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Restaurants, cafés and salons across Korea — every story by a blogger who actually went, linked to Google Maps.

Yongin, GyeonggiBars

Seongbok-dong makgeolli pub in Yongin: Gorae Byeoljang Suji Branch

Gorae Byeoljang Suji Branch is a neighborhood pub on Seongbok 1-ro in Suji-gu, Yongin, Gyeonggi. After an English conversation study group in Gangnam, the writer stopped by for makgeolli (Korean rice wine) with chicken, yukjeon (pan-fried beef in egg batter) and ramyeon, talking slowly over the drinks. Parking is easy and no one rushes you out, so Gorae Byeoljang Suji Branch is worth remembering for a casual drink in Seongbok-dong.

Written Sep 14, 2026Sponsored
Gangnam, SeoulRestaurants

Weekday lunch for three at Apgujeong Chinese restaurant Bobo Sikdang

Bobo Sikdang Apgujeong is a modern Chinese restaurant with private rooms in Gangnam, Seoul, on the first floor of Robin Myeongpumgwan near Apgujeongrodeo Station. Three diners came for weekday lunch and ordered four à la carte dishes — mala eggplant fritters at 29,000 won, pork tenderloin butter sweet and sour pork at 35,000 won, dongpo pork at 45,000 won and mapo tofu at 16,000 won — leaving completely full, with the mapo tofu the standout. Portions at Bobo Sikdang Apgujeong are generous, so four à la carte dishes are plenty for three people.

Written Sep 14, 2026Sponsored
Seongnam, GyeonggiShopping

Custom suit shop near Jeongja Station, Seongnam: JJ Republic Bundang

JJ Republic Bundang is a custom suit shop a short walk from Jeongja Station Exit 5 in Seongnam, Gyeonggi, making suits from 590,000 won for two through its own production line at the Sinsa-dong headquarters in Gangnam. The writer had her tall boyfriend, who struggles to find ready-made suits that fit, measured for a commuting suit in the Prestige fabric in the 'Yeonbam' color, with matte horn buttons, brown 7690 lining, a single-breasted cut and one back vent. Choosing everything from fabric to fit, with a follow-up visit for adjustments two weeks later, made JJ Republic Bundang a satisfying first custom suit experience.

Written Jul 25, 2026Sponsored
Suyeong, BusanCafés

Minrak brunch café in Busan, burrata pomodoro: Working Holiday Minrak

Working Holiday Minrak is an ocean-view brunch café that occupies the whole 7th floor of the Badamaru building on Minraksubyeon-ro in Suyeong-gu, Busan, looking straight out at Gwangan Bridge. The order was the pomodoro (18,000 won) and the Big Brekkie (24,000 won) with two iced Americanos: burrata cheese kept the tomato pasta from tasting plain, and the avocado and scrambled egg plate was finished off completely. Parking is available in the Badamaru building and the café is still not crowded, so Working Holiday Minrak is worth a visit if you want a quiet brunch near Gwangalli.

Written Sep 14, 2026Sponsored
Nam-gu, UlsanRestaurants

Pork BBQ for two in Ulsan: 55,000 won platter at Daewol Charcoal BBQ

Daewol Charcoal Barbecue is a Jirye black pork charcoal grill restaurant on Samsan-ro 122beon-gil in Dal-dong, Nam-gu, Ulsan. Visiting with a friend, the writer ordered the 55,000 won Jirye black pork mixed platter and a 6,000 won doenjang jjigae (soybean paste stew); even the first piece eaten with no sauce was firm, and the nutty flavor grew with every chew. If you prefer the taste of the pork itself over marinades and like comparing different cuts, the Jirye black pork platter at Daewol Charcoal Barbecue is a good fit.

Written Sep 14, 2026Sponsored
Changwon, GyeongnamHair & beauty salons

Changwon hair salon scalp diagnosis, dye and hair clinic: VOG HAIR

VOG HAIR Changwon City Seven Branch is a hair salon on the 3rd floor of The City Seven Skycon in Seongsan-gu, Changwon. Faded, blotchy hair went through a color book consultation and a scalp diagnosis before a tone-down dye, with a hair clinic treatment added in the same visit. The tone settled more naturally than expected and the hair felt calm rather than stiff, so combining the dye and the clinic at VOG HAIR was worth it.

Written Sep 14, 2026Sponsored
Mapo, SeoulCafés

Two-floor Hapjeong coffee shop with upstairs group seats: Seowon Angil

Seowon Angil Hapjeong is a large two-floor brunch café on Jandari-ro 3-gil in Mapo, Seoul, a 3-minute walk from Hapjeong Station. On a visit with a friend, the second-floor group seating area was the draw, along with a creamy salmon poached egg Benedict for 13,500 won and an iced Americano made with Seowon beans for 6,000 won. The open sandwich of salmon and poached egg on sourdough was moist and nutty, and worth a return trip for the pasta.

Written Sep 4, 2026Sponsored
Dongjak, SeoulRestaurants

Makchang restaurant in Dongjak, Seoul with free ramyeon: Chammak

Chammak Isu Station Branch is a newly opened Daegu-style makchang (grilled beef intestine) restaurant a 3-minute walk from Exit 13 of Isu Station in Dongjak, Seoul. The writer, who lived in Daegu for years, shared the two-person set of mixed makchang plus Korean pork belly with her husband for 39,000 won (440g after pre-grilling), using the self-serve bar and the free ramyeon across two burners. The charcoal-smoked pre-grilled makchang and the free ramyeon made Chammak satisfying on both taste and value.

Written Sep 14, 2026Sponsored
Mapo, SeoulRestaurants

Yeonnam-dong ramen restaurant with free noodle refills: Shomendo

Shomendo is a Hakata-style tonkotsu ramen restaurant in Yeonnam-dong, near Hongdae Station in Mapo, Seoul. Two of us ordered Hakata ramen at Shomendo, each choosing our own salt level and oil amount and adding an egg, ate the rice that comes first mixed with nikumiso (savory minced pork miso) and takana (pickled mustard greens), then took the 2 free noodle refills. The broth is rich enough to hold its own against Fukuoka itself, making Shomendo our top pick for tonkotsu ramen.

Written Sep 14, 2026Sponsored
Gangnam, SeoulRestaurants

Gangnam Station spot for a wedding invitation meetup: Eulji Darak

Eulji Darak Gangnam Station is a second-floor Western restaurant about 269m from Exit 11 of Gangnam Station in Seoul. Arriving right at the 11:30 opening, we still found most tables full, and the Darak omurice and signature pork neck steak came with soft egg, thick meat that was not tough, and a roasted vegetable garnish. With its chandelier and white-toned interior, Eulji Darak Gangnam Station suits a first date or a wedding invitation meetup.

Written Sep 14, 2026Sponsored
Gangnam, SeoulBars

Sinnonhyeon izakaya counter seats and Suntory draft beer: Goko

Izakaya Goko is a sashimi and yakitori izakaya on the 2nd floor of Banseok Building on Bongeunsa-ro 2-gil, closer to Sinnonhyeon Station than Gangnam Station in Seoul. Even on a Monday evening four parties were waiting at Izakaya Goko, so we booked through Naver and took the counter (dachi) seats for Suntory draft beer at 9,000 won, large flounder sio sanhap at 35,000 won, and the Goko sashimi for two with seven kinds of yakitori at 65,000 won. Not a single dish missed, so the return-visit verdict was 1000%.

Written Sep 14, 2026Sponsored
Seodaemun, SeoulHair & beauty salons

Medium-length layered cut and perm at Salon de Supullim, Seodaemun

Salon de Supullim is a hair salon in Seodaemun, Seoul, a 3-minute walk from Seodaemun Station Exit 2 on the 3rd floor. A 2.5-year-old hippie perm that had been left to grow out for a year was reshaped into a medium-length layered cut and perm, with a softening treatment for the leftover curl, root volume setting and side bangs trimmed. Salon de Supullim also walked through how to recreate the style at home, which helps anyone who struggles with self-styling.

Written Sep 14, 2026Sponsored