Local places · 9761 stories
Restaurants in Korea, told firsthand by local bloggers — with photos and Google Maps.
Tteudon Magok Branch is a Western-style pork cutlet restaurant a 3-minute walk from Magok Station in Gangseo, Seoul. Before heading out to watch fireworks with her boyfriend, the writer had the sweet potato cheese cutlet and the fish cake udon set, with a self-bar of tteokbokki, soup and morning bread all refillable. With 2 hours of free parking and even ice cream at the end, it's a satisfying spot for both dates and family meals.
Palette Hannam Daegu Dongseong-ro Branch is a pasta, pizza and omurice restaurant on the 2nd floor of a building on Dongseong-ro 2-gil in Jung-gu, Daegu. The writer visited with her sister on a weekday evening for perilla oil beef tartare pasta and shrimp rosé pizza, though the sizzling pork tomahawk steak was already sold out. The tangy cold pasta and thin-crust pizza with no crust end made a great combo for two.
Matsumi Seokchon Lake Main Branch is a tonkatsu (Japanese pork cutlet) restaurant in Songpa, Seoul, near Seokchon Gobun Station Exit 4. Stopping by after work, the writer shared a spicy cheddar tonkatsu (₩16,500) and a mixed katsu set (₩20,000) — the cheese-smothered spicy cutlet and crisp shrimp tempura and potato croquettes were both winners. With parking right behind the store, solo seating, and even hair ties on hand, this is a Jamsil tonkatsu spot worth returning to.
Obongjip Samseong Branch is a Korean restaurant near Samseong and Samseong Jungang stations in Gangnam, Seoul, a 5-minute walk from Exit 5. Two diners ordered the Nakji Obong Special (grilled octopus stir-fry for two + pork belly bossam + platter noodles), a portion big enough for three adults, and a self-serve bar with unlimited rice, seaweed soup and side dishes made it even better value. A satisfying pick if you want a filling, generous meal.
Mannyeon Dakgangjeong Hanok Village Direct Store is a boneless dakgangjeong (Korean fried chicken) takeout spot on Taejo-ro in Jeonju Hanok Village. The chicken was boxed up while touring the village and carried all the way to a Yeosu pension, eaten with canned beer while watching the night view, and even after cooling down the coating stayed crisp and the meat stayed juicy. A solid pick for late-night snacking during a trip.
Hyeongnim Dakgui (형님닭구이) Daemyeong-dong Gyeongdae branch is a grilled chicken restaurant in Daemyeong-dong, Nam-gu, Daegu. The writer ordered one tray of grilled chicken split half salt-grilled and half soy-grilled, which arrived about 60% pre-cooked and just needed a little more time on the table grill. With a side dish, soup, ramyeon, coffee and ice cream self-serve bar plus a room and a play area, it works for both family meals and group dinners.
Hola Poke Seolleung Branch is a lunch spot near Seolleung Station in Gangnam, Seoul serving poke, wraps and salads. The seafood poke came loaded with scallops and whole shrimp, paired with mushroom soup, truffle mayo sauce and Sprite Zero. For office workers wanting a light but filling lunch, the seafood poke at Hola Poke Seolleung Branch is a solid pick.
Jojo Yeonnam Branch is a teppan cookery Japanese restaurant tucked in an alley off Donggyo-ro in Yeonnam-dong, Seoul. On a weekday evening date, the writer and his wife shared the signature monja-yaki set for two — mentaiko (salted cod roe) monja-yaki, spicy yakisoba, and waterfall potato — cooked right in front of them on the tableside griddle. The soft monja-yaki and spicy yakisoba made a satisfying pair for two people to split.
Chilseong Jemyeonso Suji Main Branch is a noodle restaurant in Seongbok-dong, Suji, Yongin, next to Seongbokcheon stream on the first floor of Seohee Star Hills. The set meals came with soba, jjolmyeon, spicy mixed dumplings, and a cut of pork loin cutlet included in each set, and the vegetable jjolmyeon's noodle-to-vegetable ratio made it an instant new favorite. With baby chairs and a self-serve bar, it's a regular go-to spot for dining out with a baby.
Dongbaek Seokgalbi Asan Main Branch is a hanjeongsik-style (Korean set-table) room restaurant in Chungmu-ro, Asan, serving seokgalbi (grilled marinated short ribs). A couple ordered the woo-seok galbi for two (small) with rice and doenjang jjigae (soybean paste stew), and checked out the kitchen-grilled meat, dol (first birthday) chairs, baby chairs, and room setup. It's a solid candidate for a small first-birthday party or a formal parents' meeting that calls for a neat, quiet setting.
Hanok Maeul Mulgalbi is a galbi (marinated short rib) hot pot and mulgalbi restaurant on Dongmun-gil in Pungnam-dong, Jeonju. The writer ordered the galbi hot pot set for two with two bowls of rice, boiled it for 7–8 minutes following the order posted on the wall, fished out the glass noodles and bean sprouts first, and finished the accompanying yukjeon (pan-fried beef) topped with pickled chili so it never felt greasy. The sauce was sweet with a spicy kick of umami behind it — a hearty meal that's great for two.
Seosan Dongjuk Kalguksu is a newly opened clam noodle restaurant in Jangyu, Gimhae, Gyeongnam. Two friends ordered dongjuk kalguksu (clam noodle soup) and onaksae seafood pancake for two, picked the cheongyang chili option, and dipped the pancake in chojang (vinegared chili sauce) with help from the self-serve side dish bar. Spicy, refreshing broth and a seafood-packed pancake made for a satisfying lunch.
