Local places · 2192 stories
Restaurants, cafés and salons across Korea — every story by a blogger who actually went, linked to Google Maps.
Gim Sukseong is a Korean barbecue restaurant in Mapo, Seoul, serving 25-day dry-aged pork grilled for you at the table. I ordered the Gim Sukseong Special 2 and marinated raw crab rice with cheese salt, ssamjang, minari, and green onion kimchi. Verdict: a great stop for open-air tent vibes and relaxed conversation over excellent pork.
Pyeonbaek Hoegwan Main Branch is an all-you-can-eat hinoki steam and shabu-shabu restaurant in Yeongjong, Incheon. I had the 17,900 won lunch set with fresh vegetables, a varied self-service bar, and a kids’ playroom. Pyeonbaek Hoegwan Main Branch is a great pick for family gatherings with children.
Yeoyejeong is a salt-aged charcoal-grill restaurant in Seo-myeon, Yangyang, Gangwon. For the first meal of a 2-night, 3-day trip, I had pork belly, whole pork jowl, and Yeojeong naengmyeon for 15,000–18,000 won per meat order and 5,000 won for noodles. Verdict: a satisfying, hearty way to start a Yangyang trip.
Bueokgan Chinese Marine City Branch is a Chinese restaurant in Haeundae, Busan, with ocean views and classic Chinese dishes. We shared poached-egg ganjjajang, extra-large beef jjamppong, and black-vinegar tangsuyuk with my parents. Verdict: a wonderful pick for a family meal, date, or group gathering.
Makise Hapjeong is a Japanese restaurant in Mapo, Seoul, centered on kaisendon seafood rice bowls. Before the fireworks festival, we had the 45,000 won Set Menu A for two and loved pairing the thick, fresh sashimi with rice, wasabi, and seaweed however we liked. Verdict: A place I’d happily revisit when I’m craving the kaisendon I had in Japan.
Teukbyeolhan Chobap is a conveyor-belt sushi restaurant in Suwon, Gyeonggi, near Yeongtong Station. My mother and I tried yukhoe, salmon, aged-kimchi sushi, matsukawa sea bream, and shrimp tempura, finishing 20 plates between us at 1,890 won each. A satisfying choice for trying many kinds of sushi a little at a time.
Suwolgyeonghwa is a tea house by Songjeong Beach in Haeundae, Busan. I had tea by the window, sampled the tea of the day, and enjoyed Shrinking Pumpkin, Hojigabae, and the Dalbodeure Box. A soothing stop for Songjeong ocean views, tea, and Korean-style desserts.
Bakerist Brown is a large bakery café near Gangnam Station in Seoul. I tried its savory salt bread, nutty salt cream coffee, and colorful Gangnam Sand cookies. Verdict: a reliable stop for dessert and coffee with plenty of seats.
Gim Myeongju Tteuranchae Bapsang Bucheon Main Branch is a Korean restaurant in Bucheon, Gyeonggi, serving stone-pot rice, cheonggukjang, and home-style side dishes. We ordered the 13,000-won Tteuranchae Bapsang for two with soy-marinated crab and refilled our favorite sides at the self-service bar. Verdict: a satisfying, hearty meal of hot pot rice and rich cheonggukjang.
Oreno Ramen Gangnam is a ramen restaurant near Gangnam Station in Seoul. After returning for the first time in three months, I waited 20 minutes on a weekend evening for Kara Paitan and the renewed assorted tsukune. The spicy broth and thin noodles are still seriously memorable.
Dakgalbijeon Gangnam Branch is a dakgalbi restaurant in Seocho, Seoul, near Sinnonhyeon Station. I ordered the two-person Gamsadak set with a perilla-leaf potato pancake and semi-frozen nurungju, and felt it would be even better with extra toppings. A solid, easy choice for a group dinner.
Adam is a Western restaurant in Jeonju’s Gaekridan-gil alley. I tried the Korean beef striploin steak, which was tender enough to cut with a fork and came nicely paired with mushrooms and mashed potatoes. Verdict: Adam is a cozy choice for a Jeonju dinner date near Gaeksa or Hanok Village.
