Local places · 8374 stories
Restaurants, cafés and salons across Korea — every story by a blogger who actually went, linked to Google Maps.
Daily Fix Seocho Gyodae Branch is a burger and sandwich restaurant in Seocho, Seoul. I tried the smoked pastrami sandwich, double cheeseburger, lemonade, and French fries in its hip American-pub-style space. Verdict: the crisp bread and rich beef flavor made for an impressive meal.
Yuok is a Japanese restaurant near Songjeong Beach in Haeundae, Busan. Two adults, a five-year-old, and a four-month-old shared jumbo unaju, toridon, and a children’s lunchbox while enjoying the pond and kind service. Verdict: a memorable choice for a family meal in Songjeong.
Nuri Maeul Gamjatang Itaewon Branch is a Korean restaurant two minutes from Itaewon Station in Yongsan, Seoul. The small spicy pork bone braise in the regular heat level came loaded with chewy udon, sujebi and rice cakes, and the soy milk noodles were delicious with sugar. Nuri Maeul Gamjatang Itaewon Branch is a satisfying choice even late at night.
Mellows is a café near Ttukseom Station in Seongdong, Seoul, serving coffee and soft-serve ice cream. I tried strawberry, peach, mango, matcha, and peanut butter, each with its own fruit, syrup, or sweet-salty twist. Mellows is a great after-meal dessert stop near Ttukseom Station.
Hwangje Sushi Ilsan Main Branch is a sushi restaurant in Goyang, Gyeonggi. My friend and I tried the VIP Sushi set, with non-fishy aged sashimi, abalone porridge, grilled salmon, croquettes, and udon. Verdict: a filling stop before a Costco run.
Classicdang is an Italian brunch restaurant in Mapo, Seoul. My child and I shared crab-and-cheese rosé pasta, Margherita pizza, and garlic bread over a weekday lunch. Verdict: Classicdang is worth revisiting for its rich rosé pasta with garlic bread.
Cham Dwaejitgan Cheonan Dujeong Branch is a pork barbecue restaurant in Dujeong-dong, Cheonan, Chungnam. On a rainy day, the staff grilled Jirisan black pork five-layer belly and pork belly just right, alongside soy sauce egg rice, kimchi stew, and chilled arrowroot noodles. Verdict: a seriously delicious, must-return Korean BBQ meal.
Bongja Makchang Daegu Jongno Branch is a Korean barbecue restaurant in Jung-gu, Daegu, serving fresh makchang and pork belly on one platter. My family added pork belly to the Bongja Platter and filled up on unlimited ramen, steamed egg, and patbingsu. Bongja Makchang Daegu Jongno Branch was an easy, family-friendly choice for a hearty barbecue meal.
Songnim Bok Jangeo Freshwater Eel All-You-Can-Eat Suwon Main Branch is an all-you-can-eat barbecue restaurant in Suwon, Gyeonggi. For 29,900 won per adult plus a 3,000 won table-setting fee, I grilled thick freshwater eel, pork belly, chicken neck meat, and finished with cold buckwheat noodles. Verdict: the value for such a generous spread is seriously incredible.
Pyeonbaek Hoegwan Main Branch is a restaurant in Yeongjong, Incheon, serving cypress-steamed dishes followed by shabu-shabu. Our 10-month-old loved the steamed dish, and the high chair, small playroom, and on-site parking made the meal easier for us. Verdict: a great pick when dining out with a baby and wanting a filling variety of food.
Fluffy Bake Shop is a baked-goods café near Gongdeok Station in Mapo, Seoul. Hamin and I took home six treats on a Saturday morning to have with coffee, and the apple churros financier and crisp egg tart stood out. Verdict: a lovely stop for trying a variety of baked treats near Gongdeok Station.
Hyeonseonine Premium IFC Mall Branch is a Korean snack restaurant on B2 of IFC Mall in Yeongdeungpo, Seoul. The ₩25,000 spicy Hyeonseoni Combo Set came with chewy wheat-rice-cake tteokbokki, gimbap, sundae, and drinks, and I added beer. Verdict: a satisfying choice when you want a generously portioned spicy tteokbokki combo.
