Local places · 2025 stories
Restaurants in Korea, told firsthand by local bloggers — with photos and Google Maps.
Hanyang Dak Kalguksu is a chicken noodle soup restaurant near Police Hospital Station in Songpa, Seoul. With parking right outside, roomy seating, and soup rice with finely chopped chicken that the baby loved, Hanyang Dak Kalguksu made an easy, filling family meal. Verdict: a warm and satisfying choice for the whole family.
Jeongwon Galbi Gyeonggi Gwangju Branch is a Korean BBQ restaurant in Songjeong-dong, Gwangju, Gyeonggi. We ordered two portions of pork ribs, ₩3,000 soybean paste stew, and ₩5,000 spicy hangover ramen. Verdict: a place I would gladly revisit when I’m craving pork ribs.
Hana Shabu Shabu Junggye Main Branch is a shabu-shabu and seiro-mushi restaurant in Nowon, Seoul. My mom and I had the 54,000 won lunch premium course with brisket, sirloin, vegetables, udon noodles, and ube pudding. Verdict: a warm, generous spot I’d happily revisit for a date or gathering.
Huni Gejang is a crab restaurant in Yuryang-dong, Cheonan, Chungnam, serving marinated crab set meals and crab stew. I tried soy-marinated crab, spicy marinated crab, shrimp jang, pot-cooked rice, and a huge stew with four domestic blue crabs. Verdict: a satisfying choice for a group meal with easy parking.
Hyangtaek is a Korean restaurant near Dongdaegu Station in Dong-gu, Daegu. We had mackerel gondre rice, eggplant doenjang rice, and mushroom pancake, with roasted seaweed and mixed salted seafood that suited every dish. Verdict: a great pick for a mild, home-style Korean meal.
Snug Roastery is a charcoal-grilled pork restaurant near Cheolsan Station in Gwangmyeong, Gyeonggi. I ordered two servings of pork belly and limited whole skirt meat; the staff grilled the aged meat over charcoal, while a separate dish for kimchi kept the grill tidy. Verdict: a great Cheolsan Station spot to alternate thick pork belly and beefy-textured skirt meat.
Halls Gimbap Main Branch is a gimbap restaurant in Seocho, Seoul, within walking distance of Gyodae Station. After Saturday morning exercise, I took out Jindo green onion tuna gimbap, Halls Gimbap, and Halls Fried Chicken S; the fillings were generous and the chicken was crisp and sweet. Verdict: Halls Gimbap Main Branch is a great pick for tuna gimbap with fried chicken.
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.
