Must-see restaurants in South Korea

  • Zelen

    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…

  • Lay Bricks

    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 …

  • Indy

    Daejeon

    Daejeon's favourite Indian joint is located in Dunsan-dong and does authentic classics, from mild palak paneer to spicy chicken vindaloo.

  • 88

    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…

  • Balaji

    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…

  • Geumwang Dongaseu

    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…

  • Mammoth Bakery

    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…

  • Queens Park

    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…

  • Haeddeuneun

    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…

  • Abai Shikdang

    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…

  • Mayflower

    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…

  • Kiki Chanting

    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…

  • Yeong-yang Centre

    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 …

  • Sinseon Seolnongtang

    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…

  • Gilbert's Burgers & Fries

    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…

  • Boribap & Cheonggukjang

    Busan

    This small shop in Haeundae serves excellent traditional Korean meals featuring stews made from pungent cheonggukjang (청국장; fermented soybean paste). The…

  • Song’s Kitchen

    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…

  • Gomaru Gamjatang

    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…

  • Tongbbyeoyechan

    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…

  • A Factory Bakery

    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…

  • Green Restaurant

    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…

  • Gwandangnae Sikdang

    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…

  • Caffe Ora

    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…

  • Hwarim Hoegwan

    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…

  • Blanc Rocher

    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…

  • Su Udon

    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…

  • Cuchara Mexican Eatery

    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,…

  • Kangsikdang

    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…

  • Ha Young

    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…

  • Seasons Table

    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…

  • Kuro Ssambap

    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…

  • Lou Loudi

    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…

  • 2046 Pansteak

    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 Market

    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…

  • Wood and Brick

    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…

  • Sinseon Jjimdak

    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…

  • Choga Jeongdam

    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…

  • Mandabok

    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…

  • Deokjeokdo Chinese Restaurant

    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…

  • Kujib Ssogari

    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…

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