Restaurants in South Korea

From the most traditional in Korean eating to the most outré international cuisine, South Korea offers visitors something for every palate. While an exhaustive list of the best restaurants in South Korea could – and does – fill a book, there are some worth considering in the Seoul area. One of the premier samgyetang (chicken ginseng soup) restaurants in South Korea, Tosokchon attracts both former presidents and more penurious diners alike. The acclaimed restaurant stretches out across several hanoks (traditional houses), and while the fare is simple, it’s flat-out delicious.

Gogung serves bibimbap, a Korean dish that embodies the ancient philosophy of Obangsaek, or bodily and spiritual balance - and it’s hands-down one of the most popular South Korean restaurants in town. Dishes are healthy, varied, and flat-out delicious; if you can’t find something to like here, then you must not like Korean food. While these aren’t South Korean restaurants, per se, there are tons of great street food options at the venerable Kwangchang Market. Poke around the stalls, find one that’s popular with the locals, and dig in!