Summary Top Dining Spots in Seoul:
Much like Seoul itself, the capital’s culinary landscape encapsulates the finest offerings from Korea and beyond.
Gastronomy enthusiasts will discover venues serving regional delicacies from various provinces, neighborhood markets showcasing nostalgic snacks, innovative high-end chefs blending local and international flavors, and passionate young restaurateurs creating unique independent dining experiences.
Regardless of whether one seeks Michelin-starred gastronomy or a budget-friendly filling meal, Seoul caters to every culinary desire. Below is a compilation of essential dining establishments in Seoul.
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Best Cheap Eats in Seoul
As a cosmopolitan metropolis, Seoul presents a myriad of affordable dining options, particularly for those opting for Korean cuisine. The competitive food scene ensures prices remain accessible, and traditional practices guarantee complimentary, unlimited side dishes. Importantly, lower prices do not denote inferior quality: one can savor delicious meals for just a few thousand won, a valuable advantage during times of rising travel expenses.
Delving into South Korea’s hole-in-the-wall restaurants
Savor the Stews at Ttukbaegi-Jip
Situated on a quiet street just south of the popular Insa-dong area, the modest Ttukbaegi-Jip has been serving hearty Korean stews and meals for decades. For only ₩6000–7000, patrons can enjoy a choice of stew, rice, and a selection of homemade side dishes, including mixed soybean sprouts and sautéed zucchini. Diners may choose to savor them individually or combine them to create bibimbap, complemented by the homemade gochujang (red pepper paste) available at every table.
Tteokbokki at Kokkiri Bunsik
Tteokbokki (rice cakes prepared in a spice-infused, sweet gochujang sauce) constitutes a quintessential Korean snack. Located near Mapo Station, Kokkiri Bunsik features a straightforward, table-side service where guests can augment their basic tteokbokki with hard-boiled eggs or glass-noodle-filled fried dumplings. The price for tteokbokki for two begins at just ₩2500, with each enhancement costing one or two thousand won more.
Explore Songlim Sikdang
Initially favored by taxi drivers due to its quick and inexpensive service, “taxi restaurants” now appeal to a broader audience. Situated only a few blocks from Konkuk University, Songlim Sikdang stands as one of the largest taxi restaurants in Seoul, boasting over 300 seats. The soups and stews are all pocket-friendly at just ₩7500 and include rice and accompanying dishes. A popular menu choice is the marinated pork (₩9000), served in a large pan filled with broth for table-side cooking.
Yoojin Sikdang: A Longtime Staple
Although significant changes have unfolded in the Jongno district, with new skyscrapers rising and older homes transforming into trendy cafés, the decades-old Yoojin Sikdang remains largely unchanged. Its Pyongyang-style naengmyeon (cold noodle dish), bindaetteok (mung bean pancakes), soups, and stews are among the most affordable in town, ranging from ₩6000 to ₩15,000. Expect a bustling atmosphere at this eatery located on the northern side of historic Tapgol Park.
Best High-End Dining in Seoul
Culinary experts in Seoul are diligently working to enhance the city’s fine dining options. Numerous talented chefs have trained globally and blend Korean and Western culinary techniques, while others seek innovative ways to elevate humble traditional recipes. With hansik (Korean cuisine) gaining traction worldwide, this is an opportune time to experience its refinement in its native homeland.
Elevated Korean Preparations at Poom
Poom reinterprets traditional gourmet Korean dishes with a contemporary flair. The seasonal menu ensures that the chefs utilize only the finest ingredients. Standout meat and seafood dishes, including grilled and marinated beef, echo what was once served to Korea’s royalty. This establishment is situated in the upscale Cheongdam district, frequented by movie stars and K-pop idols, resulting in lunch costs around ₩200,000 and dinners at ₩300,000.
Korean and Western Flavors at Mingles
As the name suggests, this fine-dining venue in the Apgujeong neighborhood aims to harmonize the flavors of Korean and Western cuisines. Traditional Korean components like soybean paste and mugwort are elegantly combined with lamb and crème brûlée, pushing the boundaries of contemporary Korean gastronomy. The nine-course lunch menu is approximately ₩150,000, while the 11-course dinner menu is priced at ₩250,000.
Toc Toc: A Culinary Surprise
The diverse ingredients and flavors presented at Toc Toc defy conventional categorization. Familiar dishes, such as pasta, terrine, and steak, are infused with unexpected flavors, while signature offerings like truffle dumplings have firmly positioned this Gangnam District restaurant on the gourmet map. With tasting menus commencing at ₩90,000 for weekday lunches, Toc Toc is also an accessible venue to indulge in high-end dining in Seoul.
Best Vegan and Vegetarian Restaurants in Seoul
Navigating dietary preferences in South Korea can pose challenges for vegetarians and vegans, as these diets are not widespread, and seemingly plant-based dishes often contain ingredients such as anchovy broth or salted shrimp. Nevertheless, conditions have improved, and Seoul is increasingly home to numerous establishments offering plant-based menus.
International Vegan Cuisine at Plant Cafe
Among the first vegan eateries in Seoul to offer plant-based selections beyond traditional Korean fare, Plant Cafe, with branches in Itaewon and Yeonnam, serves a range of delicious vegan bowls, veggie burgers, and wraps, mostly priced between ₩10,000 and ₩15,000. The drink menu includes smoothies, cold-pressed juices, teas, and kombucha, while the vegan bakery provides cakes, cookies, and other delectable treats.
Buddhist-Inspired Fare at Sanchon
Korean Buddhist vegetarian cuisine has garnered international attention recently. Aside from temple dining, indulging at Sanchon is one of the most popular avenues to sample this distinctive cuisine, which avoids using ingredients like garlic and chives.
Nestled in the Insadong area, Sanchon was founded by a former Buddhist monk, emphasizing seasonal produce and traditional preparation methods. Its modest atmosphere and vibrant dish presentations have propelled its popularity. Both lunch and dinner set menus are priced at ₩33,000 and include traditional Korean music and dance performances in the evenings.
Upscale Vegan Dining at Balwoo Gongyang
Despite its modern ambiance, Balwoo Gongyang features a menu focused on authentic Korean Buddhist dishes, excluding meat as well as certain roots like shallots and leeks. The homemade sauces and pastes are complemented by the freshest seasonal produce, resulting in well-balanced dishes such as pumpkin-and-millet porridge and deep-fried mushrooms served with gochujang sauce. Tasting menus are available from ₩30,000 to ₩150,000.
Vegan Delights at Drunken Vegan
True to its name, Drunken Vegan restaurant and bar is ideal for guests seeking vegan snacks paired with a diverse selection of beverages. The vegan lasagna and vegan fish-and-chips are both priced at ₩18,000, making them popular choices. The establishment, characteristic of the Hongdae district, offers a cozy yet casual and socially engaging atmosphere. It is also LGBTQI-friendly and shares its space with an adult store.
Exploring the Party Scene in Korean Convenience Stores
Best Korean Barbecue in Seoul
Korean barbecue represents one of the most engaging dining experiences globally. Grilling pork belly or beef ribs at your table, combining the searing meat with an array of side dishes so every bite is unique, followed by refreshing drinks like ice-cold beer or soju, makes this meal a preferred choice for an enjoyable evening out among both locals and visitors.
A Taste of Gangwon-do at Ogeunnae Dak Galbi
At the renowned Ogeunnae Dak Galbi in the Yongsan District, tender pieces of chicken marinated in a sweet and spicy sauce are cooked to perfection. Aside from the Chuncheon region where this dish originated, this restaurant is the optimal place to enjoy the popular dak galbi (chicken and vegetables stir-fried in a red pepper paste-based sauce), with a single order costing ₩14,000. Guests may savor the chicken and vegetables alone or accompany them with cold buckwheat noodles for an additional ₩8000, providing an authentic Gangwon-do Province dining experience.
Beef at Daedo Sikdang
Founded in 1964, Daedo Sikdang is a stalwart of Korean barbecue. Located near Wangsimni Station and Seoul’s largest meat market, as well as having branches in the Sinsa and Mapo neighborhoods, diners are greeted by the sound of well-marbled hanwoo (Korean beef) sirloin sizzling in the restaurant’s signature cast-iron pan. This high-quality beef commands a premium price, with a sirloin order costing ₩46,000. Rather than dessert, conclude your meal with the renowned kkakdugi-bokkeumbap—a stir-fried dish of diced radish kimchi and rice cooked in beef drippings.
Seafood Delight at Getbeol Eui Jinju
This vibrant restaurant chain grills fresh seafood, including scallops, clams, and shrimp, right at diners’ tables. Those who prefer not to participate in grilling can choose steamed or soup-cooked options. This offers a refreshing change from conventional barbecue-centric menus. Expect a bill ranging from ₩30,000 to ₩70,000.
Impressive Dining at Maple Tree House
This upscale chain of Korean barbecue restaurants provides an excellent choice for those eager to impress. Patrons can watch as prime cuts of meat—including Jeju-do black pork belly (₩19,900) and aged hanwoo strip loin (₩49,500)—are expertly grilled at their tables. Complementary dishes such as bibimbap (rice with meat and cooked vegetables), kimchi stew, and cold noodles can enhance the barbecue experience. The original Maple Tree House is situated in the serene Samcheong area, with additional branches in Itaewon and Gangnam.
Best Traditional Marketplaces in Seoul
Across any travel destination, traditional markets often provide the most genuine flavors at affordable prices. Seoul hosts exceptional markets, attracting both locals and tourists in search of noodles, street snacks, seafood, and a plethora of other offerings.
Explore Namdaemun Market for Noodles and Fish Stew
This expansive market complex adjacent to Namdaemun Gate features various noteworthy food alleys. One such alley specializes in kalguksu (knife-cut noodles), where customers enjoy complimentary bibim naengmyeon (cold noodles in spicy-sweet sauce) alongside any order of bibimbap.
For an experience unique to Korea, visit the alley renowned for braised hairtail fish, where the fish are prepared in a traditional pot with radish and a sweet-and-spicy sauce. Other favored bites in the market include fist-sized handmade dumplings and hotteok—fried mini cakes with sweet or savory fillings.
Gwangjang Market: A Culinary Journey
As one of the oldest traditional markets in the nation, Gwangjang Market is a vast downtown complex celebrated for its diverse and budget-friendly culinary offerings. Signature dishes include kkoma kimbap (small seaweed rolls served with mustard soy sauce) and yukhoe (beef tartare). Gwangjang is most acclaimed for its bindaetteok, which are fried mung-bean pancakes that are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, perfectly complemented by a bottle of makgeolli, a traditional unrefined rice wine.
Build Your Own Lunch Box at Tongin Market
This quaint and traditional Tongin Market, located west of Gyeongbokgung Palace, features an innovative build-your-own lunch box concept. After paying a nominal fee of ₩5000, guests receive a compartmentalized lunch tray along with traditional coins. As you explore the market selections, vendors will place desired items onto your tray, deducting the appropriate number of coins for each choice, allowing diners to repeat the process until they run out of coins. Be sure to sample the gireum tteokbokki (oil-stir-fried tteokbokki), a market specialty.
If You Love Fish, Don’t Miss Noryangjin Seafood Market
The seafood options at Noryangjin, Seoul’s largest fish market, are unparalleled in diversity and freshness. As you peruse various vendors for available catches, strong haggling skills will prove beneficial. Do not hesitate to politely inquire whether a vendor might include a few complimentary items. After your seafood selection is prepared, you may be directed to an associated restaurant that cooks your fresh purchase to your liking, with a minor service charge added to your seafood bill.
Highlighted Free Activities in Seoul
Best Noodle Restaurants in Seoul
A satisfying bowl of noodles is an integral component of Korean culinary culture, and Seoul boasts an abundance of establishments offering various noodle preparations, from hot soups and Chinese-influenced black bean sauce noodles to chilled North Korean noodles in refreshing broth.
Myeongdong Kyoja: Specializing in Knife-Cut Noodles
Established in 1966, Myeongdong Kyoja in the Myeongdong district specializes in kalguksu, knife-cut noodles accompanied by stir-fried vegetables and meat in a savory chicken broth. While kalguksu is typically prepared in seafood or beef broth, the dish here exudes a slight smoky yet light flavor, and its signature kimchi is a dream for garlic enthusiasts. Steamed dumplings and a popular cold mixed noodle dish round out the menu, with all options priced around ₩10,000.
Younghwaru: For Spicy Noodle Lovers
Situated in the Seochon district, Younghwaru has been operating for over fifty years. The Chinese-inspired offerings of jjajangmyeon (noodles topped with meat and vegetables in black bean sauce) and jjamppong (noodles in a spicy seafood broth) are beloved by locals, and Younghwaru’s spicy renditions are recognized as classic Seoul dishes. Both preparations feature a generous portion of chopped Cheongyang peppers, a Korean chili renowned for its heat. A bowl of jjajangmyeon costs ₩7000, while jjamppong is available for ₩8000.
Wooraeok: Pyongyang-Style Noodles
The subtly flavored dish known as Pyongyang naengmyeon (cold buckwheat noodles) is redefined at Wooraeok, located near Euljiro-4-ga Station. Boasting a distinct beefiness, Wooraeok’s naengmyeon (₩16,000) has become a year-round favorite among locals since its inception in 1946. Pairing this dish with cooked bulgogi beef creates a truly delightful meal.
Jinju Hwoegan: Celebrities Included
Jinju Hoegwan, one of the most famous destinations for kongguksu (noodles served in cold soybean broth), has catered to a wide array of high-profile clientele, stretching from politicians to celebrities. Beans for the soybean soup, sourced from Gangwon Province, are of exceptional quality and contribute to a secret recipe that imparts a notably nutty taste to the broth. The noodle dough benefits from unique ingredients like potato starch and ground nuts, enhancing flavor and texture. Jinju Hoegwan is conveniently located near City Hall station, with a bowl of kongguksu priced at ₩13,000.
