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Restaurants in Seoul

Seoul is a dream come true for foodies and offers everything from street food at the popular pojangmacha (covered wagons) to world-class cuisine. Kimchi (fermented spicy cabbage) and Korean ginseng are heralded for their health benefits, and popular traditional dishes to try include bibimbab (rice mixed with vegetables and hot pepper paste), bulgogi (beef barbecued on the table) and gimbap (rice with vegetables mixed with seaweed).

The Seoul restaurants below have been hand-picked by our guide author and are grouped into three pricing categories:
Expensive (over ₩100,000)
Moderate (₩30,000 to ₩100,000)
Cheap (up to ₩30,000)
These Seoul restaurant prices are for a three-course meal for one, with half a bottle of house wine or equivalent, tax and service included.

Meokjagolmok

Price: Cheap

An alley within Gwangjang Market with over 200 stalls selling a variety of reasonably-priced traditional food from grilled fish to whole chicken, vegetarian specialities and Korean pancakes in a noisy, lively ambience. The market itself sells dress material clothes and more and is open 0700-1900 daily except Sundays.

Address: Gwangjang Market, 6-1 Yeji-dong, Seoul, South Korea
Telephone: (02) 2267 0291.
http://www.kwangjangmarket.co.kr

Namu/Liquid Bar

Price: Expensive

Contemporary Japanese cuisine at its finest is served at long tables in stylish surrounds with plenty of natural rough-hewn timber and ice-cold sake available at the wraparound bar. Enjoy signature dishes like abalone sashimi at the long communal table or in a private room. The restaurant is part of the W Seoul Walkerhill hotel.

Address: W Seoul Walkerhill, 175 Achaseong-gil, Seoul, South Korea
Telephone: (02) 2022 0222.
http://www.wseoul.com

Top Cloud Restaurant

Price: Moderate

Set on the top floor of the Jongno Tower, with stunning views over Seoul, particularly at night, Top Cloud offers a buffet or à la carte dining with a menu of European favourites and Australian steaks.

Address: 33F Jongno Tower Building, 1-1 Jongno 2-ga, Seoul, South Korea
Telephone: (02) 2230 3000.
http://www.topcloud.co.kr

Baru

Price: Moderate

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

Address: 5F Templestay Building, 71 Gyeonji-dong, Seoul, South Korea
Telephone: (02) 2031 2081.
http://www.baru.or.kr

Yongsusan

Price: Moderate

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

Address: B1F Seoul Finance Center, 1-84, Taepyeongno, Seoul, South Korea
Telephone: (02) 771 5553.
http://www.yongsusan.co.kr

Byeokje Galbi

Price: Expensive

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, with the spare ribs particularly famous.

Address: 205-8 Bangi-dong, Seoul, South Korea
Telephone: (02) 415 5522.

Jung Sik Dang

Price: Expensive

Korean food goes nouvelle cuisine at this Seoul restaurant where each dish resembles a miniature work of art. Both lunch and dinner are served as tasting menus featuring such delicacies as five senses satisfaction pork belly, fried grasshopper and sea squirt bibimbab (rice mixed with vegetables and hot pepper paste).

Address: 3F Acros B/D, 649-7 Sinsa-dong, Seoul, South Korea
Telephone: (02) 517 4654.
http://www.jungsikdang.com

Techno Mart Food Court

Price: Cheap

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 on large platters designed for sharing.

Address: B1F Techno Mart, 546-4 Guui-dong, Seoul, South Korea
Telephone: (02) 3424 0114.
http://www.tm21.com

Nashville Steakhouse

Price: Cheap

If you’ve had your fill of kimchi and fancy something altogether less healthy than typical Korean fare, try this popular pub in Seoul. Burgers, kebabs and chops grace the cheaper end of the menu but the steaks, served with mash and veg, won’t break the bank either. There are also barbecues with a view served in the rooftop beer garden and you can even cook your own.

Address: 128 Itaewon-dong, Seoul, South Korea
Telephone: (02) 798 1592.
http://www.nashvilleclub.com

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