Local places · 2394 stories
Restaurants, cafés and salons across Korea — every story by a blogger who actually went, linked to Google Maps.
Deureomtong Sotttukkeong Dakdoritang is a Korean restaurant in Nohyeong-dong, Jeju. After 10 p.m., I had aged-kimchi dakdoritang for 2, plus noodles, cheese rice cakes, and torch-melted cheese fried rice; the tender chicken and kimchi stood out. Verdict: a satisfying late-night Jeju meal with drinks.
Cultured is an Italian restaurant in Ara-dong, Jeju City, serving pasta and pizza. My boyfriend and I had steak salad, spicy pomodoro pasta, and a Margherita pizza on puff-pastry dough, and loved the widely spaced tables. Verdict: I want to return with a group to share more dishes.
QooQoo Chuncheon Branch is a sushi buffet on the B1 level of Two Top City in Chuncheon, Gangwon. I visited with my sister at 11:30 a.m. on a weekday after its 2026 renovation, ate sushi through desserts without waiting, and registered for 3 hours of free underground parking. QooQoo Chuncheon Branch is a cleaner, family-friendly buffet after the remodel.
Kosi Seoul National University Entrance Branch is a Japanese restaurant in Gwanak, Seoul, serving Sanuki udon and handmade pork cutlets. We ordered tempura bukkake udon, maze udon, and cheese katsu for 34,500 won. Verdict: springy noodles, crisp tempura, and plenty of stretchy cheese made for a satisfying dinner.
Working Holiday Minrak is a brunch café in Suyeong, Busan, with views of Gwangan Bridge and the sea from the seventh floor. I tried the 24,000 won Big Brekkie and 17,000 won handmade-dough panuozzo, and the window-wall view and chewy dough stood out. Verdict: a great pick for a hearty ocean-view brunch in Gwangalli.
Pickles is a casual pizza dining spot in Jeonpo, Busan. We compared four pizzas—jambon beurre, taco, beef cheeseburger, and bacon cheddar—alongside a salad. Pickles is more fun when a group shares several different pizzas.
Daepae Maket Busan Daeyeon Branch is a thin-sliced pork belly restaurant in Nam-gu, Busan, with a playroom and kids' zone. On a late weekend evening, I had easy-to-grill pork belly, a 2,000 won self bar, and spicy bibim naengmyeon. Verdict: a satisfying family dinner spot with kids.
Rose Lash is an eyelash extension salon in Songpa, Seoul, near Jamsilsaenae Station. For my first extensions, I chose 11mm C-curl lashes and loved the defined, deep-looking eyes even without makeup. Verdict: a great choice for a natural look with noticeable presence.
Thanon55 is a Thai-style pho restaurant in Seongdong, Seoul. I tried the Thai curry beef intestine pho and the generously topped gamjatang pho, and the latter stayed on my mind long afterward. Verdict: If flavor matters more than atmosphere, don’t miss Thanon55’s gamjatang pho.
Sinseon Myeonga is a Korean restaurant in Yeonje, Busan, serving house-made kalguksu and bossam with octopus sets. The grilled octopus and bossam set, kalguksu, and makgeolli came to the 40,000-won range and felt like enough for five people. Verdict: a wonderfully hearty table for daytime drinks.
Doran Honsul Bar Hongdae Branch is a cocktail bar in Mapo, Seoul. My friend and I ordered different cocktails, chatted over complimentary snacks, and found plenty of games to enjoy. Verdict: a cozy pick for a quieter drink away from Hongdae’s bustle.
Ryeowon Skin Care is a private skin and body-care studio near Nowon Station in Seoul. With a little over a month until the wedding, I focused on my upper arms, trapezius muscles, collarbones, and shoulder line with heat therapy and hands-on massage. Verdict: a worthwhile option for pre-wedding shoulder-line care.
