The best restaurants South Korea

Ladies and gentlemen, lovers of maritime products, this place is made for you. We bring you on the table a tub more than 50 cm long which must contain half of the sea (octopus, fish, shrimps, shellfish by ten...). It is deliciously accompanied by leeks and mushrooms as well as subtly spicy. A true maritime festival awaits your palates. In addition there are many banchans which are all executed to perfection! A clear round!

Tired of the usual butter-and-jelly toast in the morning? Try a classic Korean breakfast, the seolleongtang, to get your day off to a good start. This broth of beef bone with thin slices of meat and young, milky onions is nutritious, though a bit bland for some palates (compared to most Korean dishes). Feel free to add a little kimchi, especially to add a bit of spice to the dish and give it a bit of relief. Quite touristy, especially among the Japanese, the menu is in English.

Here, we revisit the traditional and mythical Korean barbecue but with iodine sauce this time. Goodbye pork belly and hello fish and shellfish. The speciality of the restaurant is grilled eel, fresh from the day. It goes perfectly with the many small side dishes, especially with sesame leaves and gochujang (red pepper paste). You can also enjoy a porridge of eel rice, which sharpens and satisfies rather well. Perfect to recharge the batteries before continuing the visits.

Fresh daily fish straight from the Jagalchi market is the promise of this restaurant. Locals come here mainly to enjoy tuna and salmon sashimi, which are simply divine. The simplicity of the products is sometimes good! For harmonious culinary notes, we recommend mixing wasabi with soy sauce and delicately dipping your piece of fish in it. The setting is equally charming, with a traditional garden that's a little cluttered but adorable.

This restaurant offers simple, typically Korean food, delicious but at reasonable prices. A large part of its charm lies in the floral and very elegant decoration of the dishes that we bring you. The restaurant's exterior is as colourful and fragrant as the cuisine it serves. The classic dishes of Korean cuisine, such as tteokgalbi (beef patties) are revisited here with great elegance. An adjoining cafe allows you to end your meal always with a touch of finesse. Outside, there are also some pottery and bonsai trees on display.

Even if you come alone or in pairs, you will be in a room for at least 8 people. The reason? In addition to the meat or vegetarian dish you choose, dozens of banchan are brought. Although this practice is common in Korea, the quality of these accompaniments is remarkable for their originality and refinement: spicy soft crab, candied sardines, chestnut jelly, smoked salmon in rolls, etc. All this with a famous doenjang jjigae. In other words, a restaurant that is really worth a visit.

This establishment acts as both bar and restaurant, offering quality food and drink at very reasonable prices. Menu highlights include Japanese-inspired vegetable and beef fondues, with a Korean twist. The broth is delicious and the portions generous. They can be accompanied by other local dishes. The atmosphere is both cosy and trendy, with beautiful wooden furniture and pleasant, but not deafening, background music. An added bonus: service continues until late at night!

More than a unique culinary experience, Balwoo Gongyang is a plunge into the monastic world of Korean Buddhism. This Michelin-starred restaurant serves delicate, subtle temple cuisine promoting physical and mental well-being. More than gastronomy, it's a path to awakening for our taste buds. All menus are adapted to seasonal produce. As an added bonus, temple cuisine is also perfectly suited to vegans.

That's all we like in a Korean restaurant: simple, traditional and efficient cuisine and really low prices! On the menu here, spicy stews, noodles, bibimbaps... all full of flavor and very invigorating! This small establishment may not look like much, but you won't be disappointed with the meal you'll have here. Simplicity is good sometimes! We focus on the essentials. The only thing we regret a little here is that the restaurant is a little out of the way, which makes it not necessarily easy to access.

Early carnivores should be delighted in this restaurant. You can choose between beef or marinated pork to grill. Once the hot coals are placed on the table, the cooking of the meat can begin and the aromas that come out of the marinade really make your mouth water. The banchans served are very fresh or spicy, so they go perfectly with the meat. With grilled meats, naengmyons (cold buckwheat noodles) work very well and allow you to refresh your mouth a little.

Tasty, delicious, exquisite! That's all you need to describe this restaurant, whose popularity is well established here. You'll enjoy a succulent chicken barbecue. Three flavors are available: salt, chili paste or soy sauce. If you choose the latter two, be careful, as they burn faster! Although there are several restaurants of this type in Chuncheon, this one has the particularity of having outdoor tables. A great address, at really reasonable prices, so don't hesitate.

This restaurant is really very popular in the city (that's why there are about ten benches right at the entrance to wait for a table to become available). The star ingredient that is honored here is a seafood, the shell. The dish that we particularly recommend is kkomakmuchchimbibimbap, a rice with shells deliciously garnished with onions, soy and spiced up with green peppers. To accompany this (generous) dish, you can go on slices of raw beef! A treat!

If you want to try the Korean version of typical western dishes, you've come to the right place. On the menu you can choose between sets of several dishes or single dishes of steak, pasta (we recommend red garlic bobsta or red cream pasta), salads... all in really gargantuan portions. Rarely in South Korea, this restaurant also offers special menus for children. A delightful address that's always full of people. Preferably come at noon.

Impossible to miss, this structure blends light wood with an industrial touch inside. In a canteen-like atmosphere, you can enjoy delicious traditional dishes such as pork with red chili paste or miyeoktang seaweed soup. If you'd like to extend your tasting experience outside the restaurant, there's also a sales point. You can also take dried flowers such as hibiscus to make infusions. It's good and not too expensive, so it's a no-brainer.

In this place, it is the charm of authenticity that operates. Protected by tall trees that escort us, a small path leads us to this wooden and stone building. Outside as well as inside, there is a slight witch's house aspect at the bottom of the woods that is quite cute. The decoration combines craftsmanship, calligraphy and local pottery. In addition to the atypical decor, we meticulously prepare vegetarian dishes inspired by the cuisine of Buddhist monks. It's authentic, good and cheap... We go without hesitation.

This small restaurant located in a street leading up from Lion's Hotel to the main avenue serves absolutely delicious ttukpaegi (spicy fish and shellfish soups) and grilled oktom (big tasty fish). To taste absolutely, the Abalone HotPot! In addition, the prices of this establishment are reasonable when the freshness of the products is taken into consideration. If you have the opportunity, try to go there in the morning for breakfast in the pure Korean tradition. It's a good address, all in all.

For those who are fed up with fish, here is a local restaurant (address known to all the islanders), where you can enjoy a yakso bulgogi (Ulleungdo beef is very famous and tasty) as well as honghap bap. One appreciates being able to taste varieties of aromatic herbs that are specific to the island. Especially since the prices are reasonable and the waiters speak a few words of English... no reason to deprive oneself!

A delicious place from every point of view! In a Korean ambience blending tradition and modernity, seated on the floor or on chairs, you can enjoy menus from the royal court(hanjeongsik). Each dish is more succulent than the next, and presented with great delicacy. Like many Korean restaurants, it's best to go at lunchtime, as prices rise considerably in the evening. This is a very good address if you want to discover a real Korean meal, 100% authentic and traditional.

If you're looking for a cozy brunch spot in Seoul, this is it! With its original menu featuring sets where you can choose your own combination of different small dishes, this gourmet yet healthy restaurant is sure to get everyone on the same wavelength. The cuisine offers classic Western recipes with a local twist, and the drinks are varied - from detox juices to matcha lattes. The warm decor and young, friendly staff will put you at ease. Ideal for a gentle morning, for the mind as well as the stomach.

According to the people of Gyeonggido, this restaurant is one of the best you can find in the area. The first thing that pleases at first is that it is located in a superb hanok in which you can find typical temple paintings. Then (and this is of course not negligible), the seafood food served to us is simply divine. On the program of culinary festivities are grilled fish and spicy stewed fish. A bit expensive, but worth the expense.

Japanese restaurant reputed to be one of the best in the city. And indeed, the cuisine there is delicate and delicious. The quintessence of sashimi is served here, so food lovers will be delighted to discover and rediscover them in gastronomic versions. There is also something to satisfy those who don't like raw fish! What's more, the place is superb, chic and, what's more, beautifully decorated. The menus vary between lunch and dinner. The prices remain very reasonable considering the quality of the dishes.

Delicious Korean restaurant that prepares refined court cuisine in a historical setting. The restaurant is indeed located in a former royal residence. It is possible to visit the gardens around the restaurant and an old building, a house for passing guests which was part of a villa confiscated from the Kim family at the end of the 19th century. This building was moved here in 1958. The restaurant is quite expensive but copious, especially since the menus include a succession of dishes that one rarely has the opportunity to taste, such as the sinseollo.

According to the locals, this restaurant has the best meat in Busan! This restaurant is famous for its Hanwoo galbi (Korean beef). Your ears will long remember the crackling sound of grilling meat, and your taste buds will treasure the delicious flavor of this juicy meat. For those who love raw meat, the house tartare is equally succulent.

Open since 1950, its reputation is well established, so meat lovers beware: you can go there with your eyes closed but your mouth wide open!

Even if the building that houses this restaurant is not the most engaging, don't be fooled by it, as the skewers you'll taste there are exquisite. In barbecue country, this establishment is appreciated because it offers mutton (as opposed to pork and beef). Moreover, the cooking method is quite playful. You just have to put the skewers on a metal stand over the fire and magic, they turn by themselves! Once cooked, you can garnish them with cumin, sesame or chilli pepper. Our recommendation goes for curry.

Located near the entrance to Hahoe village, close to bus stops and parking, this is one of the best restaurants in the area. With its collection of wooden statues at the entrance, you won't want to miss it. The establishment is run by smiling ajuma ladies with limited English but a warm, laughing welcome. Large tables, hearty portions, rich, comforting cuisine ranging from chicken to fish, all at reasonable prices. In short, a very good address, to be enjoyed in a group or with the family.

Refined restaurant with a very cosy atmosphere, ideal for a most romantic evening. Asian-European dishes (spicy fried chicken stuffed with foie gras, for example, and Thai, Greek and Spanish dishes are advertised) and a second floor for smoking one of the cigars in the cellar in the bar with an "English club" atmosphere. One of the few examples of a successful "merger". In addition, the rates are quite reasonable for the quality and refinement of the dishes served there. A good address if you want to give a chic touch to your trip.

Behind an unassuming storefront, you'll discover a small Vietnamese canteen offering tasty dishes at very reasonable prices. The menu includes all the classics, such as pho soup, egg rolls, bo bun and banh mi. The beef pho soup is particularly recommended, with its tender meat and delicious broth. This is the ideal place for those looking for gluten-free options, as most of the preparations are made with rice flour! The restaurant is just a stone's throw from Dongdaemun Design Plaza.

Of course, you have to wait in line before getting your table, but it's worth it. The locals will tell you that they eat some of the best kalguksu with clams (homemade noodle soup). Through a window you can even admire the cook preparing and cutting his noodles. We agree with word of mouth because the dish is really delicious (and perfect for cold winter days)! For the most discerning palates, add a little chilli pepper to spice up the dish. In addition, the atmosphere of the establishment is pleasantly local.

This small restaurant, which doesn't look like much at first glance, serves very good kalguksu (homemade noodles cut with a knife and served in a fragrant, non-spicy broth). They are really delicious and will please those who can't eat spicy (they will finally be able to eat something without having their tongue on fire). They can be served with a peacock, the famous Korean pancakes. In addition to the quality of the dishes it serves, this restaurant is located in a small garden right next to the pagodas. Very charming.

In a modern and neat decor, it is a chic restaurant serving traditional Korean cuisine with a modern twist. The dishes, often based on soya and tofu, are the pride of honour, all the products and therefore the dishes are regularly renewed by following the delicate rhythm of the seasons. A good time in this refined address which moreover offers a very nice view of the city, especially at night. If you're looking for a restaurant for a romantic evening while keeping within your budget, this is the place to be.

This establishment offers top quality beef! Especially recommended is the Tenderloin Steak, a 200 gpiece of meat that is served with a wine sauce (which you can even sauce if you wish, as they serve bread). A treat for the meat lovers! For vegetarians or those who prefer fish, don't worry. The establishment also serves salads, pasta and some risottos. There may be a bit of a wait though, as this restaurant is quite popular.

Poom is considered one of the best restaurants in Seoul (you are also strongly advised to make a reservation). It serves a traditional banga cuisine (the cuisine of the nobles of Joseon) revisited with a touch of modernity. Chef Roh Young-hee changes her menus very frequently; to the rhythm of the seasons. Elegance is as much a part of the plate as it is of the restaurant's decoration. It's a real moment of refinement. What's more, you get a very nice view of the city, which doesn't spoil anything.

Very popular restaurant. Koreans like to come here for a beer or soju, while tasting appetizing and delicious chicken. It is available in several ways: fried (wonderfully crispy), topped with a sauce as shiny as spicy or even coated with soy sauce and garlic (to fall overboard as it's so good). As an added bonus, you can order half of one type, half of another. It's up to you to vary the flavours as you wish. Being an establishment where people drink a little, there can be quite a bit of noise.

This very famous restaurant, just opposite the Lamb Land is a real factory that swarms with orders, especially in the evening. It serves barbecues (what would Korea be without its barbecues) of tenderized, unseasoned beef. Also famous for its naengmyeon, cold noodles that are eaten without hunger, especially in the middle of summer. This restaurant is particularly popular for family, colleagues and friends, because of its small private rooms (which cut a little off from the usual hubbub of crowded rooms).

The decoration has been completely redone in recent years, the restaurant is now clean. The smells of Korean cuisine are bewitching and the dishes are delicious! Let yourself be lulled by the gentle crackling of the grilling meat. A succulent symphony that we suggest you accompany with a few glasses of chilled soju. It is recommended that you stand near a window (open when the weather permits), as the restaurant has many tables and can quickly get smoky. A barbecue establishment that keeps its promises!

Right in front of the Chinese junk replica. The restaurant is on the second floor, just above a small fish market. You choose your fish at the market, where it is prepared in front of you and brought to the restaurant. It's certainly not the only fish restaurant on the coast, but we liked the "I'm going shopping" aspect. Tasting tip: mix wasabi with soy sauce and gently dip your fish in it. A trio of flavours that works perfectly and will seduce you.

Recognizable by the sign representing two pigs in traditional clothes, he offers one of the most famous dishes in Korean gastronomy, bossam: boiled pork sliced with kimchi, at a very reasonable price. All must be wrapped in a cabbage or salad leaf, and seasoned with fermented soy sauce or shrimp sauce. Here, the pork is lean, low in fat, and the kimchi is thinly sliced. You are free to make your own bites. All this with one of the many traditional alcohols, it's guaranteed happiness!

Belonging to the famous Menya Sandaime chain (found in many cities), this tiny Japanese restaurant with its typical and warm atmosphere serves the best ramen (meat or fish noodle soup seasoned with miso) from Busan! It is very often full, you have to be patient. The best time to go there is at lunchtime, even if it is crowded, people eat quickly because work requires it. A real taste of Japan. And you can choose your favorite little one between Japanese ramen and Korean ramyeon.

One of the best samgyetang in the capital is served there. Known for its beneficial and energizing properties, this chicken soup stuffed with glutinous rice, ginseng, jujubes and garlic is one of the most popular dishes among Koreans in summer. In fact, it is THE dish dedicated to the three hottest days of this season (Chobok, Jungbok and Malbok). The icing on the cake is to dine in a beautiful traditional hanok, barefoot and on the ground. It couldn't be more traditional!

This restaurant with its traditional architecture, which is not unlike Gyeongju, is THE restaurant to taste the famous heotjesabap, which could be hazardously translated as "fake funeral mass meals"! It is a local variation of bibimpab. Here it is cooked with soy sauce instead of the sacrosanct spicy sauce. As an accompaniment, you will be served a host of small dishes, including a succulent grilled and salted mackerel. It's simple, it's healthy, it's good. In short, it's really worth a try!

Halfway between Andong and Hahoe, just a few steps from the bus stop, this café-restaurant offers an ideal break for those wishing to fill their stomachs or take a break before or after visiting the traditional village. Nestled in an old renovated house and delicately decorated, this establishment offers a relaxing setting and fresh, quality cuisine. The menu features Western brunches as well as classic Korean dishes. The cute souvenir store is well worth a visit. The staff speak a little English.

On the edge of Gangneung in a beautiful natural setting, a traditional house over 200 years old that honours the village cuisine of yesteryear. The tables are quickly covered with a profusion of small coloured dishes that are a delight, both for the eyes and the palate. Mrs. Choi, the owner who lives on the premises, is passionate about traditional cuisine, which is disappearing. Proof of this is that all menus are annotated with their origins (who consumed them and on what occasions). Traditions that are welcomed with open arms

This address is very well known here. But what is it that so stirs up the crowds so much? We are served a delicious mushroom stew. But beware there are more than 7 different varieties (yellow, black, orange, spongy, tender, firm, frayed, in bouquet....... Carrots and thin slices of pork are added to the mushrooms. Every bite is a new and unforgettable experience. It reminds us of Sunday evenings in the fall after a harvest in the woods. It's a definitely comforting dish.

If you ask the locals which is the best pizza restaurant in town, they'll probably say Lee Jae Mo Pizza. The menu features pizzas with crispy dough and generous, tasty toppings. But here, no 4 cheeses or Neapolitan, just Korean-style pizzas (bulgogi, kimchi, sweet potato and almond). What a surprise! You can, of course, choose additional toppings and the size of your pizza. There are also a number of pasta dishes, including shangai pasta.

If you want to change a little bit from the many spicy dishes found in South Korea, here is an address that will surely seduce you. A very good hwasan hanu bulgogi (화산한우불고기). It is a dish of beef meat accompanied by its vegetables (mushrooms, green onions, soy sprouts...) that we will come to cook slowly with a broth, in a surprising copper dish. A real festival of flavours and scents. The only downside is that the restaurant is very popular so victim of its success, there may be a bit of a wait

The seafood product featured here is a marine mollusc, the abalone. It can be eaten raw, grilled, as porridge... There is something for every taste and every desire. However, the house's speciality remains the abalone served with rice in its small covered pot. On the table, we will bring you jujubes, pumpkin, garlic, kimchi and many other products that you can mix with your rice to obtain the dish that will satisfy you the most and that will make your experience 100% unique and original.

It is in a charming little hanok that nestles this restaurant which mainly serves shabu shabu, the Japanese fondue. In a broth full of flavour, you dip thin slices of beef. The meat will come to soak up the juices of the broth, for a taste festival. Accompanied by sauces and vegetables, it is a rather slender but quite succulent meal. Moreover, the service is very friendly, each food being brought in a small box. The inner courtyard completes to give this place an air of serenity.

On the menu? dish of small octopuses and shrimps in a spicy sauce (but not too much) with noodles made from sweet potato starch and Chinese cabbage. It's very good. Just follow the instructions on the table to cook perfectly. The only small shadow on the board is the waiting. The success of the establishment is such that it is sometimes necessary to take a ticket before a table becomes available and wait 15 minutes before being served. The food is delicious so we forgive them for this little flaw.

Located in the heart of the city centre, this popular restaurant serves succulent grilled fish. You have a variety of fish to choose from and the price goes up with the number of varieties. Served whole on the table, they can be enjoyed gently, safely and deliciously. In addition to grilled fish you can also order a spicy stew or a seafood jeon. As the fish is grilled for a short time, there may be a bit of waiting time.

Tteokbokki is one of the favourite dishes of the Koreans. They are often found at street food stands. They are rice cakes prepared in a thick chilli sauce and decorated with various ingredients. A particularly elaborate version with noodles, Chinese cabbage and onions can be tasted in this establishment. A spicy treat! We fell in love with the decoration, which pays tribute to animated films and Pop Culture (Disney, Miyazaki, Nintendo...). Friendly, delicious and inexpensive restaurant.