Exploring Seoul's Culinary Scene: Top 10 Restaurants
Seoul, South Korea's vibrant capital, offers an array of extraordinary dining options. The Seoul-born founder of three beloved London-based Korean restaurants provides valuable insights into her preferred dining establishments, ranging from a casual fried-chicken eatery to a Michelin-star gem.
Hadongkwan
An enduring beacon of traditional Korean cuisine, Hadongkwan is renown for its gomtang or rich and wholesome beef bone soup, a touted remedy for hangovers, which has been prepared in the same meticulous manner since its inception in the 1930s. The restaurant's menu solely revolves around gomtang, with an offer of several intriguing variations. Year on year, the soup is simmered to perfection with radish, yielding a robust flavor that pairs splendidly with the radish kimchi side dish. Testament to Hadongkwan's excellence is the regular attendance of families, often spanning three generations, who frequent the establishment for memorable dining experiences.
10-4 Myeong-dong 1-ga, Jung-gu, hadongkwan.com.
Bada Sikdang: A Taste of Nostalgia and Innovation
Whenever I find myself in Seoul, one restaurant that I never miss is Bada Sikdang. This unassuming eatery holds a special place in the hearts of locals and tourists alike thanks to its delicious yet unconventional dish - budae-jjigae, also known as army base stew.
Invented as a solution to post-war food shortages, budae-jjigae became a unique fusion of American and Korean flavors. The dish originated from scavenged ingredients like meat, sausage, spam, and baked beans obtained from US army bases. These ingredients were mixed with traditional Korean flavors like gochujang (chilli paste) and kimchi, resulting in a strange yet satisfying stew. A small portion easily satisfies two people, while the larger size can be enjoyed by four (£13-£23).
It's fascinating to see how budae-jjigae evolved from its humble beginnings into a beloved comfort food for the older generation and a trendy, retro dish among the younger crowd. Even tourists are now flocking to Bada Sikdang to experience this authentic taste of Korean culinary history. The restaurant has faithfully preserved its original recipe for over 45 years, earning the loyalty of locals and international visitors alike.
Adding to the menu's appeal, Bada Sikdang offers a variation called Johnson tang, which is budae-jjigae without the kimchi. This allows diners to savor the stew without the spicy kick typically associated with it.
Bada Sikdang is conveniently located in the vibrant Itaewon district, which is renowned for its lively nightlife and vibrant food scene. So, after exploring the district's hip bars and trendy restaurants, make sure to visit Bada Sikdang and indulge in the flavors of this iconic dish.
Location: 18 Itaewon-Ro 49-Gil, Hannam-Dong, Yongsan-Gu
Tosokchon Samgyetang
This prestigious restaurant opened over three decades ago – and its reputation is reflected in the long queues, especially during summer. Samgyetang (£15-£20) is the most popular dish in summer – a whole chicken stuffed with fresh ingredients including ginseng; it is renowned for being one of the healthiest dishes in Korea. To add additional flavour have it with insam-ju (ginseng liquor £7). Tosokchon is in Bukchon Hanok Village, where traditional hanok houses have been preserved and protected.
5 Jahamun-ro 5-gil, Jongno-gu, tosokchon.com
Hanchu
The fried chicken and draft beer at this independent bar in trendy Apgujeong is not to be missed. As well as the chicken, I recommend the deep fried crispy pepper (£15), filled with seasoned mince and then deep-fried in batter. Hanchu is next to the shopping mecca of Garosu-Gil, or “tree-lined street”, so makes a great post-shopping pitstop (it doesn’t open until 5pm).
68 Nonhyeon-Ro 175-Gil, Sinsa-Dong, Gangnam-Gu, no website
Mingles
In the heart of the bustling Cheongdam-dong district, a modern, high-class culinary haven called Mingles proudly holds a Michelin star. It has earned my fondness for its unique take on minimalist Korean cuisine, faithfully echoing traditional Korean flavors. The creative genius behind the menu, chef Mingoo Kang, boasts an impressive background that includes serving at Nobu and is rapidly gaining recognition in the world of Korean gastronomy. For this reason, reserving a table well ahead of time - possibly even prior to securing your Seoul travel arrangements - is recommended. With lunch ranging from £45-£50 and dinner around £100 (excluding beverages and service), it is a perfect choice for a memorable, gourmet experience during your visit.
757 Seolleung-ro, Nonhyeon-dong, Gangnam-gu, restaurant-mingles.com
Gongsugan
I head to this place every time I’m in town for Korea’s famous street food – ddukbokki (rice cakes in spicy sauce). I also enjoy the squid, chili, prawn tempura and kingsize wang kimbab (Korean rice roll), odeng (fishcake) and soondae (Korean black pudding). It’s open from 6pm to 6am.
Nonhyeon-dong, Gangnam-gu
Saebyukjib
After indulging in an evening of revelry, I find myself gravitating towards this haven of nourishment that welcomes patrons 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Most come for the Korean table barbecue, but my frequent companions are the ddaro gukbab, a soothing soup of beef stock, Chinese leaf and radishes, and the yookwhei bibimbab, a delicately flavored combination of raw beef and 'mixed rice'. A meal at this place, priced under £10, is often escorted by a couple more libations. Being a popular post-clubbing spot among the youth, spotting a K-pop star on Fridays and Saturdays is not a rare occurrence. If you're looking to visit this amazing spot, why not stay near the center of the action? Here - https://www.seoulhotelspage.com/en/near-chun-young-kim-s-house-1762622/ are a few hotel options located in the vivacious Cheongdam-dong district itself. Delve into the experience at 6 Dosan-daero 101-gil, Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam-gu or visit them on Facebook.
Omiga
Proximity to my residence makes me a regular at this eatery. My go-to order is the dolsot jeongsik - rice paired perfectly with soup, cooked in a hot stone pot, accompanied by a generous spread of 25 distinct side dishes. Referred to as hansang, this style of dining translates to 'a table crammed with food'. As you conclude your meal, don’t forget to pour the leftover water into the stone pot and enjoy a drink. A culinary journey that costs £20 but delivers an experience priceless.
Embark on the adventure at 585-13 Sinsa-dong, Gangnam-gu.
Famed Wooraeoak
Renowned for being a culinary institution, Wooraeoak is adored for its delectable naengmyeon (noodles made from cold buckwheat), is a Korean delicacy. This refreshing dish is favored during the hot summer months and is traditionally paired with bulgogi (Korean-style barbecued beef). Boasting a legacy that has stood the test of time, Wooraeoak holds the prestige of being among Seoul's eldest spots offering Pyeongyang-style naengmyeon. Here, patrons can expect to indulge a slice of North Korea's authentic gastronomy.
Find Wooraeoak situated at 62-29, Changgyeonggung-ro, Jung-gu, visit their website here to learn more about their enchanting culinary journey.
Hyundai Department Store's Food Court (COEX Branch)
The bustling hub known as COEX consists of business and entertainment venues such as convention centres, exhibition spaces, Intercontinental Hotel and notably, the Hyundai Department Store. This retail giant caters a modern and stylish food court which boasts of the newest culinary delights from Korea. The ddukbokki or the spicy rice cake, that comes under £7, is a must-try recommendation for food enthusiasts.
Address: 517, Teheran-ro, Gangnam-gu
Esteemed restaurateur Linda Lee, the brainchild behind the successful London-based eateries Koba, On the Bab and Mee Market, has recommended these exquisite culinary gems.