Local places · 4938 stories
Restaurants, cafés and salons across Korea — every story by a blogger who actually went, linked to Google Maps.
Billadeubeulleu Seongsu is an Italian restaurant beside Seoul Forest in Seongdong, Seoul. We shared abalone squid ink risotto with my 17-month-old, paired octopus avocado carpaccio with white wine, then walked through Seoul Forest. A lovely terrace lunch date with a little one on a cool day.
Jjamppong Jijon Yeoksam Branch is a Chinese restaurant near Yeoksam Station in Gangnam, Seoul. We ordered jjajjamyeon and glutinous-rice tangsuyuk with my child, enjoying the kids’ tableware, self-service bar, unlimited rice, and free drinks. Verdict: a generous, family-friendly Chinese meal spot.
Geumseong Hoegwan Seoul City Hall Direct Branch is a charcoal-grilled meat restaurant in Jung-gu, Seoul, between City Hall Station and Seoul Station. On a weekend date dinner, we had two portions of Hwangje Galbi for ₩19,000 and 1% pork neck for ₩17,000; the barbecue sauce and breadcrumbs pairing stood out. Verdict: a good pick for enjoying both beef and pork without a huge bill near City Hall.
Boseung Hoegwan Bangi Branch is a gukbap restaurant in Songpa, Seoul, with ample parking and a clean dining room. The spicy pork jowl gukbap came with crisp kkakdugi and punchy napa cabbage kimchi. Verdict: a warming, satisfying meal that is easy to visit by car.
Todamok is a bossam and kalguksu restaurant on Daejaengi-gil in Seonbu-dong, Ansan. Three people shared a two-person bossam set and chicken kalguksu, then enjoyed coffee and the little animal farm. Verdict: a great family meal spot with easy parking.
Bas Burger Jamwon Branch is a handmade burger restaurant in Seocho, Seoul, with bar seating and a semi-outdoor terrace. I lingered over a customized Hawaiian burger, beer, free James Gam chips, coleslaw, and Mozza Chicken Bites during a late solo lunch. A lovely place to eat exactly what you want, at your own pace.
Sioldon Ilwon Branch is an aged tonkatsu restaurant near Ilwon Station in Gangnam, Seoul. I tried the assorted cutlets, tenderloin cutlet, and limited premium loin cutlet, with about a 15-minute wait after ordering. For crisp breading and juicy pork, Sioldon Ilwon Branch was a satisfying choice.
Madam Hao is a Vietnamese restaurant near Ajou University in Suwon, Gyeonggi. We shared beef brisket pho and charcoal-grilled bun cha, and the warm broth and sweet-tangy noodles made a satisfying pairing. Verdict: a handy choice for a late meal with parking.
Muirang Mulhoerang Hyoseong Direct Branch is a mulhoe restaurant in Gyeyang, Incheon, serving seasonal seafood. I had a two-person assorted mulhoe with free corn somyeon, clam soup, and extra kalguksu noodles. Verdict: a wonderfully filling, tangy-sweet seafood meal with easy parking.
Usiya Seongsu Branch is a bar-seat Korean beef barbecue restaurant in Seongdong, Seoul. I tried Usiya Course C, from beef tongue and tripe to stone-pot rice and braised kimchi, with explanations and grilling for each cut. A wonderful choice for an anniversary date when you want to feel properly treated.
Songjeong Dol Jjamppong is a Chinese restaurant in Haeundae, Busan, near Songjeong Beach. Its octopus-added jjamppong kept bubbling on a stone plate while the crunchy tangsuyuk stayed crisp. Verdict: a hearty pairing for anyone who likes jjamppong served piping hot.
Shabuway Ruwon City Cheongna Branch is a shabu-shabu restaurant in Seohae, Incheon, with a salad bar. After hiking Gyeyangsan and running home, I had the Prime Pork Neck Lunch with my mom, including shiitake and spicy broths, sides, noodles, and porridge. Verdict: a satisfying choice when you want to sample a little of everything.
