Local places · 8693 stories
Restaurants, cafés and salons across Korea — every story by a blogger who actually went, linked to Google Maps.
Dangke Donkatsu is a Japanese restaurant near Taereungipgu Station in Nowon, Seoul, serving handmade tonkatsu and highballs. My husband and I shared the spicy Tokyo loin katsu and tenderloin tonkatsu over a relaxed dinner with no wait at the time of our visit. Verdict: A comfortable date-night option for tonkatsu and a drink.
Rimseutu is a one-person eyelash extension salon in Dunsan-dong, Seo-gu, Daejeon. I chose 9mm Perm Point LED extensions for my short, straight lashes and loved the defined, fuller result without any awkwardness. Verdict: a great fit for naturally long-looking LED lashes.
Like Like Ilsan Juyeop Branch is a dog-friendly brunch café in Goyang, Gyeonggi. I had the 12,400 won kimchi bacon pilaf set and 9,800 won peanut banana French toast for a relaxed solo lunch. Verdict: a comfortable choice for solo diners or visitors with dogs.
Nadeulmok Yeoju Ssalbap is a Korean restaurant in Yeoju, Gyeonggi, serving set meals with locally grown Yeoju rice and seasonal vegetables. The ₩25,000 bulgogi set for two came with starters, pork stir-fry, side dishes, doenjang-jjigae, and scorched-rice tea. Verdict: a generous, comforting meal worth returning to with parents.
Coffee Dripper is a roastery café in Gangneung, Gangwon, serving house-roasted coffee and handmade patbingsu. The iced Americano was aromatic and clean with almost no acidity, while the milk-ice patbingsu was satisfying without being overly sweet. A relaxing travel stop with easy parking and plenty of seating.
Huirit is a Western restaurant in Seongdong, Seoul. I reserved a table for its Beef Wellington, with medium-rare tenderloin and sweet Chodang corn sauce; the glass of red wine was a little disappointing, but corkage is 10,000 won. Huirit is a lovely place to return to for a relaxed terrace wine date.
Mandong Jegwa Yeonnam Branch is a bakery in Seodaemun, Seoul, where you can pick up freshly baked bread. At around 4 PM on a weekday, I took home an onion bagel, garlic baguette, salt soboro, and bacon ciabatta; all four were delicious. Verdict: a reliably tasty bakery takeaway.
Dami Sik is a fusion Chinese restaurant in Nueup-dong, Osan, Gyeonggi. We had the stone jjajang and meat jjamppong set with steamed dumplings on our way home from a trip, and the generous portions and add-your-noodles-when-you-want jjamppong really stayed with us. Verdict: a great spot for a filling family meal.
Hwangbuja Jeotgal is a salted seafood shop in Sokcho Central Market, Gangwon, where visitors can taste different jeotgal before choosing. We packed squid jeotgal and pollock roe in tightly sealed containers with ice packs for the trip home. Verdict: a reassuring stop for travel souvenirs and rice side dishes.
Buheung Charcoal Grilled Galbi Main Branch is a Korean barbecue restaurant in Seonbu-dong, Ansan, Gyeonggi. We enjoyed charcoal-grilled marinated pork ribs, chicken feet, abundant side dishes, and complimentary soybean paste stew with potatoes. Verdict: a satisfying choice when the table wants both ribs and chicken feet.
Raymond Isu Branch is a pizza pub near Isu Station in Dongjak, Seoul. I met my younger friend to give her a wedding invitation and shared cheese pizza, mac and cheese pizza, assorted sausages and nachos, plus Vienna Lager. Verdict: a relaxed spot for pizza and beer while catching up for hours.
Yahwa Honsul Bar Seoul Itaewon Branch is a solo-friendly cocktail bar in Yongsan, Seoul, near Itaewon Station. On a third visit, I arrived at opening and had Jun Bug, Peach Crush, Malibu Orange, and A Starry Night, plus games and handy amenities. Verdict: arrive early—this Itaewon bar fills up fast.
