Local places · 3346 stories
Restaurants, cafés and salons across Korea — every story by a blogger who actually went, linked to Google Maps.
The European Gwanggyo is a wood-fired pizza and pasta restaurant in Gwanggyo, Suwon, Gyeonggi. A Saturday lunch reservation led to its signature basil burrata cheese pizza and Bolognese fresh-pasta lasagna in a quiet, elegant dining room. A lovely choice for a date or special-occasion meal in Gwanggyo.
Yakitori Shomong Mapo Station Branch is a yakitori bar near Mapo Station in Mapo, Seoul. We shared a 14,800-won-per-person yakitori omakase, 32,000-won vongole sake-steamed clams, and 22,000-won yakisoba after work. Verdict: a satisfying dinner for skewers, broth, and noodles in one sitting.
Sarugak20 is a curry restaurant in Busanjin, Busan, and the second location of Moru Sikdang. I tried its half-and-half curry with cream curry and special curry, plus scrambled eggs and a sweet potato cheese croquette, in a calm, sunlit basement space. Verdict: Sarugak20 is a great pick in Busanjin when you want two curries on one plate.
Jukrim Sutbul Dwaeji Gui is a Korean barbecue restaurant in Suyeong, Busan, near Gwangalli Beach. I had the Jukrim Korean pork set with kimchi rolled noodles and doenjang jjigae, and especially loved the juicy pork belly and tender pork neck. Verdict: a wonderfully easy place for a full barbecue spread when grilling meat feels like a chore.
Ward Coffee Gusan Station Branch is a café in Eunpyeong, Seoul, about 3 minutes from Gusan Station Exit 2. I ordered 1L bottles of tomato juice and milk tea, kept them chilled, and enjoyed them with dessert over two days. A cheerful stop for generously sized drinks :)
Chowon Salt Grill is a Korean barbecue restaurant in Songpa, Seoul, with the atmosphere of an old-school outdoor drinking spot. We had the 86,000-won three-person beef, scallop, and aged-kimchi trio, then added doenjang stew, salt-grilled beef, and fried rice. Verdict: a five-star pick for meat and drinks in Songpa.
Like Like Ilsan Juyeop Branch is a dog-friendly brunch café near Juyeop Station in Goyang, Gyeonggi. I enjoyed a beef bulgogi poke set with potato soup while my medium-sized dog had a mung donut and mung puppuccino on the terrace. Like Like Ilsan Juyeop Branch is a satisfying choice when both you and your dog need a menu.
Sogogi Twist Yeongtong District Office Branch is a Korean beef restaurant near Yeongtong District Office in Suwon, Gyeonggi. I tried the 1 kg prime beef assortment for ₩88,000 with beef doenjang-jjigae; Sogogi Twist is a great-value pick for a family meal with tender beef.
Sindong Lab Hwaseong Bongdam Branch is a Japanese restaurant in Bongdam, Hwaseong, serving gyukatsu, sukiyaki set meals, and steak donburi. My family loved every dish, including the kids, and the spacious dining room ends the meal with self-serve gelato. Verdict: a memorable family lunch worth booking ahead.
Muhan Paldo Daepae is an all-you-can-eat thin-sliced pork restaurant in Songpa, Seoul. I paired premium beef belly and frozen pork belly with self-bar vegetables, regional sauces, fried rice, ramen, and doenjang jjigae. Verdict: a fun place to build your own Korean BBQ meal from start to finish.
Kkang Udong Songpa Bangi Branch is a casual bar at the entrance to Bangi-dong Food Alley in Songpa, Seoul. I had draft beer, watermelon sherbet, crispy-yet-juicy tangsuyuk, and hot fish cake udon in its open-air tent-bar atmosphere. Verdict: an easygoing, affordable spot for a second round.
Menya Pomo Seongsu Branch is a ramen restaurant in Seongsu, Seoul, serving tomato ramen with a deep, savory broth. I paired the tantan tomato ramen set with basil rice and karaage, then turned the leftover broth into a risotto with rice from the self-service bar. Verdict: a fun, filling pick for a solo meal or casual date.
