Local places · 5502 stories
Restaurants in Korea, told firsthand by local bloggers — with photos and Google Maps.
Hurato Sikdang is a Japanese restaurant near Yeouido Station in Yeongdeungpo, Seoul, where diners grill gyukatsu on an individual brazier. We ordered the gyukatsu and steki rice bowl, pairing them with wasabi and cabbage. Verdict: a warm, fun combination to share to the last bite.
Daonjeong Shabu Son Kalguksu is a shabu-shabu and kalguksu restaurant in Wirye, Seongnam, Gyeonggi. The meal paired spicy shabu-shabu with minari and boiled pork, plus a crisp minari pancake, and the roomy table spacing and self-service bar were a highlight. Verdict: Daonjeong is a satisfying stop when kalguksu is calling.
Yeongdong Milmyeon & Dwaeji Gukbap is a pork soup restaurant near Busan Station in Dong-gu, Busan. On a fourth visit, the writer ordered two suyuk baekban sets with fresh wrap vegetables, thick slices of boiled pork, and dried radish. Verdict: a generous stop for pork soup, especially for first-timers.
Color Bunsik is a Korean snack restaurant in Songpa, Seoul, with a rooftop outdoor dining area and a huge screen. On a cool fall night, I leisurely enjoyed sundae, seasoned yaki mandu, and discounted craft beer as if I had booked out the place. Verdict: Color Bunsik is well worth revisiting for the view and rooftop-bar atmosphere.
Baoro China Sadang Branch is a Chinese restaurant in Seocho, Seoul, three minutes on foot from Sadang Station. On a weekend lunch visit, I tried pepper jjajangmyeon, brisket jjamppong, and shishito pepper gangpunggi; the dependable noodles and deeply flavored broth stood out. Verdict: a great pick for groups as well as a satisfying Chinese meal.
Matdeurin Sundubu Haejangguk & Gamjatang is a Korean restaurant near Ojukheon in Gangneung, Gangwon. We tried its 35,000-won small beef tripe hot pot with soft tofu and soybean pulp, plus chewy sundae and house-made kimchi. Verdict: a hearty, generously portioned meal even my tofu-avoiding husband loved.
Veteran General Fish Market Incheon Yeonsu Branch is a seafood restaurant in Yeonsu, Incheon. The ₩58,000 couple set for two came with sashimi, self-cooked kimchi pancakes, fried items, and a deeply refreshing maeuntang. The 22-minute Saturday lunch wait was absolutely worth it.
Daidokoro Gwangalli Main Branch is a Japanese home-style restaurant in Suyeong, Busan, a six-minute walk from Geumnyeonsan Station Exit 5. A regular since high school tried the karaage set meal, chicken nanban set meal, and rich milk pudding. Verdict: worth the meal-time wait for a satisfying meal in Gwangalli.
Casamil Sinsa Garosu-gil is an Italian brunch restaurant on the first floor of La Casa Hotel in Gangnam, Seoul. We enjoyed the weekday lunch course for 2, with seafood tomato pasta, whole squid ink risotto, yogurt ice cream, coffee, and herbal tea. Verdict: a lovely choice for a relaxed Garosu-gil date meal.
Deo Bareun Butcher Restaurant is a Korean barbecue restaurant near Nonhyeon Station in Gangnam, Seoul. I reserved a private room for Saturday at 18:00 and had 600g of Jeju black pork, with staff-grilled pork belly and doenjang-jjigae as the standout pairing. Verdict: a place I’d happily revisit for a private meat meal or gathering.
Chodaechang Baekseok Branch is a Korean barbecue restaurant near Baekseok Station in Goyang, Gyeonggi. We enjoyed grilled daechang, teukyang, Korean beef gopchang, and cold kimchi noodle soup while the staff handled the charcoal grill. Verdict: a great place for a relaxed meat-and-drinks gathering without worrying about the grill.
Nocheongol Bupyeong Main Branch is a galbi restaurant near Bupyeong Market Station in Bupyeong, Incheon. I revisited this longtime favorite with my mom for Pocheon-style Idong galbi, pork galbi, and doenjang jjigae, all carefully grilled by the staff. Verdict: a comforting local spot for a satisfying family galbi meal.
