Local places · 7683 stories
Restaurants, cafés and salons across Korea — every story by a blogger who actually went, linked to Google Maps.
Gil151 Hanok Cafe is a hanok café in Hongcheon, Gangwon, near Vivaldi Park. We tried Grain Warehouse grain latte, affogato, and pain au chocolat while relaxing in its broad garden pavilions. Verdict: a lovely quiet stop for a nearby day trip.
Damgeum is an Italian-inspired gelato café in Gangdong, Seoul, near Olympic Park. I tried almond latte and Chodang corn, pure milk, hojicha, and Andong Baekjinju rice gelato, plus the green park view and outdoor seating. Verdict: a lovely stop for kids or an unhurried café break.
Cafe Dongi Daemyeong Station Branch is a Korean restaurant in Nam-gu, Daegu, that makes family meals with children easy. Six of us, including three children and my mother, shared kids’ meals, grilled pork, pork bulgogi, and soybean paste stew, with the self-service bar and quick staff response standing out. Verdict: a worthwhile pick for a family meal with children.
Hôtel de Couture is an Italian restaurant in Yeonnam-dong, Seoul, serving pasta, risotto, and eggs in hell. My mom, sister, and I shared three dishes, chose different favorites, and finished every plate. Verdict: a lovely pick for both dates and family meals.
Jeongseong Katsu Chuncheon Toegye Branch is a tonkatsu restaurant in Toegye-dong, Chuncheon, Gangwon. We tried the loin and tenderloin tonkatsu set meals with sauce, wasabi, salt, and curry-mixed rice. Verdict: choose tenderloin for tenderness and loin for a satisfying bite and nuttiness.
Jangjakgun Main Branch is a wood-fired chicken restaurant near Dandaeogeori Station in Seongnam, Gyeonggi. I had half corn cheese and half seasoned nurungji chicken with draft beer and hangover ramen, then scraped up the scorched rice beneath the stone plate. Verdict: a lovely choice for chicken and beer on a cool evening.
CORR is a dessert café in Dongnae, Busan, with dedicated parking, spacious seating, and private rooms. My child and I had a chocolate latte, Dubai chewy cookie, and salt caramel financier in its sunlit, cozy space. Verdict: a relaxing stop for desserts and drinks, especially for the chocolate latte.
Cafe Dongyi Chimsan Branch is a Korean restaurant in Buk-gu, Daegu. We visited with our child on a weekend evening for yeolmu bibimbap, fire-grilled pork bulgogi, and tangsuyuk, plus the self-service bar. Verdict: a filling family meal with plenty of child-friendly options.
Shabu in Seoul Seongsu is a shabu-shabu restaurant in Seongdong, Seoul, near Seongsu Station. Prime Angus chuck flap, 1++ Korean beef boseopsal, spicy mushroom broth, shrimp balls, and rosé risotto made for an unusual meal from start to finish. Verdict: the meat and risotto finish were especially memorable.
Baeksan Hwarro Cheongju Branch is a pork barbecue restaurant in Songjeol-dong, Cheongju, Chungbuk. My mom and I had the 530g small assorted platter, kimchi cheonggukjang, pot rice, and mul naengmyeon; the scored pork rind was the standout. Verdict: a convenient family dinner spot with easy parking.
Gorae Gajok is a seafood restaurant in Dong-gu, Busan, serving whale meat and tuna. The Special B course for 55,000 won per person moves from steamed egg and fried shrimp to sashimi, uni, eel, skate, tuna, whale meat, and Nagasaki jjamppong. Verdict: a generous choice for trying odor-free whale meat with distinct textures by cut.
Iyo Shop is a lash salon in Mapo, Seoul, offering lash lifts and extensions near Gongdeok Station. In its clean white interior, I received a comfortable lash lift without unnecessary conversation and saw a defined but natural curl. Verdict: Iyo Shop is a good fit for quiet, natural-looking lash care.
