Seoul’s dining scene is a dynamic blend of deep-rooted traditions and cutting-edge innovation. Beyond the well-known top-tier establishments, countless gems offer authentic flavors and memorable experiences. Here’s an expanded list of 90 more highly-regarded restaurants across various categories, providing a broader taste of what this gastronomic capital has to offer. For the most up-to-date information on addresses, operating hours, and reservations, it’s always recommended to check online before your visit.
[Korean Cuisine – Fine Dining / High-End韩定食 (Hanjeongsik)]
- La Yeon (라연)
- Description: A Michelin 3-star Korean fine dining experience located within The Shilla Seoul hotel, pursuing understated elegance and profound flavors.
- Representative Dishes: Multi-course tasting menus inspired by traditional royal court cuisine.
- Kwon Sook Soo (권숙수)
- Description: Chef Kwon Woo-joong’s modern Korean fine dining, known for its unique character and delicate dishes.
- Representative Dishes: Juansang (traditional Korean meal served with alcohol) course, seasonal Korean tasting menus.
- Hansikgonggan (한식공간)
- Description: Operated by a former royal cuisine researcher, offering reinterpreted traditional Korean flavors in a sophisticated setting.
- Representative Dishes: Royal banquet tasting menus.
- Joo Ok (주옥)
- Description: Modern Korean dining featuring seasonal ingredients and traditional Korean fermented sauces (jang). Known for beautifully natural plating.
- Representative Dishes: Seasonal ingredient tasting courses.
- Mosu (모수)
- Description: A Michelin 3-star innovative Korean dining experience, praised for its creative dishes and refined service.
- Representative Dishes: Tasting menus.
- Onjium (온지음)
- Description: A restaurant managed by the Onjium Traditional Culture Research Institute, presenting royal court Korean cuisine based on historical texts.
- Representative Dishes: Traditional Korean course meals.
- Myomi (묘미)
- Description: A modern Korean restaurant that stays true to the fundamentals of Korean cuisine while adding a contemporary touch.
- Representative Dishes: Courses utilizing seasonal ingredients.
[Korean Cuisine – Popular Eateries / Specialty Restaurants]
- Keunkiwajip (큰기와집)
- Description: A Hanjeongsik (Korean set meal) restaurant famous for its traditionally marinated soy sauce crab (ganjang gejang).
- Representative Dishes: Ganjang Gejang (soy sauce marinated crab), Yangnyeom Gejang (spicy marinated crab).
- Samcheongdong Sujebi (삼청동 수제비)
- Description: A famous spot in Samcheongdong, known for its chewy sujebi (hand-pulled dough soup) and savory broth.
- Representative Dishes: Sujebi, Gamja-jeon (potato pancake).
- Woo Lae Oak (우래옥)
- Description: One of Seoul’s two most renowned Pyeongyang Naengmyeon (cold noodle) establishments, also famous for its bulgogi.
- Representative Dishes: Pyeongyang Naengmyeon, Bulgogi.
- Pyeongyang Myeonok (평양면옥)
- Description: Alongside Woo Lae Oak, considered a top Pyeongyang Naengmyeon spot, characterized by its clean and subtle flavor.
- Representative Dishes: Pyeongyang Naengmyeon, Jeyuk (boiled pork slices).
- Byeokje Galbi (벽제갈비)
- Description: A premium Korean beef specialist, offering top-quality Hanwoo (Korean beef). Pricey but exceptional quality.
- Representative Dishes: Hanwoo Galbi (beef ribs), Pyeongyang Naengmyeon.
- Maple Tree House (메이플트리하우스)
- Description: A stylish Korean BBQ restaurant particularly popular among international visitors.
- Representative Dishes: Wagyu Sirloin, Samgyeopsal (pork belly).
- Loco Locos (로코 로코스)
- Description: A popular spot known for its uniquely seasoned grilled pork special cuts.
- Representative Dishes: Kkodel-sal (pork jowl), Pork Rind.
- Pro Ganjang Gejang (프로간장게장)
- Description: A representative ganjang gejang (soy sauce marinated crab) specialist in Sinsa-dong’s Garosu-gil. Known for generous portions and rich flavor.
- Representative Dishes: Ganjang Gejang.
- Hanchu (한추)
- Description: A long-standing fixture in Garosu-gil, famous for its crispy fried chicken and refreshing beer pairing.
- Representative Dishes: Gochu Twigim (fried chili peppers), Fried Chicken.
- Kyochon Chicken (교촌치킨)
- Description: A nationally popular fried chicken franchise known for its sweet and savory soy-garlic base.
- Representative Dishes: Original, Honey Combo.
- BHC Chicken (BHC 치킨)
- Description: A fried chicken franchise popular for its crispy texture and variety of flavored sauces.
- Representative Dishes: Bburinkle, Sunflower Hot Fried.
- Goobne Chicken (굽네치킨)
- Description: A brand promoting healthier chicken, oven-roasted to reduce oil content.
- Representative Dishes: Gochujang Basasak, Original.
- Kkanbu Chicken (깐부치킨)
- Description: A great place to enjoy crispy and juicy chicken with a cold beer.
- Representative Dishes: Crispy Chicken, Boneless Crispy.
- Hongdae Jjambbong (홍대짬뽕)
- Description: A Chinese restaurant famous for its spicy and hearty seafood jjambbong (noodle soup).
- Representative Dishes: Jjambbong, Tangsuyuk (sweet and sour pork).
- Myungdong Sundubu (명동순두부)
- Description: A spot in Myeongdong to enjoy spicy and soft sundubu jjigae (soft tofu stew).
- Representative Dishes: Sundubu Jjigae.
- Seoul Ssamgyepsal (서울 삼겹살)
- Description: A samgyeopsal (pork belly BBQ) specialty restaurant offering high-quality cuts and various side dishes.
- Representative Dishes: Samgyeopsal, Moksal (pork neck).
- Wangbijib (왕비집)
- Description: A premium Korean beef and pork BBQ restaurant in Myeongdong with an elegant atmosphere.
- Representative Dishes: Hanwoo Kkotsal (beef prime rib), Dwaeji Galbi (marinated pork ribs).
- Namdaemun Market Kalguksu Alley (남대문시장 칼국수 골목)
- Description: An alley in Namdaemun Market with various kalguksu (knife-cut noodle) and barley rice (boribap) specialists. Affordable and hearty.
- Representative Dishes: Kalguksu, Boribap.
- Gangnam Gyoja (강남교자)
- Description: Similar style to Myeongdong Kyoja, famous for its smooth kalguksu and well-filled mandu (dumplings).
- Representative Dishes: Kalguksu, Mandu.
- Bonga (본가)
- Description: A representative BBQ franchise by Chef Baek Jong-won, famous for its ‘Woo Samgyup’ (thinly sliced beef brisket).
- Representative Dishes: Woo Samgyup, Chadol Doenjang Jjigae (brisket soybean paste stew).
- Ondal (온달)
- Description: A famous galbi (ribs) restaurant located in Apgujeong Rodeo.
- Representative Dishes: Galbi.
- Cheongdamgol (청담골)
- Description: A place in Gangnam to enjoy home-style Korean set meals reminiscent of homemade cooking.
- Representative Dishes: Jeyuk Bokkeum (spicy stir-fried pork), grilled fish, various stews.
- Gosami (고삼이)
- Description: A grilled fish specialty restaurant known for grilling fresh fish to crispy perfection on the outside and moist on the inside.
- Representative Dishes: Grilled Mackerel, Grilled Beltfish.
- Dongdaemun Fish Market (동대문 생선구이 골목)
- Description: An alley near Dongdaemun Market where numerous grilled fish restaurants are clustered.
- Representative Dishes: Grilled Mackerel, Grilled Beltfish, etc.
- Bongpyeong Memil Makguksu (봉평메밀막국수)
- Description: A specialty restaurant serving refreshing and clean buckwheat makguksu (cold buckwheat noodles).
- Representative Dishes: Makguksu.
- Old House Makgeolli (옛날집 막걸리)
- Description: A traditional Korean pub atmosphere where you can enjoy various types of makgeolli (rice wine) and accompanying dishes.
- Representative Dishes: Assorted Jeon (pancakes), Pajeon (green onion pancake), Makgeolli.
- Gyerim Sikdang (계림식당)
- Description: Located in Jongno, famous for its spicy whole chicken soup (Dakhanmari) loaded with garlic.
- Representative Dishes: Dakhanmari.
- Jinokhwa Halmae Wonjo Dakhanmari (진옥화할매원조닭한마리)
- Description: The most famous Dakhanmari old establishment in Dongdaemun. The knife-cut noodles added to the broth are a must-try.
- Representative Dishes: Dakhanmari.
- Busan Jib (부산집)
- Description: A restaurant near Hongdae where you can taste various regional dishes from Busan.
- Representative Dishes: Dwaeji Gukbap (pork soup with rice), Milmyeon (wheat noodles).
- Jihwaja (지화자)
- Description: Operated by a master of Korean royal court cuisine, designated as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.
- Representative Dishes: Royal court banquet courses.
- Sanchon (산촌)
- Description: Specializes in temple food, offering healthy and refined vegetarian dishes.
- Representative Dishes: Temple food courses.
- Chaesundang (채선당)
- Description: A shabu-shabu franchise where you can enjoy fresh vegetables and meat together.
- Representative Dishes: Shabu-shabu.
- Bonjuk (본죽)
- Description: A franchise specializing in various types of Korean porridge. A healthy and warm meal.
- Representative Dishes: Jeonbokjuk (abalone porridge), Vegetable Porridge.
- Hansot Dosirak (한솥 도시락)
- Description: A franchise selling a variety of value-for-money Korean lunchboxes (dosirak).
- Representative Dishes: Chicken Mayo Deopbap (rice bowl), Donkatsu Dosirak (pork cutlet lunchbox).
- Eomgune Hyeonggukbap (엄가네 뼈해장국)
- Description: A ppyeohaejangguk (pork bone soup) specialist known for its generous portions of pork backbone and spicy broth.
- Representative Dishes: Ppyeohaejangguk.
- Gamjatang (감자탕) Restaurants:
- Description: Numerous specialty restaurants serving Korea’s popular spicy pork backbone stew.
- Representative Dishes: Gamjatang.
- Jjajangmyeon (짜장면) Restaurants:
- Description: Countless Chinese restaurants serving Korean-style Jjajangmyeon (black bean noodles).
- Representative Dishes: Jjajangmyeon, Jjampbong (spicy seafood noodle soup).
- Tteokbokki (떡볶이) Street Stalls:
- Description: Street vendors selling spicy and sweet tteokbokki (rice cakes) along with eomuk (fish cakes), sundae (blood sausage), etc.
- Representative Dishes: Tteokbokki, Eomuk.
- Pojangmacha (포장마차) Areas:
- Description: Outdoor tented eateries that serve alcohol and various Korean snacks/dishes in the evening.
- Representative Dishes: Udon, Dakkochi (chicken skewers), Kkomjangeo (grilled hagfish), etc.
- Kimbap Heaven (김밥천국)
- Description: A casual Korean diner offering a wide range of affordable snack-style dishes and meals.
- Representative Dishes: Kimbap, Ramyeon, Donkatsu.
- Isaac Toast (이삭토스트)
- Description: A popular street toast franchise known for its sweet sauce and various fillings.
- Representative Dishes: Ham Cheese Toast, Bacon Best.
[Western/Fusion/Other Cuisines]
- Alla Prima (알라프리마)
- Description: A contemporary Italian fine dining restaurant known for its exquisite dishes and refined ambiance.
- Representative Dishes: Tasting courses.
- L’Impression (림프레션)
- Description: A Michelin 3-star restaurant offering French contemporary cuisine.
- Representative Dishes: Seasonal ingredient-based courses.
- Jonny Dumpling (조니 덤플링)
- Description: A famous handmade Chinese dumpling specialist in Itaewon.
- Representative Dishes: Pan-fried dumplings, stir-fried mussels.
- Congdu (콩두)
- Description: A creative Korean restaurant that utilizes traditional Korean fermented sauces and soybeans.
- Representative Dishes: Kongguksu (cold soybean noodle soup), Tofu dishes.
- Gukil Hogaengjeom (국일 호랭이점)
- Description: A haejangguk (hangover soup) specialist famous for its hearty rice soup and various liquor-based soup dishes.
- Representative Dishes: Ppyeohaejangguk, Seonji Haejangguk (ox blood soup).
- C27 (씨27)
- Description: A famous cheesecake specialty cafe in Garosu-gil, offering a wide variety of cheesecakes.
- Representative Dishes: 27 kinds of cheesecake.
- Hyoja Bakery (효자베이커리)
- Description: A long-standing bakery in Seochon with a rich history. Their corn bread is a signature item.
- Representative Dishes: Corn Bread, Salad Bread.
- O’sulloc Tea House (오설록 티하우스)
- Description: A cafe where you can enjoy various teas and desserts made with Jeju green tea.
- Representative Dishes: Green Tea Roll Cake, Green Tea Latte.
- Sulbing (설빙)
- Description: A franchise specializing in various types of Bingsu (Korean shaved ice dessert).
- Representative Dishes: Injeolmi Sulbing (rice cake shaved ice), Strawberry Sulbing.
- LINE Friends Store & Cafe (라인프렌즈 스토어 & 카페)
- Description: A themed cafe and store featuring LINE Friends characters.
- Representative Dishes: Character-themed drinks and desserts.
- Kakao Friends Cafe (카카오프렌즈 카페)
- Description: A themed cafe and store featuring Kakao Friends characters.
- Representative Dishes: Character-themed drinks and desserts.
- Daelim Changgo (대림창고)
- Description: A large cafe and art gallery in Seongsu-dong, converted from an old warehouse.
- Representative Dishes: Coffee, Brunch.
- Zaha Museum (자하손만두)
- Description: A mandu (dumpling) specialist with a great view, located near Bugaksan Mountain. Known for its clean and refined handmade dumplings.
- Representative Dishes: Son Mandu (handmade dumplings), Mandu Jeongol (dumpling hot pot).
