Local places · 7829 stories
Restaurants, cafés and salons across Korea — every story by a blogger who actually went, linked to Google Maps.
Mandala Indian Lounge is an Indian restaurant on the third floor near Hapjeong Station in Mapo, Seoul. I had lamb spinach curry, chicken tikka masala, butter naan, and rice at a three-person window table overlooking a Hapjeong side street. Verdict: a bright daytime curry spot that makes me curious about its nighttime mood.
Ryusenso Beomeo Branch is a ramen restaurant in Suseong, Daegu, near Suseong-gu Office Station. I tried its spicy Kara Ramen, katsudon, and Jeju black pork gyoza. Verdict: a satisfying choice for solo meals or family dining.
Yeonhwa Maeul Kkomak Bibimbap is a Korean restaurant in Gangdong-myeon, Gangneung, Gangwon, serving cockle bibimbap and mulhoe. The spacious, no-wait stop pairs mild cockle bibimbap with a generous seafood-filled chilled soup after the Jeongdongjin Rail Bike. Verdict: a relaxed and satisfying meal for a quieter Gangneung itinerary.
Jinppaei is a retro-style pocha restaurant in Yuseong, Daejeon, serving live hagfish, grilled shellfish, and cod soup. On a business trip, I ordered Set No. 3 for its stone-plate stir-fried hagfish and cod soup, where the spicy-sweet hagfish went wonderfully with the clear, warming broth. Verdict: a comfortable choice for a late dinner and casual drinks.
PARENTS Coffee & Salad Jungang-dong Branch is a healthy-meal restaurant in Jung-gu, Busan, serving salads, poke, and wraps. The whole shrimp wrap, crispy chicken wrap, and seasoned shrimp poke salad were filling with fresh vegetables without feeling heavy. Verdict: a great choice for a light but satisfying lunch near Busan Station.
Jitheunsan is a dessert café in Yeonnam-dong, Seoul, near Yeontral Park. I tried the autumn fig cream cheese terrine and an iced Americano, and loved the wood-toned interior, cozy seating, and cute tea coaster. Verdict: a lovely date café for seasonal fruit desserts.
Seolleung Dowon is a bar near Seolleung Station in Gangnam, Seoul, where you can enjoy snacks and a quiet conversation. The 36,000 won Dowon Shabu was generous with meat, mung bean sprouts, and mushrooms, while the mild potato salad was a standout. Verdict: a comfortable spot I’d happily revisit for drinks in Seolleung.
Worang Myeongga Daejeon Doan Branch is a Korean beef barbecue restaurant in Doan-dong, Seo-gu, Daejeon. We had a 504 g assorted special-cut Korean beef platter in a private six-person room, with baby-chair seating and easy elevator access from the parking garage. Verdict: a convenient choice for a family meal with a baby after reserving a room.
Bao Seoul Chungmuro is a Taiwanese restaurant in Jung-gu, Seoul, serving baos, rice bowls, and beef noodle soup. We tried the Signature Set for Two for ₩46,000, with rich beef noodle soup, dongpo pork rice bowl, and a classic bao. Verdict: a lovely, travel-like choice for a different kind of date night.
Deulbabae Forest Resom Branch is a Korean restaurant on the third floor of the Forest Clubhouse at Forest Resom in Jecheon, Chungbuk. During a stay at Forest Resom, we ordered the new San-deomi Pa Bulgogi and simmered its generous pile of scallions and bulgogi at the table with rice. Verdict: a convenient, filling Korean dinner without leaving the resort.
Kosi Isu Branch is a cold udon and tonkatsu restaurant a one-minute walk from Exit 9 of Isu Station in Dongjak, Seoul. After waiting at 1 p.m. on Sunday, I had tempura bukkake udon, fresh pork loin tonkatsu, and maze udon for 11,000–11,500 won. Verdict: a satisfying meal worth returning for whenever cold udon sounds good, haha.
Oshi Black Seongsu is a Japanese restaurant near Seoul Forest in Seongdong, Seoul, serving okonomiyaki and yakisoba from a teppan grill. From the bar table, I watched the King Ebi Mayo Oshinomi-yakki, omelet yakisoba with Cheongyang peppers, and tori karaage being prepared. Verdict: a warm, thoughtful choice for a slightly special Seoul Forest dinner.
