Itaewon & Yongsan-gu
This low-key vegan cafe on a quiet backstreet specialises in delicious dairy-free cakes, muffins, brownies, scones and cookies (some sans gluten too). The…
Must-see restaurants in South Korea
Gyeongsangnam-do
A few scruffy tables with boisterous fishermen polishing off their third bottle of soju (local vodka) may not look inviting, but this small eatery serves…
Chungcheongnam-do
One of the busiest restaurants on the beach strip serving grilled shellfish. It's open late, so come for the seafood – typically ordered as a combination…
Seoul
One of the most authentic North Korean restaurants in Seoul, using quality ingredients to produce simple flavours. Owner-chef Yu Jeong-chol worked at one…
Banpo Romantic Moonlight Market
Gangnam & Southern Seoul
In warmer weather, the Banpo Bridge Park area becomes a festive night market with food trucks serving international cuisine – Indian, Vietnamese, pasta,…
Myeong-dong & Jung-gu
A rowdy watering hole with excellent food, this restaurant and bar is famous for its gamja-guk (pork-back soup). Open since 1987, the restaurant boils its…
Dongdaemun & Eastern Seoul
Out of sight in an alleyway, this is one of the best spots in town to try jokbal (braised pigs' trotters). Staff maintain a continuous cleaving of pig…
Chungcheongbuk-do
The name means 'Noodle Samurai' and the noodles here sure pack a punch. It's a popular choice and there's a handy full-colour photo menu to help you…
Myeong-dong & Jung-gu
The delicious and beautifully presented bibimbap here is made with only natural seasonings, befitting its surrounds on the Northern Namsan Circuit. The…
Seoul
On a street with several other Japanese restaurants, this atmospheric ramen shop is the real deal and proof that being part of a chain need not compromise…
Gyeongsangnam-do
In Mijo this modest restaurant serves outstanding dwenjang jjigae (된장찌개, soybean stew). The soft tofu with vegetables and seafood is a welcome treat for…
Jeollanam-do
A favourite with local taxi drivers, Yeongbunsik does big portions of hearty staples such as doenjang-jjigae (된장찌개; tofu soup), dolsot bibimbap (돌솥비빔밥;…
Gangnam & Southern Seoul
One of the most popular fried chicken eateries in Gangnam, Hanshin Chicken is conveniently located across from Express Bus Terminal. Diners can choose to…
Gyeongsangbuk-do
Take a seat in the outdoor patio overlooking the beach and enjoy jogae gu-e (조개 구이, barbecued shellfish). Shells filled with seafood, cheese and onion…
Gwanghwamun & Jongno-gu
There's usually a line for 'Season's Table', a good-value hansik (Korean food) buffet in the basement of Insa-dong Maru. A wide range of dishes are…
Busan
With large wooden tables and rich earthy colours, this is one of the most attractive places to experience pajeon (파전; green onion pancakes), a classic…
Myeong-dong & Jung-gu
Led by Michelin-starred British chef Duncan Robertson, this upmarket revolving restaurant sits up top the iconic N Seoul Tower. Views are amazing, as is…
Chungcheongnam-do
Enjoy the house specialties – grilled beef or pork served with ssam (lettuce wraps) and yeonnipbap (연잎밥), sticky rice steamed with pine nuts inside a…
Gangneung
In Chodang, this rustic eatery serves up simmering sundubu inside a quaint wooden house with traditional floor seating. Look for the white vertical sign…
Gangwon-do
Steaming pho is served up swiftly in colourful ceramic bowls in a spacious environment of green wood and yellow brickwork. Emoi does a brisk trade and it…
Itaewon & Yongsan-gu
German-run brunch hot spot serving stacked sandwiches and a mighty range of sweet and savoury pastries (it's generous with the free nibbles, so pop in and…
Seoul
An excellent place to start your Hongdae day is at this tiny Japanese bakery-cafe, which combines sweet breads with savoury flavours. Try the excellent…
Jeju-si
Traditional Korean food market. Fun for a wander and peek at local seafood for sale, which you can have cooked up on the spot at small restaurants. It's…
Itaewon & Yongsan-gu
Itaewon's original KoMex eatery still does a roaring trade in soft corn tacos filled with galbi short rib and sides of kimchi carnitas fries, along with…
Gangneung
This small, ramshackle place with a little garden and simple blue plastic furniture serves delicious and generous helpings of jang kalguksu – buckwheat…
Seoul
Located in a small house, Gyeongju Restaurant serves home-cooked Korean food. The Large Meat Set for four people comes with 300g of lamb, 450g of pork and…
Incheon
Lined with nautically themed lights, this strip of restaurants specialises in delicious and affordable grilled samchi (Spanish mackerel). Paired with a…
Daejeon
You can't say you've done Daejeon without trying gopchang, beef or pork intestines, grilled golden brown. Many people love the chewy texture of ring…
Jeollanam-do
This place is famous for mushrooms – choose pyogojeongol (mushroom casserole) or sanchaehan jeongsik (minced beef, seafood, mushrooms and vegetables)…
Gyeongsangbuk-do
This tea shop in a rustic building offers simple treats like green tea, wine and light meals. No English is spoken, but the owner goes to much effort to…
Gwanghwamun & Jongno-gu
One of the best gamjatang (pork-bone soup) joints in Seoul, this 24-hour restaurant bustles with office workers at lunch. Its version of the spicy,…
Seoul
One of the most loved Japanese restaurants in the Hongdae area, Himesiya's dishes are more fusion than they are authentically Japanese. Still, the meals…
Seoul
In an industrial-chic space adorned with a forest of plants, Muwol Table focuses on decent portion sizes. Each meal comes with a small bowl of rice, a…
Gangnam & Southern Seoul
You’ll be treated like royalty by hanbok-clad staff in this oasis of old-fashioned service and decor. The dozen well-presented dishes are modernised…
Itaewon & Yongsan-gu
This open-fronted eatery sexes up the good old BLT with extra thick, house-cured bacon and a big choice of flavoured mayos, served on toasted white bread.
Busan
It’s not the best sutbul galbi (숯불갈비; charcoal-fired barbecue) restaurant, but it is good. The main draw at this busy place is the backyard barbecue feel…
Busan
For adventurous foodies, this restaurant serves eel from the tank in front of the shop. The meat is so fresh it continues to writhe as it sits on the…
Gangneung
With a sofa in the corner, bare brick walls and wooden floor, this polished, good-looking and friendly cafe roasts and brews about 20 varieties of coffee,…
Suwon
This famous restaurant grills up all manner of mouthwatering galbi (beef ribs). At lunch, go for the special Suwon version of galbitang (₩12,000) – ribs…
Itaewon & Yongsan-gu
Harking back to the original San Bernardino McDonald's, this '50s-themed diner only grills one type of burger, but it's a beast. You can add bacon, double…
