The best restaurants Seoul 서울

In a modern, chic, luminous and green setting, come to this glitzy restaurant-bar, a perfect representation of the Gangnam Style. On the menu are steak, pasta, risottos, cheese or fruit platters. As far as drinks are concerned, we have to admit that they are quite expensive, but we can drink good cocktails, champagnes, wines or even whiskies. This place is more recommended for evenings with friends, during which one looks less at the expense. Lots of people on the weekends, so give preference to weekday evenings.

If this restaurant is so popular among Seoulites, it is for its remarkable kalguksu (knife noodle soup served in beef broth with zucchini slices) and wang mandu (homemade ravioli size XXL). At the entrance, one can admire the cooks preparing and filling the ravioli, enough to whet one's appetite even if one hasn't yet entered the establishment! A restaurant in all simplicity but really very tasty. We recommend it more twice than once!

This restaurant serves delicious mandus (steamed ravioli) from Kaeseong, North Korea, the homeland of the cook who kept a family recipe before moving south in the 1950s. They are absolutely stunning. They are eaten in soups, steamed, cassolette, pumpkin-filled, etc. They are absolutely stunning. The owner also offers a delicious bossam, boiled pork, cut into strips and served in a blanched cabbage leaf. Truly an unmistakable address in the street as much for the quality of its dishes as for the attractive prices.

On the menu of this charming little establishment: wrap, salad, burger... yes, but everything is vegan! Steaks are made from plants and tofu, meatballs are made with mushrooms.... Obviously suitable for vegetarians but will surprise omnivores in many ways. Let yourself be tempted by the avocado burger or the Thai style green curry: they are real wonders! And yes, in the land of barbecues, there are also other alternatives and what's more, they are really delicious too!

One of Korea's culinary stars takes center stage at this restaurant. We're talking about tteok (떡), the national emblems of South Korean street-food. These rice cakes are served here in a spicy sauce with pork intestine, ramyeon, vegetables, eggs, mandu, sweet potato noodles and a mountain of garlic! An explosion of flavors! Yes, we agree, it's a most complete dish that will have no trouble satisfying you completely. Once you've tasted it, you'll be able to say you know Korean cuisine.

If you're looking for a restaurant serving modern, refined and elegant Korean cuisine, you've come to the right place. Whether à la carte or on the menu, the dishes are composed of traditional Korean ingredients, worked in a modern and delicate way. Two bonus points for this establishment: it offers a few vegetarian dishes as well as some Korean desserts (which is quite rare to find in a restaurant here). For a Korean meal with class and finesse. Very reasonable price for the quality.

In the heart of the Myeongdong district, here is a very good restaurant specializing in octopus. You can choose the spicy option with which it is served as a stew with soy sprouts . But if you're looking for a bit of adventure, you should rather choose the sannakji (nakji means octopus). This is the "live" version... Yes, because the tentacles still move even after being cut off. But we assure you that soaked in sesame oil, they are delicious! Tip: Chew hard and long!

You could say that this sign makes the burger a fast food dish. They offer versions of unbeatable flavour, with ingredients of exceptional quality. The double bacon is to die for. To accompany your generous burger, you can opt for fries (of course) but you will choose the flavour (cheese, spice, garlic, guacamole...)

A passion for the raw burger and most probably the best restaurant of its kind in the whole capital. Plus the prices are reasonable.

Small structure but immense delights! This establishment specializes in curry (kare in Korean). It must be said that Koreans love the Japanese version (less spicy than the Indian one). So you can choose between several variations: vegetable curry, chicken curry, meat and potato croquettes or fried shrimp curry. We fell in love with the vegetable curry, which is a real treat with just the right amount of spices. Accompanied by rice and a fried egg, your stomach comes out of here full (and happy).

Awarded two Michelin stars, it is one of the best restaurants in the world, just that! What is certain is that it is one of the most popular tables in the capital. Chef Kang Min Goo delivers an inventive cuisine that skilfully blends Korean and European inspiration with traditional and more innovative gastronomic trends. On the plate, creative and perfectly successful alliances. The promise of an evening full of delicacy therefore provides a sober but elegant setting! Without a doubt, it's high-flying gastronomy!

A sophisticated and simple atmosphere emerges from this elegant barbecue, renowned for the freshness of its meat. Another highlight of the place is the beautiful wine list to perfectly accompany your dinner. It is quite rare to find restaurants/barbecue that serve them. And the staff will be there to advise you on the best wine according to the meat chosen (beef or pork). Be careful, however, we can only dine there because there is no lunch service. Among the countless such restaurants in Seoul, this one stands out.

Two main points make this restaurant a really good address. The first (and certainly the most important) is the quality of the "fusion" dishes prepared: garnished avocados, scallops, paellas, pasta dishes, steaks... for the most delicious of them. The second point is the decoration, it is like being in a fairy-tale forest with many lights hanging from the ceiling and playing with the omnipresent vegetation, all with ultra-modern furniture. Restaurant very appreciated by the younger generation in particular.

A close cousin of the bibimbap, boribap is made up of rice and barley to which vegetables and gochujang (chilli paste) are added. This restaurant cooks it wonderfully! It's good, it's dietary and it's filling, so we're testing this place to the limit. Dozens of banchan are also on hand to complete the tasting. We suggest you try the caramelized peanuts in soy sauce... it's divine! In this great restaurant you can eat on the floor Korean style, or on a table, it's up to you!

In an atmosphere of a Parisian brasserie, this restaurant offers very good typical French dishes. On the menu, cheese and charcuterie dishes, beef tartare, bourguignon, parmentier mince, rillettes, crème brûlée...). Obviously different wines are suggested to accompany all this. If you have Korean friends, don't hesitate to make them discover this place, because in addition to offering a faithful and delicious cuisine, the prices charged are really very correct! It blows like a Parisian air over Seoul...

Certainly the best Indian restaurant in the capital, with its counterpart on the other bank at the Seoul Finance Center, with its authentic taste and tasteful décor. You can either choose one of the menus (7 or 10 dishes) or order the dishes individually. We particularly recommend one of the curries (many vegetarian versions available). The intense flavour is unforgettable. Chai (Indian tea) is a perfect match and is therefore a good choice for a typical drink. Reservations are highly recommended.

It's a very small restaurant, just a few tables, that doesn't really look like much at first glance, but it's really taking the neighborhood by storm. The establishment's star dish is seolleongtang / 설렁탕. This is a clear soup made from beef bone broth, into which green onions, sesame oil and, above all, thin strips of beef are added - a must. It's a real treat, and in winter it's a real comfort food. It's cheap and delicious, so what more could you ask for?

The concept of this fusion restaurant is to offer a hybrid cuisine, a subtle blend of French and Japanese gastronomy, all prepared with Korean ingredients (which Chef Tae Hwan Ryu selects with passion every day. Depending on the menu chosen (Seasonal Inspiration, Multi-Tasting and Signature Menu) you can enjoy 9, 12 or 14 courses. They are all of a rare delicacy and executed with virtuosity and mastery. It is not for nothing that this restaurant is one of the best, both in Asian and world rankings.

The Itaewon district is full of international restaurants. But the Justin Steak restaurant is certainly one of the best in the area. Proof of this is that it never fails to fill up. It's in a very elegant and refined atmosphere that you can enjoy steaks and their little sautéed vegetables, rich in flavor and melting on the tongue. There are also good pasta dishes with sauces, but it is the steaks that are worth a visit and are recommended a thousand times over. But a bit of waiting in anticipation...

In an alleyway parallel to insadong-gil, one of the district's main tourist attractions, you'll find this welcoming family-run restaurant serving classic local dishes, primarily bibimbap. The carefully renovated house retains a traditional wooden structure that lends it an authentic charm. Prices are very affordable, and we particularly appreciate the vegan options. Félicia, the manager's wife, speaks English and will be happy to help you. The icing on the cake: the famous makgeolli is free and unlimited between 11:00 and 14:00!

It's one of the best addresses in town. At the entrance of the restaurant, there is a traditional design bar, with tables, bamboos and zen stones (you have to take off your shoes and put on slippers...). The other part of the old house is divided into small private partitioned lounges, in the Korean style. The hanjeongsik are of a rare refinement, just like the decoration. We recommend yukhoe, which is a beef tartare with honey, sesame, and pear. An unexpected and surprising combination, but it's a real treat.

A very refined traditional Korean food, with hanjeonsiks, the traditional menus, of a great variety. The longest of them consists of eighteen courses in addition to the main course and dessert (all in small portions as there are many of them). A real treat for the taste buds. There is also a map, which is very interesting. The decoration is neat, sober. It's Asian elegance in all its splendour. The overall atmosphere of the establishment is very pleasant, one spends a most enchanting moment there.

Very recognizable, because trees line its terrace and thus give onto the street. A great and splendid Korean restaurant, famous and very popular, specializing in galbi (marinated and then grilled meat). A small bottle of soju is an almost indispensable drink to accompany it. This restaurant is especially worth a visit in the summer, when you can dine in its large garden among the trees. A really good galley address but can sometimes be crowded. It is therefore recommended to go there at lunchtime and during the week.

Located in the Mondrian Hotel shopping center, this small restaurant offers delicious sets at really reasonable prices for the quality offered. We highly recommend the tender slices of pork, to be enjoyed with crunchy pickled vegetables, wrapped in a lettuce leaf. The candy-pink decor has an Instagram feel that contrasts somewhat with the traditional cuisine, but in no way detracts from the experience. The icing on the cake is the excellent service. Discounts are available for hotel guests.

Here's a gourmet restaurant located high up in the impressive Lotte World Mall. Here, the focus is on vegan food, presented in a multitude of sophisticated dishes thought out with care and artistry: each is accompanied by an informative and poetic note. The wine list is well-stocked, allowing for tasty pairings. The establishment, with its original, chic yet relaxed decor, large picture windows and impeccable service, is ideal for an intimate, gourmet moment.

At Parc Seoul, flavor and style meet in harmony. This trendy restaurant offers traditional Korean cuisine "just like home", with a contemporary twist. There are options for vegetarians and meat lovers alike. Sets comprising a main course, soup and rice (white or wholegrain) are very well balanced. For an extra gourmet touch, be sure to order the delicious side dishes. Service is provided by a young, English-speaking staff.

What a charming place, atypical and full of authenticity. This restaurant plunges us happily into the world of camping. The decoration is really well executed, hats off to the decorator! This establishment is really quite original and is a huge success with young people in particular. To stick to the theme, we suspect that what we will taste here are grilled meats, sausages, vegetables...). In addition to offering quality products, the atmosphere here will seduce you as much as it seduced us.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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!

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.

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.

It is not easy to find, but this restaurant in an old Korean house is worth a detour. It is called "my aunt" in Korean and really gives the impression of being received in someone's home: It seems moderately organized, the kitchen is in the center of the house, the small rooms around. The dishes are mainly there to accompany traditional alcohols such as yakju (distilled alcohol of plants). . (modeun buchim) and galbi are excellent. Simple, delicious and user friendly.

This panoramic restaurant (grill, buffet, café, chic brasserie) in the futuristic tower overlooking Jongno has a very chic, uncluttered, elegant and colourful decoration. The Franco-Asian fusion restaurant specializing in grilled meats is refined but quite expensive. Yet it offers a truly breathtaking view of Bugaksan and the Gyeongbokgung. The café is an affordable restaurant-bar with a breathtaking view of the south, Jongno and Namsan. He offers jazz concerts. Very crowded, you'd better think about making a reservation.

For over 70 years, Hadongkwan has been faithful to his recipe for gomtang (beef meat and bone soup),one of the main soups in Korean cuisine. This rich, milky broth is highly nutritious and would even be excellent for the skin. We recommend that you dip your rice in it, add green onions, or even pieces of kimchi to add a spicy touch to this dish (Korean style)! If you want to try it, look no further, it's a must! Good value for money.

Finally a grill restaurant on Seoul that changes a little from the ordinary and traditional samgyeopsal. Yes, because the beef offered here comes in the form of small rolls that are generously filled with vegetables and herbs (onions, leeks, green onions ...). To complete all this, the menu also includes fried rice which is prepared in front of our astonished eyes, the juices of the meat are then mixed with the rice and the stew. You'll fall over so much it's so good, we guarantee it! A little bit of people to be expected.

For those who wish to discover Japanese cuisine while eating something other than sushi, you've come to the right place. This small but chic Japanese restaurant, whose popularity is growing steadily, offers simple but delicious Japanese dishes prepared for you. We can only recommend the speciality of soba noodles, especially the surprising version with avocado and basil. Grilled a la plancha, they promise an explosion of flavour. A little waiting is nevertheless to be expected before having a table.