Besides being famous for music and make-up, Korean food is currently also one of the most hyped international foods. And of course, the capital of Korea, Seoul, is a well-known foodie haven with a wide array of both local and international restaurants. Be sure to check out this curated selection of restaurants in Seoul!
Tip #1: Le Petit Chef
Are you ready for a one-of-a-kind dining experience like no other? If yes, you’re in luck – Le Petit Chef is in Seoul! Get ready to enjoy a delectable five-course menu as you experience a fun dining show that you will never forget.
The internationally known 6cm tall French chef born in Belgium in 2015 is now presenting the dinner show ‘The Beginning’ in the Conrad Seoul Atrio in Yeongdeungpo.
Book a magical night with Le Petit Chef – where dining meets whimsical storytelling.
Dive into the culinary world of Le Petit Chef as you immerse yourself in a fictional world through incredibly detailed and charming 3D animations and projections. Besides the regular full-course menu, there is also a kids‘ menu, making it a perfect visit for the entire family!
Dietary options:
Kids menu is available.
Speciality:
Le Petit Chef is offering an immersive dining show on your dining table, in the luxurious ambience of a five-star hotel.
Price:
Ruby Menu (Incl. welcome drink) ₩350,000
Sapphire Menu ₩260,000
Emerald Menu ₩200,000
Kids Menu ₩125,000
Hours:
Open every day, reservation is required.
Location:
10 Gukjegeumyung-ro, Yeouido-dong, Yeongdeungpo District, Seoul
Contact:
Phone: +82 2-6137-7120
E-Mail: conradseoul.atrio@conradhotels.com
Webpage: https://lepetitchef.com/seoul/
Tip #2: Jihwaya
Located near Gwanghwamun is Jihwaja, a high-class traditional royal banquet restaurant operated by Hwang’s family. The food served here was once served to the Korean royal family.
Immerse yourself in Korean culture in the ambiance of a neighbourhood that features a 600-year Joseon Dynasty history whilst providing an antique interior inspired by royal palaces.
The dishes offered by Jihwaja are very healthy and nutritious, as they are prepared with only natural ingredients and royal culinary techniques.
Dietary options:
They offer course meals catering to vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free customers.
Speciality :
Royal Korean cuisine.
Price:
8 Course menu ₩175,000 – 200,000₩
7 course menu ₩150,000
A la carte ₩30,000 – ₩130,000
Hours:
Every day: Lunch 11.30am ~ 3pm (Last Order 1.30pm)
Dinner 5.30pm ~ 9.30pm (Last Order 8pm)
Closed on Tuesday.
Location:
125 Jahamun-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Korea
서울시 종로구 자하문로 125
Contact:
Tip #3: Kanilab
Located underground, another place that specializes in immersive fine dining is Kanilab, one of the unique restaurants in Seoul. The restaurant’s course menu is designed to take you through five distinct chapters consisting of daybreak, sunrise, wavestorm, wake up and milky way.
Besides the stunning light show, the food itself is also presented in a very ethereal and beautiful way, making this restaurant a must-visit restaurant during your time in Seoul.
Dietary options:
Contact in advance in case of allergies or dietary requirements. Not all requests can be accommodated. Children above 10 are welcome.
Speciality:
Innovative culinary experience with a light show.
Price:
Special Course Menu ₩300,000
Hours:
Mon-Fri 6.30pm -10pm
Sat&Sun: 12:00pm – 2:30pm, 6:30pm – 9:30pm
Location:
B1 Emporia Building, 220 Dosan-daero, Gangnam-Gu, Seoul
Contact:
Tip #4: Young Daban Nowong
Your visit to Seoul is essentially incomplete until you try the iconic Korean street food shown in many shows and dramas: Tteokbokki! This Korean street food is famous for its addictively sweet and savoury taste, paired with a spicy touch and the signature chewy texture.
Whilst there are many great tteokbokki restaurants in Seoul, the one that made it on this list, Young Daban Nowong (청년다방 노원역점), is a well-known food spot with some of the best tteokbokki available.
Dietary options:
No vegetarian options available.
Speciality :
Tteokbokki
Price:
Tteokbokki for 2-3 people ₩16,500 – ₩23,500
Add-on side dishes ₩2,000 – ₩4,000
Hours:
Every day 11am – 9.30pm
Locations:
Nowon-gu, Sanggye-ro 3-gil, 16 청년다방 노원역점 동원빌딩 2층
Contact:
Phone: +82 2-952-0225
No website available.
Tip #5: Hongdae Korean BBQ All You Can Eat Pig Company
If you’re wondering where to eat in Seoul, why not try Korean BBQ? With a prime location right next to Hongdae Street, Hongdae Korean BBQ is super accessible and can be visited together with the iconic Hongdae Street.
This restaurant in Seoul has a great all-you-can-eat Korean BBQ deal and is a hidden spot recommended by locals for generous servings of pork to grill yourself.
Dietary options:
No vegetarian options available.
Speciality:
Korean BBQ
Price:
All-you-can-eat-KBBQ ₩15,900 – ₩21,900 per person
Hours:
Every day 11.30am – 12am
Location:
28 Hongik-ro 5an-gil, 서교동 Mapo-gu, Seoul
Contact:
Tip #6: Koriko Café Seoul
Themed after the movie Kiki’s Delivery Service, Koriko Café is a charming place that serves both aesthetically pleasing and delicious drinks and food. If you’re a fan of pretty desserts and drinks, this café is a must-visit and one of the best places in Seoul to get dessert and lunch.
Besides one-of-a-kind drinks like a strawberry cotton candy latte, they also serve hearty dishes such as meat pie. Of course, you can’t go wrong with one of their most popular items: JIJI mug tart.
Dietary options:
Vegetarian options are available.
Speciality:
Themed desserts and drinks.
Price:
Drinks ₩5,000 -₩ 8,000
Dessert ₩5,500 -₩16,800
Hours:
Every day 10am – 7pm
Location:
165-7 Seongmisan-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Contact:
Tip #7: Jogaedo
If you’re looking to try some fresh seafood, this is one of the best restaurants in Seoul to have some. Jogaedo offers fresh fish and shellfish to grill or enjoy in soup and sushi!
Expect big portions as well as warm and helpful service from the restaurant owners. Do note that, due to its popularity, you may have to wait for around 30-45 minutes to get in, but the wait is well worth it since the lively atmosphere is part of the experience!
Dietary options:
No vegetarian options available.
Speciality:
Shellfish dishes.
Price:
Shellfish BBQ for 2 ₩54,000 (for 3 ₩64,000)
Shellfish soup ₩32,000, for 2 ₩54,000
Scallop sashimi 6pc for ₩15,000
Hours:
Tu – Sun: 4pm – 12am
Closed on Mondays.
Location:
８−１ Seongdeokjeong 17-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul
Contact:
Phone: +82 10-4212-6471
Webpage: Link
Tip #8: Ikseon Chihyang
Having recently gone viral on social media for their rosé pasta, Ikseong Chihyang is a must-visit for pasta lovers and fans of Korean-western fusion cuisine. Besides their signature pasta dish, they also offer a variety of risottos and steak.
Their whole pork belly rosé pasta is a culinary delight that will be refreshingly different from both Italian pasta and other Korean rosé dishes. Don’t miss out on one of the best restaurants in Seoul to try out Korean fusion!
Dietary options:
No vegetarian options available.
Speciality:
Rosé pasta and Korean-western fusion kitchen.
Price:
Pasta ₩15,000 – ₩17,000
Signature Steak ₩28,000
Drinks ₩3,000 – ₩6,500
Hours:
Every day 12pm – 9pm
Location:
Ikseon Chihyang (익선취향)
17-32 Supyo-ro 28-gil, Jongno District, Seoul, South Korea
Contact:
Phone: +82 10-9322-2866
Tip #9: Kyochon Chicken Dongdaemun 1st Branch
A restaurant that’s very well-known amongst Koreans and frequently visited for casual dining in Seoul, Kyochon Chicken Dongdaemun is the first branch of this delicious korean chicken place.
Our favorite seasoning to eat together with the fried chicken is savory garlic soy sauce paired with cheongyang chili pepper.
Dietary options:
No vegetarian options available.
Speciality:
Korean Fried Chicken
Price:
Half Half Chicken ₩18.000 – ₩21.000
Fried Chicken Menu ₩11.000- ₩27.000
Hours:
24h open every day
Location:
Kyochon Chicken Dongdaemun 1st Branch, 294 Jong-ro, Jongno District, Seoul
Contact:
Phone: +82 2-2231-9337
E-Mail: song9447@hanmail.net
Tip #10: Garden Poete
In the middle of the urban jungle of Mapo-gu lies Garden Poete, a serene and chill restaurant where you’ll find yourself dining in the middle of greenery.
A perfect spot to recover from the daily hustle and bustle of Seoul, this restaurant serves a variety of healthy and delicious dishes that are sure to warm your heart.
Dietary options:
Limited vegetarian options are available.
Speciality:
Western cuisine in a relaxed space.
Price:
Mains ₩12,000 – ₩38,000
Hours:
Wed-Sun: 11.30am –3.30pm, 5.30pm–10pm
Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Location:
12 Wausan-ro 14-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul
Contact:
Phone: +82 10-6806-2025
Webpage: Link
Tip #11: La Yeon
Located on the 23rd floor of The Shilla, La Yeon is a contemporary fine dining restaurant in Seoul that offers the traditional taste of Korea. Experience Korean haute cuisine in the form of a Hanjeongsik style meal in a two-star Michelin restaurant as you enjoy the stunning view over Namsan Park.
Dietary options:
Kid’s chairs and vegetarian menu available.
Speciality:
Hanjeongsik style meal.
Price:
9 Course menu (lunch) ₩195,000
Course menu (dinner) ₩300,000
*La Yeon’s menu is seasonal and prices change based on the season.
Hours:
Every day 12:30pm – 14:40pm 17:30-21:30
Location:
249 Dongho-ro, Jangchung-dong, Jung District, Seoul
Contact:
Tip #12: The Margaux Grill
The Margaux Grill specializes in woodfired grilled cuisine, as well as rare wines. Reminiscent of a secret European garden, you’ll be able to re-discover the exquisite flavor of steak in this fine dining establishment located in the Marriott Hotel.
Besides offering a 5-course lunch and a 6-course dinner, they also have a delectable selection of à la carte beef. We recommend pairing the main course with a side of herb roasted potatoes and finishing off with their signature caramelized cheesecake.
Dietary options:
The side menu includes vegetarian options.
Speciality:
Cocktails and first-class steak.
Price:
5-course lunch ₩170,000
6-course dinner ₩230,000
Hours:
Every day
Lunch : 11.30am – 2.30pm Dinner : 6pm – 10pm
Location:
JW Marriott Hotel Seoul
176 Sinbanpo-ro, Seocho District, Seoul, Südkorea
Contact:
Our selection of restaurants is based, among other things, on the editorial team’s individual preferences and on reviews on the internet. Please contact the respective provider directly for information on reservations and prices. The pictures come from the restaurants listed. All Information is provided without guarantee!
Elisa is one of the creative minds behind the Le Petit Chef blog. Being a frequent traveller and foodie herself, she loves writing about dining experiences from all over the world.
