Loading...
-
$ | Jamsil |
While this old-school eatery advertises itself as a boribap (barely rice) establishment, it's most famous for its bossam (steamed pork) set menu. If you're not in the mood for pork, you can also order courses of duck or kodari (semi-dried pollack), along with sides of ddeokgalbi (beef and onion patties), dotori mook (acorn jelly salad), and much more. When it comes time to order drinks, a bottle or two of the milky Korean rice wine known as makgeolli will do wonders to complement this rustic-style meal in the middle of the capital.
8-2, Baekjegobun-ro, 41 gil, Seoul, Seoul, 05621, South Korea
Known For
- Rustic setting
- Steamed pork and makgeolli
- Extensive menu
-
$ | Yeouido |
Set on the 50th floor of the FKI Tower, this see-and-be-seen restaurant made popular in the 2016 K-Drama series W is all about the views. The airy dining room is a mish-mash of glass, whitewashed steel, hanging plants, and a rustic, almost farm-like vibe, made more prevalent by waitstaff dressed in Little House on the Prairie–style garb. While known as a brunch restaurant with favorites like French toast, full English breakfast, and chicken and waffles, the menu also has a steady lineup of pasta, salads, and desserts. Reservations are taken a month in advance, and without one there can be a long wait—pass the time with a stroll in the building’s rooftop atrium garden.
24 Yeoui-daero, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, Seoul, South Korea
Known For
- Sweeping views of Seoul and the Han River
- All-day brunch
- Ample international wine selection
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations recommended
-
$$$$ | Jongno-gu |
The exquisite temple food at Balwoo Gonyang could convert the most diehard carnivore to vegetarianism—for the course of a meal at least. Cooking-monk Master Dae An's creative take on temple cuisine is as enlightening as it is creative. Each course introduces diners to different mountain herbs and Buddhist cooking techniques, reflecting Dae An's belief that food should be delicious, healthy, and fun. Some highlights of the ever-changing menu include ginseng with citron sauce, lotus-leaf rice, and a truffle-like mushroom soup. Not just for vegetarians, Balwoo Gongyang is for anyone wishing to expand their palate.
56 Ujeongguk--ro,, Seoul, Seoul, South Korea
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun.
-
$$$$ | Jamsil |
On the 81st floor of the Lotte World Tower, this highly lauded fine dining restaurant serves elegantly prepared contemporary Korean fare with sky-high views. Multi-course lunch and dinner menus highlight local ingredients in everything from stuffed abalone to dry-aged striploin, every bite better than the last.
300, Olympic-ro, Songpa-gu, Seoul, Seoul, South Korea
Known For
- Stylish atmosphere
- Wine pairing
- Special occasions
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations essential
-
$ | Jung-gu |
In a small alley of Bangsan Market, this beloved and often crowded Korean barbecue and kimchi-jjiggae (kimchi stew) joint has separate menus for lunch and dinner: kimchi-jjiggae with ssam (assorted vegetables) by day and kimchi-jjiggae with samgyeopsal (pork belly) after 5 pm. By night the vibe changes, when the smell of barbecue fills the air and people chase their shots of soju with spoonfuls of kimchi. The lunchtime assortment is served with 10 kinds of vegetables; diners wrap the fatty pork from the stew into their choice of leafy green.
32 Changgyeonggung-ro 8-gil, Seoul, Seoul, South Korea
Known For
- Kimchi stew
- Barbecue pork
- Lively atmosphere at dinner
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun.
-
Recommended Fodor’s Video
-
-
$ | Gangnam-gu |
This extremely popular restaurant takes donkas (Korea's version of Japanese pork cutlet), to a whole other level. If you think you've had good versions of the dish before, think again, because Jeongdon absolutely knocks it out of the park. Their signature dish is tenderloin donkas, with thick, succulent pieces of prime pork cut into medallions and cooked until still pink in the middle. The panko breading is perfectly crispy and the juicy flavor of each bite is heavenly. The restaurant's decor is Japanese retro with almost an American diner feel. Just make sure to have some time to spare, as there's almost always a line.
26, Gangnam Daero, 110 gil, Seoul, Seoul, 06123, South Korea
Known For
- Crispy, juicy tenderloin donkas
- Retro interior
- Worth the wait
-
$$$$ | |
Chef Yim Jung-sik made waves with this restaurant that takes traditional Korean fare, such as bibimbap and gimbap (Korean sushi rolls) and transforms them into a fine dining experience. Jungsik specializes in course meals that draw from a variety of influences, but are always given a distinctly Korean touch. The service is kind, attentive, and discreet, the atmosphere chic, and the wine list is custom-curated to pair with the current menu. There is a reason why Michelin gave this place two stars.
11 Seolleung-ro 158-gil, 06014, South Korea
Known For
- Kind, attentive service
- Multi-course meals with wine pairings
- Chic atmosphere
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations essential; reserve through \"Catch Table\" system: jungsik.kr/visit-2, Business casual (no jeans)
-
$$ | Jamsil |
The Jamsil branch of this upscale Japanese restaurant features elegant syokudo (a la carte) and teishoku (set menu) dishes including fresh sushi, pork cutlet, tempura, and sashimi rice bowls. Located in the basement of the Sofitel Ambassador hotel, Kobachi's sleek, minimalist interior perfectly complements the delicious, yet understated food. They also serve Japanese beers, highballs, and sakes from a nice list.
209 Jamsil-ro, Seoul, Seoul, 05552, South Korea
Known For
- Classy ambiance
- Sea urchin roe and sashimi rice bowls
- Quality sakes
-
$ | Jamsil |
If you're in the mood for some proper Korean barbecue pork, look no further: this highly rated eatery serves grilled samgyeopsal (pork belly) and moksal(pork collar) like nobody's business. The staff will make sure that your meat is grilled to perfection while you can sit back and enjoy the lively atmosphere. Not only are the cuts of meat fresh and thick, but the service is also top notch.
122 Baekjegobun-ro, Jamsilbon-dong, Seoul, Seoul, 05574, South Korea
Known For
- Great service
- Fresh vegetable sides
- Prime cuts of pork
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations recommended.
-
$$ | Jongno-gu |
Cold buckwheat noodles are the specialty at this famed Gwangwahmun staple, where there's usually a wait to get inside. Despite its Michelin-star status the restaurant is nothing fancy, but visitors often take their food to-go and eat at the nearby Cheonggyecheon Stream.
19 Jong-ro, Seoul, Seoul, South Korea
Known For
- Delicious noodles
- Good value
- Generous portions
-
-
$$$$ | Gangnam-gu |
Traditional Korean cooking "mingles" flawlessly with new techniques at this fine dining restaurant, where exquisite preparations of quality ingredients make for an extra special lunch or dinner. This is the high-end experience for which Gangnam is known, so it's a must if you're looking for the place to indulge in the luxury of the neighborhood.
19 Dosan-daero 67-gil, Seoul, Seoul, South Korea
Known For
- Beautifully presented dishes
- Small but thoughtful portions
- Light, airy dining room
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon., Reservations essential.
-
$ | Jung-gu |
Although bibimbap (rice with mixed vegetables) is sometimes disregarded as an introductory Korean dish, the iteration served at Mokmyeonsanbang proves that there is an art to crafting this dish. There are six different types of bibimbap on the menu, each made with meticulously sourced ingredients like sesame oil, fresh vegetables, and local rice. While all the restaurant’s dishes are well-executed, the signature bibimbap is a vegetarian classic and the beef tartare bibimbap is likely one of the best in the country. It can take more than two hours to get into this restaurant, so avoid peak lunch times or have your meal to-go.
71 Toegye-ro 20-gil, Seoul, Seoul, South Korea
Known For
- Sanbang (vegetarian) bibimbap
- Beef tartare bibimbap
- Long wait at lunch
-
$ | Jung-gu |
Arguably the best cheap wang mandu (king-size dumplings) in Seoul can be ordered at this restaurant in Namdaemun Market, where customers line up for pink take-out boxes from the front counter. The restaurant has two signature types of dumplings: kimchi with a spicy kick, and plain meat with juiciness in each bite. At first, it may seem like the establishment is take-out only but you can eat-in by entering past the counter. You’ll pass the kitchen of busy dumpling-makers and be led upstairs to either the second or third floor. The restaurant also serves kalguksu (knife-cut noodles), shrimp mandu, and galbi (short-rib) mandu, but you can’t go wrong by sticking to the classics. You might have to make an extra effort to get someone to help you but the prices, at ₩4,000 for a plate of dumplings, truly make up for the lack of service.
42 Namdaemunsijang 4-gil, Seoul, Seoul, South Korea
Known For
- Dining upstairs
- Lively market location
- Delicious, inexpensive dumplings
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun.
-
$$$$ | Jung-gu |
Set in a beautiful dining room that evokes 1930s Shanghai, this elegant Chinese restaurant in L'Escape Hotel is a favorite among Seoulites. Bold and spicy Sichuan flavors punctuate the menu, which is filled with delectable elevated classics and dim sum. The signature 42-day-old, applewood roasted Peking duck has a crispy skin and is prepared tableside.
67 Toegye-ro, Seoul, Seoul, South Korea
Known For
- Peking duck
- Dim sum
- Atmospheric setting
-
$ | Itaewon |
This casual Korean eatery takes the statement “mother’s cooking is best” to a whole other level. Opened in 2013, Parc combines Korean home cooking, inspired by the owner-chef’s mother, with modern aesthetics. Since the restaurant aims to use ingredients in season, the menu changes every few months with a handful of exceptions. The 7 namuls platter, Parc’s take on bibimbap, and the galbi (grilled beef ribs) are two safe bets. The restaurant is known for their banchan (side dishes) and, unlike many Korean home cooking restaurants, always have one or two vegan options on the menu.
Itaewon-ro 55ga-gil, Seoul, Seoul, South Korea
Known For
- 7 namuls platter
- Galbi (grilled beef ribs)
- Banchan (side dishes)
-
-
$$$ | Jongno-gu |
Sanchon offers guests a chance to experience traditional Korean temple cooking in a beautifully decorated hanok house. Sanchon was one of the first restaurants to expand temple cooking into complex multi-course meals. While the food is quite good, the décor and the traditional Korean performances in the evening take center stage. Although it is open for lunch, visit in the evening to get the full experience.
30--13 Insadong--gil, Seoul, Seoul, 110300, South Korea
-
$ | Jongno-gu |
Reputed to have Seoul's best samgyetang (Korean chicken soup), this tourist favorite, set in a group of traditional houses, is best recognized by the lines that form outside during lunch. While it is best to go between the lunch and dinner rushes, Tosokchon's signature samgyetang is worth the wait. The chicken used here is not oily in the least and the stuffing of over 30 different herbs and grains as well as ginseng, garlic, and jujube make it a filling and healthy meal. Just keep in mind that this is not the place to go for a selection of Korean food as samgyetang is nearly the only thing on the menu.
5 Jahamun-ro 5-gil, Seoul, Seoul, South Korea
Known For
- Atmospheric, traditional setting
- Kkakdugi (radish kimchi)
- Classic chicken soup
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations not accepted
-
$$$$ | Jung-gu |
Often at the top of lists ranking the best fine dining in Seoul, this lauded French restaurant within the multicultural artspace Piknic has a minimalist dining room that allows artfully prepared dishes to shine. Opened in 2018 by Chef Lee Chung-hu, the restaurant is known for Lee's innovative use of ingredients and his emphasis on home-grown vegetables. The restaurant, with views of Namsan Tower, serves lunch and dinner and is reservation only.
30 Toegye-ro 6ga-gil, Seoul, Seoul, South Korea
Known For
- View of N Seoul Tower
- Seasonal menu highlighting vegetables
- Sea bass
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun., Reservations essential
-
$ | Gwanghwamun |
A restaurant with an eco-friendly ethos, this Insa-dong hot spot uses GMO-free and organic ingredients to create its signature bibimbap. While typical bibimbaps are made of rice and seasoned vegetables served in a bowl and mixed with gochujang (fermented red pepper paste) at the table, the restaurant's "bojagi bibimbap" is a play on traditional Korean bojagi (wrapping cloth); it's hidden inside a thinly cooked yellow egg and wrapped with a seaweed bow. The restaurant is reservation only, vegan-friendly, and has course menus available for lunch and dinner. Visitors here should keep in mind that flavors here, while great for your health, are incredibly subtle, even compared to other organic restaurants in the city.
3-6 Insadong 16-gil, Seoul, Seoul, South Korea
Known For
- Not-your-average bibimbap
- Brainchild of restaurateur Song Jung-eun
- Course menus
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations essential
-
$$$ | Jung-gu |
Located a five minute walk from some of downtown Seoul's premier hotels, Arirang serves high-end kalbi (grilled meats) at a price to match. Though pricier than most other kalbi restaurants, the food here is top notch and the location makes it an excellent dinner choice for those staying at one of the nearby hotels. The restaurant is bright and airy—surprising considering that the main dish is beef grilled at the table. Customers can opt for tables or the more traditional floor seating. While a good for two people, like most Korean BBQ, Arirang in best visited in a group.
23 Namdaemun-ro 7-gil, Seoul, Seoul, South Korea