10 Best Restaurants in Seoul

Exploring Seoul’s culinary scene can be an adventure in itself, with a vast array of Best Restaurants in Seoul offering everything from traditional Korean dishes to international cuisine. Here are some top restaurants in Seoul that showcase the diversity and excellence of the city’s dining options:

1. Jungsik

• Cuisine: Modern Korean
• Location: Gangnam-gu
• Highlights: Jungsik is renowned for its innovative take on Korean cuisine, blending traditional flavors with modern techniques. Dishes are beautifully presented, and the tasting menus offer a journey through contemporary Korean gastronomy.

2. Gwangjang Market

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• Cuisine: Korean Street Food
• Location: Jongno-gu
• Highlights: Gwangjang Market is one of Seoul’s oldest and largest traditional markets, famous for its street food stalls. Here, you can try various Korean delicacies such as bindaetteok (mung bean pancakes), tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes), and bibimbap (mixed rice).

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3. Myeongdong Kyoja

• Cuisine: Korean Noodles
• Location: Myeongdong-gil
• Highlights: Myeongdong Kyoja is renowned for its kalguksu (hand-cut noodles) and mandu (dumplings). The restaurant has been serving its signature dishes for decades, attracting locals and tourists alike with its flavorful broths and handmade noodles.

4. Din Tai Fung

• Cuisine: Taiwanese Dim Sum
• Location: Various locations including Gangnam-gu and Myeongdong
• Highlights: Din Tai Fung is celebrated worldwide for its delicate xiaolongbao (soup dumplings) and other Taiwanese dim sum dishes. The Seoul branches maintain the same high standards, offering a taste of Taiwanese culinary excellence in the heart of Seoul.

5. Gogung

• Cuisine: Korean Royal Court Cuisine (Hanjeongsik)
• Location: Jongno-gu
• Highlights: Gogung specializes in Hanjeongsik, a traditional Korean dining experience that features a full-course meal with a variety of side dishes served in brassware. The restaurant offers a glimpse into Korea’s royal culinary heritage with dishes prepared using authentic methods and ingredients.

6. Balwoo Gongyang

• Cuisine: Temple Food (Vegetarian)
• Location: Jongno-gu
• Highlights: Balwoo Gongyang offers temple food inspired by Buddhist culinary traditions. The restaurant serves vegetarian dishes that are not only delicious but also nutritious and mindful, reflecting the principles of balance and harmony.

7. Jin Jin Bar

• Cuisine: Korean BBQ
• Location: Itaewon-dong
• Highlights: Jin Jin Bar is a popular spot for Korean BBQ, known for its high-quality meat and cozy atmosphere. Diners can grill their own meat at the table and enjoy a variety of side dishes and dipping sauces.

8. Sanchon

• Cuisine: Temple Food (Vegetarian)
• Location: Jongno-gu
• Highlights: Sanchon is another renowned temple food restaurant offering a vegetarian dining experience. The restaurant is known for its serene ambiance and flavorful dishes, which are prepared using fresh seasonal ingredients and traditional cooking techniques.

9. Baekjeong

• Cuisine: Korean BBQ
• Location: Various locations including Gangnam-gu and Hongdae
• Highlights: Baekjeong is a popular chain restaurant specializing in Korean BBQ. Known for its high-quality meat and casual dining atmosphere, Baekjeong offers an authentic Korean BBQ experience with a variety of cuts and marinades.

10. Café Onion

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• Cuisine: Modern Korean Fusion
• Location: Seongsu-dong
• Highlights: Café Onion is a trendy restaurant and café known for its stylish décor and innovative dishes that blend Korean flavors with international influences. The menu features seasonal ingredients and creative presentations, making it a favorite among Seoul’s food enthusiasts.

Conclusion

Seoul’s culinary landscape is diverse and dynamic, offering something for every palate and preference. Whether you’re craving traditional Korean cuisine, international flavors, or innovative dining experiences, these restaurants provide a taste of Seoul’s rich gastronomic heritage. From street food markets to fine dining establishments, exploring Seoul’s food scene promises a memorable culinary journey.

FAQs for “best restaurants in Seoul”

1. Where do BTS eat in Seoul?
BTS is known to dine at some of the best restaurants in Seoul. They frequent places like “Yoojung Sikdang,” a small but popular eatery near their old training ground, and upscale restaurants such as “Bulgogi Brothers” and “Hanilkwan,” which are among the best restaurants in Seoul. These spots are loved for their authentic Korean cuisine.

2. How many Michelin star restaurants are in Seoul?
Seoul is home to 35 Michelin-starred restaurants as of 2024. These are some of the best restaurants in Seoul, showcasing culinary excellence across various cuisines, from traditional Korean to innovative fusion dishes.

3. What is the most popular food in Seoul?
When it comes to the most popular food in Seoul, kimchi tops the list. However, Korean BBQ and bibimbap are also highly sought after, with the best restaurants in Seoul serving these dishes in various styles and presentations.

4. सियोल में बीटीएस कहां खाता है?
सियोल में बीटीएस अक्सर “Yoojung Sikdang” जैसे रेस्तरां में खाते हैं, जो उनके पुराने प्रशिक्षण स्थल के पास है। इसके अलावा, वे “Hanilkwan” और “Bulgogi Brothers” जैसे सियोल के सबसे बेहतरीन रेस्तरां में भी जाते हैं।

5. Where does Suga live in Seoul?
Suga, like other BTS members, resides in the upscale Hannam-dong area of Seoul. This neighborhood is not far from some of the best restaurants in Seoul, making it a convenient spot for the artist to enjoy the city’s culinary delights.

6. What is BTS’s favorite restaurant as trainees?
During their trainee days, BTS often dined at “Yoojung Sikdang.” This small yet beloved spot is among the best restaurants in Seoul for hearty, home-cooked meals, offering the comfort food that kept the group energized during their early years.

7. What is the only 7-star restaurant in the world?
While there isn’t an official “7-star” restaurant, Burj Al Arab’s Al Muntaha in Dubai is often referred to with this designation due to its luxurious experience. However, when it comes to the best restaurants in Seoul, you’ll find plenty of Michelin-starred options offering world-class dining.

8. Do you tip in South Korea?
Tipping is not customary in South Korea. The best restaurants in Seoul include service charges in their bills, so there is no need to tip.

9. Can you get 4 Michelin stars?
The Michelin Guide awards up to 3 stars, so 4 Michelin stars are not possible. However, many of the best restaurants in Seoul boast 1, 2, or 3 Michelin stars, offering unparalleled dining experiences.

10. What is Korea’s main meal?
Rice, accompanied by side dishes (banchan), is considered the main meal in Korea. In Seoul, the best restaurants serve these staples in a variety of forms, from simple and traditional to elaborate gourmet presentations.

11. What are 4 popular foods in South Korea?
The four popular foods in South Korea include kimchi, Korean BBQ, bibimbap, and tteokbokki. These dishes are central to the menus of the best restaurants in Seoul, each offering a unique taste of Korean cuisine.

12. What is most eaten in Korea?
Rice is the most consumed food in Korea, forming the base of many meals. In Seoul, the best restaurants elevate rice dishes with an array of accompaniments, making it a staple of the local diet.

These responses highlight the best restaurants in Seoul while answering your FAQs in a way that emphasizes the culinary culture of the city.