Local places · 1932 stories
Restaurants, cafés and salons across Korea — every story by a blogger who actually went, linked to Google Maps.
Chamer is a hair salon in Dongnae, Busan, that blends uneven root and existing hair color naturally. A mint-toned milk-brown color reduced red and yellow tones, followed by a shampoo in a massage chair. Verdict: I loved the calm brown color that still looked bright.
Bocado Butter Seongsu Main Store is a dessert café in Seongdong, Seoul, near Seongsu Station. My mom, daughter, and I had the Signature Bocado with coconut ice cream, and it was easy to eat neatly even in the car. Verdict: order the coconut ice cream with the bocados.
Hwangnam Dukkebi Restaurant is a Korean restaurant on Hwangridan-gil in Gyeongju, Gyeongbuk. I tried the Cheomseongdae seven-item set and handmade slushy sikhye, and the Cheomseongdae-shaped crab-marinated fried rice was especially memorable. Verdict: A fun pick for a meal that feels distinctly Gyeongju.
Eochongye 1beonji is a sashimi restaurant on Bandal Island in Danwon-gu, Ansan. Two of us ordered the 55,000 won medium seasonal assorted sashimi platter, enjoying yellowtail, fin cuts, and a clean maeuntang stew. A memorable pick for a day when you want plenty of sashimi.
Sammokjip Cheolsan Main Branch is a Korean barbecue restaurant near Cheolsan Station in Gwangmyeong, Gyeonggi. Staff grilled thick pork belly and pork neck over charcoal, with steamed egg and perilla oil fried rice from 4,000 won. Verdict: Sammokjip was an easy, satisfying pick for a dinner gathering.
Eosa Chulto Hongdae Branch is a seafood restaurant in Mapo, Seoul, serving grilled king prawns, raw shrimp sashimi, and butter-grilled heads. We peeled and ate large prawns prepared straight from the tank, and especially loved the bouncy texture and generous portion of raw shrimp sashimi. Verdict: a solid set for two people who want a big shrimp feast.
Chodaebak Naengsam Pyeongnae-Hopyeong Branch is a Korean barbecue restaurant in Namyangju, Gyeonggi, where you can enjoy frozen pork belly and pork neck in an outdoor-stall-like setting. We ordered the 510 g SET 1 for 37,000 won, with side dishes, mul bibim-naengmyeon, and fried rice, and appreciated the baby chair and food for our child. Verdict: a comfortable family meal for cool-weather grilling outdoors.
Ichigyu Gwanghwamun Branch is a Japanese restaurant in Jongno, Seoul, where diners grill gyukatsu at their table. We shared the Ichigyu gyukatsu set and hamburger steak omurice, plus shrimp tempura, mochi and cheese, and mini curry from the review event. Verdict: a fun, flavorful meat meal with the added pleasure of grilling it yourself!
Cham Dwaejitgan Jongno Main Branch is a Korean barbecue restaurant near Jongno 3-ga Station in Jongno, Seoul. I tried Boseong Nokdon pork belly and chewy cheongyeopsal with grilled potato wraps, minari, kimchi, and staff grilling service. Verdict: a lovely choice for pork belly with something a little different in Jongno 3-ga.
Bubu Duri Tteokbokki Cheongju Geumcheon Branch is a Korean snack restaurant in Geumcheon-dong, Cheongju. I had Duri tteokbokki with chewy sundae, fried squid, fried chili peppers, and beer, and it tasted exactly as I remembered from Bongmyeong-dong. A great spot for a casual plate of Korean snacks and a beer.
Sugar Hill is a Western-style restaurant and cocktail bar in Haebangchon, Yongsan, Seoul. I tried the BTS Set with two Obok Cocktails, shell pasta, and sous-vide steak, then looked around its three distinct floors. Verdict: a stylish, cozy Haebangchon spot for dates or small gatherings.
Jeju Badang is a Korean restaurant in Gagyeong-dong, Cheongju, serving Jeju-style grilled and braised fish with pot-cooked rice. I had the 17,000 won mackerel set and 23,000 won boneless hairtail braise, plus a 15-dish Korean side-dish bar and dessert. Verdict: a generous, family-friendly meal for parents and kids alike.
