Local places · 6869 stories
Restaurants in Korea, told firsthand by local bloggers — with photos and Google Maps.
Gapposo is a Japanese restaurant in Geumcheon, Seoul, serving sushi at lunch and aged sashimi at dinner. I had the solo dinner sushi course with five kinds of aged sashimi, grilled fish, tempura, 12 sushi pieces, and udon; they also accommodated my request to leave out salmon. Verdict: a satisfying course for anyone who loves the deep flavor of aged fish.
Mayway is a Chinese restaurant in Gwangsan, Gwangju. I ordered the solo set, seafood scorched-rice soup, and stone jjajang, with the sizzling jjajang and scallion kimchi as the standout pairing. Verdict: I’d happily return whenever I crave warm stone jjajang and scallion kimchi.
Hwadeogeuro Gan Godeungeo Dangjin Wondang Branch is a Korean restaurant on Wondang-ro in Dangjin, Chungnam. We ordered mackerel, spicy pork, and braised mackerel set meals, then filled up on side dishes from the self-service bar. Verdict: a satisfying spot for a hearty Korean meal in Dangjin.
Rahongbang Malatang Suwon Cheoncheon Branch is a malatang restaurant in Cheoncheon-dong, Suwon. My boyfriend and I paired mildly spicy malatang with egg fried rice, garlic guobaorou, lemon cream shrimp, and youtiao. Verdict: a generous in-store meal for trying more than our usual delivery order.
Seongsu Darak is a Western restaurant in Seongdong, Seoul, serving omelet rice and pasta. After a long-awaited walk-in visit, I loved the secret-door entrance, warm two-floor space, lovely plating, and the balance of its omelet rice and spicy rosé pasta. Verdict: a place I’d happily return to for a Seongsu date or solo meal.
Yubok Kalguksu Yongin Korean Folk Village Branch is a kalguksu restaurant in Yongin, Gyeonggi, five minutes by car from Korean Folk Village. My friend and I had the 15,000 won pufferfish seafood kalguksu set with barley rice, fire-grilled webfoot octopus, and dessert. Verdict: a generous, comforting meal with easy parking.
Jeontong Sigol Chueotang Ulsan Mugeo Branch is a local Korean restaurant in Nam-gu, Ulsan, near Ulsan University. On my second visit, we had loach soup, dumpling soup with kalguksu, and spicy pork stir-fry with ramen noodles. Verdict: a filling local meal, especially if you love warm, savory broth.
Menya Pomo Seoul Forest Branch is a Japanese-style ramen restaurant in Seoul Forest, Seongdong, Seoul, where you can eat rich ramen and tonkatsu (pork cutlet) together. My husband and I ordered the tantan hanwoo cutlet ramen set, the tonkatsu set meal and the giant fried shrimp and ate plenty, and the spacious wood-toned room suited a date well. Menya Pomo is a place to go back to on a day you want rich-broth ramen with cheese rice on the side.
Jipbul Taebaek Suwon Ingye Branch is a Korean BBQ restaurant near Na Hye-seok Street in Ingye-dong, Suwon, Gyeonggi. Staff grill its straw-fire-seared beef ribs, served with triple cheese steamed egg and Taebaek kimchi stew. Verdict: a roomy, retro pick for a satisfying group dinner.
Mandala Indian Lounge (만다라 인도 라운지) is an Indian restaurant in Hapjeong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, about a 5-minute walk from Hapjeong Station. The writer went there missing the local curry eaten in India, and enjoyed boneless chicken tikka and a soft, nutty chicken makhani with butter garlic naan. Mandala Indian Lounge is a good pick for anyone looking for Indian food where the spices aren't overpowering.
Bueokgan Sangmu Branch is an Italian restaurant in the Sangmu district of Seo-gu, Gwangju, serving pasta and pizza. The writer ordered the shrimp rosé pasta (₩20,000), jambon pizza (₩24,000) and sweet pumpkin soup (₩8,000) amid European-style interiors, and every dish showed its ingredients so clearly that it stood out even in photos. Bueokgan Sangmu Branch is a good fit for anyone who wants pasta and pizza with some atmosphere.
Eight Years Pangyo (에잇이얼스 판교점) is a brunch café on the Baekhyeon-dong café street in Pangyo, Seongnam, where you can have brunch and coffee on a terrace. The writer ate the garlic oil pasta (14,000 won) and the bulgogi ciabatta sandwich (13,500 won) and soaked up the autumn sun on the terrace facing the park. Eight Years Pangyo is a brunch café worth going back to on a nice-weather day.
