Our Favourite Restaurants & Dishes in Korea

During our trip to Korea, food wasn’t just about eating; it was one of the most important things for us, setting the rhythm of the day and making us feel the city’s energy. On one hand, there were the bone broth noodles enjoyed early in the morning, and on the other, the Korean BBQ evenings that lasted for hours around the fire…

Our last trip was exactly like this: modern bistros that bring traditional fermentation techniques to the present day, perfectly prepared bowls of ramen slurped in silence, sizzling Hanwoo meats, shared tables where we sipped traditional makgeolli, and long hours spent in a dimly lit yakitori bar.

In Seoul and Busan, we sometimes chased long reservation lists, and sometimes we returned again and again to small neighborhood restaurants that we discovered purely by chance.

In our new blog post, we’ve compiled our favorite food and drink spots in these two cities:
Why we went, what we ate, what we loved, where we’d sit again? All that and more.

A must-save list for those planning a trip to Korea (and even those who just enjoy daydreaming over desks).

🍽 Joo052 Seoul

This chef’s restaurant in Seoul might be one of the most impressive restaurants we’ve encountered in recent years. While it approaches fine dining, it doesn’t feel “luxury for luxury’s sake.” The chef’s approach is more like rethinking traditional Korean cuisine in today’s Seoul. The fermentation techniques, the surprising use of spices, and the simplicity of the dishes are very impressive. The balance they created with jang-based sauces and seafood was particularly memorable. We never imagined we’d eat such delicious abalone noodles or scallop dumplings. A tasting menu is served, and the menu changes seasonally. The space is like the kitchen: minimal but not cold. Watching the pace of the open kitchen is an important part of the experience. The 8-course tasting menu costs 85,000KRW.

📍 Address: 26 Gosanja-ro 14-gil, Seongdong-gu – Seoul
🍽 Concept: Contemporary Korean bistronomy
🕛 Opening hours: Lunch & dinner service
⏳ Note: We went without making a reservation; but it’s necessary to book as there are few seats.

🍷 VINHO Seoul

This is one of those places that revolves around wine, but whose cuisine is just as strong as its wine. Located in a surprising spot on the Gangnam side, it’s a shop surrounded by glass walls that doesn’t draw much attention from the outside. It has a dimly lit atmosphere, good music, and seems set up for long dinners. The menu is small but full of character; the kitchen knows what it’s doing, especially with the small dishes that pair well with the wine. They offer a tasting menu until 8 pm, after which they serve à la carte. Seating is mostly done at the chef’s table, but the bar extends throughout the entire space.

📍 Address: #162 Wellstone Building, 38 Hakdong-ro 43-gil, Gangnam-gu – Seoul
⏳ Note: It gets quite busy at the weekend; it’s a good idea to book in advance.

🍶 Korean Bistro Mr.Ahn’s Makgeolli

This is one of our favorite places for Makgeolli in Seoul. It’s far from the typical “touristy Korean pub” feel; people genuinely sit for long periods, sharing food and chatting. The Makgeolli selection is incredibly extensive, and the staff will guide you based on your preferences. You absolutely must try this drink when you come to Korea. If you wish, you can leave it up to the chef to create a personalized tasting menu, which they call the Ahnmak Experience. Instead, we ordered everything from the small bites section and chose two main courses.

📍 Address: 1F, 3, Hoenamu-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
🍽 Concept: Makgeolli bistro · Modern Korean shared plates
🕛 Opening hours: Evening service
⏳ Note: Be sure to ask the staff for recommendations on makgeolli.

🦆 Wildduck Canteen

In Seoul, this might be one of the best places to combine natural wine culture with modern Korean cuisine. It has a very relaxed yet characterful atmosphere revolving around an open kitchen, a wood-fired oven, and small, shareable plates. The fermented flavors, the use of smoke, and the natural wine pairings are truly powerful. The menu changes constantly, but the cheese platter and appetizers, especially the baked pumpkin and fresh noodles, are excellent. It’s located in a great corner in one of our favorite neighborhoods in Seoul. While sitting outside isn’t very comfortable, watching the street is wonderful.

📍 Address: 33 Sinheung-ro, Yongsan-gu – Seoul
🍽 Concept: Natural wine bar · Modern Korean dishes
🕛 Opening hours: Lunch through to late evening
⏳ Note: It’s more enjoyable to go with a group.

🔥 BBQ Ggupdang Sinsa 꿉당

This became one of our favorite BBQ spots in Seoul. The pork belly and pork neck cuts, in particular, were incredibly delicious. The meat is professionally cooked right in front of you at the table, and the service pace is very well managed. The charcoal aroma, the fat balance, and even the banchan (grilled meats) used were above average. We especially can’t forget the rice we had here. It’s always crowded and energetic; it was one of the places where we truly experienced Korean BBQ culture in Seoul.

📍 Address: 615 Gangnam-daero, Seocho-gu – Seoul
🕛 Opening hours: From lunchtime until the evening
⏳ Note: No booking required.

🥢 Niuroumianguan

This Taiwanese beef noodle soup might be one of the best bowls we had in Seoul. The broth, simmered for hours, is deeply flavored but not heavy. The brisket pieces are incredibly tender, and the noodles have just the right texture. The place is small and minimalist; everyone is quietly focused on their noodles. By the way, the menu only consists of noodles and gyoza. This is one of those places that makes you feel incredibly good, especially in cold weather. We came to the canal branch of this place and afterwards we also took a wonderful walk along the canal.

📍 Address: 75-2 Cheonggyecheon-ro, Jongno-gu – Seoul
🍽 Concept: Taiwanese beef noodle soup
🕛 Opening hours: 11:00–22:00
⏳ Note: To avoid long queues, use the Catchtable app to join the queue at the venue and check how busy it is.

🍜 Damtaek

This might be our favorite ramen bar in Seoul. The place is almost completely silent; everyone is focused on their bowls. You place your order from a vending machine, just like in Japan. The broth is very well-balanced, and the texture of the noodles is just right. There aren’t many toppings or fancy presentations; it’s completely focused on the noodles. The mushroom soup served with a small slice of bread is also legendary.

📍 Address: 34 World Cup-ro 8-gil, Mapo-gu – Seoul
🍽 Concept: Minimal noodle bar
🕛 Opening hours: 11:30–21:00
⏳ Note: Closed on Sundays; gets busy at lunchtime.