Local places · 9477 stories
Restaurants, cafés and salons across Korea — every story by a blogger who actually went, linked to Google Maps.
Soi Nana is a Thai restaurant in Seongdong, Seoul, serving Thai dishes tailored to Korean tastes. I tried tender beef pho, bún chả, and ₩29,000 pu pat pong curry at the outdoor and window seats. Verdict: come for the rich, velvety crab curry and comforting pho broth.
Le Garden Bleu is a restaurant in Eojin-dong, Sejong, for a relaxed Western-style meal and unhurried conversation. We shared handmade potato gnocchi with Chodang corn ragù, classic pomodoro pasta, and a sous-vide chicken Caesar salad, then browsed books and shops afterward. Verdict: Visit outside the weekday noon-to-1 pm rush for a quieter meal.
Gogikkun Gim Chunbae Hongdae Main Branch is a Korean BBQ restaurant in Mapo, Seoul, where guests can bring wine with no corkage fee. We ordered the beef-and-pork set for two, half-and-half naengmyeon, and kkakttuk bap while the staff grilled everything for us. Verdict: a comfortable pick for Korean BBQ and wine in Hongdae.
Pine Katsu Jamsil Main Branch is a pork cutlet restaurant in Samjeon-dong, Songpa, Seoul. I compared cheese, tenderloin, and loin cutlets with udon, and the juicy tenderloin, crisp-yet-moist salad, and after-meal pineapple were all memorable. Verdict: I would come back specifically for the tenderloin cutlet.
Bistro Chai Plus is a private-room Western course restaurant in Seocho, Seoul. We mixed a 48,000 won sablefish lunch course with a 58,000 won lamb-rack course for six dishes that were bold yet light. Verdict: a lovely place for a quiet date or get-together.
Ppongnamujip is a samgyetang restaurant in Sapgyo, Yesan, Chungnam, serving nurungji and mung bean chicken soup with Korean ingredients. I arrived at opening on Sunday and loved the tender chicken, house-made soy sauce and kimchi, and creamy mung bean porridge. Verdict: a memorable final meal for a Yesan trip.
Millepollie is an Italian restaurant in Goyang, Gyeonggi, serving pasta, gnocchi, pizza, and more. Four of us shared a 57,000-won lunch set plus white ragù pasta and Gorgonzola gnocchi while talking wedding plans. Verdict: a lovely choice for an unhurried group meal with a warm atmosphere.
Hongrad Suwon Station Branch is a vintage New York–concept café in Suwon, Gyeonggi, behind the Suwon Tax Office. I stopped by outside weekday peak time for strawberry latte and Hongrad Toast filled with rice cake. Verdict: a quiet, atmospheric spot for a break or date away from Rodeo Street.
Jukrim Sutbul Dwaeji Gui is a charcoal-grilled pork restaurant in Suyeong, Busan, open until 1 a.m. Staff grill thick pork neck and pork belly from start to finish, alongside rich soybean paste stew packed with blue crab and tofu. Verdict: a delicious, easy late-night Korean BBQ stop near Gwangalli.
Eonyang Dak Kalguksu Incheon Songdo Branch is a Korean restaurant in Yeonsu, Incheon, serving warm chicken kalguksu and chilled chogye-guksu. We ordered one of each and alternated between the two hearty noodle dishes for a satisfying, different kind of lunch. A great pick when you want something both warm and refreshing.
Yukmong Bangi Direct Branch is a Korean BBQ restaurant in Bangi-dong, Songpa, Seoul, where staff grill the meat tableside. I had galbi samgyeopsal, limited Shrek Galbi, galmaegisal, and brisket ramen with my mom and sibling. Verdict: a comfortable choice for a family meal or an easygoing group gathering.
Todamok is a Korean restaurant in Seonbu-dong, Ansan, Gyeonggi, serving kalguksu and bossam. We visited with our 23-month-old, who enjoyed watching the rabbits, and found the large parking lot, self-service bar, free rice, and dumplings convenient, though the food felt lukewarm that day. Verdict: a handy family-driving option, with a personal caveat about the food temperature on our visit.
