Local places · 9224 stories
Restaurants, cafés and salons across Korea — every story by a blogger who actually went, linked to Google Maps.
Baengnyeon Boribap is a Korean restaurant in Daedeok, Daejeon, serving unlimited 12-dish banchan and rice. I had the aged-kimchi cheonggukjang barley-rice set with stir-fried pork, plus bibimbap, lettuce, and raw onion. Verdict: an outstanding-value choice for family meals and gatherings.
Viva Trade Eulji Dundaun Dongdaemun Branch is a large vintage shop in Jung-gu, Seoul. I browsed fall and winter clothes with a cart, checked out the Kitty Zone, LP listening area, and vintage goods, then tried on a knit and checked skirt. A great place to take your time and score a find.
Uu is a quiet solo-drinking bar in Gwangjin, Seoul, where guests choose between drinking alone and joining others via QR check-in. With board games, delivery-friendly tables, and cocktails from ₩15,000, I ended up staying longer than expected. Verdict: Uu is a lovely hideout for starting quietly and easing into a freer social atmosphere.
Yeongjae Susan is a seafood shop at Garak Mall in Songpa, Seoul, where you can choose live fish sashimi and seafood. I took home the ₩65,000 small Nonggwang Cham sashimi platter for my parents, along with a generous spicy fish stew. Verdict: a satisfying family takeaway feast.
Veteran General Fish Market Incheon Yeonsu Branch is a seafood restaurant in Yeonsu, Incheon. I ordered a 13,900 won lunch sashimi set for two and 30,000 won salt-grilled raw prawns, with self-serve kimchi pancakes, fish roe rice, and more. Veteran General Fish Market Incheon Yeonsu Branch delivered a generous, satisfying seasonal seafood meal.
Jindallae Silbi Sadang Branch is a retro Korean bar in Dongjak, Seoul, serving a 15-dish Samchuncase course near Sadang Station. My husband and I paired makgeolli with everything from abalone porridge to sashimi, pork cutlet, and spicy soup after work. Verdict: a great hearty course for a group with different tastes.
Sokcho Topgol Makguksu Main Branch is a makguksu restaurant near Sokcho Beach in Sokcho, Gangwon. My husband and I tried buckwheat makguksu, Deulmemak, shredded potato pancake, and giant buckwheat dumplings; the crisp-outside, fluffy-inside pancake and cool young-radish kimchi stood out. Verdict: a satisfying Sokcho meal with a photo keepsake, too.
Raviok Yeoksam Main Branch is a Korean BBQ restaurant between Yeoksam and Eonju stations in Gangnam, Seoul. On a Friday after work, I tried its staff-grilled, pre-seared LA galbi with scallion kimchi; the banchan and spicy bibim kalguksu were rather ordinary. Verdict: I’d return for the exceptionally tender meat alone.
TPM hbc is a pizza restaurant in Yongsan, Seoul, serving seasonal pizzas and beer midway up Haebangchon’s hill. I tried the seasonal fig and prosciutto pizza with draft beer, handmade hot sauce, and gat kimchi pickles. Verdict: a lovely sunset spot for a date or blind date over pizza and beer.
Town Sandwich Jamsil Branch is a sandwich restaurant in Songpa, Seoul, near Jamsil Station. Before heading to Lotte World, I shared a carrot-and-egg sandwich and strawberry latte with my son; the baguette was wonderfully moist. Verdict: a filling, family-friendly lunch or snack that kept us full until dinner.
Kkang Udong Songpa Bangi Branch is a pocha-style bar in Songpa, Seoul. I had fish cake udon and handmade tangsuyuk with draft beer and soju, and it felt easy to drop into for either the first or second round on a chilly day. Verdict: go when you’re craving hot udon broth, crisp tangsuyuk, and a somaek.
Sinbakkase is a fusion omakase bar in Bokdae-dong, Cheongju, Chungbuk. After reserving a weekday dinner, I had the 29,900-won-per-person course with aged sashimi, clear monkfish soup, and yukjeon, plus a look at the full-house event. Sinbakkase makes for a filling, fun evening, though big eaters may want extra sashimi.
