Seoul Food Guide: Top 20 Popular Restaurants by District

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Seoul food guideMyeongdong GyojaUraeok

Planning where to eat in Seoul can feel overwhelming with countless famous spots and varying price ranges. To help you decide, we have curated a selection of 20 must-visit restaurants in Seoul, broken down by district, menu, and budget. Whether you are looking for a casual solo lunch, a family gathering, a dinner date, or a special celebration, there is something here for every traveller.

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Top Restaurants at a Glance

Restaurant	District	Signature Menu	Price Range
Myeongdong Gyoja	Myeongdong	Kalguksu, Mandu	10,000 KRW range
Uraeok	Euljiro	Pyongyang Naengmyeon, Bulgogi	20,000–50,000 KRW range
Gwanghwamun Mijin	Jongno	Memil Guksu	10,000 KRW range
Tosokchon Samgyetang	Gyeongbokgung	Samgyetang	20,000 KRW range
Hani Kalguksu	Sindang	Algoi Kalguksu	10,000 KRW range
Jinju Hoegwan	City Hall	Kongguksu	10,000 KRW range
Jinjujeop	Yeouido	Kongguksu, Dak Kalguksu	10,000 KRW range
Pildong Myeonok	Jung-gu	Pyongyang Naengmyeon	10,000–20,000 KRW range
Daeseong Galbi	Seongsu	Dwaeji Galbi	10,000–30,000 KRW range
Seongsu Jokbal	Seongsu	Jokbal	20,000–40,000 KRW range
Somunnan Seongsu Gamjatang	Seongsu	Gamjatang	10,000–30,000 KRW range
Udong Kaden	Yeonhui-dong	Udong	10,000 KRW range
Seoulloin Seoul Station	Seoul Station	Hanwoo, Korean Cuisine	30,000–50,000 KRW range
Hangaram	Seoul Station	Korean Set Meal (Hanjeongsik)	20,000–40,000 KRW range
Jeonseolui Udae Galbi Seoul City Hall	City Hall	Udae Galbi	30,000–50,000 KRW range
Myeongdong Chaeum Hanjeongsik	Myeongdong	Hanjeongsik	20,000–40,000 KRW range
Wangbijip Myeongdong	Myeongdong	Korean Barbecue	20,000–40,000 KRW range
Baengnyeonok	Seocho	Sundubu, Tofu Dishes	10,000–20,000 KRW range
Jungsik	Gangnam	Modern Korean Fine Dining	Over 100,000 KRW
Layeon	Jangchung-dong	Korean Course Meal	High-end

Selected Highlights by District and Style

1. Myeongdong and Jongno Classics

Myeongdong Gyoja (Myeongdong): Famous for its knife-cut noodles (kalguksu) and dumplings (mandu), served alongside a famously garlicky kimchi. Priced in the 10,000 KRW range, it is ideal for a hearty meal while sightseeing.
Tosokchon Samgyetang (Gyeongbokgung): Known for ginseng chicken soup (samgyetang), featuring a whole chicken stuffed with nutritious ingredients. Perfect for a nourishing meal near Gyeongbokgung Palace.
Gwanghwamun Mijin (Jongno): A popular lunch spot specialising in refreshing cold buckwheat noodles (memil guksu).

2. Historic Noodles and Local Specialities

Uraeok (Euljiro): A legendary institution for clean, subtle Pyongyang-style cold noodles paired with bulgogi. Prices range from 20,000 to 50,000 KRW.
Jinju Hoegwan (City Hall) & Jinjujeop (Yeouido): Both renowned for rich, creamy cold soybean noodle soup (kongguksu), especially popular during the summer months.
Hani Kalguksu (Sindang): Offers a unique twist on noodles with its spicy roe and milt knife-cut soup (algoi kalguksu).

3. Trendy and Meaty Spots in Seongsu and City Hall

Daeseong Galbi, Seongsu Jokbal, and Somunnan Seongsu Gamjatang (Seongsu): Essential stops in Seongsu for charcoal-grilled pork ribs (dwaeji galbi), tender pig trotters (jokbal), and comforting bone stew (gamjatang).
Jeonseolui Udae Galbi Seoul City Hall (City Hall): A great spot for beef short ribs (udae galbi) in the city centre.

4. Fine Dining and Special Occasions

Jungsik (Gangnam): A high-end modern Korean fine dining restaurant transforming traditional flavours into contemporary culinary art.
Layeon (Jangchung-dong): Located inside The Shilla Seoul, this Michelin-starred venue offers exquisite traditional Korean course menus, ideal for anniversaries or celebrations.

Note that operating hours, menus, prices, and waiting times can vary depending on when you visit, so it is recommended to check the latest details before heading out.