

City Hall Station café: after-work decaf Americano | Center Coffee

Center Coffee Gwanghwamun is a specialty coffee shop on B1 of SFC Mall in Jung-gu, Seoul, between Gwanghwamun and City Hall, and has been listed in the Blue Ribbon Survey 8 years in a row. A longtime regular of Center Coffee in Seoulsup stopped by after work one evening for two Americanos (one decaf, ₩5,400 each) and an Earl Grey lemon tart (₩9,800). Verdict: the coffee, dessert and atmosphere at Center Coffee Gwanghwamun were all satisfying enough to make it a go-to café near Gwanghwamun.

Written Jun 27, 2026Sponsored
PlaceJongno, SeoulRestaurants

Sushi restaurant with 2-hour parking in Gwanghwamun: Elephant Sushi

Elephant Sushi Gwanghwamun (코끼리초밥 광화문점) is a sushi restaurant in the basement of the KT building in Gwanghwamun, Jongno, Seoul, and it offers 2 hours of parking for diners. On a weekday at 5pm, right after the break time, the writer ordered two Elephant Sushi B sets (₩28,000 each) with squid tempura and shrimp tempura; the thick-cut fish and modest rice portions let the natural flavor of the fish come through. If you are driving and want sushi in Gwanghwamun, Elephant Sushi Gwanghwamun is a satisfying choice.

Written Jun 28, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGangbuk, SeoulCafés

Hwagye Station greenhouse café with vanilla bean latte: Cafe Mendeolli

Cafe Mendeolli Suyu Branch (카페멘덜리 수유점) is a vintage wood-toned café in Suyu, Seoul, open since 2015 and tucked down an alley about 5 minutes' walk from Hwagye Station on the Ui-Sinseol Line. On a return visit after a long break, the writer had Cafe Mendeolli's signature handmade vanilla bean latte and a ciabatta sandwich. The writer also explored an interior styled after the Manderley estate from the musical Rebecca, along with a greenhouse corner. Verdict: coffee, sandwich and atmosphere all deliver, making Cafe Mendeolli a well-rounded neighborhood café in Hwagye and Suyu.

Written Jul 1, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGangbuk, SeoulRestaurants

Suyu Station Korean BBQ, glass-walled hall and minari: Suyu Daewang

Suyu Daewang Sotttukkeong Samgyeopsal is a butcher-style Korean BBQ restaurant in the Suyu Station food alley in Gangbuk, Seoul. A 600g plate of low-temperature-aged fresh pork belly (29,000 won) was grilled on a giant cauldron-lid grill, wrapped in minari and greens from the self-serve bar, and finished with fried rice. The hall is bright and spacious with floor-to-ceiling windows, and the pork was thick and juicy. Suyu Daewang Sotttukkeong Samgyeopsal suits anyone who wants a generous, affordable pork belly meal near Suyu Station.

Written Jul 4, 2026Sponsored
PlaceGangbuk, SeoulRestaurants

Suyu Market chicken shop: Bukseoul Dream Forest family picnic, Gimssi

Gimssi Chicken Suyu Market Branch is a dakgangjeong (sweet, sticky fried chicken) and old-style whole fried chicken shop that has been running for 15 years inside Suyu Market in Gangbuk, Seoul. On a weekend, the writer took out an extra-large medium-spicy dakgangjeong (17,000 won) for a family picnic at Bukseoul Dream Forest, a 20-minute drive away. Even family members sensitive to gamey chicken smell found none and loved the crispy, peppery kick. If you want cheap, tasty dakgangjeong near Suyu Market, Gimssi Chicken Suyu Market Branch is a sure pick.

Written Jun 29, 2026Sponsored
PlaceJongno, SeoulRestaurants

Daehangno Indian restaurant revisited after 10 years: Meono Kkameona

Meono Kkameona Daehangno Branch (머노까머나 대학로점) is an Indian curry restaurant on the 2nd floor of the Aladin bookstore building near Hyehwa Station Exit 4 in Daehangno, Jongno, Seoul. The writer, who ate there about 50 times in their 20s, returned after 10 years and had butter chicken curry, palak paneer (spinach and cheese curry), butter naan, garlic naan and a half tandoori chicken for about ₩40,000 for two, and found the taste and prices almost unchanged. With mild spicing, Meono Kkameona is an easy Daehangno Indian curry pick even for first-timers.

Written Jul 5, 2026Sponsored
PlaceJongno, SeoulCafés

Jongno 3-ga bakery, 2 groups at once: injeolmi & black sesame, Munhwa

Munhwa Bakery (문화제빵) is a bakery in a hanok building between Jongno 3-ga and Ikseon-dong in Seoul, and its interior is so small that only 2 groups can go in at a time. On a weekday early afternoon the writer waited 1–2 minutes, took home Munhwa Bakery's peanut bread, injeolmi (roasted soybean-powder rice cake) bread and black sesame bread, and ate them the next day; all three had flavorful dough and weren't overly sweet. If you like nutty red bean buns or black sesame, Munhwa Bakery is a Jongno 3-ga bakery worth visiting early in the day.

Written Jul 7, 2026Sponsored
PlaceJongno, SeoulRestaurants

Gwanghwamun lunch combos: cheese + jalapeño mayo burgers, Reel Burger

Reel Burger Gwanghwamun is a newly opened handmade burger shop on the ground floor of Shilla Stay G Tower in Gwanghwamun, Jongno, Seoul, known as the spot that chef Lee Won-il and Hong Seok-cheon consulted on for a YouTube show (과장말고 사장하자). At Reel Burger Gwanghwamun the blogger ordered a cheese combo and a jalapeño mayo burger combo from the lunch combo menu, adding fries, sweet potato fries and onion rings, and found that the juicy patty and soft brioche bun came together without feeling greasy. If you want a handmade burger lunch around Gwanghwamun, the Reel Burger Gwanghwamun lunch combo is well worth a try.

Written Jul 6, 2026Sponsored
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