Local places · 6178 stories
Restaurants in Korea, told firsthand by local bloggers — with photos and Google Maps.
Dadam Shabu Shabu & Wolnamssam Wirye Branch is an all-you-can-eat shabu-shabu restaurant in Seongnam, Gyeonggi. My husband, daughter, and I enjoyed split broth, beef, vegetables, Vietnamese wraps, kalguksu, juk, and dessert, with 3 hours of free parking. A satisfying pick for a family meal.
Pickles is a pizza and pasta restaurant in Busanjin, Busan. On a return visit, I ordered a half-and-half jambon-beurre and taco pizza with puttanesca pasta and chicken steak. Verdict: Pickles is memorable for trying two very different pizzas on one pie.
Jinsim Wang Donkatsu Cheonan Buldang is a pork cutlet restaurant in Buldang-dong, Cheonan, Chungnam. Its huge sweet-potato-cheese cutlet, saucy tteokbokki, and strawberry bingsu made for a filling family meal; Jinsim Wang Donkatsu Cheonan Buldang is a satisfying pick for a hearty meal.
Gyuen Dang Seongsu Main Branch is a Japanese restaurant in Seongdong, Seoul, where diners grill beef katsu over a small brazier. After a movie, my wife and I shared striploin beef katsu, hamburg omelet rice, and a small beer. Verdict: a lovely way to extend a movie date over dinner.
Uchangho Sashimi Takeout & Direct Sales Market is a sashimi restaurant at Ungcheon Port in Yeosu, Gwangju. I chose thick-cut red sea bream for 35,000 won, and the ice was still solid after a stop at Yi Sun-sin Square. Uchangho is a great pick for fresh sashimi to take back to your accommodation.
Banwoldang Buja Sikdang Suseong Branch is a Korean restaurant in Suseong, Daegu. My sister and I tried the branch-only fire-grilled spicy creamy pork, served on a hot stone plate with melting cheese and cheongguk doenjang-jjigae. A great comforting meal for cream and cheese lovers.
Champpoppo Jjokgalbi Hapjeong Branch is a retro-style pork-rib restaurant in Mapo, Seoul, between Hapjeong and Sangsu stations. We paired soy-sauce and seriously spicy jjokgalbi with cream pasta and thick pork skin. Verdict: a great first stop when you are craving spicy food.
Jinseong Hanwoo Gopchang Sindang Direct Branch is a Korean BBQ restaurant in Jung-gu, Seoul, right by Sindang Station. We had two servings of gopchang and one of makchang with Mi-jeol-ma sauce, three house-made kimchis, and kkakdugi yangbap. The tender gopchang and chewy makchang made a very satisfying rotation.
Adam is a Western-style wine bar in Jeonju’s Gaekridan-gil. I ordered spicy aglio e olio and 20-hour sous-vide YBD pork belly steak, and both were incredible—the pasta was the best I’ve ever had. Verdict: a cozy spot I absolutely want to revisit.
Kkot Gatsu Dongtan Main Branch is a handmade pork cutlet restaurant in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi. We walked straight in at 6 PM on a weekend and tried pork tenderloin cutlet, a cold soba set, and chicken cutlet for 14,000–17,000 won. Verdict: the tender chicken cutlet with tartar sauce is a must-order.
Jeongssi Hambak Baegot Branch is a Western-style restaurant in Siheung, Gyeonggi, serving hamburg steak, pasta, and fried sides. We visited an hour before closing on Friday evening for double Toowoomba hamburg steak, bacon cream pasta, assorted fried snacks, and green grape ade. Verdict: the generously portioned cream pasta and spicy hamburg steak were especially satisfying.
Ossamgak is a Korean restaurant in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi, serving stir-fried squid and garlic bossam together. We ordered the ₩38,000 Ossam set meal for two and loved the soft-cooked egg, seaweed-flake mixed rice, and sweet garlic sauce. Verdict: a satisfying choice for a generous Korean meal.
