Second Stool, Daejeon, Daegu and Gwangju Rounds

Jongno, Daegu makchang grill date with cold kimchi noodles: Bongja

Bongja Makchang Daegu Jongno Branch is a makchang (grilled beef intestine) and BBQ restaurant in Jongno, Jung-gu, Daegu. On an evening date, the writer and her boyfriend joined the queue, then ordered the makchang + pork neck combo platter and kimchi-malli guksu (cold kimchi noodles), with Jjapaghetti and steamed egg from the unlimited self-bar and patbingsu (shaved red bean ice) for dessert. With odor-free makchang, thick aged pork neck and a generous self-bar, Bongja Makchang is a good-value makchang spot in Jongno, Daegu.

Written Jun 19, 2026Sponsored

PlaceCheonan, ChungnamCafés

Cheonan café: lemon madeleine & butter rice cake financier, Brewers

Brewers Coffee Cheonan Sinbu Branch is a baked-goods café in the Sinbu-dong food alley in Cheonan, Chungnam, said to bake French-style pastries fresh every morning. Short on time, the writer took out an iced Americano with a lemon madeleine, salted chocolate financier, salted caramel financier, almond chocolate madeleine and butter rice cake financier, and the lemon madeleine was the first one reached for. Verdict: the low-acid Americano and baked goods pair so well that Brewers Coffee deserves a spot on any Cheonan café list.

Written Jun 24, 2026Sponsored

PlaceJeonju, JeonbukRestaurants

Jeonju restaurant, galbi hot pot with my sister: Hanok Maeul Mulgalbi

Hanok Maeul Mulgalbi is a Jeonju-style mulgalbi (galbi hot pot) restaurant on Dongmun-gil in Pungnam-dong, Jeonju. Visiting with my sister, we ordered two servings of the galbi hot pot set at 22,000 won per person, ate the seasoned yukjeon (pan-fried beef) first, then wrapped the galbi with bean sprouts and mushrooms in lettuce. The sweet-spicy sauce was good enough to mix into rice as well, so Hanok Maeul Mulgalbi is a solid pick in Jeonju when you want something other than bibimbap or gukbap.

Written Aug 15, 2026Sponsored