Local places · 1899 stories
Restaurants in Korea, told firsthand by local bloggers — with photos and Google Maps.
Deureomtong Sotttukkeong Dakdoritang is a Korean restaurant in Nohyeong-dong, Jeju. After 10 p.m., I had aged-kimchi dakdoritang for 2, plus noodles, cheese rice cakes, and torch-melted cheese fried rice; the tender chicken and kimchi stood out. Verdict: a satisfying late-night Jeju meal with drinks.
Cultured is an Italian restaurant in Ara-dong, Jeju City, serving pasta and pizza. My boyfriend and I had steak salad, spicy pomodoro pasta, and a Margherita pizza on puff-pastry dough, and loved the widely spaced tables. Verdict: I want to return with a group to share more dishes.
QooQoo Chuncheon Branch is a sushi buffet on the B1 level of Two Top City in Chuncheon, Gangwon. I visited with my sister at 11:30 a.m. on a weekday after its 2026 renovation, ate sushi through desserts without waiting, and registered for 3 hours of free underground parking. QooQoo Chuncheon Branch is a cleaner, family-friendly buffet after the remodel.
Kosi Seoul National University Entrance Branch is a Japanese restaurant in Gwanak, Seoul, serving Sanuki udon and handmade pork cutlets. We ordered tempura bukkake udon, maze udon, and cheese katsu for 34,500 won. Verdict: springy noodles, crisp tempura, and plenty of stretchy cheese made for a satisfying dinner.
Pickles is a casual pizza dining spot in Jeonpo, Busan. We compared four pizzas—jambon beurre, taco, beef cheeseburger, and bacon cheddar—alongside a salad. Pickles is more fun when a group shares several different pizzas.
Daepae Maket Busan Daeyeon Branch is a thin-sliced pork belly restaurant in Nam-gu, Busan, with a playroom and kids' zone. On a late weekend evening, I had easy-to-grill pork belly, a 2,000 won self bar, and spicy bibim naengmyeon. Verdict: a satisfying family dinner spot with kids.
Thanon55 is a Thai-style pho restaurant in Seongdong, Seoul. I tried the Thai curry beef intestine pho and the generously topped gamjatang pho, and the latter stayed on my mind long afterward. Verdict: If flavor matters more than atmosphere, don’t miss Thanon55’s gamjatang pho.
Sinseon Myeonga is a Korean restaurant in Yeonje, Busan, serving house-made kalguksu and bossam with octopus sets. The grilled octopus and bossam set, kalguksu, and makgeolli came to the 40,000-won range and felt like enough for five people. Verdict: a wonderfully hearty table for daytime drinks.
Jojo AK Plaza Suwon is a Japanese restaurant in the B1 food court of AK Mall at Suwon Station, Gyeonggi. I tried the 18,000 won basic yakisoba and mentaiko gyoza set at the solo-friendly bar table before shopping. Verdict: a simple but filling choice before browsing the mall.
Myeonsikdang Chungbuk National University Branch is a restaurant in Sachang-dong, Cheongju, serving ramen, tonkatsu, rice bowls, and pho. I filled the table with ramen piled with bean sprouts and meat, mini butadon, and crisp tonkatsu. Verdict: a good choice when everyone wants to share different dishes.
Ulsan Daewangam Dol Jjamppong is a Chinese restaurant near Ilsan Beach in Dong-gu, Ulsan. I tried the mild large stone jjambbong, handmade dontang set, and pomegranate ade, enjoying generous bean sprouts, seafood, smoky noodles, and scorched rice. A filling, distinctive meal with easy parking!
Hekbap Konkuk University Main Branch is a Japanese home-style restaurant near Konkuk University Station in Gwangjin, Seoul. I had the mazemen and fried chicken set, mini udon, and mini okonomiyaki at a bar table with an outside view. Hekbap is an easy everyday stop with plenty of menu choices.
