Local places · 7107 stories
Restaurants, cafés and salons across Korea — every story by a blogger who actually went, linked to Google Maps.
HEOD Gongdeok is a brunch restaurant in Mapo, Seoul, serving French toast and pasta beside the Gyeongui Line Forest Park. I visited at opening for vanilla French toast and bisque lobster pasta, and loved the generous portions and sweet-savory pairing. Verdict: a lovely brunch stop before a stroll.
Bapjangin Express Bus Terminal Branch is a Korean restaurant on B1 of Seoul Express Bus Terminal in Seocho, Seoul. I tried two beef brisket stews and smoky stir-fried bulgogi after work on a Friday evening. Verdict: a satisfying stop before a bus ride or while shopping.
Min Cook Misoyaki is a Japanese fish-grill and sushi restaurant in Goyang, Gyeonggi. We shared a premium salmon bowl, tuna sashimi rice bowl, and extra-large salted grilled mackerel with our child, starting with sweet, silky egg porridge. Verdict: the grilled mackerel is a must for a family lunch near Hwajeong Station.
Manokamana Triple Street Branch 2 is an Indian restaurant in Yeonsu, Incheon. I tried a set with freshly baked naan, mild chicken curry, chicken, rice, and lassi. Verdict: a filling, satisfying stop before or after shopping.
Craft Hans Seomyeon is a bar in Busanjin, Busan, where you can enjoy crispy fried chicken with house craft beer. We ordered Hans Crispy Chicken, Cajun fries, Hans Pilsner, and Hans I.P.A for a very satisfying drink and meal. Verdict: crisp, juicy chicken and beer made for a happy visit.
Haesanggung is a Korean restaurant in Yeongjong, Incheon, serving octopus dishes and seafood kalguksu. We ordered the two-person Haesanggung table set with our 36-month-old child, and the whole-octopus pancake and rich noodle broth stood out. Haesanggung made for a wonderfully filling family meal.
Omi Omi Handmade Dumpling Hot Pot & Kudzu Naengmyeon is a handmade dumpling hot pot restaurant in Buk-myeon, Cheonan. We had the spicy three-person hot pot at weekday lunch, plus self-serve sujebi and dessert kudzu naengmyeon; it was generous enough to satisfy my parents too. Verdict: a filling choice when you want a full meal from hot pot through dessert.
Osteria Hyeon is an Italian restaurant near Children’s Grand Park and Sejong University in Gwangjin, Seoul. I ordered Hanwoo tenderloin cream pasta, grilled black pork garlic pizza, Blue Moon, and Wedding Imperial Black Tea. Verdict: a great place to alternate between two satisfying meat-topped mains.
Byway Bakers Balsan Station is a bakery café near Balsan Station in Gangseo, Seoul, with salt bread, financiers, and egg tarts. After filling a tray with several choices, the Golden Egg Tart stood out for its pudding-soft vanilla-bean filling and crisp pastry. Verdict: a good stop for takeaway desserts or a quick coffee break.
Ppaksen Freshwater Eel Songjeong Station Branch is a charcoal-grilled eel restaurant in Gwangsan, Gwangju. We had two portions each of salt-grilled and seasoned eel, then finished with yeolmu noodles for 6,800 won. Verdict: try both styles to get the full appeal of eel!
Mayway is a newly opened Chinese restaurant in Gwangsan, Gwangju. I tried its hot stone platter jjajang, a one-person set with jjajang, jjamppong, and tangsuyuk, plus sweet potato fritters. Verdict: Mayway is a great pick for a hearty meal with several dishes to try.
Jakdong Hongdukkkae Kalguksu Bucheon Main Branch is a Korean restaurant in Bucheon, Gyeonggi, where diners cook clam kalguksu at the table. I had one serving each of clam kalguksu and meat dumplings, with barley rice and fresh kimchi on the side. Verdict: a happy, friendly spot I want to revisit.
