Chungcheongbuk-do
This busy and very popular restaurant has private dining rooms and serves elaborate jeongsik, with main-course options such as suyuk (수육; boiled beef…
Must-see restaurants in South Korea
Gyeongju
Run by the ever-so-friendly Hae Yong, who can put together a decent BLT sandwich for you to munch on as you peruse the book-stuffed walls. Looking for…
Seoul
You can enjoy the bright lights of Hongdae's student hang-outs but still dine at this converted hanok restaurant hidden in a quiet courtyard. The menu of…
Jeju-do
The glasshouse-like garden restaurant has classy museum looks but is one of the best budget places around. There is only one dish, guksu (noodle soup)…
Daegu
This terrific, welcoming, very popular ramen restaurant is a modern all-wood affair with busy, efficient staff and a short menu of excellent noodle dishes…
Chungcheongnam-do
This popular restaurant with an eclectic interior serves delicious ssambap (rice and side dishes with lettuce wraps), with fragrant leaves and a whole…
Gyeongju
This very atmospheric place is a traditional family-run courtyard restaurant beside Tumuli-gongwon, with a delicious and broad menu featuring lip-smacking…
Seogwipo
The lowercase name hints at the minimalist black-and-white bistro so tiny you might miss it posing on the corner – a sign of the Lee Jung Seop-ro area's…
Jeju-do
An excellent choice for travellers looking for breakfast before heading out on a ferry to the nearby islands, this seafood restaurant opens early and…
Jeju-do
If you've spent time exploring the Haenyeo Museum, do yourself a favour and eat here. This shop serves delicious feasts of grilled mackerel and tofu stew…
Gwanghwamun & Jongno-gu
Koong’s traditional Kaeseong-style dumplings are legendary and more than a mouthful. Only order one portion, unless you're super hungry, or enjoy them in…
Jeju-si
This top date spot in the City Hall student district has English-speaking staff and fine fare such as tandoori chicken and peanut butter masala, which…
Gangneung
Hop off the bus to Anmok Beach and you're at this small place by the sea that serves up some seriously scrumptious burgers. The menu is skimpy, but each…
Gangnam & Southern Seoul
Haru’s decades-long run alone could be considered a feat in Seoul – not to mention the constant (fast-moving) lines out the door and topping local 'best…
Seoul
One of the most famous and best-value chicken joints in Seoul. Portions are smallish, but the fried exterior is crispy-perfect and the juiciness of the…
Busan
Open since ‘82, the name of this hole-in-the-wall literally means 'Fatty's House'. It's famous for its jjukumi (webfoot octopus): the spicy, chewy…
Gwangju
Run by Buddhist monks, Sujata puts on what is possibly the world's best salad bar. It includes soups, stews, noodles, a dozen different greens, countless…
Itaewon & Yongsan-gu
Cute North African–themed spot offering a chalkboard of half a dozen halal dishes like carrot salad, claypot lamb and the popular 'Morocco Over Rice' (…
Gwanghwamun & Jongno-gu
You'll feel whisked to the Himalayas at this charming fair-trade cafe that raises awareness about Tibet (Rogpa is Tibetan for 'friend and helper')…
Gwanghwamun & Jongno-gu
Sit on chairs at tables for this modern take on royal cuisine as you work your way through multiple dishes such as yukhoe (Korean steak tartare) and…
Jeollanam-do
Seodae-hoe (서대회; thin slices of raw fish marinated in makgeolli vinegar and chilli paste) is a local speciality and this restaurant is famous for it. To…
Hyundai Department Store Food Hall
Daegu
This superb place – often packed to its smart-looking rafters – is really all you need for a one-stop, under-one-roof dining bonanza. Wander around the…
Busan
Touted as Busan's best pizza, Sol Taphouse delivers craft beer plus authentic New York-style pizzas from the kitchen of Slice of Life. The classics such…
Seoul
Made famous on local television for using a fresh batch of oil for every fry, Chicken in the Kitchen has larger, juicier cuts of poultry than most fried…
Itaewon & Yongsan-gu
Hungry revellers flock here for the nightly all-you-can-eat barbecue deal (₩16,900 per person), which includes beef ribeye and all the pork cuts on the…
Seoul
Can purely raw, vegan, gluten-free and organic dishes be tasty? Yes! Take this tiny cafe's pad thai, which spices up vegie spirals (in place of noodles)…
Gwanghwamun & Jongno-gu
Right behind the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Chosun Gimbap is a rare cheap eat in the area. Its signature dish, the chosun gimbap, is…
Gwanghwamun & Jongno-gu
Following the same recipe since the 1980s, Gwanghwamun Jip is one of the most famous kimchi jiggae (stew) restaurants in South Korea. The homey interior…
Gwanghwamun & Jongno-gu
One of Seoul's most acclaimed fried chicken eateries, Mirak serves three types: crispy, marinated and garlic-topped. Most popular is the garlic pan…
Busan
It may look like all the other dwaeji gukbap (돼지국밥; pork and rice soup) restaurants off Seomyeon's Youth St but, judging by the number of celebrity…
Gwangju
This humble noodle shop, which specialises in momil (모밀; buckwheat noodles) is a Gwangju institution, in business since 1960 (as the sign out front…
Gwanghwamun & Jongno-gu
In the basement of the Royal Building, Ogawa's expert chefs craft sushi and sashimi, piece by piece, and serve it directly over the kitchen counter – in…
Daejeon
This 24-hour soup joint is an all-around pleaser: cheap and delicious, good for both groups and solo diners. The specialty is haejangguk – known as …
Seoul
One of the most photogenic dessert spots in Seoul, Sobok creates desserts based on Korean ingredients. Its menu varies season to season but the year-round…
Gwanghwamun & Jongno-gu
Swiss-German chef Roland Hinni and his wife Yong-Shin run this charming gourmet restaurant that blends sophistication with traditional European cooking…
Northern Seoul
British baker Jonathan exhibits admirable bake-off skills in his selection of sweet treats ranging from scones and ginger cake to coconut macaroons – but…
Mokpo
Located in Hadang near the Motel Da Vinci, this popular Japanese restaurant has great-value lunch deals (₩10,000-25,000). Sets such as sushi, tempura and…
Gyeongsangnam-do
Stroll the Gangguan harbour road and it's impossible to miss the incredible number of shops selling a honey-covered sticky ball of bread with a paste…
Gwanghwamun & Jongno-gu
Spread over a series of hanok, Tosokchon is so famous for its samgyetang (ginseng chicken soup) that there is always a long queue waiting to get in,…
Haeundae Somunnan Amso Galbijip
Busan
This local favourite has been serving up exquisite galbi (beef short ribs) since 1964. Also try the popular gamja-guksu (감자국수, potato noodles), which…
