Local places · 2795 stories
Restaurants, cafés and salons across Korea — every story by a blogger who actually went, linked to Google Maps.
Wongiok Gwanghwamun is a Korean restaurant on the B1 level of D Palace between Gwanghwamun and Seodaemun stations in Jongno, Seoul. My family of three chose the generous set with stir-fried octopus and beef tripe hot pot, and everything from the banchan to the nutritious pot rice was plentiful and clean-tasting. Wongiok Gwanghwamun is a lovely choice for a special meal with family.
Chung-sil Hoegwan is a Korean restaurant on Noeul 3-ro in Sejong serving galbi kimchi jeongol and samgyeopsal. The 2-serving galbi kimchi jeongol with pot-cooked rice was 15,000 won per serving, with deep broth from well-fermented kimchi and plenty of chewy ribs. Verdict: a filling, home-style lunch worth returning for.
24-Hour Sopuri Yangpyeong Haejangguk is a 24-hour hangover soup restaurant in Jemulpo, Incheon. I had Yangpyeong haejangguk with only seonji and Korean beef head-meat gukbap, and loved the self-serve seonji refills. Verdict: a great pick for anyone who loves seonji and a clean, gently spicy broth.
Yajju Yajju Maekom Jjukkumi Main Branch is a spicy webfoot octopus restaurant near Chunui Station in Bucheon, Gyeonggi. I picked up two servings of Jjubossam and one extra serving of webfoot octopus; the mild option was still pleasantly tingly, and the portions were generous. Verdict: Jjubossam is a great pick for sharing seafood and meat.
Hyehwahwa is a Korean restaurant near Hyehwa Station in Daehangno, Jongno, Seoul. After a play, I ordered the spicy charcoal-grilled gopchang stew, half portion of chilled yukhoe, seaweed-flake rice, and the daily welcome drink. Verdict: a lovely pick for dinner and drinks after a Daehangno show.
Ijjok Kimchi Samgyeopsal is a Korean BBQ restaurant in Mapo, Seoul, near Hapjeong Station. A couple seven days into dating ordered pork belly, pork jowl, grilled kimchi, soybean paste stew, and spicy mixed noodles without worrying about garlic breath. Verdict: an easygoing, satisfying date-night meal with expertly grilled pork.
Dolsoe Ssambap is a Korean restaurant in Hanam, Gyeonggi, serving ssambap sets with 12 kinds of wrap vegetables and eight refillable side dishes. We ordered one serving each of beef bulgogi and stir-fried spicy pork for 14,000 won, plus soybean paste stew, steamed egg, and two ssamjang dips. Verdict: a filling, home-style meal for anyone craving lots of vegetables.
Yeongpo Hwa-ro Ingye Branch is a hanwoo charcoal-grill restaurant in Ingye-dong, Suwon, Gyeonggi. We enjoyed a 150g hanwoo assortment for two, doenjang sulbap, codari mul-naengmyeon, and complimentary old-fashioned bingsu. Verdict: a great pick for trying tender aged hanwoo cuts in one meal.
Mayway (메이웨이) is a Chinese restaurant in Gwangsan, Gwangju, known for house-made noodles and jjukkumi stone jjajang. We tried the 32,900-won jjukkumi stone jjajang and the 12,900-won set meal, finishing the leftover sauce as fried rice with green-onion kimchi. Verdict: generous, great-value food, especially the spicy stone jjajang.
Veteran General Fish Market Incheon Yeonsu Branch is a seafood restaurant in Yeonsu, Incheon, serving raw fish set meals near Yeonsu Station. My family returned for a weekend lunch and enjoyed raw fish, sushi, fried items, spicy fish stew, and roe rice for 13,900 won per person. Verdict: a generous, comfortable choice for a family seafood meal.
Gimcheongja Maeun Galbijjim is a Korean restaurant near Seohyeon Station in Seongnam, Gyeonggi. I had mild spicy braised pork ribs with steamed egg and five cheese balls, then mixed the savory broth with rice, flat glass noodles, rice cakes, and seasoned perilla leaves. Verdict: a filling choice if intense heat feels like too much.
Mandong Jegwa Yeonnam Branch is a bakery in Seodaemun, Seoul, with a wide selection of sweet breads and meal-friendly loaves. I visited in the morning and chose Cheese Mallang, the new pumpkin ciabatta, tortilla, and chili sausage bread. Verdict: it was fun to browse and choose from so many breads.
