Bundang Pocket Roamer · 6 stories

Side Pocket, Seoul and Jeolla Rounds

Writes about shops, bars, cafes, and restaurants across Seoul, Gyeonggi, and Gwangju/Jeolla. · Writes about: Shopping · Bars · Cafés · Restaurants

PlacePyeongtaek, GyeonggiRestaurants

Non-spicy bibim naengmyeon wrapped in suyuk, Pyeongtaek: Seoul Myeonok

Seoul Myeonok (서울면옥) is a Pyongyang-style naengmyeon (cold noodle) restaurant near Pyeongtaek Station in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi, run by the same family for three generations since 1973. A noodle-loving couple visited around 5pm on a weekday and ordered Pyongyang naengmyeon and bibim naengmyeon (₩11,000 each) plus a half plate of suyuk (boiled pork, ₩16,000). The bibim naengmyeon was savory without being spicy, and the Pyongyang naengmyeon broth was well seasoned, as if mixed with dongchimi (radish water kimchi), making it easy for first-timers. Wrapping Seoul Myeonok's bibim naengmyeon in suyuk is reason enough to come back.

Written Jun 28, 2026Sponsored
PlaceJeonju, JeonbukRestaurants

Jeonju ramen shop for Chobok: tori paitan and mentaiko rice at Menji

Menji Jeonju Sinsigaji Branch is a Japanese ramen shop in Sinsigaji, Jeonju, opened by a ramen spot from Mangwon, Seoul that is known for its lines. On Chobok, the first of summer's three hottest days, the writer had a tori paitan ramen with mini mentaiko rice set and a shoyu ramen with tonkatsu set; the chicken broth, simmered for more than 10 hours, was as rich as samgyetang (Korean ginseng chicken soup), and the chicken chashu and tonkatsu stood out. Menji Jeonju Sinsigaji Branch is an easy-parking, no-break-time ramen shop in Sinsigaji for a hearty summer energy meal.

Written Jul 15, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSongpa, SeoulRestaurants

Garak Market fish shop, striped jack with white wine: Yeongjae Susan

Yeongjae Susan is a fish shop at Garak Market in Songpa, Seoul, located at C-10, 1F Panmae-dong, Garak Mall. On a July public holiday, a couple took home Yeongjae Susan's small striped jack mixed sashimi platter (₩80,000) and paired it with white wine; the cooler bag and ice packs kept the sashimi fresh despite the summer heat. For rich, oily summer sashimi, Yeongjae Susan's striped jack platter is a great pick.

Written Jul 20, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSeongnam, GyeonggiBars

Bundang whisky bar: 4 whiskies ranked, smoked Godfather at The Momento

The Momento Jeongja Station Branch is a whisky and cocktail bar near Exit 3 of Jeongja Station in Bundang-gu, Seongnam. A whisky-loving couple compared Aberfeldy 16, Dalmore 12, Eagle Rare and Woodford Reserve Double Oaked at The Momento, then tried whisky vanilla ice cream and a smoked cocktail built on a Godfather base. Whisky and cocktails cost in the high ₩20,000s per glass, which the couple found well worth it given the owner-bartender's recommendations, the complimentary snacks and the attentive service.

Written Jul 27, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSeongdong, SeoulCafés

Seoulsup cake café: Noix for non-chocolate fans on a Saturday, Notldun

Notldun is a cake and dessert café on Seoulsup 2-gil in Seongdong, Seoul. The writer walked into Notldun around 7pm on a Saturday with no wait and ordered the signature Noix (₩14,000), a Salty Caramel Mille-feuille (₩13,000), an iced americano and an iced latte. Even someone who rarely enjoys chocolate desserts finished the Noix to the last crumb, so Notldun is worth a visit for high-quality cake near Seoulsup.

Written Jul 28, 2026Sponsored
PlaceSeongnam, GyeonggiBars

Moran izakaya chicken tori nabe hotpot, charcoal grill: Robata Sobeu

Robata Sobeu is a Japanese izakaya about 364m from Exit 3 of Moran Station in Seongnam, Gyeonggi, specializing in same-day seafood sashimi and robata charcoal grilling. From the counter seats facing the grill, the order was tori nabe (chicken hotpot) at 26,000 won, mackerel bo sushi at 29,000 won and grilled horse mackerel at 10,000 won, and the tori nabe broth tasted as deep and nutty as nurungji samgyetang. For a quiet izakaya near Moran where you can talk over drinks, Robata Sobeu is a solid choice.

Written Aug 18, 2026Sponsored
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