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Cafés, restaurants and places in Seoul, written by bloggers who went there.
Joseonmakhae is a bar in Yongsan, Seoul, serving makhoe and a wide range of drinking dishes. I paired olive flounder makhoe with Kozel Dark, seasoned cockles and butter rice, and kataifi fried shrimp. Verdict: a great pick for a group drinking night near Samgakji Station.
Super Naengsam Sangbong Main Branch is a frozen pork belly restaurant in Jungnang, Seoul. After shopping at Costco Sangbong, I had 150g portions for 9,900 won with minari, mushrooms, and kimchi stew. Verdict: an easy, filling Korean BBQ meal with excellent value.
Sangkai Izakaya Bangi Branch is an izakaya in Bangi-dong, Songpa, Seoul, with open window views and meat dishes. After the special sushi sold out, I quickly polished off beef tataki, brisket and bean sprout stir-fry, and ginkgo and chicken-heart skewers before my appointment. Verdict: A lovely quiet spot for a filling meal and conversation.
Gwihan Jokbal Nowon Branch is a Korean restaurant near Nowon Station in Seoul serving jokbal and charcoal-grilled jokbal half-and-half sets. The generous set included fresh-fruit makguksu, flying-fish-roe rice balls, and seafood sundubu. Verdict: a comfortable pick for group dinners and gatherings.
Pizza Face Off Seokchon Lake Branch is a pizza restaurant in Songpa, Seoul, where you can enjoy pizza and beer in an outdoor-street-stall-like setting. The Face Off Pizza, pepperoni tomato pasta, and draft Cass beer came to 44,100 won before the three beers, with chewy thin dough and a mildly spicy tomato sauce standing out. Verdict: a lovely stop for pizza and beer after a Seokchon Lake walk.
Geumdon Hwaro Sangil-dong Station Branch is a Korean BBQ restaurant in Gangdong, Seoul. Before IKEA, we had the Geumdon B Set with extra pork neck and kimchi jjigae, all grilled by staff. Verdict: a generous, thoughtful meal worth revisiting.
Kosi Seongsu Branch is a Japanese restaurant in Seongdong, Seoul, serving tonkatsu and udon set meals. My husband added udon to a half-and-half katsu set, while I added tonkatsu to a bukkake udon set and we shared a sweet potato cheese croquette. Verdict: a satisfying lunch when you both want different mains.
Daily Fix Jangmi Sangga is a handmade burger restaurant in Songpa, Seoul, beneath Jamsil's Jangmi Sangga. On a return visit, I had the bacon cheeseburger set and a classic burger set with extra Swiss cheese, and the juicy Korean beef patties were just as satisfying. Verdict: a confident repeat pick near Olympic Park.
Riae Premium Olympic Park Branch is a tonkatsu restaurant in Gangdong, Seoul, serving cold soba set meals, tender hire katsu, and Black Tiger shrimp. After work, I enjoyed its chilled naengmomil, juicy pork cutlet, and plump shrimp. Verdict: a clean, filling choice for a satisfying meal.
Nani Byeolgwan Yeongdeungpo Branch is a cozy izakaya bar in Yeongdeungpo, Seoul. After a haircut at Times Square, I stopped by alone for a sparkling-water highball, pork belly and scallion skewers, and scallion cream cheese with crackers. Verdict: a satisfying choice for an easy solo drink or a gathering.
Divers Barbershop Gangnam-gu Office Station Branch is a men’s barbershop in Gangnam, Seoul. After a one-on-one head-shape consultation, my husband received a classic cut and full down perm, plus easy at-home drying and styling guidance. Verdict: a polished, natural way to balance a longer face.
Ttangkkeut Maeul is a seafood restaurant in Dongjak, Seoul, offering fresh fish sashimi takeaway from Noryangjin Fisheries Wholesale Market. I took home a medium assorted croaker sashimi platter with croaker, striped jack, and red seabream, and there was enough left for dinner after lunch. Verdict: a generous, fresh takeaway option for seasonal sashimi.
