Local places · 3041 stories
Restaurants, cafés and salons across Korea — every story by a blogger who actually went, linked to Google Maps.
Elephant Sushi Gwanghwamun is a Japanese restaurant in Jongno, Seoul, serving kaisendon, sushi, and Japanese fried dishes. I tried the ₩23,000 seafood rice bowl and freshly fried Jungle shrimp tempura 6P for ₩12,000. Verdict: Elephant Sushi Gwanghwamun was a satisfying pick when I wanted a generous seafood bowl with crispy shrimp tempura.
Haemokjeong Daebudo Branch is a Korean restaurant in Ansan, Gyeonggi, with seafood dishes and kalguksu. After checking into our pension, my family ordered two servings each of cold kalguksu and mushroom kalguksu. Haemokjeong Daebudo Branch is a good fit when a group wants both seafood and noodle options.
Modam Urban is an upscale Korean restaurant in IFC Mall in Yeongdeungpo, Seoul. For an anniversary Korean-food date, we had crab-stock octopus pasta, handmade tteokgalbi and grilled abalone, thoughtful appetizers, and milk pudding. Verdict: A polished choice for a special meal or formal gathering.
Meolmeol Pangyo is a brunch café in Baekhyeon-dong, Pangyo, Seongnam, Gyeonggi. We visited for our baby's first meal out and enjoyed the roomy seating, stroller-friendly space, salad, pasta, and risotto. Verdict: a lovely choice for a relaxed brunch with a baby.
Dokbul Janggun Ilsan Baekseok Branch is a Korean BBQ restaurant in Goyang, Gyeonggi, a four-minute walk from Baekseok Station. I tried kkodeulsal, bolhangjeong, and thick honeycomb pork skin with generous banchan and complimentary clear cheonggukjang. Verdict: Order the kkodeulsal first if you love a satisfying chewy texture, haha.
Orot Silbi is an izakaya near Gongdeok and Mapo stations in Mapo, Seoul. I tried seasonal aged sashimi and charcoal-grilled beef intestines with dry highballs. Verdict: a lovely stop for drinks and snacks after a forest-path walk.
Don Tamguso is a pork course restaurant in Gangseo, Seoul. The 58,000 won dinner course runs from velouté soup and fruit salad to pork tenderloin, pork belly, abalone risotto, and dessert. Verdict: an elegant, good-value date-night course.
Gyuen Dang Seolleung Branch is a Japanese restaurant near Seolleung Station in Gangnam, Seoul, where diners grill filet and striploin gyukatsu at the table. Filet gyukatsu costs ₩24,000 and stood out for its exceptionally tender texture. Verdict: Go for the tender filet gyukatsu.
Ichigo is an izakaya between Jamsilsaenae and Sports Complex stations in Songpa, Seoul, serving modern Japanese dishes with wine. The sea bass ceviche and tuna-filled negitoro maki stood out, and corkage for one bottle is free Monday through Thursday. Verdict: A great pick for an unconventional Japanese meal with wine.
Bas Burger Yonsei Cancer Hospital Branch is a burger restaurant in Seodaemun, Seoul. I ordered a Double Bacon Cheese Burger set with Mozza Chicken Bites and signature onion rings, plus all the crispy chips I wanted from the self-serve bar. Verdict: a satisfying choice when a seriously meaty, cheesy burger is calling.
Jongchagyeok is a Korean barbecue restaurant in Jochon-dong, Gunsan, with a train-station-themed interior. My family had the three-person marbled samgyeopsal set, and the staff finished grilling the pre-grilled meat so it was easy for us and tender for my child. Verdict: a place I would happily revisit for relaxed Korean barbecue in a fun setting.
Ryeok Freshwater Eel Grill is an eel restaurant in Mapo, Seoul, serving eel rice bowls for lunch and grilled eel in the evening. The ₩27,000 special eel rice bowl came with enough sides and dessert to enjoy it four ways, plus crisp ₩10,000 yuringi. Verdict: a generous, feel-good eel rice bowl meal worth returning for.
