137 Best Restaurants in Seoul, South Korea

The Jamsil branch of this popular Seoul chain sits on a corner of the Songridan-gil food and cafe street. The burgers are made with tasty, lean patties, and the buns are super fresh. They also have great fries and a number of soft drinks to choose from, as well as craft beers on tap. It's rare to get a premium burger in Seoul that doesn't break the bank, and Downtowner definitely delivers in this regard. Be prepared to wait, as there's almost always a line. 

A fried chicken and beer joint that’s been in operation since 1996, Eongteoli Fried Chicken serves classic, Korean-style fried chicken. While they also have spicy Korean-style sea snail salad on the menu, the signature is the extra crispy namesake, a whole chicken cut up in pieces with a thick, slightly salted crust. It comes with a tangy sauce for dipping, a plate of salad, and a small dish of white, pickled radish. Ordering a beverage (commercial beer or a soda) is a must. Be warned, the ambience is divey, hole-in-the-wall chic to a tee. The elderly couple in charge can come across as gruff but go the extra mile with a smile, and with a kind word they open up easily.

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.

Founded by a pastry chef, barista, and designer trio, Fritz Coffee is a bakery and café with three locations in Seoul. This one, Fritz Wonseo, is aptly located in Wonseo-dong, on the first floor of the Arario Museum, a contemporary art museum founded by world-famous collector Kim Chang-il. Fritz visitors can order coffee and sweets from an addendum to the main building then choose from seats either in the courtyard or in a modern hanok that’s been built inside the courtyard. The brand is well-known for their single-origin coffee as well as their red-bean-and-butter baked goods, but also make sure to check out the official Fritz goods. The brand’s signature baby seal logo is a favorite among many Seoulites. 

Located on the fifth floor of a sprawling plaza, this simple restaurant specializes in soondubu (soft tofu) stew. Those who prefer the spicy variation can try the standard soondubu and those with more sensitive palates can try the white soondubu. These two kinds can be made vegetarian upon request. While it can be difficult to find, Gamchon is a favorite among nearby businessmen for its fresh tofu and great rotation of side dishes.  

Reservations are essential for this highly lauded fine dining establishment where traditional Korean cuisine shines in a multi-course tasting menu. Local ingredients highlight the flavors of the region to produce dishes like sea bream, beef ribs, abalone, black bean tea, and more.

Opened by New York transplant Eugene Kim in 2015, Gino’s NY Pizza serves authentic New York–style pizza pies. Signature pies include the Brooklyn's Best (Italian sausage, red onions, Parmesan, and fresh basil on plum tomato sauce) and the New York Supreme made with roasted garlic. Their classic pies (pepperoni and regular cheese) don’t play second fiddle to the signatures, and the buffalo wings and garlic knots also on the menu make for delicious additions to any meal. There may be a wait for those waiting to dine in on the weekend, but the pizzas travel well for those looking for take-out options. Gino's also has a more spacious location in Apgujeong. 

Ideal for early risers seeking easy breakfast options, Grain offers two types of menu. Customers can go with the DIY option, checking off four or more items from a long list of Western breakfast choices such as scrambled eggs, toast, bacon, yogurt, and granola; or, available on the more traditional menu are typical brunch foods like avocado toast and whole wheat pancakes. Grain has a list of its freshly pressed juices on the board and offers coffee and tea as well.

For a unique gastronomic experience, make your way to the bronze octopus statue that marks Jjukkumi Alley. Although it’s famed for the many outposts dedicated to the eponymous delicacy, the 35-year-old Grandma Na Jeong Sun's restaurant is considered the original and best; the Korean delicacy is made with baby octopus marinated in a spicy red chili sauce that's quickly seared on a grill, then served wrapped up in perilla leaves and accompanied by a ubiquitous bottle of soju. Keep in mind that the chewy texture and off-the-charts spice level aren’t for everyone, and this place doesn’t serve any other dishes. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner but closed in the afternoons between 2:30 and 5:00 pm. Additionally, it’s not possible to dine solo as the minimum order is two portions.

The definition of a hole-in-the-wall, Gwanghwamin Jip (jip meaning house) is a two-story kimchi-jjiggae (kimchi stew) and jeyuk-bokkeum (spicy, stir-fried pork) restaurant in a back alley. While tucked away, it’s immediately noticeable as the sign in front dates back to the 1950s. The location has long been a restaurant although the current iteration dates back to the ’80s. Today, its signature is the rich, spicy kimchi-jjiggae made with a thirty-year-old recipe by a group of grandmas. Served with bowls of plain, white rice and gyeran-mari (fried egg and scallion omelet) for extra, the food is simple but delicious and the ambience is authentically vintage. To get the full feel of the place, ask to sit on the second floor. You’ll be led up a flight of rickety stairs and served on floor tables warmed up with ondol (underfloor heating) in the winter.

A favorite among nearby businesspeople, Gwanghwamun Ttukgam is a gamja-tang (pork back stew) and pork belly barbecue restaurant. The intoxicating smell of the latter, especially when cooked alongside sizzling, fried kimchi, is tempting but save yourself for the former and you won’t be disappointed. Their signature stew, a popular hangover dish, is served bubbling over portable gas for larger parties and as single-servings in stone pots for one. While some gamja-tang fanatics prefer meatier portions than the ones served here, Gwanghwamun Ttukgam’s stews are heavy on garlic and topped with perilla leaves, making for a more fragrant dish overall. Avoid weekday lunch and night hours as you’ll often see office workers in line for their entire teams, and grab a piece of mint at the register on your way out.

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. 

This café on the first floor of Insadong's Kong Art Space serves excellent classic Korean sweets. Chef Yong-il Sin has used his experience at the Swiss Consulate and high end restaurants to reinvent classic desserts like sweet tteok and ju-ak rice cakes. There are only a few seats in the tiny café, but on a nice day it is a perfect take-out snack to have while wandering the streets of Insadong.

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.

A great option for beginners to Korean cuisine, Hangaram is a small restaurant away from the Myeongdong center that specializes in hanjeongsik (full-course Korean meals). The set menu with dried yellow corvine and the lotus leaf rice are two popular options, but the highlight of the meal, regardless of what you order, is undoubtedly the banchan (side dishes); visitors rave about the japchae (stir-fried glass noodles) and cucumber peppers tossed in doenjang (soybean paste). There is a homemade feeling to each dish and the staff are welcoming and friendly. Come hungry as the portions are incredibly generous.

Who says Korean barbecue is just about pork or beef? This joint takes the idea of grilled meat at your table and adds chicken to the equation, which, if you're a fan of the bird, works very well. The interior is clean and made of bright wood, which adds a countrified, traditional feel to the place. The modun gui (mixed grill) contains several cuts of chicken (dark and white meat), along with some spicy marinated bits to keep you on your toes. 

Always a hit with visitors to Korea, dak galbi (stir-fried chicken) is the perfect combination of savory, spicy, and sweet, and it's cooked up in a sizzling pan right in the middle of your table, which adds a touch of theatrics. This popular neighborhood joint serves up dak galbi in its purest, most unpretentious form, while still managing to be pretty close to the rest of the nightlife action. 

A fiery name for a memorable coffee, Hell Cafe is located off the beaten path in Bogwang-dong. The café gets its reputation thanks to its owner, Kwon Yo-seop, a barista famed for his drip coffee. The classic cappuccino and \"Hell drip\" are the two most popular orders and they’re typically ordered with the cafés signature tiramisu, rumored to be one of the best in the country.

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.

Located on the fourth floor of a warehouse in Euljiro, Hotel Soosunhwa is a picturesque cafe, bar, and co-working space. While they do serve basic coffees and lattes, they are best known for their colorful, fruity drinks like their passion fruit–ade and sangria. The cafe’s low-lighting, vintage decor, and exposed concrete are not exactly conducive to better focus but artistic types come with their laptops on weekdays. During the weekend, the space is crowded with groups of friends, and waiting for a table can take longer than an hour. The cafe also hosts events such as concerts, markets, and talks on a regular basis.

Originally built in 1932 during Japan’s colonization of Korea, this café once housed many prominent military and political figures before opening in its current form in 2018. Although the building has been heavily renovated over the years, its history lives on through the structure, which still very much feels like a residence. The cafe serves Americanos and lattes in addition to a variety of baked goods, like fruit tarts and macaroons, from their bakery. If possible, try to get a seat in the cafe’s attic---by far the coziest room in the cafe.

At this eight-table contemporary Korean fusion restaurant near Changgyeonggung Palace, expect small, artfully presented plates with a focus on seasonal, locally produced ingredients. There's a nice selection of natural wines to pair with the dishes. For a table near the window, the restaurant recommends making a reservation three to four weeks in advance.

Set in a circa-1915 traditional hanok house passed down through generations to the current owner, this is without a doubt the most atmospheric café in Dongdaemun. The timeworn interior and tranquil courtyard feel miles (and years) away from the bustling city beyond, and a locavore focus on seasonal Korean ingredients and domestic producers creates a unique menu of baked goods, tea, and coffee. Most of Seoul’s historic hanoks are set in the time-tested Insadong or Bukchon neighborhoods, but this peaceful coffee shop is tucked just off the main road near Heunginjimun Gate. 

Done up in bright red and neon in the style of a Chicago pizzeria, the Jamsil branch of this Seoul chain will scratch your itch for American-style pies. The sizes range from personal pies to big pizzas that can feed several adults. They also also serve deep dish and baked spaghetti, if you're in the mood. This establishment is take out only. 

In business since 1993, Jaha Son Mandu specializes in gourmet mandu or Korean-style dumplings. Both the house that the restaurant is in and the recipes used have been passed down to owner Park Hye-kyung from her grandparents. Until recently, you could catch glimpses of her grandmother overseeing quality control in the kitchen. While their prices are approximately double that of other restaurants in the area, Jaha Son Mandu is distinctly different, as many of the ingredients are made on-site (son means hand, and in the case of the restaurant's name, handmade). They even ferment the soy sauce themselves and don’t use a single drop of artificial flavoring. Some of their dishes, like their mandu-guk (dumpling soup), are elevated takes on classics while other dishes, like their pyeonsu (dumplings with beef, mushrooms, and cucumbers) are hard-to-find gems. 

Situated on "Meat Alley" (Gogi Golmok), Heuk Da Don specializes in Jeju Island barbecue pork (the black pigs raised on Jeju are said to have a deeper flavor). This restaurant serves up several different cuts, so you're best off ordering the mixed grill. There is indoor and outdoor seating, though if you really want to soak up the party-like atmosphere, sit outside, and make sure to wash down that grilled porky goodness with some cold beer or soju. 

A surprise tucked away in the lobby of a commercial building, Jeokdang serves coffee, tea, and Korea-inspired desserts. Tall arches frame different corners and dark red carpeting lines the floor, creating an upscale but comfortably peaceful ambience. Their ice cream sandwich---a marriage of yakgwa (a traditional sweet Korean confection) and milky, vanilla goodness---is a must-try all year-round, and their red bean bingsoo (shaved ice) is the perfect, melt-in-your-mouth summer treat. The cafe also sells modern Korean ceramics and gift sets of Korean sweet bean jellies.

Despite the often long wait and hot dining room, this low-key restaurant has developed a cultlike following since it opened in 1978. Dak Hanmari means “whole chicken” and is a type of traditional Korean chicken soup cooked hot-pot style on each table. In addition to the meat, customize your soup with garlic, kimchi, noodles, soy sauce, and rice cakes, then dip the chicken in a spicy, peppery marinade. Although it’s set in the area filled with chicken soup establishments known as Dongdaemun Dak Hanmari Alley, there’s a reason this one is consistently the busiest. You can only purchase a whole chicken which costs ₩35,000, but it’s easy enough to finish for two or more people.

Come here for the house speciality, kongguksu, a velvety, chilled bowl of noodles in a soybean-milk soup, topped with mild kimchi. The rich broth is made from freshly ground soybeans, complementing the chewy wheat noodles. Jinju Jip is also known for its mandu dumplings, spicy bibimguksu mixed noodles, anddak calguksu, a knife-cut chicken noodle dish.

One of the few cafés in the area that does not specialize in coffee, Jo and Dawson is known for their selection of milk teas and classic French toast. Their milk tea comes in three flavors—Assam, Hoji, and Strawberry—and are served both hot and cold. As drinks that lean subtle, rather than sweet, in flavor, they can be enjoyed slowly over a long period of time. Their French toast is a picture-perfect single portion, served with a side of salt to bring out every bite of the simple but delicate dish. On weekends, they also operate a special tea room across the street from their main operation. This is a popular draw, so expect a line.