Local places · 3346 stories
Restaurants, cafés and salons across Korea — every story by a blogger who actually went, linked to Google Maps.
Lapins is a café in Janghowon-eup, Icheon, where you can enjoy coffee and desserts together. We had two hot Americanos, one iced Americano, Basque cheesecake, and financiers; the Americano costs ₩4,500. Verdict: Lapins is an Icheon dessert café whose coffee especially stays on your mind.
Bogumjip Yongsan Main Branch is a Korean barbecue restaurant near Samgakji Station in Yongsan, Seoul. After overtime, I had two portions of aged garlic pork belly, jokbal galbi, and mild Sichuan-style Jjapagetti for 50,000 won without having to grill anything myself. Verdict: a satisfying, smoke-free fire-grilled dinner for the commute home.
Simhaksan Deulkkot Ssambap is a Korean restaurant by Simhaksan in Paju, Gyeonggi. We shared two ₩20,000 Deul Set Meals with spicy pork, stir-fried squid, pot rice, and nurungji. Verdict: a satisfying meal for anyone craving plenty of fresh ssam greens.
Sammokjip Gwangmyeong Sageori Station Branch is a charcoal-grilled Korean BBQ restaurant in Gwangmyeong, Gyeonggi. Staff grill pork belly, pork neck, and skirt meat at the table, making it an easy choice for family meals and group gatherings. Verdict: great meat, thoughtful sides, and a clean, comfortable space.
Hero Board Game Cafe Nowon Branch is an indoor gaming space near Nowon Station in Seoul, with board games and Nintendo Switch games. I played Moving Out on the weekday unlimited-for-two deal for 5,000 won per person, with snacks in between. A comfortable pick for a date or friends’ gathering regardless of the weather.
Siznique at Shinsegae Department Store Daegu is a seasonal fruit cake café on B1 in Dong-gu, Daegu. After browsing the mango, fig, and peach cakes, my whole family shared a mango cake packed with fruit and soft, moist sponge. Verdict: a very satisfying choice for a special occasion.
Robadayakki Sodam is an izakaya in Yeongdeungpo, Seoul, with a private, warmly lit wood interior. On the day of the Yeouido World Fireworks Festival, I had butter-grilled shrimp, grilled Atka mackerel, grilled scallops, and ice cream with my parents. Robadayakki Sodam is a satisfying stop for mild grilled seafood before the fireworks.
Pyeonbaek Hoegwan Dongtan Branch is a family restaurant near Dongtan Station in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi, serving hinoki-steamed dishes and unlimited beef shabu-shabu. With parking, roomy tables, high chairs, and a playroom, we comfortably enjoyed steamed beef, two-style shabu-shabu, kalguksu, and fried rice. A satisfying family dining spot with kids.
Moshi Moshi Sushi is a Japanese restaurant in Dongnae, Busan, on the eighth-floor dining level of Lotte Department Store. We ordered the Good and Better sashimi platters to compare their 8 pieces of sashimi, 8 sushi pieces, tempura, udon, and salads. Verdict: a satisfying sushi-and-sashimi meal with especially memorable cream-sauce shrimp, salmon, and flounder sushi.
Haenon Miyeok Ilsan Direct Branch is a Korean restaurant in Aenigol, Goyang, Gyeonggi, serving nourishing seaweed soup set meals. I had abalone and flounder seaweed soup and beef seaweed soup, then packed some up for my daughter. Verdict: a warm, satisfying family meal with a generous spread of side dishes.
Horanggul Bangi Branch is an izakaya-style restaurant in Bangi-dong, Songpa, Seoul, for hot pots and drinks. We ordered medium-spicy gopchang hot pot with two extra portions of gopchang, chicken-skin dumplings, and one bottle of Saero—and came for hangover soup but ended up drinking. Verdict: the crispy dumplings are an essential side.
Ichigyu Balsan Station Branch is a Japanese restaurant in Gangseo, Seoul, where diners grill gyukatsu and steki set meals over a mini brazier. My partner and I visited on a weekday evening and had two ₩19,500 set meals cooked to our preferred doneness. Ichigyu is a fun choice for a Balsan Station date meal.
