The cuisine of Seoul is world famous for its delightful visual presentation and variety. The capital of South Korea for over 500 years, Seoul has a unique cooking style influenced by the Joseon dynasty. South Korean food is a feast for the taste buds as it explodes with a variety of flavours. The food is packed with goodness and offers many health benefits too. For instance, with the right South Korean diet you can lose weight and even prevent certain health conditions.

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By and large, Seoul cuisine is lightly seasoned and is neither too salty nor spicy. Compared to other Korean regions, Seoul food is presented in a formal style which is a feast for your eyes.

Eating out is a treat for the senses in Seoul, with a huge variety of restaurants to choose from. In our Seoul Restaurant Guide below you will find recommendations of great places to find a meal whilst on your Seoul holiday, as well as what kind of things to order off the menu. With such a wide choice and variety of restaurants to choose from you will never go hungry after a day of sightseeing or shopping in Seoul. If you're after more information on the food and cuisine of South Korea take a look at our South Korea Restaurant Guide.

Food & Cuisine in Seoul

Dishes with a Legacy

Recipes for dishes in this region are age-old, dating back to hundreds of years. Korean food has been influenced by China and Japan but has its own piquant flavour of chillies and liberal doses of garlic.

The base of a Korean meal is rice and soup. A variety of side dishes or bachan, ranging from bean sprouts, fishcakes and pickled cucumbers, accompany this meal.

If you are wealthy, then your range and quality of accompaniments will reflect that. By and large, a basic meal for South Koreans would include rice, rich soup with vegetables in beef or chicken stock, and spicy kimchi.

It is common practice to offer meals to ancestors as a sign of reverence before the family eats.

Typically, main courses like beef, stews and side dishes are placed in the centre of the table for everyone to share. However South Korean restaurants offer separate bowls and plates to diners.

South Koreans do not hold bowls or plates in their hands while eating. They prefer steel chopsticks to wooden ones and, of course, mastering the steel ones is quite a skill!

Where to Eat

Despite a great emphasis on variety and presentation, food in South Korea is not very expensive. You can buy Korean comfort foods like soup, noodles, rice stir-fries or street snacks for very little.

Seoul's cuisine is based on rice as its mainstay. Vegetables, both fresh and pickled, are vital accompaniments too. For instance, boiled rice or bap is served along with cooked vegetables in a big bowl. This dish is called Bibimbap. Another feast for the senses is marinated meat grilled by your tableside on bulgogi.

If you like a festive atmosphere and milling with the crowds, try the Let's Eat Alley on one of the streets off Sinchon Street. Sinchon Street vendors sell delightful skewered fish cakes and rice rolls.

Traditional Favourites

Through the ages, Ttok or rice cakes have been eaten when food was scarce. With prosperity and good production of rice, Ttok has lost its appeal, especially with young Koreans. However, it still retains faithful clientele.

Pudaejjige or spicy stew made with Spam, sausages and Ramen noodles is also fondly called the Johnson tang or stew. This has its roots in army bases, where the broth was concocted with leftover American military food tins.

Though leftovers are no longer used for this stew, the recipe remains pretty much the same - Western ingredients given a traditional hot and spicy Korean makeover that makes it taste uniquely Korean and delicious.

The eternal favourite, Kimchi is a pickled, fermented vegetable-based relish. Chinese cabbage, turnips, radishes, bean sprouts and cucumbers all go into it. It has so many variations that Seoul has its own museum where its history and recipes are carefully preserved.

Hwachae or honeyed juice mixed with fruit is also quite popular in South Korea along with hot teas made with oriental medicinal herbs. Siru Mugwort tea is very famous here and is made of dried mugwort gathered in spring time. Its unique aroma makes it very special. Siru flower tea is also a hot favourite made of fermented green tea flowers that blossom in autumn - mid October.

Restaurants List

Gamrodang

The natural dishes without the five forbidden pungent roots (leeks, garlic, wild rocambole, Korean leeks, asafoetida) and any artificial flavors are the keynotes of this restaurant. Panfried dough and fritters are tasty dishes dipped in potato starch and glutinous rice flour, instead of wheat flour. Uses organic vegetables delivered directly from the farm.

Type : Korean temple food

Address : 87-1, Hwa-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Korea

Phone : +82-2-3210-3397

Website : http://www.sachalfood.com

Opening hours : 12:00 to to 21:30

Gogung (Insadong)

This place maintains the tradition of Jeonju rice with mixed vegetables. You can taste the true flavor of Jeonju rice with mixed vegetables that is world famous for its abundant nutrients. Especially, during the weekdays from 7'o clock in the evening, there is a 1-hour concert of Korean classical music.

Type : Korean

Address : The basement floor at Ssamji-gil in Insadong

Phone : +82-2-736-3211

Website : http://www.gogung.co.kr

Opening hours : 11:00 to to 21:00

Doorei

Stew cooked with Korean fermented soybean paste is a renowned dish at this restaurant. Rice with beef soup contains the brisket of beef with pyogo mushrooms and sea tangle, and boiled leg bone with ugeogi soup is made of the soup from the bones of the four legs of a cow mixed with soybean paste. Side dishes served differently everyday are also delicious.

Open / Close : 12:00 ~ 15:30 / 17:30 ~ 22:30

Type : Korean

Address : 8-7, Insadong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Korea Gate No. 6 of Anguk subway station line No. 3, 10minutes walk to Insadong area

Phone : +82-2-732-2919

Opening hours : 17:30 to to 22:30

Min's Club

This restaurant is using the old noble man's house. The family of Min used this house during the Joseon Dynasy. Now it is converted to small but cozy Korea-Western fusion food

Type : Western

Address : Gate No. 5, Anguk subway station line no. 3

Phone : 82-2-733-2966

Website : http://www.minsclub.net

Opening hours : 12:00 to to 23:00

Korea Samkyetang

The key to the taste is using ingredients from 4-year-old ginseng cultivated in Geumsan and native chickens grown in the farm. Everyday, young chickens that hatched only 49 days ago are delivered. With these chicks, ginseng, Chinese dates, garlic, and glutinous rice are boiled and make a fine soup.

Type : Korean

Address : Gate no. 10 of City hall subway station line No. 2 55-3 Seosomun-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul

Phone : +82-2-752-9376

Website : http://www.koreasamkyetang.com

Opening hours : 10:00 to to 22:00

Jihwaja (Head Store)

The restaurant opened in 1991 for the purpose of introducing 'royal court cuisine during the Chosun Dynasty', an intangible cultural asset no. 38, to the public. Korean royal court cuisine made of the freshest seasonal ingredients and prepared for a long time is indeed first rate. Have the pleasure of enjoying classic cuisine of Hwang Hae Sung family. Celebrate your special day with traditional Korean cuisine in Jihwaja.

Break time : 15:00~17:30

Type : Korean

Address : Gate no. 6 of Dongguk Univ. subway station line no. 3 1st floor of The national Theater of Korea

Phone : +82-2-2269-5834

Website : http://www.jihwajafood.co.kr

Opening hours : 12:00 to to 21:00

The Korea House

Food is cooked based on the names, recipes and ingredients of dishes in Joseon Wangjo Silok (Annals of the Joseon Dynasty) so that you can experience the true Korean taste as well as its history and tradition. Also a beautiful traditional architectural style and the various concerts are entertaining.

Opening Hours:

Open 12:00~Close 14:00

1st show Open 17:30~Close 19:00

2nd show Open 19:20~Close 20:50

Type : Korea Traditional Food

Address : Gate no. 3 of Subway line no. 3. Add: 80-2 Pil-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul Korea

Phone : 82-2-2266-9101

Website : http://www.koreahouse.or.kr

Opening hours : 12:00 to to 14:00

Nolboomyeongga

Nolboomyeongga has recreated the elegant flavor of Changdeokgung Palace. Traditional Korean performances with the best Korean table d'hote entertain the customers. In addition, this place is also famous for its old antiques and properties of celebrities.

Type : Korea

Address : Gate No. 7 of Subway line no. 3 Add: 118-3, Banpo-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul, Korea

Phone : 82-2-595-0202

Website : http://www.nolboo.co.kr

Opening hours : 11:30 to to 22:00

Sanchon

No chemical seasoning, no meat.

Traditional temple performance at 8:00pm everyday

Type : Temple food

Address : Located in Insadong Antique Alley Jonggak station of Line no. 1

Phone : 82-2-735-0312

Website : http://www.sanchon.com

Opening hours : 11:30 to to 22:00

Kyungin art center

Located in Gyeongin Art center, you can have a chance to drink traditional Korean Tea.

Type : Tea House

Address : 30-1, Gwanhun-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul Subway line No. 3, Anguk station

Phone : 82-2-733-4452

Website : http://www.kyunginart.co.kr

Opening hours : 10:00 to to 23:00

Seasons

Japanese - Korean fusion food

Type : Japanese

Address : Near M-net broadcasting building, gate no. 8 of Cheongdam station, Line no. 7

Phone : 82-2-517-0905

Opening hours : 11:30 to to 23:00

Gomguksi Jip

All the beef broth in this restaurant is deep and delicious, made by slowly boiling only the best beef bones. To the broth, the restaurant adds handmade noodles together with mushroom, pumpkin, leeks and beef ribs. The presentation is fantastic. Other delicacies on the menu include noodles with beef and vegetables cooked in a casserole which beef and vegetables cooked in a casserole which has a thick spicy flavor.

Type : Korean

Address : 12-1, Mugyo-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul Exit number 4 at City Hall station a go straight for about 50M. Turn right at the Press Center and you will see Lotteria. In that alley go left for about 70M. It is located on the 2nd floor across from STARBUCKS

Phone : 82-2-756-3249

Opening hours : 11:00 to to 22:00

Cafe Sobahn

This restaurant provides a modern take on a traditional Korean Food, Bibimbap. The modern interior is matched with a fusion style menu. All the food is served in clay bowls with jazz playing in the background.

Type : Korean

Address : 134-2, Sinmunno 1(il)-ga, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Phone : 82-2-730-7423

Opening hours : 07:00 to to 22:00

Bullanseo

This is a place for pasta and simple French dishes. The steak sandwich at lunch is a good idea. There is not a lot of variety here but the French-style dessert is very good.

Type : Franch

Address : 403-Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu Exit No. 1 at Sangsu station and go straight for about 200M. After passing Choegukui Pharmacy turn right. Turn left into the 2nd alley to the left side. The restaurant is located in the left side

Phone : 82-2-333-0106

Opening hours : 12:00

Diwan-I-Am

The white palace exterior of this Indian style restaurant makes it an impressive place. Inside, customers eat with their hands and are given a bowl to wipe up after the meal. A water bowl is provided after meal. The Naan is savory and mild with a less stronger spice that can simply be enjoyed all by itself.

Type : Indian

Address : 409-12, Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu Exit no. 1 at Sangsu station and go straight for about 200M. After passing Cheogukui Pharmacy turn right. After passing Geoje Sikpum turn right and then left again at the 1st alley. The restaurant is located to the right side.

Phone : 82-2-326-0009

Opening hours : 12:00 to to 23:00

Din Tai Fung

This is a famous chain restaurant whose main store is in Taiwan. it is world famous for the slim bread skin stuffed with hot meat sauce (Sao Rong Pao, a kind of dumpling) and for its divers Taiwanese Chinese cuisine. Noodle in beef soup and mixed rok rice are the well known dishes.

Type : Chinese

Address : 104-Myeong0dong 2-ga, Jung-gu Exit No. 6 at Euljiro 1-Ga station an go straight for about 350M The restaurant is located to the left next to Mr. Pizza

Phone : 82-2-771-2778

Opening hours : 11:00 to to 22:00

Kkongsimyeongwan

The main dish is Sao Rong Pao is the Shanghai soup with its stuffed buns. The boiled pork ribs are a special treat and have the authentic taste of Chinese spices. The delicious taste of garlic pork ribs is also famous. It is interesting to find Omelet Rice (Omurice) on the menu because it seems out of place. But it is very creative for its use of interesting ingredients like eggplant and shrimp.

Type : Chinese

Address : 22-13, Chungmuro 1-ga, Jung-gu Exit no. 6 at Myeong-dong station and turn left after passing CAFFE PASCUCCI. Go straight for about 150M, the restaurant is located in the right corner of the 2nd alley.

Phone : 82-2-778-8863

Opening hours : 11:30

Tea Loft

This dessert cafe is situated in the Lotte Department Store in Sogong-Dong, Steamed rice cake and sweet pumpkin are popular choices as are its selection of oriental tea and coffee. The popular celebrity Bae Yong Jun has a seat there, making it famous among Japanese female tourists. You can use the 12th floor elevator to get to the 14th floor cafe, which affords a beautiful view of the city.

Type : Korean Dessert Cafe

Address : 1, Sogong-dong, Jung-gu The restaurant is located on the 14th floor of Lotte Department store connected to the Euljiro 1-ga station

Phone : 82-2-772-3996

Opening hours : 10:30 to to 21:20

Vicolo

This is an inexpensive Italian restaurant that is loved for its seafood cream spaghetti with dough on top. Just underneath are shrimps, shell fish, mussels, and squid with cream spaghetti. They have great plain pizza as well, and the Tiramisu is fantastic

Type : Italian

Address : 2-6, Myeong--dong 2-ga, Jung0gu Exit no. 8 at Myeong-dong station, turn left at the corner and go straight for about 250M. The restaurant is located on the left side of a narrow alley on the 2nd floor before MISSHA

Phone : 82-2-756-0908

Opening hours : 11:30 to to 23:00

Jilsiru

Jilsiru is a cafe where people come to enjoy traditional Korean rice cakes and drinks. The flour used to make the cakes have five colors and some of the cakes are wrapped in delicious varieties of Kimchi. There are also unique rice cake sandwiches for sale. The second and third floor of Jilsiru is a rice cake kitchen museum, where people can learn how to make rice cakes the old fashioned way.

Type : Traditional Dessert

Address : 164-2, waryong-dong, Jongno-gu Exit No. 6 at Jongno 3-ga station and go straight for about 200M in the direction of Changdeokgung. The restaurant is located across from LG Nortel.

Phone : 82-2-741-0258

Opening hours : 10:00 to to 21:00

Alsaba

The kitchen staff is all Pakistani and the food they're cooking up gives you the opportunity to taste some of the region's best. All spices and raw materials are directly imported from Pakistan. Our recommendation is Alsaba Ran, which is cooked with lamb chops. The lamb chop is spiced and marinated and then baked in the oven, after which it is served with warm rotti bread.

Type : Pakistani

Address : 34-50, Itaewon-dong, Yongsan-gu Exit no. 3 at Noksapyeong station and cross the street. Turn right at the corner of SUPREME OPTICAL. The restaurant is lcoated next to the Embassy of the Republic of Philippines in Korea after passing the 2nd alley.

Phone : 82-2-792-1488

Opening hours : 11:30 to to 22:00

Chef Meili

This restaurant is owned by an Austrian chef. It is a deli-style Austrian restaurant, where he personally cooks Austrian ham, Sausages, and other meals.

Type : Austrian

Address : 128-15, Itaewon-dong, Yongsan-gu Exit No. 4 at Itaewon station and go in the opposite direction of the staircase. Turn right at the first alley. The restaurant is located on the 2nd floor of the 1st alley corner

Phone : 82-2-797-3820

Opening hours : 08:00 to to 23:00

Ho Lee Chow

This is the place in Korea if you're craving American style Chinese food. It was first opened in the late nineties and was very popular to people who missed that home style Chinese food. There is a range of Chinese fusion dishes to enjoy.

Type : Chinese

Address : 119-25, Itaewon-dong, Yongsan-gu Exit no. 1 at Itaewon station. The restaurant is on the 2nd floor of the Hamilton Hotel

Phone : 82-2-793-0802

Opening hours : 11:30 to to 22:00

Restaurants in Seoul

Food & Cuisine in Seoul

Dishes with a Legacy

Where to Eat

Traditional Favourites

Restaurants List

Gamrodang

Gogung (Insadong)

Doorei

Min's Club

Korea Samkyetang

Jihwaja (Head Store)

The Korea House

Nolboomyeongga

Sanchon

Kyungin art center

Seasons

Gomguksi Jip

Cafe Sobahn

Bullanseo

Diwan-I-Am

Din Tai Fung

Kkongsimyeongwan

Tea Loft

Vicolo

Jilsiru

Alsaba

Chef Meili

Ho Lee Chow

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