Things I learned making, and places I ate.
Namhae Hoetjip in Oncheonjang: good filefish, a few letdowns
Filefish and squid sashimi with friends on a Sunday evening in Oncheonjang. The fish was good, but the sauce cost extra and the food was slow to arrive.
Sanmaru Garden: cold noodles, plus dumplings I recommend
A cold noodle restaurant I make a point of visiting in Daegwallyeong. On a Friday at noon I had mul-naengmyeon and the corn cheese pumpkin dumplings.
Daegwallyeong Neungi Maru: the broth of the chicken baeksuk stood out
Whole native chicken simmered with neungi mushrooms on a Wednesday evening in Daegwallyeong. It was my first neungi, and the broth was the best part.
Rentan Suyeong: I was full and kept eating the beef makchang
A second stop next door to Bogwangdang. Grilled cuttlefish and Daegu-style beef makchang on one plate, plus roasted chestnuts for showing a receipt.
Bogwangdang in Suyeong: raw beef and a cheeseburger, both good
A small bar in Suyeong that was always full when I passed. A friend and I got in at 6:30 on a Thursday and had raw beef and a cheeseburger.
Butasinise in Haeundae: good pork, but I could do without the music
The Si set at a pork barbecue place in Haeundae: bone-in pork belly, neck, and skin. The meat was good and the staff were kind. The music was not to my taste.
Marinated galbi at Silla Nongwon in Deokcheon: the kids liked it more
After a hospital visit, my family ate at a galbi place near Deokcheon Station. The kids said it beat their usual spot. I liked the price and taste too.
Miso, an oden bar in Dongnae: an easy second stop when you are full
After filling up at the first place, we had a drink over oden and rice cake skewers. The staff are kind and the food is light, good for a second round.
Small rock bream at Singsing Domae Hoetjip in Dongnae: fresh and fair
A raw fish place in front of Dongnae Station I go to for sashimi at an easy price. I had the small rock bream for 65,000 won with a bottle of soju.
Dyeonbyeorak Makchang in Dongnae: clean-tasting and chewy
A friend and I had the plain and seasoned makchang set near Dongnae Station, then added fried rice. The makchang had no off smell, and the room was tidy.
Fresh assorted seafood at Yongwon Gadeok Hoetjip in Gupo Market
My mother and I had the small 40,000 won assorted seafood plate in Gupo Market. The seafood was fresh, and even the small size came with spoon worm.
Eochon Hoetjip in Suyeong: clean-tasting sashimi at a fair price
I went back to the raw fish place in Suyeong Paldo Market for a drink with a friend. The sashimi tasted clean and seemed skillfully cut.
Gijang Gomjangeo in Haeundae: the spicy grill beat the salt grill
A hagfish place in Jwa-dong that a friend recommended. The 80,000 won set has salt-grilled and spicy grilled hagfish. It was good, but the price felt high.
The bottled cola at Starbucks Reserve: trying it once was enough
I bought the 4,700 won bottled cola at a Starbucks Reserve store because it comes with a bottle opener. Not bad, but the fizz was weak. Once was enough.
Bigfin reef squid at Amaika in Seomyeon: I ordered a second dish
An izakaya in Seomyeon I had seen on YouTube. The squid was so good that I added the konowata ika somen. I wanted more but stopped because of the cost.
Uri Pocha in Gwangalli: a plate of only what we wanted to eat
A second stop with a friend. I picked small squid and shrimp, my friend picked fresh tuna, and it came as one plate. It was fresh and the staff were kind.
LA galbi at Golmok Pocha in Gwangalli: still good after a long gap
I went back to a pub in Gwangan-dong that I used to visit often. The LA galbi, which the staff cut up at the table, tasted good again, and the service was kind.
Tanti in Jeonggwan: a fine view, but weak coffee and strict rules
A large bakery cafe in Jeonggwan with my family. The room, the view, and the parking were good. The one-drink rule, the cold brew, and the sweet bread were not.
Assorted sashimi at Seonpung in Gangneung: one I was happy with
With a couple who live in Daegwallyeong, I went to Gangneung for sashimi. We found the place on Naver Map. I liked the mix of fish and the side dishes.
Kalmat Hoetjip near PNU: twenty years of going back for the knife work
A raw fish place in Jangjeon-dong I have gone to for about 20 years. Premium sashimi for three and for two, plus a rockfish stew with a coupon.
