5 Best Restaurants in Seoul, South Korea

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.

This little neighborhood Japanese joint specializes in yakatori (meat skewers grilled over coals) along with cold beer and sake. The intimate space contains just a handful of tables, so it pays to call ahead and reserve a spot. Perhaps the best thing about Gyunae is the homey, cozy atmosphere. It also looks like it's been there for a while, which is always a good sign. 

Set within a renovated hanok (traditional Korean house), this restaurant serves homemade Japanese food. There is often a wait, but groups of four or more can reserve a dining room in advance by phone.

This Japanese restaurant on the Songridan-gil cafe and food street specializes in tempura donburi (piles of crispy, deep-fried goodness over a bed of fluffy white rice). The ingredients include combinations of shrimp, carrots, peppers, eggs, seaweed, chicken, asparagus, and slices of raw salmon, all served on wooden trays. The interior is clean, cozy, and well-lit, bringing forth the elements that make Japanese dining great, and the menu is limited, which is usually a good sign.

Across from the main gate of Olympic Park, this little Japanese eatery is the perfect spot to grab lunch in between visits to the local sights. Their menu includes donkatsu (pork cutlet), karaage (fried chicken), and ebi (shrimp) set meals, as well as several different Japanese curry dishes. The prices are surprisingly mild, and they also have cold beer on tap.