Local places · 2822 stories
Restaurants, cafés and salons across Korea — every story by a blogger who actually went, linked to Google Maps.
Unagi Yondaime Kikukawa One Grove Branch is a traditional hitsumabushi restaurant in Gangseo, Seoul. I ordered mentaiko hitsumabushi and umaki, and enjoyed the combination with kombu broth as ochazuke most of all. Verdict: a satisfying, comfortable meal for a gathering or a special dinner.
Hantiok is a Korean restaurant on the ninth-floor dining level of Lotte Department Store Nowon Branch in Nowon, Seoul. Uncle Jam and I tried the bossam set meal, including pork, Andong gukbap broth, dumplings, handmade tofu, and Andong guksu noodles. Verdict: a great fit for a warm, gently seasoned meal after shopping.
Wolmidang Gwangju Chonnam National University Branch is a pho restaurant in Buk-gu, Gwangju, near the university’s back gate and Buk-gu Office. We tried classic pho and mala-tang pho, then went back for free noodle and bean-sprout refills. Verdict: a place I’d happily revisit if you love pho, haha.
Jeong Ji-young Coffee Roasters Haenggung Main Branch is a large café in Haenggung-dong, Suwon, Gyeonggi, with a different atmosphere on every floor. The coconut coffee was not to my taste—it felt like dalgona coffee—but the trendy space, house-roasted coffee, and Haenggung-dong views stood out. Verdict: a great stop for coffee in a spacious setting while exploring Haenggung-dong.
Naeil Didi is a reservation-only nail salon in Gangnam, Seoul, known for nude-color nail extensions. Custom-mixed nude tones and careful building created a natural, lightweight finish in a spotless, welcoming space. Verdict: A lovely pick for refined, delicate wedding nails.
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.
