Must-see restaurants in Seoul

Chef Ryu Tae-hwan brings French, Japanese and Korean dishes to fine dining at Ryunique. Often described as avant-garde and adventurous, the courses at…

One of several beautifully converted warehouse hang-outs in the Seongsu 'hood, Share D Table is more food focused, with separate vendors hawking pizza,…

A great place to try dolsotbap (hotpot rice) in an authentic hanok atmosphere in Insa-dong. Various ingredients are added to the rice, and you mix it all…

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…

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…

In warmer weather, the Banpo Bridge Park area becomes a festive night market with food trucks serving international cuisine – Indian, Vietnamese, pasta,…

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…

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…

The delicious and beautifully presented bibimbap here is made with only natural seasonings, befitting its surrounds on the Northern Namsan Circuit. The…

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…

One of the most popular fried chicken eateries in Gangnam, Hanshin Chicken is conveniently located across from Express Bus Terminal. Diners can choose to…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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,…

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…

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…