Local places · 9063 stories
Restaurants, cafés and salons across Korea — every story by a blogger who actually went, linked to Google Maps.
Yun Ujae Shabu Kalguksu Gogidong Branch is a shabu-shabu and kalguksu restaurant in Yongin, Gyeonggi. We chose spicy red broth, added 140 g of sirloin, and wrapped the tender flat kalguksu noodles in meat. Yun Ujae Shabu Kalguksu Gogidong Branch is a place I would happily visit again.
Grid Cafe is a bakery café in Ogeum-dong, Songpa, Seoul, serving egg tarts, salt bread, and coffee. We visited with our child on a Sunday afternoon for original and chocolate egg tarts, salt bread, rich iced Americano, and decaf coffee. Verdict: Grid Cafe is especially worth a stop for its egg tarts and coffee.
Goban Sikdang Suncheon Jorye Branch is a Korean BBQ restaurant in Jorye-dong, Suncheon, where staff grill aged fresh pork from start to finish. We had the 600g Signature Assorted Platter for ₩59,000 and Myeongin Myeongran Rice for ₩5,000 with plentiful sides. Verdict: a wonderfully easy choice for a proper pork meal without any grilling work.
Izawa Yeouido Direct Store is a Japanese restaurant near Yeouido Station in Yeongdeungpo, Seoul. We ordered two 18,000 won gyukatsu sets and grilled each piece over a tabletop brazier with two sauces and wasabi. Verdict: a relaxed, enjoyable lunch worth returning for.
Torikokoro Gongneung Direct Store is a Japanese noodle restaurant in Nowon, Seoul, serving tsukemen and mazesoba. Even at 5:10 p.m. after the weekend break, there was a wait, so we shared both dishes after a walk on the Gyeongchun Line Forest Trail. Torikokoro was well worth the 30-minute wait.
Sinchon Yangpuni Seomyeon Main Branch is a Korean restaurant in Busanjin, Busan, serving spicy braised ribs with selectable heat levels. I paired level 4 ribs with Jeolla-do aged kimchi, glass noodles, and steamed egg. Verdict: a satisfyingly fiery, umami-rich combination worth returning for.
Modam Dining Gwanghwamun is a Korean restaurant in Jongno, Seoul, serving Korean set meals in a course-like sequence. We tried the Jindo green onion and crisp bulgogi set meal for 34,000 won, from mung bean porridge through plum tea. Verdict: the Cheongyang water kimchi and Modam fried mushrooms made this a polished yet comfortable choice for a formal meal.
Yaki Naseong Branch is an izakaya in Naseong-dong, Sejong, serving a premium seafood platter with unlimited gamtae and oden nabe. We had fatty tuna, sweet shrimp, uni, sushi rice, and added udon noodles to the 25,000-won nabe. Verdict: a great pick for fresh seafood and a broth that stays warm for ages.
Byuazeu Hongdae Nail, Lashes & Skincare is a beauty salon in Mapo, Seoul, offering gel nails, pedicures, lashes, and skincare. After a quick, careful gel removal and cuticle treatment, I chose a grape-purple monthly nail-art design for under ₩50,000. Verdict: a lovely, affordable choice for a monthly nail appointment.
Hyeonseoni-ne Cheonggye Instant Branch is a Korean snack restaurant in Jung-gu, Seoul. I visited in the evening for its old-school street-stall atmosphere, a set menu, crispy fried snacks, and tteokbokki that felt quite spicy even at the medium level. Hyeonseoni-ne Cheonggye Instant Branch is an easy choice for dining in or takeaway.
Ondogye is a charcoal-grilled chicken restaurant in Gangdong, Seoul. I returned to this longtime favorite for garlic-salt and soy-marinated dakgalbi, generous sauces, and steamed egg, all grilled by the staff. Verdict: a strongly recommended Cheonho favorite.
Gapposo is a Japanese restaurant in Geumcheon, Seoul, serving sushi at lunch and aged sashimi at dinner. I had the solo dinner sushi course with five kinds of aged sashimi, grilled fish, tempura, 12 sushi pieces, and udon; they also accommodated my request to leave out salmon. Verdict: a satisfying course for anyone who loves the deep flavor of aged fish.
