Where to eat in Seoul? 15 Popular & best local restaurants in Seoul

What and where to eat in Seoul? Check out this list of best local restaurants in Seoul to enjoy authentic Korean cuisine. These are all restaurants that are popular with locals.

The best way to understand the beauty of a country’s culture is through… your stomach; and the most effective way to explore local cuisine is to travel with a local. However, not everyone has a Korean friend who is knowledgeable about Seoul’s streets.

Don’t despair! Let Living Nomads recommends 15 “perfect” dining spots in Seoul that are highly recommended by many diners.

Best local restaurants in Seoul: Baegsong (백송) – Famous Korean BBQ Restaurant

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Located in the bustling Sindangdong area, Baegsong is a famous BBQ restaurant where diners can enjoy authentic Korean beef along with many typical Korean side dishes. The most outstanding feature of this restaurant is that you can watch the chef skillfully cut the beef right at your table. Korean beef has a perfect ratio of fat to meat. When grilled, the meat is tender and sweet, practically melting in your mouth, and tastes delicious when served with lettuce and chili sauce.

Baegsong

• Address: 248-32, Sindang-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul
• Price: 20,000₩ – 30,000₩
• Opening Hours: Mon – Fri: 5:00 PM – 2:00 AM | Sat – Sun: 4:00 PM – 2:00 AM

MongTan (몽탄) – Famous BBQ Restaurant in Seoul

As a high-end BBQ restaurant, MongTan scores points with its elegant dining space, attentive service, and of course, its unique menu. The beef here is smoked with rice leaves before being grilled; this enhances the natural aroma while preserving the tender and chewy texture of the meat, leaving you wanting more.

MongTan (몽탄) – Famous BBQ Restaurant in Seoul

• Address: 50 Baekbeom-ro 99-gil, Hangangno-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
• Opening Hours: 4:00 PM – 11:30 PM daily

Piggy Bank (돼지저금통) – Adorable Korean Themed Restaurant

Many tourists choose Piggy Bank as their nightly dining spot because of its prime location. Located just a 10-minute walk from Exit 8 of Hongdae subway station, the restaurant impresses with its array of playfully decorated piggy banks and the enticing aroma of grilled meat. On chilly days, there’s nothing more relaxing than enjoying flavorful grilled pork, naeng myeon noodles, and soju. Prices here are also quite reasonable, around 12,000₩ per serving of meat per person, and other dishes starting from 6,000₩.

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The only drawback of Piggy Bank is its small space, which can be quite cramped during peak hours. Customers often have to wait 20-30 minutes for a table. But to enjoy delicious food, a few minutes’ wait is nothing, right ?!

Piggy Bank (돼지저금통)

• Address: 146-1 Eoulmadang-ro, Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul
• Opening Hours: 11:00 AM – 2:00 AM daily

Endpoint Charcoal Rib (종점숯불갈비)

Previously featured in the popular Japanese reality TV show “Lonesome Gourmet,” Endpoint Charcoal Rib is a casual eatery specializing in grilled pork and pork ribs served at your table. Don’t forget to order a few bottles of soju to complete your meal. Other must-try dishes include kimchi soup, tteokbokki (rice cakes), and spicy fried chicken. You don’t miss out!

Endpoint Charcoal Rib (종점숯불갈비)

• Address: 112 Jangmun-ro, Bogwang-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
• Opening Hours: 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM daily

Wangbijip – Myeongdong Branch

Discover the flavors of Korean-style grilled beef ribs, raw beef tenderloin, and countless other delicious dishes at Wangbijip – Myeongdong Branch 2.

Located near the main branch of KEB Hana Bank, Wangbijip Korean BBQ restaurant (Myeongdong Branch 2) offers a modern, Korean-style interior where you can enjoy a variety of premium meats.

Immerse yourself in the experience of Korean-style charcoal-grilled beef, a characteristic feature of Korean culinary culture. Wangbijip promises to bring you unforgettable culinary moments with irresistible flavors. You’ll be immersed in a vibrant atmosphere, enjoy delicious food, and experience attentive service.

Wangbijip – Myeongdong Branch

• Address: 26 Myeongdong 8ga-gil, Jung District, Seoul, South Korea
• Hours: 11:30 AM–10 PM

MAN JOK OH HYANG JOKBAL

MAN JOK OH HYANG JOKBAL – a classic name for Seoul’s premium “Jokbal” (braised pork trotters). Established in 1989 with the desire to bring the best dishes using fresh ingredients, the restaurant has won over not only Korean diners but also Chinese and Japanese customers.

At MAN JOK OH HYANG JOKBAL, you will experience the rich flavors of three of Seoul’s top pork trotters, marinated with a unique “five-flavor” recipe. Each tender, flavorful piece of meat promises an unforgettable meal.

MAN JOK OH HYANG JOKBAL

• Address: 18-77 Gwanghui-dong, Jung District, Seoul, South Korea
• Hours: 3–11 PM
• Price per person: ₩10,000–20,000

Cheiljemyunso – A Traditional Korean Restaurant

Cheiljemyunso – the name evokes not only impressive flavors but also a rich 60-year tradition. This is a Korean restaurant specializing in noodle dishes, where culinary art is encapsulated in each noodle strand prepared by master chefs.

At Cheiljemyunso, each bowl of noodles is not just a dish, but a delicate blend of flavors that awakens both the taste buds and the soul of the diner. The noodles are made from premium Beksul flour, offering a perfect chewy texture, perfectly complemented by a rich broth and fresh toppings.

Cheiljemyunso

• Địa chỉ: 명동7길, 13 호텔28 2층, Jung District, Seoul, South Korea
• Hours: 10:30 AM–11 PM

Sunmine Haengbok Gejang (Dongdaemun Branch)

Enjoy an unforgettable meal at Sunmine Haengbok Gejang, a restaurant famous for its gejang (soy sauce marinated crab) and its renowned marinated raw crab.

Immerse yourself in the exquisite flavor of raw crab marinated according to an original recipe using various herbs, vegetables, and fruits. Each tender piece of crab meat blends with the rich seasoning, providing a unique and irresistible culinary experience.

Sunmine Haengbok Gejang is the ideal destination for those who love crab and want to explore the unique flavors of Korean cuisine.

Sunmine Haengbok Gejang (Dongdaemun Branch)

• Address: South Korea, Seoul, Jung District, Eulji-ro 43-gil, 38 2층
• Hours: 10:30 AM–9:50 PM
• Price per person: ₩30,000–40,000

Yoogane Chicken Galbi

Yoogane Chicken Galbi is an ideal destination for lovers of Korean cuisine, especially those who enjoy rich and spicy dishes. The restaurant is famous for its spicy stir-fried chicken (dak galbi) – a perfect combination of tender chicken, fresh vegetables, and a fragrant, spicy gochujang sauce that will surely awaken your taste buds.

The spicy stir-fried chicken (dak galbi) is the heart of Yoogane. Diners can choose from a variety of portion sizes and ingredients. Besides chicken, the menu also offers attractive alternatives such as spicy stir-fried beef or seafood, providing a fresh experience for food lovers.

Located in a bustling shopping district, Yoogane attracts a large number of diners, especially young people. It’s an ideal place for dates, meeting friends, or simply enjoying a delicious and satisfying meal at an affordable price.

Yoogane Chicken Galbi

• Address: 109 Eoulmadang-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea
• Hours: 11:30 AM–11 PM
• Price per person: ₩10,000–20,000

BONGCHU BRAISED CHICKEN

Bongchu Braised Chicken is a paradise for lovers of rich braised chicken. The restaurant is famous for its special braised chicken in soy sauce, using high-quality organic chicken, simmered in a moderately spicy sauce, infused with flavor.

Each plate of braised chicken at Bongchu is a perfect combination of tender chicken, fresh vegetables such as potatoes, carrots, onions, cucumbers, and even dried chili slices for a touch of mild spiciness. Especially noteworthy are the chewy glass noodles, absorbing the essence of the sauce, offering a multi-layered culinary experience.

BONGCHU BRAISED CHICKEN

• Address: 서울특별시 중구 명동8나길 47, 25-8 Chungmuro 1(il)-ga, Jung District, Seoul, South Korea
• Hours: 11 AM–9 PM
• Price per person: ₩10,000–20,000

Nolboo Bossam Nolboo Budaejjigae

Nolboo Bossam Nolboo Budaejjigae is the ideal destination to explore two signature Korean dishes: Bossam (boiled pork belly) and Budae-jjigae (army stew).

Enjoy the famous Bossam, featuring tender, succulent boiled pork belly, combined with the tangy flavor of kimchi and the mild spiciness of mustard. Served with fresh, crisp vegetables, it creates a perfect combination for a complete meal.

Immerse yourself in the rich and flavorful Budae-jjigae – an army stew with a broth simmered from beef bones for 24 hours. Savor the unique combination of pork trotters, premium sausages, vegetables, and spices, offering a unique and unforgettable culinary experience.

Nolboo Bossam Nolboo Budaejjigae

• Address: 서울특별시 중구 을지로43길 34, 18-103 Euljiro 6(yuk)-ga, Jung District, Seoul, South Korea
• Hours: 11 AM–12 AM
• Price per person: ₩20,000–30,000

Baegam Jeil Sikdang (백암제일식당)

Located near Dae Jang Geum Park, Baegam Jeil Sikdang is an ideal place to explore traditional Korean cuisine. The restaurant is famous for its sundae gukbap (blood pudding soup) – a unique combination of delicious blood pudding noodles, rich broth simmered in an earthenware pot, crispy fresh kimchi, and diced radish kimchi.

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The renowned sundae Baegam is said to originate from Baegam-myeon, created to satisfy the culinary needs of frequent visitors to the large livestock market during the Joseon dynasty. The distinctive feature of sundae Baegam lies in its chewy outer layer and diverse fillings with various vegetables and pork head meat, resulting in an irresistible flavor.

Baegam Jeil Sikdang (백암제일식당)

• Address: 11 Baegam-ro 201beon-gil, Baegam-myeon, Cheoin-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
• Open from 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM daily – Closed on Tuesdays, Thursdays

Sikmulhak Coffee (식물학)

Active on Instagram, Sikmulhak Coffee wins over coffee lovers with its top-notch Latte Art technique. Like its name (meaning “botanical garden” in Korean), the cafe’s space is “illuminated” with many green plants and exquisite wooden and bamboo furniture. If you don’t drink coffee, the smoothies and fruit juices are also worth trying. Don’t forget to take some ‘tasty’ photos and tag @sikmulhak on Instagram!

Sikmulhak Coffee (식물학)

• Address: 33 Gangnam-daero 154-gil, Sinsa-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
• Opening Hours: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM daily

4F Cafe

If you’re a die-hard fan of Wabi-sabi style, then 4F Cafe is the perfect place for you. Not flashy or extravagant, the cafe’s space can be described as rustic and distinctly urban. Located in a small alley in the Bangsan market area, 4F Cafe was once a printing factory, so it still retains its old-fashioned, perfect yet imperfect beauty. From the cement floor and stained walls to the dried branches, everything creates a harmonious and extremely artistic whole.

4F Cafe

• Address: Jung-gu, Eulji-ro 35-gil, Seoul

Ours Blanc (우스블랑)

Baking enthusiasts can’t resist the charm of Ours Blanc, a small bakery nestled in the peaceful Hyochang-dong area. From whole grain bread served with grilled German sausage to pastries topped with powdered sugar and whipped cream, each item at Ours Blanc boasts a unique flavor, satisfying even the most discerning diners. Add a refreshing Americano to cool down in the summer and harmonize the layers of flavor. Each item is priced under 10,000₩, how reasonable is that?

Ours Blanc (우스블랑)

• Address: 5-51, Hyochang-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
• Opening Hours: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM

Have you chosen a delicious Korean restaurant for your next trip yet?

Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in and from Seoul you can refer to

• Incheon International Airport (ICN) Limousine Bus Transfers for Seoul (Gangnam District)
• Klook Pass Seoul
• Seoul Yeouido Eland Han River Cruise
• Alpaca/ Nami/ RailBike/ Morning Calm/ LEGOLAND/ Painters/ Wild Show
• [SALE] Instant Ticket! Korea Rail Pass (KR PASS) 2/3/4/5 Days to travel around the cities in Korea
• KAL Limousine Bus Ticket for Seoul
• [Limited Offer] AREX Incheon Airport Express Train One Way Ticket in Seoul
• Bukchon Oneday Hanbok Rental Experience (4/24 Hrs)
• Nami Island, Petite France, Garden of Morning Calm, and Gangchon Rail Bike Day Tour from Seoul
• [Limited Offer] Incheon International Airport (ICN) Luggage Services (Between Airport and Hotel) by Safex
• Everland 1 Day Pass
• Lotte World Ticket in Seoul
• AREX Incheon Airport Express Train Ticket
• KORAIL PASS – KTX Train Ticket
• Discover Seoul Pass
• N Seoul Tower Ticket
• Lotte World Tower Seoul Sky Ticket
• Coex Aquarium Admission Ticket in Seoul
• DMZ(Demilitarized Zone) Tour
• 4G Prepaid SIM Card (SK Airports Pick Up) for South Korea
• [Sale] Hanbok Experience (Hanboknam Gyeongbokgung Store) with Korean Hairstyling
• [SALE] South Korea 4G Pocket WiFi (KR Airports Pick Up) from KT Olleh

Are you finding more top things to do in Seoul: Tours, activities, attractions and other things? Let’s check it out here.