🍽️ Food

A Friday-evening visit to Balhae Yangkkochi (발해양꼬치) in a shopping building in Maetan-dong, Yeongtong-gu, Suwon. It has long been run by a Chinese couple, and the lamb skewers and lamb ribs are grilled over charcoal the owner makes himself. The lamb is tender and has no gamey smell. My favorite dish is Liu Rou Duan (溜肉段), which has no Korean name and is written 'Liu Rou Dwan' on the menu board. Menu board prices, hours, closed days and reservation info.

A Thursday-lunch stop at Clarimento Square, a café on the first floor of Ace Plaza in Magok. You can smell the beans yourself from sniffing jars at the counter, and the americano lets you choose the bean. I picked the nutty one and the strength was just right. The staff in matching uniforms looked professional. Filter coffee board, coffee prices, hours by day, parking and Meal Ticket Daejang info.

The red-bean noodle place we wanted had closed early, so we walked into Wonchau, a hand-pulled noodle Chinese-Korean restaurant right across from it. Very springy noodles, tasty black bean sauce and jjamppong broth, surprisingly chewy tangsuyuk, plus menu prices and parking.

A visit to Sangol Hangari Barbecue in Gogi-ri after a noodle shop's wait exceeded 2 hours 30 minutes. Camping atmosphere, easy parking, a roughly 100,000-won order, and my thoughts on the meat and price.

An old-school, traditional Korean-Chinese restaurant on Changjeon-ro in Mapo, near Gwangheungchang Station: Samboseong (三寶成). The neungi mushroom seafood jjamppong (13,000 won) was packed with fresh mushrooms and seafood, the owner kindly brought me an apron, and there is a wide parking area out front. Plus price tables for noodles, rice, dishes and courses from the menu.

Starbucks Suwon Seryu DT is the drive-thru I stop at on my way to work, past the Suwon Station overpass. Ordering in the app while stopped at a red light takes about 40 seconds, and the app says the drink will be made to match my arrival. How not to mix it up with Suwon Seryu Station DT, the drive-thru menu and morning set prices, what My DT Pass is, my usual Blonde Starbucks Aerocano (venti 6,300 won), plus hours and parking.

Four of us moms met for drinks on a Sunday evening at Vatos & Paulie's (바토스앤폴리스) in One Grove, Magok, Seoul: a Corona-Rita with the bottle upside down in a margarita, beer, loaded fries and chicken tacos, and four or five hours of nonstop chatting — with cocktail prices from the menu, hours, parking and facilities.

We bought 2 kg of blue crab for 48,000 won on the first floor (1F) of Gangseo Fish Market in Seoul and had it steamed upstairs at Singaetmaeul — steaming, side dishes and salmon sushi came to 40,000 won. The salmon sushi was very fresh, the staff were lovely, and a couple at the next table showed us how to pick crab. The method, parking, wait time and the wall menu's table charges.

We tried jeotguk galbi — a clear soup with small ribs — for the first time at Ileokjo Sikdang, near Yongheunggung in Ganghwa-eup. It was delicious, the kids were busy gnawing on the little ribs, and the side dishes were especially good. One medium pot (25,000 won) fed the kids and both of us; our only letdown was that jeyuk bokkeum has no small size. Menu, prices, parking and location.

A Friday family dinner at Songdo Galmaegi on B2 of K-Square Magok (Seoul): tender fresh beef rib meat first, then sweet marinated galmaegi-sal (pork skirt), our boys clearing two bowls, a galbitang so good the grown-ups each finished a bowl of rice, and very fresh lettuce from the in-store smart farm — with the tablet menu, prices, hours and parking.

We had the lunch special at Ilsikbi (일식비), a Japanese restaurant on the 3rd floor of Ace Plaza near LG Science Park in Magok, Seoul. For 29,000 won a person: salad and porridge, sashimi in a wooden box, croquettes, a grilled dish, sushi, breaded shrimp with spicy soup, and stone-pot rice, one after another. A place we'd definitely recommend — just right for a workday lunch or a team dinner. Photos in serving order, a GIF, the table card on eating sashimi, dinner course prices, parking and break time.

I go to Starbucks a lot, but this was my first Reserve store. At the 1F Reserve bar of Starbucks Magok Science Tower R, I ordered the store's recommended Sun-Dried Brazil Fazenda São João as an iced pour-over in the app. The aroma was new to me and lovely; it was heavier and a little more bitter than my usual iced Blonde Aerocano. Plus the Reserve bean menu (tall/grande prices), the bean card, the aroma station and the 1F/2F layout.

Mammoth Express (매머드익스프레스) on the ground floor of Lotte Castle Le West, by Magongnaru Station exit 5 in Magok, Seoul: a 1,600-won Americano (M), open from 6:30 am, takeout only, ordered by kiosk or the Mammoth Order app. Prices by size, decaf, payment and hours.

A Wednesday-lunchtime stop at Hausly (haüsly), a hand-drip café on Magokdong-ro 3-gil in Magok, Seoul, about 330 m from Magok Station exit 3. The Americano was nutty and delicious, and it's a FacePay partner store. Americano 3,800 won, café latte 4,200 won, nine hand-drip beans at 5,000–9,500 won (two Brazilian ones tagged 'nutty'), plus six financiers and their storage notes, straight from the menu board and display case.

A Tuesday-lunch stop at Blu Shaak Coffee Seoul Magok on Magokdong-ro. The signature Shaak Latte was delicious. Signature drinks come only iced, in 8 oz — Shaak Latte 3,400 won, Peanut Latte 3,800 won — and an Americano is 2,500 won. Pick Night Blend, Summer Blend or decaf beans; a perilla A2 Shaak Latte is on the fall menu. Menu, bean notes and door hours are copied from what's posted in the store.

A Monday-lunch stop at Connects Coffee Magok in Gangseo-gu, Seoul. The iced coffee was nutty and delicious. Coffee is 1,000 won off for takeout (signature excluded); americano, latte, coffee of the day and cold brew get another 500 won off from 08:00 to 10:00; and you can pre-order on Toss or Naver and pick up right away. Menu prices, the dessert case and opening hours as posted in the shop.

Our first family dinner at Dalin Daebo Kalguksu's main branch in Botanic Prugio City, Magok (Seoul). The star was the shredded potato pancake topped with seasoned lettuce and chili sauce; the spicy jang-kalguksu tasted far deeper than ramyeon, and the clear kalguksu was mild with a light saltiness. Plus the broth and noodle story, prices, hours and parking.

Our whole-family dinner over the Chuseok holiday at Maillard87, a dry-aged Korean pork barbecue place in Iksan. We had pork belly and neck, then added jowl and skirt meat — so good we nearly fell off our chairs. The set for two (2 belly + 1 neck + stew) is 49,000 won and great value, kimchi stew comes with it, and the table setting is neat. Wall-menu prices and the aging conditions from the in-store sign included.

Byeokjeokgol Hwangso Gopchang in Mangpo, Suwon — where a friend and I always go when we crave gopchang. Gopchang, daechang and makchang come on their own or as a mixed platter, and liver and cheonyeop tripe arrive first. With GIFs from the grill, the Mangpo public car park right in front (7,000 won a day, 3,000 won for EVs), the CatchTable waitlist and the 4 pm opening sign on the door.

Seven of us from work packed into my IONIQ 9 for Hwahong Kalguksu in Mangpo, Suwon — my third visit. A milky, rich broth, noodles cut by hand in their own noodle room, a perilla-oil dip for the noodles, bokdak (fried hand-made dumplings with Korean chicken and sticky rice inside) and sticky rice in the broth to finish. With GIFs, menu prices and parking.

A group lunch at horno (오르노), a new wood-fired pizza place in K-Square Magok, Seoul: squid ink baby squid paella, honeycomb quattro formaggi, prosciutto rucola pizza, a calzone with Caesar salad and caprese burrata. Dishes average 25,000+ won, the food runs salty, and the best thing we ate was the aglio e olio we never photographed.

A bowl of beef onmyeon (warm noodle soup) I had in June 2025 at Hyundai Jeongyukjeom's Pyeongtaek Station branch: a clean yet deep broth, tender simmered beef, crunchy bean sprouts, minced garlic and chili served on the side and neat side dishes — plus hours, last order, menu prices and parking.

Our first visit to Oneul Hantang in Magok-dong, Gangseo-gu, Seoul, with the kids (February 2025): lots of kid-friendly dishes and healthy options, several wholesome haejangguk (Korean hangover soups), high chairs and parking, plus opening hours and menu prices from Naver Place.

Two family meals in Gyesan-dong, Gyeyang-gu, Incheon, in July 2025: bossam and a plate of jeon (zucchini, dongeurangttaeng and dumpling) at Hwanggeum Andong Guksi for our child's birthday with my parents, and the 'egg bomb' topped with flying fish roe, corn and cheese, eaten with dak-galbi at Gyeyang-ok — with addresses, parking and listed menu prices.

Our family pasta meal at Jeje Siktak's main branch in Hwagok-dong, Gangseo-gu, Seoul (September 2025): a rich smoked bacon and garlic pasta, a basil cream pasta with a flavor kids will love, and the unusual combo of kimchi and side dishes served next to your pasta. Easy on the wallet, with generous portions.

A work lunch at Dalin Daebo Kalguksu's Gwanggyo branch in Suwon last December: a clean, mild broth with quiet depth, chewy knife-cut noodles, just enough vegetables, and portions so big all my coworkers said they were full — with hours, prices and parking.

A visit to Heukkatsu on Sin-dong's café street in Yeongtong, Suwon: a crispy pork cutlet under a heap of sweet-and-spicy sauce — intense from the first bite, moist to the end, a little hotter than Shin Ramyun. With prices, hours and parking.

Our dinner with the kids at Kitsunetei, a Japanese restaurant in the basement of K-Square, Magok (Seoul): hirekatsu crispy outside and juicy inside, a fresh, tender salmon rice bowl, and a sweet-salty soy pork bowl with a spicy kick. Cozy and easy with children — with hours, prices and parking.

Our family meal at Dancing Hong Kong's Gayang branch (Deungchon-dong, Gangseo-gu, Seoul) with my wife and our two kids: thin-skinned xiaolongbao the kids ate happily, mild seasoning you adjust with the dipping sauce, a stir-fry and a soup that weren't too strong, fast service, a tidy layout and easy parking.

Four restaurants we actually ate at in One Grove, Magok (Seoul), two subway stops from Gimpo Airport on Line 5: pho for the whole family, a shoyu-salmon tempura bowl for a date, a salmon rice bowl for eating alone, pork cutlet curry with two kids — with hours, prices and the One Grove parking rules.

A family meal with our two sons at Bonghyeja's Kitchen (봉혜자네주방) in One Grove, Magok, Seoul: a pork cutlet curry that was crispy outside and juicy inside, a spicy stir-fry full of glass noodles that kids will find too hot, plus menu prices, hours and the One Grove parking rules.

Our visit to Hoho Sikdang at One Grove, Magok (Seoul, near Gimpo Airport): a thick, fresh salmon rice bowl with wasabi and soy, a braised dish with a rich sauce that goes great with rice, side dishes and soup included, ordering by tablet at the table — plus hours, menu prices and the One Grove parking rules.

Our visit to Matsunohana (마츠노하나), a Japanese rice-bowl restaurant in One Grove, Magok (Seoul), on a date: shoyu-salmon ebi-tendon, shoyu-salmon hormone bowl and an extra plate of wild conger eel tempura. The nutty hormone, the soft umami of soy salmon, neat plating — plus hours, last order, One Grove parking rules and prices.

Our family meal at Eulji Kkankkan, One Grove, Magok (Seoul), two stops from Gimpo Airport on Line 5: rich yet clean pho with tender sliced meat our kids ate happily, crispy croquettes and spring rolls, nutty egg-topped rice — and the one minus, slightly strong seasoning. Hours, prices and One Grove parking.

Our visit to Dalbit-e Gu-un Godeungeo (달빛에구운고등어) in Mangpo, Suwon: fish grilled crispy outside and moist inside with no fishy smell, generous portions, and a buffet-style self-serve side-dish corner where even the rolled omelet and kimchi pancakes are excellent. Hours, last order, the one-menu-per-person rule and prices included.

Three friends catching up over a beef course at Motoishi in Mohyeon-dong, Iksan: beautifully marbled cuts served with name tags, a personal charcoal brazier for each seat, a drink with the smoky aroma and very kind staff — with hours, prices and parking.

Our meal at Hongdae Ssalguksu Plus in Magok, Seoul, with our two kids: pho, fried rice, banh mi and fried bites. The broth was light yet rich and the kids ate it happily, and the fried rice topped with two fried eggs had them fighting over it — a wide menu that makes kids easy to please. With prices, hours and high chairs.

Our visit to Daemeori Kalguksu in Mangpo-dong, Suwon: a bowl of clam kalguksu (knife-cut noodle soup) for 8,500 won with the shop's 1,000-won review-event discount, a cuttlefish and chive pancake that's crispy at the edges and chewy inside, GIFs of the noodles and the pancake, plus hours, last order and free parking.

Our dinner at Burger World's Laguna Beach branch in Yangyang, Gangwon: a seat facing the sand sculptures and the sea through a fully open wall, the onion-chutney Yangyang Burger (9,900 won) and the double-patty New York Burger (10,900 won), plus the full menu, directions and parking.

Six of us had lunch at NOPS, a steakhouse in K-Square Magok (Gangseo-gu, Seoul): a tomahawk and a 1.5 kg L-bone steak, two pastas and two desserts on the lunch special for about 300,000 won. The crusty bread, the sliced steak on a cast-iron platter, the sides, why the steak ran short for six — plus menu prices, hours and parking.

Our visit to Donya Chamsut Saengsamgyeopsal in Cheongna, Incheon: thick fresh pork belly over a hardwood charcoal brazier, a spread of namul side dishes, doenjang stew that comes with the table and a self-serve bar for refills — with menu prices, hours, parking and high chairs for kids.

Our visit to Bobae Banjeom (보배반점) in Yeongtong, Suwon: jjamppong topped with whole squid legs and thick rings, ganjjajang with a fried egg, sweet-and-sour pork with the sauce on the side, and free flower buns — with prices, hours and parking.

Our visit to Chilseong Banjeom (칠성반점), the main branch in Ingye-dong, Suwon: jjajang (black bean noodles) on a huge sizzling stone plate, a plate split half jjajang, half spicy stir-fried noodles, and sweet-and-sour pork with the sauce on the side — with hours, menu prices and parking.

Our family lunch at Mikkodam (Siheung Mulwang branch), Gyeonggi-do: grilled mackerel with no fishy smell, deep miyeok-guk seaweed soup and sweet-salty beef bulgogi, with neatly plated side dishes. Mild enough that our kids cleared a bowl of rice — plus hours, menu prices and free parking.

Our work team lunch at Shabu20 Balsan-Magok, a shabu-shabu buffet by Balsan Station in Magok, Seoul: unlimited beef and pork, self-refill broth, veggie, salad and sauce bars, fried rice to finish, coffee and ice cream — with prices, dining time limits and parking.

Macho Steak in Korea: three visits to the Suwon branch and one to the Jangan branch in Seoul, all paid for ourselves. Butter-topped steaks served in the pan, a hot plate kids love, menu prices from 18,900 won, and the Jangan parking situation.

Lunch at Sushi Katsu, a sushi restaurant in Cheongna, Incheon: the 10-piece 'Today's Sushi' plate (16,900 won) with egg, shrimp and salmon, a spicy bean-sprout ramyeon, and the hoe-muchim we got from a review event — with hours and prices.

Bread that really looks like a potato. After a family visit to the Constitutional Court of Korea, we crossed the road to Gamjabat Market for a kids' snack and went back for the 3-flavor set. What the shop is like, plus prices: 3,800 won each, 9,900 won for the set.