Local places · 9332 stories
Restaurants, cafés and salons across Korea — every story by a blogger who actually went, linked to Google Maps.
Elephant Sushi Gwanghwamun is a sushi restaurant in Jongno, Seoul, connected to Gwanghwamun Station Exit 2. On a Saturday evening during the fireworks festival, a couple enjoyed the 28,000-won Elephant B set and crisp shrimp tempura, with the sweet monkfish liver standing out. Verdict: a satisfying stop for quality sushi after a Gwanghwamun outing.
Jeonju House is a Korean restaurant in Yuseong, Daejeon, serving galbi kimchi jjigae and pot rice. We ordered the 2-person cast-iron-pot galbi kimchi jjigae for 30,000 won and an egg roll for 10,000 won for a weekday lunch. Verdict: Jeonju House is a filling pick for an office-worker lunch.
Nuri Maeul Gamjatang Itaewon Branch is a 24-hour Korean restaurant beside Exit 4 of Itaewon Station in Yongsan, Seoul. Three people generously shared a medium Nuri Gamjatang and potato sujebi add-on, loving the refreshing spicy broth and plentiful bones and tender meat. Verdict: a hearty pick for gamjatang or a hangover meal in Itaewon.
Cheongnyeon Dakbal 1987 Hongdae Branch is a chicken-feet bar in Mapo, Seoul, near Hongik University Station. We enjoyed icy muksabal, soup chicken feet, and steamed egg at an outdoor table, with a choice of chicken-feet styles and spice levels. Verdict: a lovely spot for outdoor pocha vibes with someone special on a nice day.
Rustic Smokehouse Yongin Bojeong Branch is a Texas-style barbecue restaurant in Yongin, Gyeonggi, beside Bojeong-dong Café Street. The 37,000 won All-Day BBQ C Set included brisket, shrimp tacos, and seafood oil pasta, with buttery rolls turned into little homemade burgers. Verdict: the tender brisket and generously sized tacos were the standouts.
Jeju Eunhui-ne Haejangguk Goyang Samsong Branch is a Korean restaurant in Goyang, Gyeonggi, opposite Starfield Goyang. Four of us ordered four ₩12,000 bowls of haejangguk, adding minced garlic and crisp kkakdugi. Verdict: a solid, filling meal before or after shopping.
Choryang Hyeongje Galbi is a pork rib restaurant in Dong-gu, Busan. Even late in the evening, nearly every table was full, and the staff grilled the meat while keeping the sides coming, making for a hearty meal of aged kimchi, ribs, and rice. Verdict: the gently sweet ribs and spicy soybean paste stew were unforgettable.
Gome Mui Songpa Munjeong is a Japanese restaurant in Songpa, Seoul, serving tonkatsu, mazemen and 솥밥 (pot-cooked rice). I had the mazemen-and-tonkatsu set, hirekatsu and mini curry, and the counter seating, group tables and warm water made it especially easy for a solo lunch. Gome Mui Songpa Munjeong is a satisfying pick when you want crisp, light katsu with chewy mazemen noodles.
Seokok Galbi is a pork rib restaurant in Haeundae, Busan. I ordered four portions of Jangin Galbi and the 3,000-won MinSaeng kimchi jjigae, enjoying tender, closely scored ribs in kelp and salted-seafood wraps. Seokok Galbi is worth revisiting for its food, sides, and service.
Osteria Eden is an Italian restaurant in Gangnam, Seoul, near Apgujeong Rodeo Station. I ordered ₩34,000 truffle cheese-wheel tagliatelle and ₩35,000 honey cod steak, with fresh truffle shaved tableside. Verdict: a polished spot for a special brunch with a little show.
Bueokgan Restaurant Yangsan Oslo Park Branch is an Italian restaurant in Yangsan, Gyeongnam. I ordered shrimp rosé pasta, Kung Pao chicken pilaf, and sweet potato fries in its distinctive, atmospheric space. Bueokgan Restaurant Yangsan Oslo Park Branch is a lovely pick for a date or anniversary meal.
Boksakkot Pineun Jip Daejeon Branch is a seafood restaurant in Sutonggol, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, where spicy stir-fried octopus comes with a lineup of accompanying dishes. The writer and their mother ordered stir-fried octopus for 2, and it kept coming — pizza, muksabal, salad and even after-meal coffee — almost like a course meal, and the whole family was satisfied. Boksakkot Pineun Jip is a place worth returning to for a hearty family dinner after a drive through Sutonggol.
