Seoul Guide.
A food-first guide to one of the best eating cities in the world. These are personal picks — not tourist traps.
Restaurants
Contemporary FrenchGangnam
Fuje
★★★Michelin-listed fine dining with seasonal, in-house grown ingredients. Signature dishes elevate French cookery with Korean sensibility.
New Korean Fine DiningGangnam / Apgujeong
Jungsikdang
★★★Chef Yim Jungsik's two-Michelin-starred restaurant reimagining Korean staples like gimbap and bibimbap into innovative fine dining.
Korean Grilled MeatYongsan / Samgakji
Pyeongyangjip
★★☆Famous for chadolbagi chargrilled in a rectangular steel basket, served with sweet-sour dipping sauce. A local institution.
Pyeongyang NaengmyeonJung-gu / Euljiro
Wooraeok
★★☆Est. 1946. One of Seoul's oldest naengmyeon restaurants — rich beef broth, benchmark for Pyeongyang-style cold noodles.
Local Tips.
- 01Order naengmyeon (cold buckwheat noodles) in summer — it's a revelation
- 02Convenience store kimbap at 2 AM is an essential Seoul experience
- 03Learn to say '이모, 여기요!' (Imo, yeogyo!) to get your server's attention
- 04Soju + beer = somaek. Ask a local to show you the perfect ratio
- 05Don't skip the banchan — it's free refills and half the meal