Solo Dining Spots in Seoul

Everyone looks forward to trying new foods while traveling, but dining alone in an unfamiliar place can be tricky. Wondering if a restaurant welcomes solo diners or if there are any local customs? That’s where this guide comes in! From solo dining tips in Seoul to the best spots for solo meals, we’ve got you covered!

This cozy restaurant in Seongsu-dong offers wholesome Korean home-style meals, including sannamulbap (rice with wild veggies) and myeongran bibimbap (rice with spicy pollack roe). Each meal is beautifully plated, with rice and side dishes served together for a well-balanced experience. The sannamulbap features wild vegetables, seasoned with fragrant perilla oil for extra flavor. They also sell house-made side dishes, sauces, and bugeuk (crispy deep-fried snacks). If you want an authentic taste of Korean home cooking, you've found the right one.

A popular solo dining spot in Gangnam, this restaurant is known for jjag-eul-i (짜글이), a flavorful Korean stir-fried dish with rich broth. Their signature dish, Deumbbuk Jjag-eul-i (듬뿍 짜글이), is packed with meat and tofu, offering a spicy, deep flavor that’s perfect when mixed with rice. The menu also features a variety of Korean favorites, including gochujang pork rice bowl, Jeonju bibimbap, yukhoe rice bowl, and doenjang jjag-eul-i.

Nakkopsae is a spicy dish made with octopus, intestines, and shrimp. While most places require a minimum order for two, this restaurant offers single servings. You can choose from different combos like octopus & shrimp or octopus & pork belly, depending on your preference. For the perfect bite, mix the rice with seaweed flakes and a drizzle of sesame oil for extra flavor.

Shabuchon is a shabu-shabu restaurant with a bar table, perfect for solo dining. While Dak Hanmari (닭한마리), meaning a whole chicken dish in Korean, usually requires at least two people, this spot offers it as a single serving. The meal includes half a chicken, vegetables, and other ingredients, which you cook yourself at the table. Once the broth is rich with flavor, you can add noodles or porridge for a hearty finish.

Located near Myeongdong Cathedral and Myeongdong Station (Line 4), this charming snack bar stands out with its bright yellow sign and cozy interior. The menu features a variety of Korean street food favorites, including mini kimbap, yubu-cho bap (fried tofu rice balls), and tteokbokki. If you can’t decide on just one, go for combo meals, which include tteokbokki, kimbap, yubu-cho bap, and a drink, perfect for enjoying a mix of flavors—even when dining solo!

If you're looking to taste the best of Korean ramyeon at an affordable price, this is the place! Known for its spicy ramyeon, their signature dish is ppal-gae-tteok (빨계떡), which includes bean sprouts and rice cakes. Other options include ramyeon with cheese, a special ramyeon with cheese and sausage, and more. If you're not a fan of spice, you can opt for the regular gae-tteok (계떡). If you can't handle the spiciness, order side dishes like mini kimbap or cold rice.

A long-standing restaurant in Chungmuro, this two-story spot offers single tables on the second floor, making it ideal for solo diners. The main dish is a chicken stew combo meal, which includes half a chicken, soup, rice, and kimchi. The chicken is served with a dipping sauce made of gochujang (Korean chili paste) and green onions. The place is popular, so there might be a wait, but during the day, turnover is quick, so you shouldn't have to wait too long.

Slow, Cali is a great spot for a healthy and light meal, as its name suggests. This Hawaiian poke restaurant has branches all over Seoul, including one in Yeonnam-dong. They have a variety of dishes like tuna poke, salmon poke, bowls, and grilled dishes. The restaurant has tables for two, but solo diners are encouraged to sit at the bar by the window. Orders are placed via a kiosk, and food is served directly to the table for a quick and convenient dining experience.

For meat dishes like gopchang, samgyeopsal, and galbi, as well as dishes that require fire, such as stew and dakgalbi, orders are generally accepted for two or more servings.

Restaurants offering a set Korean course meal or Korean-style 'rice and side dishes' meals often require a minimum of two people!

During the busiest lunch hours (usually from 11:30 AM to 2:00 PM, though it may vary by restaurant), it can be difficult for solo diners to find seating due to quick table turnover and a lack of single-seat options. It may be easier to dine alone on weekdays, but weekends might be more crowded.

Restaurants that sell barbecue may also offer dishes like stew, bibimbap, naengmyeon, and more. However, in most cases, you’ll need to order a barbecue to have a table.