137 Best Restaurants in Seoul, South Korea

The word “jopok” means \"gangster\" in Korean, so the owners of this tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes) restaurant put up a sign that reads, “We’re run by innocent, average men with no affiliation to gangsters” to quell the rumors. Nonetheless, the catchy name has brought them over twenty years of business, and the restaurant is a student favorite for affordable meals of tteokbokki, Busan odeng (savory fish cakes from the Busan region) and twigeum (a variety of deep-fried vegetables). The restaurant stays open until 4:30 am, long after many restaurants in the neighborhood have closed, making it a last stop for many partygoers. Jopok has one additional location closer to Hongik University Station.

This Samcheong-dong institution serves one of the best gimbaps (seaweed rice rolls) in the country. Although most gimbap restaurants cater to younger demographics with fillings like tonkatsu (fried porklet) and tuna-mayonnaise, this small eatery serves dishes that adhere to more traditional recipes from Joseon kingdom times, including two types of gimbap, kongbiji (ground soybean stew) and Joseon guksi (warm noodles with a soybean-paste soup). Both gimbaps have the typical pickled, yellow radish, ham, and sliced carrot fillings but the Joseon gimbap throws ugeoji namul (seasoned cabbage leaves) into the mix while the Odeng gimbap has an entire sheet of fish cake at its center. These dishes are more of an acquired taste, but the fresh ingredients and the neat ambience of the restaurant set Joseon Gimbap apart from other gimbap joints.

This Japanese katsu restaurant is one of the best places in Seoul to get your crispy tempura battered cutlet fix. Here, the pork cuts are so incredibly tender and juicy that they practically melt on the tongue. The restaurant is located in the basement so it can be easy to miss but just look for the line of people.

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.

Chicken is huge in Korea, especially when paired with beer, and Kkanbu is a Korean chain that serves up many varieties of the bird, including basic crunchy, spicy barbecue, garlic soy sauce, as well as boneless pieces fried up with pieces of squid. Whatever your preference, the Samseong branch has it all, but make sure to wash it down with a cold glass of beer or two.

With a whopping 87,000 fried chicken restaurants in South Korea, and a huge proportion of them set in the Seoul Capital Area, it’s obvious that Koreans love this tasty treat, and one of the most popular chains is Kyochon Chicken. The Dongdaemun location is the company’s largest, and it’s open 365 days per year. The interior is that of your typical fast-food joint, but the chicken and beer are spot-on.

While an Alabama-style barbecue restaurant may seem out of place in the middle of Seoul, the offers at Linus are so good that many believe it’s a step above, even by American standards. Opened by Linus Kim in 2014, the restaurant has essentials like pulled pork, brisket, and spare ribs as well as Southern comforts like deep-fried okra and macaroni and cheese. Many American-style barbecue restaurants have opened in Korea in the past few years, thanks to Linus setting the bar, but the tangy, barbecue sauces set this Itaewon location apart from the rest.

Leading the way in introducing Korean palates to the joys of American-style pizza (instead of Korean fusion variety, which had focused for many years on toppings such as sweet potato, corn, bulgogi, and strawberry jam, often drenched in a lake of sweet sauces and mayonnaise), Maekju Deokhi Pizza Deokhu has perfected the rectangular-cut Detroit style pizza. The funky Apgjujeong restaurant also has scores of quality brews on tap that perfectly complement their pies. While a few other places get more attention, this is one of the city's hidden gems. 

With elegant interiors reminiscent of belle époque Paris, the sumptuous 29th-floor dining room at Mariposa is decorated with motifs featuring its namesake butterfly. Although set within the Fairmont Ambassador Hotel, the restaurant maintains an independent and intimate feel, more so due to its hyper-local tasting menus. Superb views, terraces, and the attached M29 bar with its signature cocktails round out the many reasons to visit.  Note that the restaurant only allows entry for those age 19 and over.

Although this restaurant has the Korean word for buckwheat (memil) in their name, Memilhyang Guejip's main draw is their dak-bokkeum-tang (Korean braised chicken stew). They are best known for their spicy version smothered in cheese. The stews are cooked in front of you with the toppings of your choice. Leave some room; when you’re done with the meat, you can opt to have rice mixed in.

Rumored to have some of the best coffee in the city, visitors to Milestone Coffee can wait up to an hour for a seat at its 10-table establishment. While the cafe’s clean beige-and-black aesthetic are not atypical, coffee aficionados swear their coffees capture an aroma otherwise difficult to find in Korea. Their signature blends include the Hanabi, a sweet, chocolaty coffee with floral tones, and the Aki, a “clean cup” with notes of milk chocolate, orange, and honey. However, it’s their sweeter options---the Flat White and Vienna Coffee---that have put them on the map. Try them on a weekday and pair one of their brews with the cafe’s mascarpone tiramisu made in-house. The cafe also has locations in the Seongsu and Sinsa neighborhoods.

One of the city’s best chicken restaurants, Mirak Chicken serves fried chicken three ways: regular, sweet and spicy, and garlic. While the garlic chicken is undoubtedly their signature, be warned that the dish can be a lot to handle, even for fans of the herb, as the garlic is stir-fried and not oven-roasted. The other two options, while overlooked, are great alternatives and pair perfectly with cold, local beer on tap here. Mirak is popular for late-night bites on an evening out, so keep in mind that from 8 pm onward will be quite crowded.

Mug for Rabbit shows that the boutique cupcake trend isn't dying out, it's just moving to Asia. Located on Seoul's trendy Garosu-gil café and shopping street, Mug for Rabbit serves homemade cupcakes and coffee in a gallery-like atmosphere. The cupcakes, though tiny, are fluffy and moist with the frosting complimenting the cupcake without overpowering it. The coffee, while not the best in town, is definitely a step above the chain coffee shops nearby. Mug for Rabbit is a good place to take a break, people watch, and have just a little something sweet.

Established in 1966, Myeongdong Gyoja is one of the most recognized restaurants in Seoul. While many in the older generations complain that their signature kalguksu (knife-cut noodles) have become increasingly more expensive and saltier over the years, the dish is still a Myeongdong must-try. Served in a beef broth with pork dumplings, the hearty dish comes with a side of super-garlicky, fresh kimchi. Those concerned with portions and sodium content can ask for a bowl of rice, which is free with any meal. The dumplings and bibimguksu (spicy, cold buckwheat noodles topped with cucumber) are also great alternatives to the signature item. The restaurant itself is no-frills and the bustling crowds mean that its staff don't welcome lingering after your meal is finished. The space rests on the laurels of its good food. 

Dining at this rotating restaurant at the very top of N Seoul Tower is mostly about the 360-degree views and sophisticated ambience, but the French--Korean cuisine is also decent, if pricey. Multicourse meals include an amuse bouche, main, and dessert; dishes could include sea bass with bouillabaisse, Korean steak, and lobster thermidor. 

Seoul's main fish market, Noryrangjin makes for one of the city's most unique dining experiences. Walking by tanks of snapper, giant crabs, jellyfish, and an astonishing variety of other seafood, visitors can chose a fish and head down to the market's basement to have it prepared and cooked. Sashimi is usually served with a tart vinegared chili sauce, raw garlic, chilies, and lettuce leaves to wrap everything up. Afterwards you can have the bones made into a spicy soup. While Noryrangjin is great for both the freshest fish and the experience itself, it is a fish market so it is not the place to wear your nicest shoes.

Seolleongtang (a thin, milky white soup made from boiling oxtail and bones) is a Korean comfort food, and Oegojib is famous nationwide wide for their use of only the freshest local veggies, tender slices of beef, and attention to detail in their recipe. This is a soup that melts in your mouth and goes straight to the center of your soul. The sour, zesty crunch of the kimchi and kkakdugi (radish kimchi) adds a nice complement to the soft, savory goodness of the seolleongtang in the bowl.

It can be hard to find authentic Chinese food in Seoul (Korea tends to feature fusion dishes like jajangmyeon [noodles in black bean sauce],tangsuyuk [sweet and sour pork], and jjampong [spicy seafood noodle soup]), which is why Paljinhyang is a breath of fresh air. This is one of the few places in the city where you can get Peking Duck, though you should be prepared to pay for it. They also offer high end versions of Korean-Chinese favorites, like "Olive Beef Rib Jajangmyeon," and "Korean Pork Shoulder Tangsuyuk."

Although the standard Italian fare at this cafeteria-like spot likely won’t bring Michelin knocking anytime soon, the laid-back eatery is worth a visit simply for the picturesque waterfront location. Set on a platform just offshore and reached by a gangplank-style bridge, the quirky structure randomly topped by a windmill has a three-story dining room, a roomy terrace, and a convenience store known for its tasty fried chicken. The cafe also offers paddleboat rentals and water-skiing lessons. It’s a great place to settle in for sunset and watch the city light up at dusk.

Stepping off the main thoroughfare into this flower-filled haven is like being transported to an English garden. The quaint florist and café is only 10 minutes’ walk from the hectic DDP but feels decidedly peaceful as you sip a flower-infused tea, a strawberry latte, or simply sniff the copious arrangements of roses, peonies, and hydrangeas. Pick up a mini bouquet or potted succulent as a memento.

One of the first well-known Western-style vegan restaurants in Seoul, Plant opened in 2013 as the brainchild of former designer and blogger Mipa Lee. Although Plant was first a small café for baked goods, its popularity from vegans and non-vegans alike has helped grow the menu and the space. Still operating as a 100% plant-based restaurant, the beloved menu includes a hummus and roasted squash salad, lentil veggie bowl, and mushroom burger in addition to its wide range of desserts. Today, Plant has two locations: this one near Itaewon Station and another in Yeonnam-dong, Hongdae.

While the name of this restaurant means “good year for a rice harvest,” locals often refer to it as the corner place with delicious tteokbokki (spicy stir-fried rice cakes). Eat inside the bare-bones restaurant which is also a functioning rice mill, and pair the tteokbokki with one of its popular sides: soondae (blood sausage), twigim (deep-fried meats and vegetables), or eomuk (fish cakes). Those looking for a quick bite can also get a tteok-kkochi, a fried rice cake skewer dipped in a sweet and spicy sauce, by far the best ₩1,500 snack in the city.

One of the leading names in North Korean cuisine, Pyeongraeok was first opened by a woman from Pyeongyang, North Korea in 1950. The restaurant is so popular that when it closed down in 2008, it reopened two years later in its current location due to demand. Fortunately, the recipes have remained consistent over the years. They are best known for their chogyetang (chilled, sweet and sour chicken soup served with cucumber, lettuce, and pear), but their naengmyun (cold buckwheat noodle soup) and dak-mucchim (chicken in a sweet and spicy sauce) are as good as the signature item.

If you have a sweet tooth or need a burst of energy while exploring, swing by this French patisserie for a delicate blueberry tart or classic madeleine. The shop has rows of macarons in standby flavors like vanilla, pistachio, and rose as well as some more unusual flavors like chocolate yuzu, oolong caramel, and olive.

A quiet brunch restaurant with a handful of lunch options and sunlight pouring through its large windows, Rhubarb is exactly the kind of place you want to dine on a Sunday morning. The restaurant’s menu of avocado toasts, pancakes, pastas, and sandwiches have a touch of quiet flourish: there is a sprinkle of red peppercorns on the avocado toast with bacon and a side of pickled lentils on the salmon avocado toast that gives it a slight pop. Its signature items---the Carrot Sandwich with Hummus (tangy grated carrot salad with humus on sourdough) and Spaghetti Mixed with Carrots and Salted Pollack Roe---may sound adventurous to a pickier eater, but taste as welcoming and subtle as the restaurant itself. With plants in one corner and simple, wooden furniture, there is nothing flashy about the decor but you can tell each chair, light fixture, and plate was chosen with care.

This cool yet friendly coffee bar sits two blocks away from the main strip of the Songridan-gil cafe street, which means it retains its own charms while eschewing the lines and crowds found at the area's more well-known establishments. The interior is sleek yet inviting, with tables and an island espresso bar where solo diners will feel welcome.

Open by reservation only, this Italian fine-dining restaurant is headed by Korean chef Yoon-Geun Eo, who refined his culinary talent in Italy, most notably at the Four Seasons hotel in Milan. Ingredients are brought in daily, and the focus is on hyper-fresh, simple, and healthy cuisine. Ristorante Eo achieved one Michelin star in the 2017 inaugural Michelin guide to Seoul and another in 2018, then received The Plate rating in 2019 and 2020.  There is no exterior sign for this property, so confirm the location of the restaurant before your departure.

While a delicious and hearty salad can be difficult to come by, one place that does it right is Root Everyday, a salad café that also makes sandwiches, soups, and rolls. Their salads center proteins like chicken, salmon, and tofu with two favorites being the shrimp poke bowl and the Thai steak bowl. Their root avocado roll made with avocado, brown rice, red peppers, and cabbage is a fresh, light meal for anyone needing a break from heavy holiday eating.

Baek Jong-won is probably Korea's best known celebrity chef and restaurateur, and Saemaul is his barbecue chain. If you're looking for very solid Korean grilled pork, you won't go wrong at his Jamsil branch. Situated on the Bangi "Food Alley," Seamaul is known for its mixed grill, pork belly, pork collar, marinated pork, and its signature yeontan bulgogi, which comes in both mild and spicy forms. If you're feeling brave, they also offer makjang (pork intestines).