Local places · 3346 stories
Restaurants, cafés and salons across Korea — every story by a blogger who actually went, linked to Google Maps.
Bultina Kkomak Jjamppong Dongtan Namgwangjang Branch is a Chinese restaurant in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi, serving classic dishes such as jajangmyeon and jjamppong. At 11:40 a.m. on a weekday, the restaurant was nearly full, and the mild jjamppong rice and jajangmyeon again delivered plentiful cockles, deep broth, and generous sauce. A revisit-worthy pick for rich cockle jjamppong and moist jajangmyeon.
Speed Conditioning Exercise Center is a muscle-conditioning and exercise-therapy center near Seohyeon Station in Seongnam, Gyeonggi. While pregnant, I had my upper body and glutes treated for lower-back pain, then tried core exercises and data-based rehabilitation training. Verdict: the posture change that happened without me trying was genuinely astonishing.
Chopilsal Pork Grill Hongdae Branch is a pork barbecue restaurant in Mapo, Seoul, near Hongik University Station. I had two portions of thick ogyeopsal and one portion of seasoned dwit-gogi, with myeongnanjeot and meljeot on the side. A good spot for an easy group meat dinner in Hongdae.
Doldam Sutbuljip is a charcoal-grilled pork restaurant near Chungjeongno Station in Jung-gu, Seoul. We had two portions of Korean pork belly, pork skin, milmyeon, and rice while staff grilled everything for us. A great pick for a relaxed dinner or a group meal with parking.
Yong Hanu Namcheon Branch is a Korean beef barbecue restaurant in Suyeong, Busan. After reserving, I had premium sirloin and assorted ribs grilled by the staff, then finished with doenjang stew and rice. Verdict: A comfortable choice for a group dinner with excellent service.
Hekbap Kkachisan Branch is a Japanese restaurant in Gangseo, Seoul, serving homestyle rice bowls, ramen, and soba. I had the spicy buta donburi with its smoky, sweet-spicy flavor and mazesoba that stayed balanced even before adding kelp vinegar. Verdict: a place in Kkachisan I want to revisit regularly.
Yetgoeul Sundubu is a Korean restaurant in Sokcho, Gangwon, serving handmade soft tofu and pot rice. We shared spicy abalone jjamppong sundubu, spicy sundubu, and three-color tofu with a six-year-old, who loved the nutty tofu. Verdict: a generous, family-friendly stop for a Sokcho tofu meal.
Minari Naengsam is a Korean barbecue restaurant in Songpa, Seoul, serving flower frozen pork belly and fresh pork belly with unlimited minari. After a club activity, I compared both cuts with coworkers and found the flower frozen pork belly best for wraps while the fresh pork belly had a richer meat flavor. Verdict: a great choice for drinks after work or a small company dinner.
Singsing Salad Yeouido Branch is a salad restaurant near Yeouido Station, IFC Mall, and the International Finance Center in Seoul. I tried the Crispy Tender Wrap and Chili Stir-fried Pasta, expecting a light meal but leaving surprisingly full. Verdict: a tasty, satisfying choice for lunch in Yeouido.
Namaste Dongmyo Branch is an Indian restaurant in Jongno, Seoul, serving curries, naan, and Nepalese dishes. My younger sibling and I shared lamb kadai curry, palak paneer, cheese naan, and steamed momos. Verdict: a great pick for trying a little of everything in Dongmyo.
Moa Gangnam is a Korean-Western fusion restaurant near Gangnam Station in Seoul. On a second visit, I had perilla oil salted seafood pasta, pork jowl steak with chamnamul chimichurri, and seaweed risotto with conch—and even I, a maesangi avoider, loved the risotto. Verdict: a lovely choice when pizza and pasta are starting to feel a little tired.
Ichigyu Seoul Station Branch is a Japanese restaurant in Jung-gu, Seoul, serving gyukatsu and steak bowls near Seoul Station. A friend visiting from Daejeon and I grilled the meat to our own preferred doneness over mini braziers, then filled up on neatly served gyukatsu and shrimp tempura. Verdict: a fun, tidy choice for lunch or a casual date near Seoul Station.
