Don't miss out on exploring local restaurants during your trip! With so much delicious cuisine to discover, three meals a day might not be enough. Allow us to introduce you to authentic local eateries that will delight your taste buds. Be ready for a bit of a wait, as it's a customary experience at popular dining spots.
Top 3 BBQ restaurants in Seoul
Namyeongdon
A pork barbecue restaurant with a 30-year tradition. The moment you take a bite, you will understand why it is famous. The juicy and chewy texture of the meat fills your mouth, making you forget about the waiting time. Naengjjolmyeon (cold spicy chewy noodles) with pork neck meat and chilled broth is a must-order. If you want to eat delicious and high-quality Samgyeopsal (grilled pork belly), this restaurant is highly recommended.
A must-visit restaurant in Myeongdong
Myeongdong Kyoja main branch
With its long-standing recipe, this restaurant serving Kalguksu (knife-cut noodle soup) has been attracting customers since its opening in 1966. The main course is Kalguksu and Mandu (dumplings). It is popular among both locals and tourists, so expect to wait. It is best to visit before noon on weekdays if you want to avoid long lines.
Trending fusion Korean cuisine
Nanpo Hannam branch
Nanpo is a chic Korean fusion restaurant celebrated for its meticulous and trendy plating. The magic of fusion cuisine lies in its imaginative blending of diverse flavors. What sets Nanpo apart is their artful fusion of aged Kimchi, delicate Hoe (sliced raw fish), and an assortment of toppings with Gangdoenjang, a rich soybean paste sauce. The highlight is their signature Gangdoenjang Ssambap (soybean paste sauce lettuce wraps), a delectable and healthful masterpiece of culinary artistry.
Top 3 Tteokbokki restaurants in Seoul
Apple House
This popular restaurant serves instant Tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes) and is located in front of a girls' high school. It's a favored haunt for Korean women with a penchant for this spicy delight. The spicy stir-fried dumplings are so popular that the recipe can be readily found online. Visitors can enjoy extra helpings without denting their wallets.
Well-loved for a long time
Jin Ok-hwa Halmae Dak Hanmari
The restaurant, which opened in 1978 alongside Dongdaemun Market, has been popular ever since. It is especially popular among the Dongdaemun Dak Hanmari Alley chicken restaurants. Adding rice cakes to your meal will make it even more delicious. When the weather turns cold, the line grows longer as more people flock to its savory and clear broth, which keeps you wanting more.
Selected as a top restaurant for eight consecutive years
Songjugjang
It is a Chinese restaurant that has received Blue Ribbon Survey recognition for eight years in a row. The signature dishes are Gochujjambbong (spicy seafood noodles with chili peppers) and Jaengbanjjajang (jumbo-sized black bean sauce noodles), both of which have a 70-year tradition. Tangsuyuk (deep-fried pork with sweet and sour sauce) made with ketchup sauce, unlike other places, is also excellent. Those who can handle spicy food should try Gochujjambbong.
A restaurant with a long tradition
Woo Lae Oak
It is a historic Pyongyang-style Naengmyeon (cold buckwheat noodles) restaurant that opened in 1946. It is always bustling with customers who come for its consistent recipe achieved through years of accumulated know-how. The Pyongyang-style Naengmyeon with the savory aroma of sesame oil is excellent, but among the Woo Lae Oak enthusiasts, the most popular menu is the Kimchimari Naengmyeon (cold buckwheat noodles with Kimchi).
Famous for their signature dishes
Geumeum Jokbal main branch
It is a Jokbal (braised pig's trotters) restaurant famous for its signature dish, deep-fried Jokbal with Kkwarigochu (green chili pepper). They deep-fry already delicious Jokbal to make it even more savory. The combination of the deep-fried Jokbal and the deep-fried Kkwarigochu creates a perfect harmony, earning it the title of "the best Jokbal in their life" from each visitor.
A restaurant with a patent for its Gopchang
Gop Mapo branch
This restaurant specializing in Gopchang (small beef intestines) spent a lot of time and effort developing delicious recipes, and they even received a patent for their dish. Lee Young-ja, a well-known celebrity known for her love of good food, also recommended the restaurant. The restaurant's freshly made Daepa Kimchi (green onion Kimchi) and Kimchimari Guksu (Kimchi noodles) perfectly complement Gopchang. Visit this restaurant for an authentic Gopchang experience.
Best Galbijjim restaurant
Seongbuk-dong Myeonokjip
A popular restaurant among young people thanks to social media and word-of-mouth. The tenderness and juiciness of the restaurant's Galbi (grilled ribs), which are marinated to perfection, are the secret to its popularity. Galbijjim (braised short ribs), the restaurant's signature dish, is a must-order, and it pairs perfectly with the popular Naengmyeon. Remember to order them together for the best dining experience.