Local places · 2691 stories
Restaurants, cafés and salons across Korea — every story by a blogger who actually went, linked to Google Maps.
Daejong Kalguksu is a noodle restaurant near WesternDom in Goyang, Gyeonggi. I had beef-bone kalguksu and spicy mixed kalguksu with extra noodles, plus the crispy chive pancake I order every time. Verdict: all three were just as satisfying on my third visit.
Nagwon-ui Soba Bossam Kalguksu Chungmuro Station Main Branch is a Korean restaurant in Jung-gu, Seoul, serving bossam, soba, and pork cutlets. I ordered a small bossam platter and seasoned pollock soba with crunchy radish and dressed pollock. Verdict: a roomy pick for family meals or group gatherings.
Incheon Beer Tiger is a craft beer bar in Jemulpo, Incheon, serving house beer and pizza near Open Port Street. On a Friday visit, we tried Gaehang-ro Lager, Banana White, and pizza while enjoying the powerful, clean sound system. Verdict: a lively spot worth revisiting for the weekend live lineup.
Rustic Smokehouse is a Southern-style barbecue restaurant in Bojeong-dong, Yongin, Gyeonggi. I had tacos and seafood pasta there for brunch with a friend, and loved the smoky meat and clean, deeply flavored seafood broth. Verdict: a spacious, comfortable choice for brunch or a get-together.
Jwasuyeong Baguette Burger is a café near Yi Sun-sin Square in Yeosu, Gwangju, serving baguette burgers and sea-breeze mugwort desserts. On an impromptu Yeosu trip, I tried the burger, Geomundo sea-breeze mugwort ice cream, and thick macarons; the burger stayed on my mind the longest. Verdict: a great light stop after Yi Sun-sin Square and Jinnamgwan.
Gyugyu Donkatsu is a tonkatsu and ramen restaurant on Junae-ro in Yeoju, Gyeonggi. I had the chashu ramen set with ebi katsu and an extra egg on my own, and the rich broth and tender tonkatsu were especially good. Verdict: a place I’d happily revisit for ramen and tonkatsu in Yeoju.
Yeongpo is a pet-friendly bar in Bucheon, Gyeonggi, with outdoor patio tables. We stopped by for a second round with my lab members and had ragu cream tteokbokki for 20,000 won and seafood ramyeon. Verdict: a great second-stop bar when you want patio drinks and creamy food.
That Man's Italian Restaurant & Lounge is a steak and pasta restaurant near Jungang Station in Ansan, Gyeonggi. We ordered lamb rib steak and squid ink risotto, and the risotto’s nutty flavor and tender squid stood out. A lovely pick for an anniversary dinner or family gathering.
Pizza Never Sleeps Songridan-gil Branch is a pizza restaurant near Songpanaru Station in Songpa, Seoul. We shared a half-and-half pizza with Pepperoni and Chicken Never Sleeps over a lunch date, and the two sides were distinctly different. Verdict: a convenient choice for sharing two pizza styles in one pie.
Deungchon Shabu Kalguksu Sangam Branch is a shabu-shabu restaurant in Mapo, Seoul. On a Sunday visit, the meal moved from spicy beef shabu-shabu with minari and mushrooms to fresh noodles and fried rice. Verdict: a satisfying warm lunch in Sangam.
Bongnae Hanwoo Butcher Restaurant is a Korean BBQ restaurant in Yeongdo, Busan, serving domestic fresh pork belly, pork neck, and Korean beef. After reserving for a weekday evening, we enjoyed three portions of pork belly, extra pork neck, steamed egg for our child, and a satisfying self-serve bar. Verdict: a comfortable spot for quality meat with kids.
Bangbaedong Ssalguksu Isu Branch is an Asian restaurant in Dongjak, Seoul, serving pho, bun cha, and fried rice. At 7:30 p.m. on a weekday, seating was relaxed, and the sweet-and-tangy bun cha was the most memorable of the three generous dishes. Verdict: a great stop when you want both pho and bun cha.
