While in Korea, I visited many different restaurants and I took pictures of the food without really knowing when or how I will use them. My family members often complained to me with words like “OK… can we eat now?? Are you done??”- whenever I told them they could not eat until I took photos of the food.
Anyway, I thought I would also share my list (and more) here with my wonderful readers. I hope this list helps you to find some good places to eat in Korea (mostly Seoul). Bon Appetit!
시화담 Sihwadam (http://www.siwhadam.com/): A lovely literary interpretation of Korean food with a modern twist. Quite upscale and expensive but you will be transported to a world of poems, stories and picturesque foods that are also very delicious. Located in Insadong and Itaewon – which are a great area for tourists.
곤드레집 Gondurae Jip (195-16, Sinwon-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul)
One of my favorite places to go when I need to eat a great authentic, absolutely delicious, homestyle Korean food. Limited menu (5 items) but their wood charcoal grilled bulgogi and Gondurae Bap (rice cooked with thistle leaves) are Korean food at its best. Very simple, traditional Korean décor with minimal service. Located near Cheonggye Mountains(청계산), it is a favorite spot for hikers on weekends.
광장시장Kwangjag Shijang (88 Changgyeonggung-ro Jongno-gu, Seoul)
A visit to the past when Koreans sold everything thru traditional open markets called shijang. In addition to many clothing/fabric stores, a central food court area sells many traditional foods like Bindaetteok (Korean Mungbean Pancake) and also the famous Opium Kimbap (마약김밥 Mayak Kimbap) where Opium just refers to the fact that it’s so good, it’s addictive like opium.
토담골 Todamgol (27, Bongeunsa-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul)
A great place to get a general introduction to Korean food. A good selection of Bibimbaps and other popular Korean menus like Bossam (Boiled pork with Kimchi) and Dwenjang jjigae (Soybean Stew). They are known to use the best ingredients shipped from all over Korea and uses no MSG.
우래옥 Wooraeok (62-29 Changgyeonggung-ro Jung-gu, Seoul)
Open since 1946, the original owner was my father’s friend and have sister restaurants in New York and Washington DC. I have been going to this place since I was a little girl in the 70’s and the place was and still is simply the best place to have North Korean style Bulgogi and Naengmyeon (cold noodles in soup) in Seoul.
정식당 Jung Sik Dang www.jungsik.kr (11, Seolleung-ro 158-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul)
A two Michelin star restaurant by chef Yim Jung Sik that has taken Korean food to another level by bringing molecular gastronomic techniques into Korean cuisine. Fantastically good Korean fusion dishes that have beautifully delicate presentations.
예당 Yedang (5 Eonju-ro 13gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul)
This place serves really delicious, modernized Korean food using high-quality ingredients while doing the best they can to bring nature into their foods. Food is very elegant and the taste is quite complex (in the most excellent way of course). A bit on the expensive side but you will not regret the visit because no matter what you order, everything will be delicious.
Great International (Non-Korean) Restaurants in Seoul
Vatos Urban Tacos (vatoskorea.com) – I am not a big fan of fusion food but this place serves fabulous Mexican food with a twist of Korean flavors. A must visit when you are tired of eating Korean food. Their Kimchi fries and Nacho Mama’s Kalbi are dishes you probably cannot get anywhere else in the world.
Rose Bakery
I kind of stumbled onto this place while waiting for an appointment. It is located right next to Leeum Museum and has a very non-Korean feel to it. Simple French cafe and restaurant that uses organic ingredients for most of their menu.
Love the simple, open decor and love the fact that they give you paper and crayon to doodle on.
Great simple french style foods from salads to sandwiches and fresh bakery of course.
There are plenty more restaurants to share but I will save the rest for another day. Till then, enjoy~ (https://www.facebook.com/rosebakerykorea)
Thank you for sharing us about Seoul esp. what is best in a specific place!❤️… would love to visit Seoul!
You are most welcome! Hope you get to visit Seoul soon.. I can’t wait to go back again after all this COVID stuff is over. Take care,
Do you have recommendations for GLUTEN FREE restaurants in Seoul? (No wheat, wheat products, MSG,or wheat–based thickeners in sauces)
Well many traditional Korean foods are naturally gluten free. You can also ask if they use MSG – most better quality restaurants will not. I do have one GF restaurant that I loved – it’s called The Plant in Itaewon. It’s already in the post https://kimchimari.com/best-places-to-eat-in-korea/..:)
Hi Josie’s mom! This is Hannah, Josie’s friend from Georgetown. Thanks so much for this post – my aunt and I are visiting Korea for 2 weeks this summer and are staying in Itaewon so thanks for recommending so many great places to eat around there.
I was wondering if you would be able to recommend any eateries in Korea that are gluten-free and salt-free. My aunt is both so I am trying to plan beforehand where we can eat without too much trouble. Korean food is pretty gluten-free to begin with and she can have salt in low amounts (i.e. kimchi) but if there is anywhere you know of that does both, we’d appreciate if you can let us know!
Thanks so much in advance!
Hi Hannah… Oh dear.. I’m so so sorry… I thought I responded to this comment but maybe I didn’t?? Or am I losing my mind..I was quite busy with my new website and so..but no excuse..
anyway..I guess you already had the trip to Korea. Hope you were able to find some good places to eat. I’m sorry I could not help you
with it before you left. It has been on my mind always but did not really have a good list to recommend – salt free is kind of hard..
Hope you are doing well. Thank you for asking and next time, I will def. answer right away.
Hi Josie’s Mom! This is Hannah, Josie’s friend from Georgetown. My aunt and I are visiting Korea for 2 weeks this summer and plan to stay in Itaewon so thanks for recommending so many great places to eat around there.
I was wondering if you would be able to suggest any eateries/restaurants in Korea (Seoul / Itaewon specifically) that would be good for someone who is gluten-free and salt-free. My aunt is both so trying to figure out beforehand where we could enjoy good Korean food that meets those two conditions. Korean food is pretty gluten-free to begin with and she can have some salt in her food (i.e. kimchi) but if there are places that we can be sure will be both, that would be great.
Also if you have any general suggestions on what to see in Korea, we’d love those too! Thanks so much.
Hi Hannah!! So good to hear from you~ Oh, I have so many more to recommend in Itaewon!!! wow, no I’m motivated to write more about it. But hm.. salt-free is pretty hard but if you can find good quality restaurants, Koreans are really trying to cut down the salt these days so it shouldn’t be too bad.
As for places to see in Korea, are you planning to travel to areas outside of Seoul? or within the city?
I do have one post about my visit to Andong and I have another that I want to write about but sadly, I haven’t gone to that many places. Anyway, will definitely keep your questions in mind, when I post!
Thanks!