Local places · 4264 stories
Restaurants, cafés and salons across Korea — every story by a blogger who actually went, linked to Google Maps.
Ichigyu Seoul Station Branch is a Japanese restaurant in Jung-gu, Seoul, serving gyukatsu and steak set meals. We ordered Set No. 1 for two, with gyukatsu set meals and two drinks, and grilled the cutlets over melted Isigny butter. Verdict: a satisfying way to enjoy juicy sirloin gyukatsu with sauces to mix and match.
Moknal is a Korean bar on Gwangalli Beach in Suyeong, Busan, with Gwangan Bridge night views. I stopped by for a second round and picked grilled skewers individually, served off the sticks with such kind service. Verdict: a lovely spot for a casual drink with the bridge view.
Bulmak Yeolsam Sajik is a Korean barbecue restaurant in Dongnae, Busan. We ordered two portions each of thin-sliced beef brisket and fresh makchang, a combination that worked nicely for drinks after a baseball game. Verdict: a worthwhile stop when you want two contrasting grilled-meat textures.
Bongpyeong Memil Migayeon is a Korean restaurant serving buckwheat dishes near Hyoseok Cultural Village in Pyeongchang, Gangwon. My family shared ₩30,000 buckwheat-sprout boiled pork, ₩25,000 beef yukhoe, buckwheat pancake, Migamyeon, and spicy mixed noodles. Verdict: a wonderful family lunch for a proper taste of Bongpyeong buckwheat.
HOKATSU is a tonkatsu restaurant in Geomdan, Incheon, serving pork loin, tenderloin, and cheese cutlets. The honey yogurt starter, crisp cucumber pickles, full loin cutlets, and exceptionally tender tenderloin all stood out, though the prices are a little high. Verdict: a place worth returning to for a special tonkatsu meal.
Jeongwon Galbi Gyeonggi Gwangju Branch is a Korean BBQ restaurant in Gwangju, Gyeonggi, with ample parking and private rooms. I had the weekday afternoon lunch special of beef rib meat with bibim naengmyeon and mul naengmyeon. Verdict: the tender beef and nutty sesame-oil noodles were a winning pair.
Halls Gimbap Main Branch is a gimbap restaurant in Seocho, Seoul, with bar seating for solo meals. I packed up wasabi gimbap with crisp vegetables, checked out the ramen corner, and tried the crispy dakgangjeong. Verdict: the standalone dakgangjeong is the real must-order.
Yukhoe Dokjon Suwon Station Branch is a bar in Suwon, Gyeonggi, serving chilled Korean beef tartare and beef sashimi. We had the ₩37,000 assorted Korean beef tartare platter with refillable beef radish soup and drinks. A great pick for a Suwon Station date or a late second round.
Kkeutjang Yeoksam is a Korean restaurant near Yeoksam Station in Gangnam, Seoul. I tried its rich, refreshing algoni jang kalguksu and tender gabri suyuk in a quiet evening setting. Verdict: a meal I’d revisit on a rainy or chilly day.
Bueokgan Chinese Marine City Branch is a Chinese restaurant in Haeundae, Busan, with views of Dongbaekseom and the sea. My family ordered the three-course set for three, including paihuanggua, gochujapchae, tangsuyuk, and eohyang gaji. Verdict: the generous gochujapchae and ocean view made this a family favorite.
Low Five is an Italian restaurant in Haenggung-dong, Suwon, serving pizza and pasta. We ordered a half-and-half corn pizza for our child, plus vongole and Hot Pot Pescatore pasta; the corn pizza and spicy seafood pasta were an especially good pairing. Verdict: Low Five is a satisfying choice for a date or family meal if you check parking and the wait first.
Hotel Kukdo Patio is a hotel restaurant in Jung-gu, Seoul, near Euljiro 4-ga Station. For ₩29,800, the weekday lunch Asian buffet included a 140g flat iron steak, seafood tomato pasta, cold soba, made-to-order ramen, unlimited sake, and matcha. A great pick for a lunch gathering or a different kind of team dinner.
