4 Best Restaurants in Seoul, South Korea

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.

A beloved Seoul institution since 1939, Hadongkwan is known around the country for their gomtang (bone broth soup). While the dish is simple and paired only with a humble bowl of rice and kkakdugi (radish kimchi), it has a cult following. In fact, the restaurant became even more famous in the 1970s because it was supposedly a favorite of former President Park Chung-hee. The restaurant says their secret lies in the fact that they refuse to add any artificial seasonings and they’ve used the same beef supplier for more than 60 years. Hadongkwan closes once their last dish of the day has been made and their hours, from 7 am to 4 pm, are strange by Seoul standards, so try to go as early as possible.

One of the best places for Western-style dining, Summer Lane is an Australian, all-day brunch eatery located in the backroads of Hannam-dong. Popular menu items include the bacon waffle eggs benedict, smashed avocado, and the DIY option which allows you choices of sourdough bread, eggs any way, tomatoes, spinach, and bacon among others. With high ceilings and a bright decor, the dog- and kid-friendly space is a favorite among early birds, especially since the restaurant opens at 7:30 am (a rarity for a Western restaurant in Korea).

The star recipe of this restaurant is sundae (Korean blood sausages); their menu has traditional sundae soups as well as modern takes like sundae steak. Even those who usually don’t like sundae or are nervous about trying it leave with a newfound appreciation for this Korean delicacy.