Local places · 3342 stories
Restaurants, cafés and salons across Korea — every story by a blogger who actually went, linked to Google Maps.
Donghae Bada Hoetjip is a seafood restaurant in Dujeong-dong, Cheonan, Chungnam. While traveling with family, we ordered the ₩110,000 assorted sashimi and braised seafood set, from boiled pork side dishes to tuna sashimi and roe-filled seafood. Verdict: a generous choice for family meals or group dinners.
Kosi is a Japanese restaurant in Gwangjin, Seoul, serving house-made udon and handmade pork cutlets near Konkuk University Station. Lunch was busy, but the counter seating made dining alone easy, and one hour of free parking was available. Verdict: Kosi is a great pick for springy cold udon and crisp katsu.
Taqueros Magok Main Branch is a taco restaurant in Gangseo, Seoul, serving fajitas and tacos. I had the 56,000 won couple set with fajitas, fish tacos, and crispy chicken tacos, plus addictive spicy nacho cheese sauce and extra guacamole. Verdict: so good that I finished it even when I was full.
Damso Main Branch is a reservation-only Korean beef barbecue restaurant in Yangsan, Gyeongnam. We celebrated both children being elected school volunteer representatives with assorted Korean beef and soybean-paste ramen, plus an eighth-floor sunset view. Damso Main Branch was a wonderful choice for a quiet family celebration.
Namyeoju Baechu Doenjang-guk Sukseong Gogi-jip is an aged-beef restaurant in Ganam-eup, Yeoju, Gyeonggi. Four of us, including a child, had tender striploin grilled by the owner, Maldon salt, wasabi, grilled perilla leaves, and jjapaguri finished in the meat pan. Verdict: order the jjapaguri after the striploin for the full meal.
Jindoken Seongsu Branch is a Japanese-style pub in Seongdong, Seoul, near Ttukseom Station. On a return visit, I had assorted sashimi, cream jjamppong, draft beer, and a blue lemon highball by the open kitchen. Verdict: a great stop for drinks and snacks after browsing Seongsu pop-ups.
Jju Baksa is a webfoot octopus restaurant in Gangseo, Seoul, near Yangcheonghyanggyo Station. We added pork belly, beef brisket, and cheese rice cakes to two servings of jjukkumi, then finished with flying fish roe cheese fried rice. Verdict: Jju Baksa is a satisfying choice for a customizable, hearty spicy lunch.
Dwaeji Jogae is a seafood stew restaurant in Bansong Market, Changwon, Gyeongnam. We ordered the large-medium haemultang, enjoyed scallops, abalone, and octopus while staff handled the seafood, then added kalguksu noodles to the deeply reduced broth. Verdict: a great pick for abundant seafood and a refreshingly spicy broth without the fuss.
Hongdae Gureume Incheon Nonhyeon Branch is a Japanese restaurant in Namdong, Incheon, serving ramen and salmon sushi set meals. We ordered the 22,500 premium Korean-style ramen set, 17,900 salmon sushi set, and 7,500 pork loin katsu. Verdict: Hongdae Gureume Incheon Nonhyeon Branch is a filling pick for salmon lovers.
Naneun Jigeum Saengseoni Meokgo Sipda Yongdam Airport Branch is a Korean restaurant near Jeju Airport in Jeju. The solo set meal paired a whole mackerel with soft tofu stew and a generous spread of side dishes. Verdict: a filling choice for solo diners and families with children.
Ssamchae Sotttukkeong Samgyeopsal is a Korean barbecue restaurant near Guui Station in Gwangjin, Seoul. We enjoyed 200g portions of fresh pork belly, unlimited wrap greens and grilling vegetables, plus a 5,000 won cheese steamed egg with the family. Verdict: a generous, delicious place I would happily revisit.
Lian Hair Myeongji University Branch 2 is a hair salon in Seodaemun, Seoul, offering moisture hair-clinic treatments and styling. My hair had felt like straw after a perm, but the treatment made it feel revived, and I loved the careful consultation, drinks, and turtle-decorating corner. Verdict: a lovely pick for a hair refresh and a mood boost.
