Updated: 1 day ago
Seoul is a foodie's dream, brimming with everything from traditional eats to modern reimaginings of Korean cuisine. Whether you're wandering through historic markets or exploring chic neighbourhoods, here are some of the best bites to savour across the capital.
🍰 4F Cafe (Desserts & Coffee)
🥐 BETON (Salted Bread)
🍸 Charles H. (Cocktail Bar)
🍴 Eatanic Garden (Modern Korean)
🥐 fresh bread factory (Salted Bread)
🐷 Geumdwaeji Sikdang / Gold Pig (Samgyeopsal - Grilled Pork)
🦀 Hwa Hae Dang (Ganjang Gejang)
🥩 Hyeongje Yukhoe (Yukhoe)
🦀 Jangjinyeong Ganjang Gejang (Ganjang Gejang)
🥯 Kokkilli Bagel (Bagel)
🥛 Lazy Yogurt (Greek Yogurt)
🥢 Onjium (Refined Korean)
🐚 Seowonjuk (Porridge)
🥩 Yeongcheon Yeonghwa (Hanwoo Beef)
See also: Asia's 50 Best Restaurants 2025 in Seoul
4F Cafe
🍰Desserts & Coffee┆Euljiro
Description: A hidden gem in a renovated printing factory near Bangsan Market, this 4-floor cafe blends moody interiors with handmade desserts and craft drinks
Recommendations: Strawberry Tiramisu
Reservation: Walk-in only
Information: Instagram ┆Google Maps
BETON
🥐Salted Bread┆Multiple Locations
Description: One of the trendsetters behind Seoul’s salted bread craze, BETON offers a range of sweet and savoury flavours with a chewy, layered bite
Recommendations: Plain, Corn Cream, Garlic Salted Bread
Reservation: Walk-in only
Information: Instagram ┆Google Maps (Seongsu branch)
Charles H.
🍸Cocktail Bar┆Gwanghwamun
Description: Speakeasy tucked inside the Four Seasons Hotel Seoul, known for immersive storytelling and world-class drinks; Asia’s 50 Best Bars regular
Recommendations: Pastelito, Lotus Pond
Reservation: via TableCheck
Information: Instagram ┆Google Maps
Eatanic Garden
🍴Modern Korean┆Gangnam
Description: Elevated Korean dining with seasonal set courses, served 36 floors above Seoul in the Josun Palace hotel
Recommendations: Seasonal Tasting Menu only
Reservation: via Catch Table
Information: Instagram ┆Google Maps
fresh bread factory
🥐Salted Bread┆Dongdaemun
Description: A minimalist shop selling only one thing - perfectly baked, old-school salted bread; no frills, no variety, and you must buy a set of three
Recommendations: Plain Salted Bread (sold in bundles of 3)
Reservation: Walk-in only
Information: Google Maps
Hwa Hae Dang
🦀Ganjang Gejang┆Mapo
Description: Bib Gourmand spot serving soy-marinated female blue crabs with full roe, claypot rice, and classic sides
Recommendations: Ganjang Gejang Set (Female Crab)
Reservation: via Phone (+82-2-785-4422)
Information: Instagram ┆Google Maps
Hyeongje Yukhoe
🥩Yukhoe (Raw Beef)┆Gwangjang Market
Description: one of Gwangjang’s best-known yukhoe spots, serving Korea’s beloved raw beef and spicy cold noodles combo
Recommendations: Yukhoe Bibimbap Noodles
Reservation: Walk-in only
Information: Google Maps
Jangjinyeong Ganjang Gejang
🦀Ganjang Gejang┆Hannam
Description: A specialty crab restaurant focusing on soy-marinated female blue crab with orange roe
Recommendations: Female Ganjang Gejang Set
Reservation: Walk-in only
Information: Google Maps
Kokkilli Bagel
🥯Korean Bagels┆Multiple Locations
Description: Chewy artisanal bagels made with locally inspired flavours and techniques
Recommendations: Daily flavours - check in-store
Reservation: Walk-in only
Information: Instagram ┆Google Maps (Hannam branch)
Lazy Yogurt
🥛Greek Yogurt┆Seongsu & Gangnam
Description: Minimalist yogurt shop offering custom bowls and creative toppings - order by tablet, cashless only
Recommendations: Peanut Butter Greek Yogurt Bowl
Reservation: Walk-in only
Information: Instagram ┆Google Maps (Gangnam branch)
Onjium
🥢Refined Korean┆Jongno
A Michelin-starred cultural institute serving seasonal, heritage Korean cuisine in a refined, contemporary setting
Recommendations: Tasting Course only
Reservation: via CatchTable
Information: Instagram ┆Google Maps
Seowonjuk
🍚Porridge┆Myeongdong
Description: Comforting bowls of premium abalone porridge - perfect for breakfast
Recommendations: Premium Abalone Porridge
Reservation: Walk-in only; go early
Information: Instagram ┆Google Maps
Yeongcheon Yeonghwa
🥩Hanwoo Bibimbap┆Gangnam
Description: Local-favourite, celeb-approved 24-hour restaurant serving comforting Korean beef dishes
Recommendations: Yukhoe Bibimbap
Reservation: Walk-in only
Information: Instagram ┆Google Maps