Local places · 2044 stories
Restaurants, cafés and salons across Korea — every story by a blogger who actually went, linked to Google Maps.
Brown Hands Tongyeong is an Italian restaurant and café on the second floor of Tongyeong Concert Hall in Tongyeong, Gyeongnam. Brown Hands Tongyeong serves wheel-cheese pasta, ghee butter steak, squid-ink risotto, arugula pizza, coffee, and dessert with sea views. Verdict: a wholehearted recommendation for a memorable meal and post-meal walk in Tongyeong.
Deodolpan Sanbon Branch is a Korean restaurant near Sanbon Station in Gunpo, Gyeonggi. I tried the 2-person Oje Bokkeum set with stir-fried squid and pork, plus perilla seed sujebi, and loved the spacious dining room and hot stone plate. Verdict: a filling choice for lunch or a group meal.
Dolpanseok Jjamppong Paju Simhaksan Branch is a Chinese restaurant near Simhaksan in Paju, Gyeonggi. I had white jjamppong on a stone plate with shrimp toast and fried dumplings, and loved the hot broth and scorched rice at the bottom. A great choice for a light but satisfying lunch.
Salmon Brothers is a sushi and pasta restaurant in Gwangalli, Suyeong, Busan. I ordered half fresh salmon and half tataki sushi, aglio e olio pasta, and fruit sherbet, and loved the cute interior and calm mood. Verdict: a great Gwangalli date spot for dinner and drinks.
Gimssi Chicken Suyu Market Branch is a chicken shop in Gangbuk, Seoul, where you can take away dakgangjeong and chicken wings. I chose medium dakgangjeong for 9,000 won, chicken wings, and cheese jalapeño sauce, then watched the chicken get tossed in sauce right on the griddle. A great easy market snack or dinner takeaway.
Worang Myeongga Daejeon Doan Branch is a Korean beef barbecue restaurant in Doan-dong, Daejeon. We grilled 258 g of 1++(8) flower rib meat medium-rare in a private room and enjoyed plentiful table settings, including beef sashimi and marinated raw crab. Verdict: a satisfying choice for juicy Korean beef and generous accompaniments.
Yeokjeon Pojangmacha is a bar in Yeongdeungpo, Seoul, near Yeongdeungpo Station’s food alley. I met university friends for boneless dakbokkeumtang, honey tomatoes, sausage and fries, fried rice, and dakgangjeong while watching baseball. Verdict: a comfortable pick for groups thanks to roomy tables and affordable drinks.
Bakerist Brown is a large bakery café near Gangnam Station in Seoul. Yuyong and I tried mentaiko salt bread, fig pavlova, an eight-piece Gangnam Sand Cookie set, and drinks; the crisp-chewy bread filled with mentaiko cream stood out. Verdict: a great pick for a relaxed weekend of breads and desserts.
Sutgarak Bansang Masil is a Korean restaurant in Nowon, Seoul, about a 10-minute walk from Nowon Station. I enjoyed a set meal with my parents, from japchae and yakseon bossam to mushroom galbijjim and cherry blossom rice. Verdict: a gently seasoned, satisfying choice for family gatherings or meeting the in-laws.
Jeontong Sigol Chueotang Ulsan Mugeo Branch is a Korean restaurant near the back gate of Ulsan University in Nam-gu, Ulsan. I tried loach soup, dumpling soup with kalguksu, and spicy stir-fried pork, and loved the home-style side dishes and generous portions. Verdict: a comforting stop when you are craving a hearty home-cooked meal.
Bada Yakbang Sindang Branch is an izakaya in Sindang-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul, serving seasonal aged sashimi and seafood dishes near Sindang Station. We paired the seasonal aged sashimi platter with monkfish liver salt gimbap and abalone innards cream pasta, plus a white wine we brought along with free corkage. Verdict: a lovely pick for aged sashimi and drinks.
Mirim Yangjang is a Chinese bar in Jeonpo, Busanjin, Busan, serving Peking duck and a wide menu of Chinese dishes. We ordered half a Peking duck, mapo tofu with extra rice, and kkanpung shrimp—and added the wraps three times. Verdict: A memorable pick for dinner and drinks with a twist.
