Must-see restaurants in Seoul

  • Food vendor at Gwangjang market.

    Gwangjang Market

    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…

  • Onion

    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…

  • Jungsik

    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…

  • Korea House

    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…

  • I Love Sindangdong

    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…

  • Ikseon Dimibang

    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…

  • Balwoo Gongyang

    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…

  • Tuk Tuk Noodle Thai

    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…

  • Normal by Ryunique

    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…

  • Congdu

    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…

  • Gati

    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…

  • Casablanca Sandwicherie

    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…

  • Jaha Sonmandoo

    Northern Seoul

    Around lunchtime and on weekends Seoulites queue up at this posh mountainside mandu (dumpling) house for elegantly wrapped dough parcels stuffed with…

  • Samwon Garden

    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…

  • Passion 5

    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…

  • Linus' BBQ

    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…

  • Hongik Sutbul Galbi

    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…

  • Plant Cafe & Kitchen

    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…

  • Gyeyeolsa Chicken

    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…

  • Gosang

    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,…

  • Myeong-dong Gyoja

    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…

  • Namul Meokneun Gom

    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…

  • Koong

    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…

  • Haru, restaurant exterior

    Haru

    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…

  • Ddobagi Chicken

    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…

  • Morococo Cafe

    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' (…

  • Rogpa Tea Stall

    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')…

  • Hanmiri

    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…

  • Chicken in the Kitchen

    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…

  • HBC Gogitjib

    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…

  • Raw Vega

    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 Jip

    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…

  • Mirak Chicken

    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…

  • Chosun Gimbap

    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…

  • Ogawa

    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…

  • Sobok

    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…

  • GastroTong

    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…

  • Scoff

    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…

  • Tosokchon

    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,…

  • Tartine

    Itaewon & Yongsan-gu

    This humble bakery-cafe just off Itaewon's main party strip bakes the best pecan pie this side of the Pacific, along with cranberry cheesecake, butter…

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