Local places · 9766 stories
Restaurants, cafés and salons across Korea — every story by a blogger who actually went, linked to Google Maps.
Daseon Kalguksu Main Branch is a Korean restaurant near Suwon Station in Suwon, Gyeonggi. After installing a ceiling fan all day, I paired ₩35,000 smoky spicy octopus stir-fry and ₩15,000 boiled pork with makgeolli, plus refillable barley rice. Daseon Kalguksu Main Branch is a satisfying pick for both dinner and drinks.
Yeseoban is a Korean restaurant in Gwanak, Seoul, between Sillim and Seowon Stations. I had the 2-person small braised skate set with freshly cooked pot rice, neat side dishes, bean sprouts, and radish. Verdict: the tender skate and addictive sauce made this a meal I won't forget.
Banwolga is a bar in Ansan, Gyeonggi, serving Korean drinking food and izakaya dishes. I tried the Banwolga Hansang platter, rich uni cream pasta, and limited grilled cuttlefish alongside thoughtful reservation and review-event services. Banwolga is one to remember for a night of food, atmosphere, and little extras.
Mil Tteok Factory Main Branch is an instant tteokbokki restaurant in Gangnam, Seoul. The M-size brisket tteokbokki with jjolmyeon noodles, assorted fritters, and butter garlic fries was a generous meal for two for under 20,000 won. Verdict: Mil Tteok Factory Main Branch is a must for a satisfying, great-value tteokbokki feast.
Pyeonbaek Hoegwan Main Branch is a restaurant in Yeongjong, Incheon, serving a course of cypress-steamed meat, beef shabu-shabu, kalguksu, juk, and a salad bar. I chose bonito and spicy mushroom broths and especially loved the beef belly rice-paper rolls. A great pick when you want a generous variety of dishes in one meal.
Jeong Ji-young Coffee Roasters, Lotte Department Store Nowon is a roastery café in Nowon, Seoul. During a shopping break, I had a nutty latte and a fragrant Americano with just a hint of acidity. Verdict: a worthwhile stop for good coffee near Nowon Station.
Ttukbangjip is a Korean restaurant by the Musimcheon Stream in Cheongju, Chungbuk. Charcoal-grilled gochujang pork, a generous cheonggukjang stew, and a free kimchi noodle dish with a Naver review made this lunch-only stop memorable. Verdict: plan around the four-hour lunch service and go hungry.
Salering Gyodae Direct Store is a salad and poke restaurant in Seocho, Seoul. We tried a smoked duck and chicken thigh protein bowl plus beef brisket and chicken thigh pasta, both light yet filling with brown-rice-and-barley rice. Verdict: a satisfying healthy meal that proves salads do not have to leave you hungry.
Figure Museum Jeju is an indoor figure exhibition space in Andeok-myeon, Seogwipo, Jeju. From game characters to Marvel, DC, animation, and horror displays, Figure Museum Jeju has life-size statues and intricately displayed figures to explore. A worthwhile indoor stop for a rainy or windy day in Jeju.
ONLY FOR YOU Hannam Main Branch is a hair salon in Yongsan, Seoul, offering medium-length layered perms and scalp care. After analyzing thick, coarse hair, Designer Lee Hyun created a full yet lightweight layered style with a texture cut and perm. Verdict: A truly satisfying refresh, from parking to the thoughtful service.
Deodo Gejang is a Korean restaurant in Haeundae, Busan, serving Jeju yellow-crab gejang and spicy monkfish-and-octopus stir-fry. My sister and I chose the two-person Aju Bulgogi Gejang set with soy-marinated crab, enjoyed the well-rounded sides and Marine City view, and had a wonderfully unhurried meal. Verdict: a lovely choice for a relaxed crab meal and a chat in Marine City.
Tanbaek is a Korean restaurant on Jeongdong-gil in Jung-gu, Seoul. On a weekday dinner date, we had warm pork jowl with mushroom rice and soy cream kalguksu; both were remarkably neat and delicious. Verdict: a place I absolutely want to revisit.
