Local places · 2928 stories
Restaurants, cafés and salons across Korea — every story by a blogger who actually went, linked to Google Maps.
Eco Revi Hair & Spa Haeundae Centum Branch is a 24-hour hair and scalp-care salon in Haeundae, Busan. After a scalp-camera consultation, my mother-in-law received a three-step Silk Botox treatment that left her formerly dry, limp hair soft and glossy. Verdict: a satisfying treat for a mother-in-law’s hair care day.
Flowerpot Cafe is a bakery café in Gojan-dong, Ansan, filled with plants and sunlight. My family shared an injeolmi patbingsu set, ang-butter salt bread, garlic baguette, raspberry bread, and nutty iced Americanos. Verdict: a bright, comfortable place for bread and coffee at an easy pace.
Caffeine Focus is a bakery café in Suwon, Gyeonggi, with views of the Hwaseong Fortress walls from every floor. I had iced Americanos, vanilla bean Basque cheesecake, and a vegan banana muffin, then took ciabatta home. Verdict: Caffeine Focus has great coffee, baked goods, views, and easy parking.
Pyeongtaek Jumulleok Pyeongtaek Station Branch is a Korean restaurant about a 7-minute walk from Pyeongtaek Station in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi. On a suddenly chilly day, I ordered hangover soup and galbitang and had a filling meal with mild broth and plenty of meat. Verdict: a comforting choice for a hot, clean-tasting meal near Pyeongtaek Station.
Yu Iksang Sushi is a sushi restaurant in Mapo, Seoul, known for extra-long sushi. We tried Couple Set B with shrimp tempura, cold soba, salad, extra-long sushi and futomaki; the generous portions and dramatic plating made it a date-night event. Verdict: go hungry for a fun Hongdae date meal.
Romaok Magok is an Italian dining restaurant inside LG Arts Center Seoul in Gangseo, Seoul. With a Naver reservation, I had Eclipse squid ink risotto for ₩25,000 and fresh truffle Korean beef white ragù pasta for ₩29,000 without a wait. Verdict: a date-night meal I keep thinking about.
Usijang Hoegwan is a Korean restaurant near Mapo Station in Seoul serving raw beef sashimi and clam beef gukbap. We enjoyed a hearty spread of kkuri-sal raw beef sashimi, yukhoe, and soup with rice already mixed in, along with the owner’s kind explanations. Verdict: Usijang Hoegwan is a place I’d return to for either a group dinner or a comforting bowl of soup.
Gaetbeol-ui Jogae Yeouido Main Branch is a seafood restaurant in Yeongdeungpo, Seoul, near National Assembly Station. My friend and I ordered the medium giant clam hot pot for three and filled up on abalone, crab, shrimp, and an ever-richer broth. Verdict: a solid pick for seafood lovers who want a seriously filling meal.
Dwaeji Gongbang Bucheon Okgil-dong Main Branch is a Korean BBQ restaurant in Bucheon, Gyeonggi, serving Iberico pork and special-cut Korean pork. The 500g assorted half platter suits 2–3 people and comes with complimentary sundubu-jjigae. The chewy intercostal meat and kkodeul-sal were the standouts.
MOI is a cozy Italian restaurant in Yeongdeungpo, Seoul. I enjoyed 1+ grade Korean beef striploin steak with wine, black pepper sauce, chamnamul chimichurri, and garnishes in its quiet, elegant setting. MOI was a satisfying choice for a date or anniversary dinner.
Yukdaejang Cheonan Baekseok Branch is a Korean restaurant in Baekseok-dong, Cheonan, serving traditional yukgaejang and brisket yukgaejang. The generous ingredients and rich broth made for a satisfying 30,000 won meal. Verdict: a warming, filling choice when hungry.
Cham Dwaejitgan Bucheon Sinjung-dong Branch is a Korean BBQ restaurant near Sinjung-dong Station in Bucheon, Gyeonggi. Staff par-grilled the pork, and the roomy 120-seat dining hall made it easy to enjoy pork belly and kimchi fried rice over conversation. Verdict: a confident pick for a relaxed group dinner with great pork.
