Seoul is South Korea's dynamic capital city, a megacity where ancient palaces and traditional markets coexist alongside gleaming skyscrapers and state-of-the-art technology. With a rich cultural heritage spanning over 600 years as the Joseon Dynasty capital, Seoul offers world-class cuisine, vibrant nightlife, and extraordinary shopping.
Top restaurants
Handpicked picks for the best dining experiences.
La Yeon
La Yeon at The Shilla Hotel is Korea's most decorated restaurant, holding three Michelin stars and consistently ranked among Asia's best restaurants. Chef Kim Sung Il presents refined Korean royal court cuisine using premium seasonal ingredients from across Korea, served in an elegant dining room with views of Namsan Mountain. The tasting menus are a journey through the finest expressions of Korean culinary tradition.
The Shilla Seoul, 249 Dongho-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
Gaon
Gaon is a three Michelin-starred restaurant in Gangnam that celebrates the philosophy of Korean royal cuisine with contemporary refinement. Set in a beautiful traditional-style space, Gaon's multi-course tasting menus present dishes inspired by ancient Korean court recipes, prepared with the finest seasonal Korean ingredients. The restaurant is considered one of the best expressions of Korean fine dining in the world.
317 Dosan-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
Mingles
Mingles, helmed by chef Mingoo Kang, is a celebrated two Michelin-starred restaurant in Gangnam that inventively blends Korean culinary traditions with contemporary global techniques. The result is creative, beautiful dishes that bridge Korean flavors with international sensibilities. Considered one of the most exciting fine dining destinations in Seoul.
8 Dosan-daero 67-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
Jungsik
Jungsik is a two Michelin-starred restaurant by chef Jung Sik Yim that pioneered 'New Korean' cuisine, applying modernist techniques to traditional Korean ingredients and flavor profiles. The elegant Cheongdam-dong restaurant serves sophisticated tasting menus that have influenced a generation of Korean chefs. Jungsik's New York outpost also holds two Michelin stars.
11 Seolleung-ro 158-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
Tosokchon Samgyetang
Tosokchon is Seoul's most famous samgyetang (ginseng stuffed chicken soup) restaurant, renowned for its restorative and deeply flavored broth. Located in a series of connected traditional buildings near Gyeongbokgung Palace, the restaurant serves its iconic dish in a thick ceramic pot with ginseng, jujubes, and glutinous rice. The queues can be long, but the experience is essential Seoul.
5 Jahamun-ro 5-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Maple Tree House Itaewon
Maple Tree House is one of Seoul's most celebrated Korean BBQ restaurants, famous for its premium aged Hanwoo beef grilled over charcoal. Set in a beautiful restored hanok in Itaewon Hill, the restaurant offers an elevated BBQ experience with exceptional meat quality, comprehensive side dishes (banchan), and an excellent Korean wine and spirits list. A benchmark for Korean BBQ dining.
92 Noksapyeong-daero, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Palsaik Samgyeopsal
Palsaik Samgyeopsal (Eight Colors Pork Belly) is a popular chain restaurant that serves samgyeopsal (grilled pork belly) in eight different marinades including ginseng, wine, curry, garlic, and more. The colorful presentation and variety of flavors make it an excellent introduction to Korean pork BBQ. There are multiple locations throughout Seoul.
Multiple locations across Seoul (main branch in Mapo-gu)
Chunjinamdal
Chunjinamdal is a beloved Korean BBQ and traditional Korean restaurant in Hongdae known for its high-quality pork belly and charcoal grilling. Popular with both locals and visitors, the restaurant offers excellent value and a lively, authentic atmosphere. The extensive menu of banchan (side dishes) and hearty soups accompanying the BBQ make for a complete and satisfying meal.
Hongdae, Mapo-gu, Seoul
Restaurants by cuisine
Browse picks grouped by cuisine type.
Korean
Gwangjang Market Food Hall
Gwangjang Market's food hall is Seoul's most iconic street food destination, a covered market where dozens of pojangmacha (street food stalls) serve traditional Korean snacks and meals. The market is famous for bindaetteok (crispy mung bean pancakes), mayak gimbap (addictive bite-sized seaweed rice rolls), yukhoe (raw beef tartare with pear and pine nuts), and janchi guksu (warm noodle soup). Eating here is a quintessential Seoul experience.
88 Changgyeonggung-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Myeongdong Street Food Alley
Myeongdong's pedestrian shopping streets transform into Seoul's most vibrant street food corridor from late afternoon. Dozens of vendors line the streets selling tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes), odeng (fish cake skewers in broth), tornado potatoes, hotteok (sweet pancakes with brown sugar filling), corn dogs with cheese, fresh oysters, and grilled scallops. The atmosphere is energetic and the food is delicious.
Myeongdong-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
Hadongkwan
Hadongkwan is one of Seoul's oldest and most revered restaurants, serving its legendary gomtang (bone broth soup with rice) since 1939. Located in Myeongdong, the restaurant serves just one dish - a deeply flavored, milky-white ox bone broth with tender beef slices and rice. The minimalist approach reflects a profound respect for this single dish and its Korean culinary heritage.
12 Myeongdong 9-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
Noryangjin Fish Market Restaurants
The restaurants on the upper floor of Noryangjin Fish Market allow diners to purchase live seafood directly from the market vendors below and have it prepared in various styles - raw (hoe), grilled, steamed, or in soup. This unique dining experience is one of the freshest and most authentic seafood experiences in Seoul. King crab, abalone, flounder, and octopus are popular choices.
674 Nodeul-ro, Dongjak-gu, Seoul (upper floor restaurants)
Hanilkwan
Hanilkwan is one of Seoul's most respected traditional Korean restaurants, specializing in elegant Korean table d'hote cuisine (hanjeongsik). Founded in 1939, the restaurant serves elaborate multi-course Korean meals featuring banchan (side dishes), savory pancakes, grilled meats, and soups in a refined setting that preserves classical Korean dining traditions.
Apgujeong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
Bicena
Bicena is a one Michelin-starred restaurant in Gangnam led by chef Eo Yun-gweon, known for its creative interpretation of traditional Korean flavors using contemporary cooking techniques. The intimate restaurant serves an omakase-style tasting menu that changes with the seasons, highlighting the best Korean ingredients and exploring forgotten flavors from Korean culinary history.
Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
Maru (Bukchon)
Maru is a beautiful traditional tea house in Bukchon Hanok Village housed in a restored hanok, offering an authentic Korean tea ceremony experience alongside traditional desserts. The tea menu features green tea, barley tea, chrysanthemum tea, and omija (five-flavor berry) tea served with yuja (citrus) cake and Korean rice confections in a serene courtyard setting.
Bukchon, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Galmegi Brewing Taproom
Galmegi Brewing is Seoul's premier craft brewery, with a flagship taproom in Busan and popular Seoul locations. The brewery specializes in Korean-influenced craft beers including gochujang (chili pepper paste) ales, yuzu IPAs, and doenjang stouts that blend Korean flavors with craft beer tradition. The taproom serves excellent Korean-style gastropub food alongside the beers.
Multiple locations, Seoul
Yongsusan
Yongsusan is a unique restaurant serving traditional cuisine from the Goryeo Dynasty and North Korean culinary traditions, offering dishes that are rarely found in the South. The restaurant's signature dishes include naengmyeon (cold buckwheat noodles), Pyongyang-style dishes, and rare Korean heritage recipes. An extraordinary culinary and cultural experience.
Insadong, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Soban Jeongsik
Soban Jeongsik is an affordable traditional Korean restaurant serving classic hanjeongsik (full Korean table meals) at accessible prices. The set menu comes with dozens of carefully prepared banchan (side dishes) alongside grilled fish, soups, and rice. A wonderful way to experience authentic Korean home-style cooking in a warm, traditional setting.
Insadong area, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Bukchon Sonmandu
Bukchon Sonmandu is a beloved small restaurant near Bukchon Hanok Village famous for its handmade mandu (Korean dumplings). The dumplings are made fresh daily and can be ordered steamed (jjinmandu), pan-fried (gunmandu), or in soup. The simple, home-style cooking and the charming traditional setting make this a treasured neighborhood institution.
Bukchon area, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Bongeunsa Temple Food Restaurant
This restaurant adjacent to Bongeunsa Temple in Gangnam serves traditional Korean Buddhist temple cuisine (sachal eumsik), a refined vegetarian tradition that avoids the five pungent vegetables. The temple food is prepared by monks and trained practitioners, offering an extraordinary window into Korean Buddhist culinary philosophy. Dishes are deeply umami-flavored despite containing no meat or strong aromatics.
Near Bongeunsa Temple, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
Isaac Toast
Isaac Toast is a beloved Korean breakfast and snack chain with locations throughout Seoul, famous for its toasted egg sandwiches filled with ham, cheese, and sweet sauce. The Isaac Toast sandwich is a uniquely Korean street food phenomenon - sweet, savory, and deeply satisfying. A visit to any Seoul subway station will reveal an Isaac Toast kiosk.
Multiple locations throughout Seoul
Gimbap Cheonguk
Gimbap Cheonguk (Gimbap Heaven) is a legendary budget Korean restaurant chain found throughout Seoul, beloved by students, office workers, and budget travelers. The extensive menu covers Korean staples - gimbap (seaweed rice rolls), tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes), ramen, rice dishes, and soups - at remarkably low prices. It's honest, filling, and genuinely delicious Korean food.
Multiple locations throughout Seoul
Daeshin Restaurant (Hongdae)
Daeshin is a popular local restaurant in the Hongdae university area that represents the excellent value and quality of Korean neighborhood restaurants (sikdang). Serving home-style Korean meals including doenjang jjigae (soybean paste stew), kimchi jjigae (kimchi stew), and grilled fish at honest prices, it attracts students and locals who value good food over atmosphere.
Hongdae area, Mapo-gu, Seoul
Baekjeong Gangnam
Baekjeong is a well-known Korean BBQ chain that originated in Los Angeles' Koreatown and now has a popular flagship in Gangnam. Known for its signature pork belly cuts, brisket, and the unique egg soufflé cooked in a ring mold over the grill, Baekjeong delivers consistent quality BBQ in a lively, modern setting. A great option for experiencing Korean BBQ culture with English-friendly service.
Gangnam-gu, Seoul
Woo Lae Oak
Woo Lae Oak is one of Korea's most famous naengmyeon (cold noodle) restaurants, originally established in Pyongyang in 1946 before relocating to Seoul. The restaurant serves the definitive version of Pyongyang naengmyeon - thin buckwheat noodles in a crystal-clear, lightly sweetened ox bone broth served cold with a slice of Asian pear, cucumber, and egg. Also offers galbi (short ribs) and other Korean dishes.
62-29 Changgyeonggung-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Balwoo Gongyang
Balwoo Gongyang is a Michelin-starred temple food restaurant operated by the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, located above Insadong. The restaurant serves exquisite Buddhist cuisine in a beautiful setting, prepared without meat or the five pungent vegetables. The bowls (balwoo) used to serve the food are traditional monk's alms bowls, reflecting Buddhist practice and aesthetics.
Jogyesa Temple area, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Nwijo
Nwijo is a one Michelin-starred restaurant that offers a creative interpretation of Korean court cuisine with a refined, contemporary sensibility. The tasting menu at this Gangnam restaurant showcases how traditional Korean flavors - fermented, smoky, earthy - can be transformed into elegant modern expressions without losing their cultural identity.
Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
Gwanghwamun Gukbap
Gwanghwamun Gukbap is a legendary restaurant specializing in gukbap - rice served in rich broth - particularly haejang-guk (hangover soup) and sundae-gukbap (blood sausage soup). Open early morning and beloved by Seoul workers starting their day with a hearty, restorative bowl, this restaurant represents an essential and often overlooked tradition of Korean breakfast soup culture.
Gwanghwamun area, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Bab Bar (Euljiro)
Bab Bar is part of the exciting new wave of Euljiro pojangmacha-style restaurants that have revitalized the city's old printer and hardware district into Seoul's hippest dining quarter. Serving creative small plates paired with natural wines and craft spirits in a raw industrial space, Bab Bar represents the cutting edge of Seoul's contemporary dining scene.
Euljiro, Jung-gu, Seoul
French
Passion 5
Passion 5 is a celebrated multi-story French-inspired patisserie and bakery in Hannam-dong, operated by the SPC Group. The five floors are each dedicated to different dessert categories: pastries, chocolates, bread, cakes, and gelato. The quality is excellent and the creative combinations of French technique with Korean flavors make it uniquely special.
272 Itaewon-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Mexican
Vatos Urban Tacos
Vatos Urban Tacos is a celebrated fusion restaurant in Itaewon that pioneered Korean-Mexican fusion cuisine in Seoul. Famous for its kimchi carnitas fries, galbi tacos, and bibimbap burritos, Vatos has become a beloved institution for both expats and Seoulites. The casual, colorful interior and excellent cocktail menu add to the appeal.
1 Itaewon-ro 15-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Vegan
Plant Cafe & Kitchen
Plant Cafe & Kitchen in Itaewon is Seoul's leading vegan restaurant, offering a creative plant-based menu that draws on Korean, American, and international flavors. The restaurant proves that Korean dining can be exceptional without meat, serving dishes like vegan bibimbap, Korean-spiced burgers, and creative seasonal specials that even dedicated meat-eaters enjoy.
Itaewon, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Food tours & tastings in Seoul
Eat your way through Seoul with a guide.
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Dining etiquette & tips
Navigate the local food scene confidently.
Tipping practices vary — check local customs. Service charge is often included.
Restaurants may close between lunch and dinner. Plan meals around local dining hours.
Popular restaurants may not take reservations — arrive early or be prepared to wait.
Food budget guide
What to expect at different price points.
| Level | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | $5-15/meal | Street food, local eateries, and simple restaurants. |
| Mid-range | $15-40/meal | Sit-down restaurants with good service and varied menus. |
| Upscale | $40+/meal | Fine dining, international cuisine, and premium experiences. |