124 Best Restaurants in Seoul, South Korea

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.

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. Multi-course meals include an amuse bouche, main, and dessert; dishes could include seabass with bouillabaisse, Korean steak, and lobster thermidor. There are three seatings for dinner, so reservations are required. Admission to the observatory is included in the price of your meal.

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.

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 cafe 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, pairing 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 ₩1,000 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.

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 Yun-Kwon Uh, who refined his culinary talent in Italy, most notably at the Four Seasons hotel in Milan. Ingredients are flown 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.

While a delicious and hearty salad can be difficult to come by, one place that does it right is Root Everyday, a salad cafe 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).

This neighborhood barbecue restaurant serves up a variety of hanwoo beef as well other favorites such as samgyeopsal (pork belly). The prices vary drastically depending on which cut you're keen on, but Sammi's staying power has been its consistent commitment to quality. 

This popular cold noodle restaurant in the Lotte Mall has an appropriately limited menu. You're best off ordering mul naengmyeon (cold noodles in ice water) with a side of mandu (dumplings), though if you're in the mood for a hearty bowl of soup, try their mandu galbitang (beef short rib dumpling soup). There's often a line, though for good reason: this place, despite its mall location, really nails it.

Housed in a large, red-brick building, this sunny coffee shop located in Seochon serves coffee and quick bites. While their menu includes a decent array of pound cakes, seasonal brunch items, teas, lattes, and Americanos, Staff Picks fans are more likely to point you to its merchandise for sale at the cafe’s entrance. Knick knacks like high-end pencils, vintage china, and other decorative items are popular picks. Outside, seats are arranged around a tall gingko tree. Because the cafe is dog friendly, you’ll often come across pet owners with their furry friends. 

While this Seattle-based coffee behemoth boasts more than 500 stores in Seoul, this branch in the Han River Park may be the shiniest diamond in the crown. Occupying the first floor of the Seoul Wave Art Center, this is the only floating Starbucks in Korea, and surely the most Instagram-able. Sip on a cafe latte or Venti Frappuccino as you gaze out on the lazy flow of Seoul's major river. Afterward, make sure to explore the art and Korean culture gallery that shares the same space. 

Despite Korea's wonderful and varied cuisine, there are days when you want a taste of home and Suji's it the best place in Seoul to get it. After studying at New York's French Culinary Institute, chef Suji Park introduced the best of American cuisine to Seoul. Everything—including the bread, pickles and deli meats—is made in house. Not only is it the best place in Seoul to get a pastrami sandwich or apple crumble, it is hands-down the city's best brunch.

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.

Seasonal ingredients guide the menu at this intimate contemporary Korean bistro that often incorporates worldly flavors. You might order home-style classics like cold buckwheat noodles, grilled pork belly, or seoritae (black soybean) with mascarpone or a vegetable lasagna.

The Gangnam branch of this conveyer belt-style sushi chain sits right behind the CGV movie theater down from Exit 11 of Gangnam Station. What it lacks in size it makes up for in flavor and value, with nice cuts of fresh fish atop firm balls of rice. Most of the seats are packed together right at the counter, creating a cozy ambience reminiscent of sushi joints found in Japan. This is a great place to grab lunch, since they offer satisfying set courses that are also easy on the wallet. 

The Sinsa branch of this Seoul coffee company is hip, elegant, and focused on the most important thing: the coffee itself. Located on a side street just a few minutes up from the Garuso-gil shopping street, Tailor exudes sophistication, while also managing to be inviting. They also play jazz, which is a rarity in the Korean cafe world, which often pumps out K-pop and overwrought ballads. 

Originally built in 1932 during Japan’s colonization of Korea, this cafe 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.

Stepping off the main thoroughfare into this flower-filled haven is like being transported to an English garden. The quaint florist and cafe 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, or enroll in one of the cafe’s flower arranging classes.

Great pastries, creative coffee drinks, and even a few select cocktails are served at this hip dessert cafe. The clientele tends to be young and fashionable in a way that appears like they're not even trying.

This gorgeously designed bookshop and cafe is the neighborhood’s best kept secret. Follow the white staircase down to a bright courtyard in front of the building’s entrance to peruse a curated book selection that changes monthly based on the theme. What differentiates this cafe from others in Seoul is that everyone is reading books and there’s no phone in sight.