Restaurants in Seoul

Doore

For a must-try dining experience, head to this traditional Korean hanok (house) for their wonderful hanjeongsik (Korean set menu meal). More than a dozen varieties of kimchi, a Korean dining staple of fermented cabbage or radish, are available to sample, as are traditional stews, barbecued meats and banchan (side dishes). Doore has been adorned with awards in the past and is the city’s best spot for real Korean food.

Byeokje Galbi

Quality beef is the main draw at this upscale Korean barbecue restaurant in Seoul, which has won government awards and graced the Wall Street Journal’s list of top five Asian restaurants. The meat is from a farm managed by the restaurant itself, with its famed spare ribs a particular highlight.

La Yeon

Awarded three Michelin stars in 2017, this upscale, minimalist restaurant on the 23rd floor of the Shilla Hotel offers an exquisite dining experience in calm surroundings. Traditional Korean dishes are given a contemporary touch with luxury ingredients, such as bibimbap with abalone served with pear kimchi and spinach miso. Choose from one of four set menus (with optional wine pairings) and marvel at the Seoul skyline below.

Baru

This modern Seoul restaurant, located in the Templestay Information Centre opposite the flag-decked Jogyesa Temple, is run by a Buddhist nun. It specialises in healthy vegetarian temple cuisine including soups, pancakes and tofu-based dishes. Modest eating and bowl-washing rituals can be learned while sitting cross-legged at the table. The set menus are very good value.

Top Cloud Restaurant

Set on the top floor of the Jongno Tower, floor-to-ceiling glass windows offer stunning views over Seoul, particularly at night, as patrons enjoy fine European cuisine. Both buffet and à la carte dining options give diners the freedom to explore European favourites and Australian steaks to suit their appetite, while its impressive wine list elevates the experience.

Yongsusan

Surrounded by the trendiest top-end international restaurants in Seoul, Yongsusan is a slick, modern gourmand's heaven and great lunch spot serving mouth-watering traditional Korean delicacies. Hidden in the basement of the Seoul Finance Center, various set menus are available here, some including ‘royal-style’ dishes and a good range of seafood options.

Kimbap Cheonguk

Throughout Seoul, locals fill up on traditional Korean soups, stews, rice bowls and noodle dishes at Kimbap Cheonguk, an inexpensive chain with a wide range of Korean dishes. While there isn’t much in the way of ambiance, Kimbap Cheonguk is a budget-friendly way to try local favourites like kimchi jjigae (fermented spicy cabbage stew), donkatsu (fried pork cutlet) and mul naengmyeon (cold buckwheat noodle soup).

Meokjagolmok

Meokjagolmok is an alley within Gwangjang Market that has over 200 stalls selling a variety of reasonably-priced traditional food from grilled fish to whole chicken and vegetarian specialities to Korean pancakes. It's all enjoyed in a noisy, lively ambience as the stands selling dress material, clothes and more hawk for business. Closed Sundays.

Techno Mart Food Court

When you’ve gadget shopped till you’ve dropped in Seoul, fend off more bank balance guilt by heading for this cheap eatery. Around 40 stalls serve a range of international foods in hulking portions on large platters designed for sharing.