Local places · 904 stories
Restaurants in Korea, told firsthand by local bloggers — with photos and Google Maps.
Songnim Bok Jangeo Wolpi Branch is an unlimited freshwater eel grill restaurant in Ansan, Gyeonggi. I grilled eel and pork belly myself, using the self-service bar for side dishes; the eel was crisp outside and tender inside, though I was too full to try the side dishes.
Songnim Bok Jangeo Freshwater Eel Unlimited Refill, Sadong Branch is an all-you-can-eat Korean restaurant in Ansan serving eel, chicken neck meat, and pork belly. I visited for a boknal meal, enjoyed the mild eel and chewy chicken neck meat, and found Friday evening fully booked; reserving ahead helped, though parking in front was limited.
Jeju Oktop JEJU BBQ is a restaurant in Gwangju, Gyeonggi, specializing in aged Jeju black pork. I visited on a date, ordered black pork samgyeopsal, kimchi stew, and bibim memil naengmyeon, and found the staff grilling service made it easy to eat and talk. The pork was savory even with just salt, while the cold noodles had an unusually doenjang-like savoriness.
Gusa Yeonnam is a Japanese-style teppanyaki izakaya in Mapo, Seoul. I visited at weekday lunchtime for chipotle okonomiyaki, mentaiko cream udon, and Wagyu MB9 salchisal; it was quiet, and the spicy pancake and rich udon made a good pairing.
Quokka Bite is a handmade burger restaurant between Gongdeok and Daeheung in Mapo, Seoul. I tried the Nashville hot chicken and whole-shrimp burger sets, and enjoyed the crisp chicken and springy shrimp patties, though the indoor space was small and parking was limited to one car.
Usu (우수) is a Korean beef course restaurant in Mapo, Seoul, with every table in a private room. I had the Lunch C course, from small opening dishes and sirloin grilled over a personal brazier to seaweed soup and corn ice cream; it was a filling lunch and the quiet room was a highlight.
Dixie's is a Southern American restaurant near Dongmun Market in Jeju. I tried the Cajun shrimp and fried chicken rice bowls; the shrimp’s cilantro-and-spice flavor and the chicken’s crisp coating stood out, while the casual seating suited a relaxed meal.
Jinhae Jang Bone Kalguksu, Yangsan Branch is a Korean restaurant in the Beomeo development area opposite Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital. My boyfriend and I had boneless bone kalguksu and a small galbi-flavored grilled pork bone dish; the broth and tender meat stood out, though the kimchi was very spicy.
Hyeopjae On Ttukbaegi (협재온뚝배기) is a Korean restaurant directly in front of Hyeopjae Beach in Jeju. I had beef seonji haejangguk and Jeju black pork bulgogi for breakfast; the soup was generously filled, and the thick pork worked well with its lightly sweet seasoning.
Doonjeong (도온정) is a Korean restaurant in Hyangdong, Deogyang-gu, Goyang, near Sangam DMC. I had Korean beef tripe hot pot with added udon noodles and liked the generous ingredients and clean-tasting broth, though there are not many tables and no dedicated parking.
Hanjan Meokgo Gajami is a flatfish sashimi restaurant in Pyeongni-dong, Seo-gu, Daegu. My wife and I ordered the medium chamgajami sashimi and were very full; the vegetable mix with chojang and soybean powder was especially good. The complimentary mulhoe and the spicy fish stew we ordered at the end also stood out.
Mungteong Bucheon Sinjung-dong Branch is a grilled pork restaurant near Sinjung-dong Station’s dining alley in Bucheon. My friend and I ordered the One Plate Set; the pork was tender and free of any off smell, and the shrimp salt was my favorite accompaniment.
