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Cafés, restaurants and places in Seoul, written by bloggers who went there.
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.
Sailing Paradise is a small-group yacht tour on the Han River in Yeongdeungpo, Seoul. My parents, children, and I took the 1-hour Romantic Yacht Tour and were lucky enough to have the catamaran all to ourselves, with snacks and an August sunset. A relaxing Seoul activity that pleased every generation.
Pan Fan is an instant tteokbokki restaurant in Yeongdeungpo, Seoul, between Yeongdeungpo-gu Office and Mullae stations. I tried brisket mojeoban tteokbokki with jjolmyeon and flat glass noodles, plus handmade gim-mari and DIY rice balls from the free self bar. Verdict: a great pick for anyone who wants plenty of add-ins with their tteokbokki.
Sailing Paradise is a Han River yacht tour operator at the Yeouido Hangang Park marina in Yeongdeungpo, Seoul. This roughly 1-hour ride paired red wine, cookies, music, river views, and a June sunset fading into Seoul’s nightscape. Verdict: a wonderfully unhurried Seoul experience for a special day or a needed break from routine.
Eco Revy Hair Ewha Branch is a hair salon in Seodaemun, Seoul, offering both scalp and hair care. After checking scalp flakes and redness, I received deep scaling, mist, shampooing, and Rapunzel Botox care. Verdict: a satisfying reset for an itchy scalp and dry long hair.
Deokjane Bangatgan is a tteokbokki restaurant in Seocho, Seoul, serving garaetteok made fresh every morning. On a weekday evening, I had tteokbokki, assorted fritters, and potato salad, then took home five garaetteok with jocheong for the next day. Verdict: a definite return visit for anyone who loves soft, chewy rice cakes.
K-Chop Sarada Sinsa Direct Store is a bakery café in Gangnam, Seoul, for sarada bread and coffee. I picked assorted toppings to share with my family, with boxes available in sets of five and an iced Americano for 1,900 won. A lovely pick for nostalgic snack bread, takeaway, or gifting.
J's Pot Magok Branch is a fusion hot pot restaurant at Magok COEX in Gangseo, Seoul. After weekend shopping, we had lunch beef brisket hot pot with beef and mala broths, vegetable tangsuyuk, and self-made rice porridge. J's Pot was a great fit for a hot pot meal with broths chosen to suit each person.
Grid Cafe is a neighborhood café near Ogeum Station in Songpa, Seoul, serving coffee and baked goods. After lunch with my sisters, we tried nutty cream shots, a Grid cream shot, a vanilla bean latte, and an egg tart. Verdict: the crisp pastry and moist filling made Grid Cafe worth a return visit for the salt bread.
Jeokto Balhyo Gui Yongsan Branch is a Korean barbecue restaurant in Yongsan, Seoul, specializing in fermented aged pork grilled by staff. We paired Jeok samgyeop (salt-fermented pork belly), fermented pork belly, toenjang-jjigae, and mul memil buckwheat noodles. Verdict: an easy, satisfying barbecue meal from start to finish.
TPM hbc is a wood-fired pizza restaurant in Haebangchon, Yongsan, Seoul. For my boyfriend’s birthday lunch, we had charcoal-grilled peas with burrata and gochujang sausage pizza for 12,000 won and 28,000 won, plus two draft beers. Verdict: TPM hbc is a lovely pick for a date or gathering.
