Seoul Top 10 Eateries: Local Food Guide

When planning a trip to Seoul, finding where the locals actually eat can elevate your itinerary. After years of culinary exploration across the city, a curated list of 10 standout dining spots has emerged, focusing purely on exceptional flavours rather than standard high-end beef barbecue.

Top Dining Spots Across Seoul

• Halmeoni Pojangmacha Myeolchi Guksu (Songpa-gu): Famous for its banquet noodles (Janchi Guksu) priced at 6,000 KRW. Opening in the afternoons, expect queues, but the comforting broth makes it worth the wait. Address: 59 Ogeum-ro 11-gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul.

• Ttosuninae (Yeongdeungpo-gu): Renowned for its shepherd's purse soybean paste stew (Naengi Doenjang-jjigae) priced at 7,000 KRW during spring. Note that the stew can only be ordered alongside meat dishes outside of lunchtime hours. Address: 16 Seonyu-ro 47-gil, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul.

• Cheonggyesup Yangdaechang Cheonggye Main Branch (Seocho-gu): Serves a mixed beef tripe and large intestine platter (Yang Modeum, 340g) for 41,000 KRW, accompanied by exceptional water kimchi and seasoned lettuce. Address: 15 Cheongnyongmaeul 1-gil, Seocho-gu, Seoul.

• Ruwei (Gangnam-gu): A stylish Chinese restaurant in Sinsa-dong offering Seafood Jjamppong for 17,000 KRW with intensely fresh broth. Address: 1F, Donghyeon Building, 211 Dosan-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul.

• Surim Bokguk Samsung Main Branch (Gangnam-gu): Specialises in Kkachibok Bulgogi Set for 22,000 KRW, offering a uniquely seasoned, healthy puffer fish dish. Address: 1F, 11-13 Teheran-ro 77-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul.

• People the Terrace (Gangnam-gu): A vibrant restaurant offering Pastry Sweet Brie Cheese Pizza for 31,000 KRW, combining pastry dough, brie cheese, and natural honey. Address: 13 Dosan-daero 81-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul.

• Harbin Yangkkochi Jamsil Main Branch (Songpa-gu): Offers succulent lamb skewers (Yangkkochi) at 15,000 KRW per portion, best paired with dishes like Di San Xian. Address: 1F, 45 Baekjegobun-ro 17-gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul.

• Gyesalsap (Jongno-gu): Known for crispy Fried Chicken at 22,000 KRW. Queues can be long, so registering via the Catch Table app in advance is recommended. Address: 7 Baekseokdong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul.

• Hyejangguk (Seocho-gu): Serves premium Hanwoo Beef Haejangguk for 12,000 KRW, featuring tender beef, radish, and leeks in a clean broth. Address: 4 Sapyeong-daero 56-gil, Seocho-gu, Seoul.

• Octopus 978 (Gangnam-gu): Features live octopus courses starting at 129,000 KRW for a small portion, where half is served as sliced raw octopus (Sukhoe) and half as crispy fried octopus. Address: 1F, 5 Dosan-daero 75-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul.