Dongdaemun & Eastern Seoul
This sprawling fabric market is now best known as Seoul’s busiest meokjagolmok (food alley), thanks to the 200 or so food stalls, kimchi and fresh-seafood…
Must-see restaurants in South Korea
Gyeongsangnam-do
Hungry travellers with limited Korean skills come here because there’s no need to speak or read a menu: this place only serves chungmu gimbap (충무 김밥), a…
Dongdaemun & Eastern Seoul
Seoul's hippest cafe-bakery, Onion is the epitome of industrial-chic cool, set within a semiderelict concrete building that just begs to be photographed…
Gangnam & Southern Seoul
This place was voted number 25 in Asia's 50 Best Restaurants in 2018; neo-Korean cuisine hardly gets better than this. At the Apgujeong outpost of the New…
Myeong-dong & Jung-gu
Scoring a hat trick for high-quality food, entertainment and shopping is Korea House. A dozen dainty, artistic courses make up the royal banquet. The…
Jeju-do
Everything about this restaurant, housed in a traditional building, is inviting. Inside the door you're greeted by warm smiles and the sweet earthy aroma…
Dongdaemun & Eastern Seoul
The tteokbokki at this raucous restaurant comes in bubbling saucepans as part of a witches brew of rice cakes, fish cake, instant ramen, vegies, egg and…
Gwanghwamun & Jongno-gu
The converted hanok that houses this chic bistro in the revamped old neighbourhood of Ikseon-dong is Korean, but the dishes are contemporary European…
Gwanghwamun & Jongno-gu
Reserve three days in advance for the fine temple-style cuisine served here. Take your time to fully savour the subtle flavours and different textures of…
Jeonju
Jeonju's best night out, if you can get a seat. Unlike other makgeolli (milky rice wine) bars, where the food is secondary, the dishes here are…
Mokpo
Mokpo is known for its octopus, particularly for its nakji tangtangi (chopped live octopus). This is the best place in town to try it, and if you're not…
Jeollanam-do
Hungry? Come here to feast on tongdak (통닭), chicken served in two courses. First comes a tabletop stir-fry of chicken marinated in a tangy, spicy sauce,…
Seoul
Credited with kicking off a trend for more authentic Thai restaurants in Seoul, Tuk Tuk's Thai chefs whack out a broad menu of spicy dishes that don't…
Busan
A sterling example of a successful restaurant owner who won’t update the interior. According to superstition, the good fortune a successful shop enjoys…
Gangnam & Southern Seoul
'Normal' is the casual counterpart to restaurant Ryunique, one of Asia's Top 50 restaurants. A contemporary bistro that makes fine dining affordable, the…
Chungcheongnam-do
The best restaurant at the Donghak-sa entrance to Gyeryongsan National Park is styled after its namesake – you can't miss it. Naturally, it specialises in…
Jeju-si
Sit cross-legged at rustic wooden tables, peering out into the wild garden of this meat-free restaurant. Dishes use local Jeju produce for dishes such as…
Chungcheongnam-do
This restaurant serves the prettiest ssambap (assorted ingredients with rice and lettuce wraps) around, with a fragrant array of leaves and handfuls of…
Myeong-dong & Jung-gu
Feast on artfully plated, contemporary twists on Korean classics, such as pinenut soup with soy milk espuma (foam) or raw blue crab, at this serene…
Daegu
This superb restaurant has been serving divine and healthy traditional Korean food over three floors since 1978; and even if it’s packed they’ll usually…
Gangnam & Southern Seoul
This fine Italian restaurant is as casually cool as its all-black-wearing diners, but the food is seriously top-notch. Homemade squid-ink linguine with…
Jeju-do
Is it the delicious galbi (barbecued beef ribs) and noodles or the large, chic neon space that guarantees a long queue here? Either way, come early,…
Itaewon & Yongsan-gu
These mouth-watering, deep-filled sandwiches served on wide, half-loaves of pillowy bread are beloved by locals and expats. Try the wickedly seasoned (and…
Northern Seoul
Around lunchtime and on weekends Seoulites queue up at this posh mountainside mandu (dumpling) house for elegantly wrapped dough parcels stuffed with…
Gangnam & Southern Seoul
Serving top-class galbi (beef ribs) for over 30 years, Samwon is a Korean idyll, surrounded by beautiful traditional gardens including several waterfalls…
Chungcheongnam-do
Seafood soup served in a hotpot (해물뚝배기) is the popular dish here. Boil the soup on the table burner and ladle out servings brimming with shellfish, shrimp…
Itaewon & Yongsan-gu
A luxe spin-off of the Paris Baguette chain, Passion 5 is the Rolls-Royce of Korean bakeries, offering a Fortnum & Mason–like experience as you wander the…
Jeonju
Some folks say this is the best bibimbap restaurant in the city's historic district. The classic Jeonju dish comes with bright yellow mung-bean jelly, a…
Jeju-do
Dining inside Ando Tadao’s Glass House is a delightful experience, one best enjoyed during the day when you can take in the coastal views through the…
Itaewon & Yongsan-gu
The portions are more modest than your typical Southern smokehouse, but the pulled pork and beef-brisket rolls with 'skinny ass' fries are some of the…
Seoul
Real charcoal (rather than hotplates) brings out the flavours of the fine cuts of pork and beef at this galbi (beef ribs) joint; look for the stove on the…
Busan
This cosy restaurant, not far from a lighthouse, is where people come for a drink to watch the sunset and unexpectedly stay for the sunrise. Meals include…
Itaewon & Yongsan-gu
Vegan wraps, avocado burgers, chickpea tagines and peanut stews are just some of the virtuously delicious highlights at this popular vegan hang-out…
Northern Seoul
The fried-chicken purists here say cluck-off to chilli and other gimmicks, simply serving delicious, golden-fried chicken pieces heaped together with…
Seogwipo
Perched on a cliff overlooking the harbour, this is the place for barbecued beef or pork. The atmosphere is informal and boisterous thanks to the…
Myeong-dong & Jung-gu
One worth dressing up for, this classy restaurant specialises in vegetarian temple dishes that date from the Goryeo dynsasty. It's all set-course,…
Busan
Buying a raw-fish dinner couldn't be easier thanks to Jacky, the affable owner of this seafood restaurant. He speaks fluent English and uses signboards to…
Jeju-si
Of the many restaurants overlooking the harbour, Haejin is the largest and one of the most popular places to try Jeju-do’s seafood specialities such as…
Myeong-dong & Jung-gu
The special kalguksu (noodles in a meat, dumpling and vegetable broth) is famous, so it’s busy, busy, busy. Fortunately, it has multiple levels and a…
Gyeongju
Since 1979, this cosy restaurant with a delightfully cluttered and rustic interior has been serving tasty pajeon (파전; scallion pancake; ₩10,000) made from…
