Itaewon & Yongsan-gu
Run by Bulgarians, this long-lived Itaewon restaurant whips up Balkan standards like shopska salad (billed as 'Bulgarian kimchi' for its comparative…
Itaewon & Yongsan-gu
Run by Bulgarians, this long-lived Itaewon restaurant whips up Balkan standards like shopska salad (billed as 'Bulgarian kimchi' for its comparative…
Gangnam & Southern Seoul
A popular hang-out with a passing array of characters – artists, models and fashionistas – this industrial brick coffee house does a delicious patbingsu …
Daejeon
Daejeon's favourite Indian joint is located in Dunsan-dong and does authentic classics, from mild palak paneer to spicy chicken vindaloo.
Sokcho
On a corner on the waterfront, 88 does delicious fish barbecue at your table, but doesn't serve solo diners and staff don't speak much English. Plonk down…
Daegu
Don't be put off by the unattractive, charmless and drab exterior – there's some fine and affordable food upstairs at this popular Nepali eatery in the…
Northern Seoul
For a Korean interpretation of Western food circa 1987, try the breaded pork, fish or beef cutlets (something approaching a schnitzel) at this retro…
Gyeongsangbuk-do
Friendly staff serve good espresso and fresh tasty treats, making Mammoth a good choice for brekkie. If the weather is nice, enjoy your drink on the…
Gangnam & Southern Seoul
This is the place for fashionistas to be seen. Run by the bakery behemoth Paris Croissant, it has a classy bakery section and dining area (try the salmon…
Jeju-do
At the top of a hill and close to a cliff with great ocean views, this place is a little apart from the cluster of restaurants at the foot of Seongsan…
Sokcho
A fine place to try squid sundae (sausage) in Abai, a collection of vintage seafood restaurants between the canal and the sea. To get there, take the old…
Jeju-do
Enjoy coffee or tea in this self-service cafe that, on the outside, looks like a giant white cloud. Pizza, pasta, pork cutlets and salad are also…
Itaewon & Yongsan-gu
A hip take on a Hong Kong diner, this stripped-back canteen serves roast pork belly, ribs, barbecue char sui and chicken over rice, along with noodle…
Myeong-dong & Jung-gu
A Myeong-dong institution since 1960, this is fast food Korean-style: the tasty deep-fried chicken comes in various portion sizes or there’s samgyetang …
Myeong-dong & Jung-gu
Mandu (dumplings), tofu or ginseng can be added to the seolleongtang (Seoul's milky white beef broth dish) served at this inexpensive chain, but purists…
Gangnam & Southern Seoul
From the moment those salivating aromas of sizzling burgers hit you, there's no return from this underground diner which is a homage to American food. Its…
Busan
This small shop in Haeundae serves excellent traditional Korean meals featuring stews made from pungent cheonggukjang (청국장; fermented soybean paste). The…
Gwanghwamun & Jongno-gu
In an artfully styled hanok, interesting dishes to share are offered (such as tteokbokki served in a carved-out squash), alongside western cuisine…
Chungcheongnam-do
The specialty here is gamjatang, a classic Korean dish. This hearty pork bone stew has a rich, savory broth that's a little spicy. Gomaru Gamjatang is…
Jeollanam-do
Locals love the fiery bowls of gamjatang (감자탕; pork bone soup) – a Jeollanam-do specialty and reputed hangover cure – served at this all-night Hak-dong…
Jeju-si
The air inside this open-kitchen bakery is filled with the aroma of freshly baked breads, cakes and sweets…and it's not the phoney smell found in some…
Gyeongsangnam-do
If the dozen-or-so raw-fish restaurants near the black pebble beach in Hakdong don't look appealing, try the barbecued pork at this small shop. Both…
Jeju-do
The ebullient owner of this restaurant is known for his succulent black-pig pork dishes – a massive banquet for two is ₩35,000. From the small retail…
Gyeonggi-do & Incheon
A popular sunset spot overlooking Eulwangni and Wangsan Beaches, this modernist piece of architecture could be mistaken for the evil lair of a Bond movie…
Jeollabuk-do
This restaurant has a menu that goes beyond the usual bibimbap. Recommended dishes include heukdwaji jumulleok (흙돼지주물럭, ₩12,000 per person), a delicious…
Jeju-do
Perched above the rocks like a model, this cafe has exclusive views across the shallow blue waters of Hagosudong Beach in the northeast of Udo. The coffee…
Jeju-do
Who would imagine such perfectly crispy, juicy pork tonkatsu or shrimp tempura in a quiet house in Hallim. People are attracted by the blue-water views of…
Gangnam & Southern Seoul
Modelled after a US-based Mexican food chain, Cuchara allows you to customise your dish of choice: burrito bowls, burritos or tacos. Fill with chorizo,…
Jeju-do
Kangsikdang uses small twists to create great dishes. Three types of organic mushrooms are paired with a secret sauce for an oh so creamy pasta; and it…
Southern Jeju-do
This popular barbecue restaurant specialises in Jeju-do’s famous black pig. The meat is good, though the service is more hurried than friendly. It's on…
Gangnam & Southern Seoul
Located within the main Olympic Park gate, this buffet buzzes with diners here for excellent-value, all-you-can-eat Korean and fusion dishes. There's an…
Gyeongju
An eclectic collection of birds, rocks, figurines, pottery and other folk arts make this a unique place to dine on this strip of otherwise rather similar…
Itaewon & Yongsan-gu
Decked out like a whimsical Parisian cafe, Lou Loudi caters for the Hannam-dong socialites with picture-perfect slices of cake and specialty teas served…
Gwanghwamun & Jongno-gu
Sometimes you just need a nicely cooked piece of meat – 2046 Pansteak serves up just that, still sizzling on an iron skillet along with spinach, a choice…
Dongdaemun & Eastern Seoul
Within the Dongdaemun Shopping Complex of the main market, there's an excellent choice of street food ranging from vendors to small restaurants, including…
Northern Seoul
Refuel with sandwiches, pastries and coffee at this pleasant bakery-cafe, part of a small chain known for its baked goods and macarons. It also stocks…
Gyeongsangbuk-do
Many of the restaurants in the market where this restaurant is located will charge you ₩25,000 for two (even if it's just you) for a plate of andong…
Jeollabuk-do
A stylish restaurant near Maisan Provincial Park's southern entrance and on the road to Tap-sa, where you can enjoy mountain favourites like bibimbap in a…
Incheon
Guarded by a pair of terracotta warriors, and boasting a saloon-style interior balcony, this is one of Chinatown’s fanciest restaurants. The banquet…
Gyeonggi-do & Incheon
The jajangmyeon (noodles in black bean sauce) and egg rolls at this homely shack a few steps from Beach Love pension are the real deal. There's no name…
Chungcheongbuk-do
This riverfront restaurant serves the mandarin fish ssogari raw (쏘가리회; ssogari hoe) or as a spicy soup (쏘가리매운탕; ssogari maeuntang). A milder option is the…