What to Eat in Seoul! Including Top Things to do

I’m long overdue to put together this travel guide to Seoul. Although I’ve visited many times, I usually stay in the countryside near Yeoju and commute into the city. Even so, staying in Seoul itself is easy, and there is no shortage of things to see and do.

My favorite neighborhood in Seoul is Insadong. In my opinion, it is one of the best areas for first time visitors. The neighborhood has a little bit of everything, from traditional shops and teahouses to modern cafés and plenty of photogenic corners. If you are visiting Seoul for the first time, Insadong is an excellent place to begin exploring the city. Hongdae is great for young people who are looking for nightlife and shopping!

Getting Around

One thing to keep in mind when visiting Seoul is that Google Maps is not widely used for navigation. Most locals rely on the mobile app Naver Map for directions and finding restaurants. For getting around by taxi, I highly recommend using the mobile app Kakao T, which makes hailing and paying for rides much easier.

Geumdwaeji Sikdang - Gold Pig

My favorite Korean barbecue meal in Seoul was at Gold pig. They specialize in pork, which I personally think is the superior meat for Korean barbecue. We arrived early to put our names on the waitlist and then returned at our designated time.

The must order here is the pork neck, though I also highly recommend the pork belly. They offer set menus that make ordering easy, but whatever you choose, be sure to add the instant ramen to their famous kimchi stew at the end of the meal. The rich kimchi broth with the noodles is the perfect way to finish, and honestly, just about everything we ate here was life changing.

Here is their instagram.

Nakwon Station Cafe

Nakwon Station Cafe is a fun themed café to check out if you are already in the area. Korea is known for having a wide variety of unique concept cafés, and this one has a railway theme with a really interesting interior.

They offer pastries and coffee as well, but I will say that, similar to many Instagram focused cafés, the food and drinks are not always the main reason to visit. I would not come here specifically expecting the best pastry or coffee in Seoul, but because it is such an easy stop, it is worth walking in, taking some photos, and experiencing the theme before continuing your day.

BukChon Son Mandu

If you're looking for traditional mandu and do not mind dining at a very popular spot with multiple locations, I highly recommend Bukchon Son Mandu.

Their mandu is excellent, and they offer all kinds, from steamed to fried. I also really enjoyed their bibim naengmyeon. It is the perfect place to branch out and try some classic Korean dishes beyond the usual barbecue.

Personally, I think their mandu are some of the best I have ever had, and it is a great spot if you are looking for delicious, affordable dumplings and Pil naengmyeon in Seoul.

Wootender

If you want to try Korean Hanwoo, Wootender is a great option. They also serve Wagyu and offer both course menus and à la carte ordering, though we opted for the latter.

We started with their raw beef and uni appetizer, which was excellent. We also ordered the chateaubriand, which was surprisingly tender, and their Hanwoo katsu sando, which was absolutely delicious and a must try.

Overall, I really enjoyed the meal here. If you are looking to experience high quality Hanwoo in Seoul, Wootender is definitely worth considering.

Favorite Ikseon

Favorite is one of the hottest spots on social media right now, and it is located in the Ikseon-dong Hanok Village. They specialize in Korean Italian fusion, serving dishes like rosé pasta, steak sets, and omurice topped with a signature tornado omelet.

The presentation is a big part of the appeal, but I was pleasantly surprised that the flavors actually delivered as well. My favorite dish was the spicy rosé pasta with pork belly. It was delicious, but definitely on the spicy side, so keep that in mind if you are sensitive to heat.

One helpful tip is that you can join the waitlist online by preordering 2 entrées, which is what we did to skip the line. Just be sure to arrive promptly when your name is called, as they move through the queue very quickly and may give your spot away if you are not there.

Byeokje Official

Byeokje Galbi was probably one of the best restaurant experiences I've ever had in Seoul. My husband had been wanting to visit for years because it is such a famous restaurant, and after finally trying it, I completely understood the hype.

This is definitely more of a special occasion restaurant, with both à la carte and course menu options. My husband recommended that we order à la carte, and I'm really glad we did because the meal was incredible. Even though we didn't order the course menu, it still felt like one because they brought out complimentary banchan and small appetizers throughout the meal.

The banchan here was honestly next level. They served vegetables that felt fit for royalty, and then topped them with their house made sesame oil, which was absolutely amazing. They also gave us a special kimchi that they usually charge for, which was a really nice touch.

We ordered a few different meats, but since we were already pretty full, we didn't get to try as much as we wanted. The must orders here are the marinated diamond cut Hanwoo rib and the non marinated diamond cut Hanwoo rib. These were easily the highlights of the meal and some of the best beef I've ever had.

Each order was around 200 grams, and honestly, if I came back, I would probably just order multiple portions of those 2 cuts again because they were that good.

We ended the meal with their seafood rice, which was also delicious, especially because of the crispy rice at the bottom.

I definitely want to come back one day to try more of their meats, but based on what I had, Byeokje Galbi is easily one of the restaurants I would recommend adding to a Seoul itinerary.

MyeongDong KyoJa

Myeongdong Kyoja is probably one of the most popular restaurants tourists visit in Seoul because it is a Michelin recognized spot located in Myeongdong. Despite the hype, it is actually a very no frills restaurant that focuses on doing a few things really well.

They only offer 4 menu items, and they have multiple locations around Seoul. Their specialty is their mandu, specifically their clear, almost see through dumplings. These dumplings have incredibly thin wrappers, which is why you can almost see through the skin, but the filling inside is surprisingly tender and melts in your mouth.

I've been here a few times, and while I wouldn't say it is the most life changing meal you will have in Seoul, I do genuinely enjoy their mandu. Considering how affordable it is, I think it is absolutely worth trying, especially if you are already exploring the Myeongdong area.

Cafe Knotted

Cafe Knotted is a huge café chain in Korea, and when I first tried it, it was one of the only locations in Seoul. At the time, it was extremely popular, especially among tourists and foreigners.

Part of the appeal is definitely the aesthetic. The cafes are very Instagram friendly, but the real reason people love it is their soft and fluffy donuts. They fill them with whipped cream and different fruit fillings, including popular flavors like strawberry.

Since then, Cafe Knotted has grown into a massive chain with locations all over Korea and even in the United States. If you are visiting Seoul, you will have no trouble finding a location, and while it may not be as unique as it once was, it is still a solid place to grab a sweet treat.

Cheong Su Dang

Cheongsudang is one of the cafés that helped kick off Seoul’s aesthetic café trend. The space is designed around a garden theme, and the interior is absolutely beautiful.

Their desserts are just as photogenic as the café itself, which is one of the reasons they have become so popular. They now have multiple locations, but if you are exploring the Insadong area, I definitely recommend stopping by to experience the original atmosphere for yourself.

Mom's Touch

Mom's Touch is a Korean chain that I genuinely enjoy. I know it may seem a little odd to include a fast food restaurant on this list, but hear me out: their chicken sandwich is one of my favorite chicken sandwiches anywhere.

When I was staying in a hospital in South Korea, I found myself ordering from Mom’s Touch all the time, and I quickly became hooked. If you are visiting Korea and want something quick, affordable, and consistently satisfying, I highly recommend giving Mom’s Touch a try.

Cafe Onion Anguk

Cafe Onion is one of those places that everyone will tell you to visit in Seoul. I did not make it there until my third trip, and honestly, I wish I had gone sooner.

I ended up really enjoying both the pastries and the coffee. My favorite items were the salt bread and the garlic cheese bread, though they are always offering seasonal and trending specials as well.

The cafés have a beautiful traditional Korean inspired aesthetic, and they are usually packed with tourists, so be prepared for a line. Even so, I thought the experience was absolutely worth it.

Myeongdong Night Market

Myeongdong Night Market is one of the most popular night markets in Korea, and if you are visiting Seoul, there is a good chance you will come across it.

Since it is a very touristy market, you will see many of the trendy Korean street foods that have gone viral online, including egg toast bites, cheese filled corn dogs, and plenty of tteokbokki.

If you want to try more classic Korean street food, I recommend getting things like kimbap, tteokbokki, and hotteok if it is available. Just keep in mind that there are also plenty of great restaurants nearby, including Myeongdong Kyoja, so you can easily combine a visit to the market with a sit down meal.

Overall, if you want to experience Korean street food in a convenient and tourist friendly setting, Myeongdong Night Market is a great place to start.

Shinsegae Gangnam Department Store

Shinsegae Gangnam Department Store is what I would consider a sleeper hit when it comes to food in Seoul. A lot of people focus on restaurants and cafés, but Korean department stores are honestly on another level when it comes to their food selections.

The bakery floor here has an incredible variety of pastries and desserts, and I would argue that you can find better quality baked goods here than at many standalone bakeries. They have a huge selection of different vendors, making it a great place to explore and try multiple things in one visit.

They also have a restaurant floor with a variety of different cuisines, so you can easily spend hours here eating your way through different foods. Korea does not mess around when it comes to department store food halls, and in my opinion, Shinsegae Gangnam Department Store is one of the best ones to visit.

Things to do that's not food

If you're visiting Korea and looking for things to do beyond just eating, here are some recommendations for places to visit and experiences to add to your itinerary.

Lotte Tower

Lotte World Tower

Lotte World Tower is a great place to visit if you are interested in Korean beauty, shopping, and getting a great view of Seoul. The building has an entire floor dedicated to duty free shopping, making it a popular stop for tourists.

I've been to Lotte World Tower multiple times, but this most recent trip was my first time going up to the observatory. You can purchase a ticket to go all the way to the top, and it is definitely one of the more touristy experiences in Seoul.

The tower is 123 stories tall and is currently one of the tallest buildings in the world. Once you reach the top, there are restaurants and small food vendors, but the main reason to visit is really for the panoramic views of the city.

For those looking for something more adventurous, you can also reserve an experience to walk across the Sky Bridge. However, I would probably skip that if you are afraid of heights.

You can reserve tickets when you get there.

Ssamziegil

Ssamziegil is located near the Ikseon dong neighborhood, making it a great stop if you are already exploring the café scene in that area.

This is a really unique shopping complex filled with small shops, local artists, and creative studios where you can participate in different crafts. I actually discovered it randomly during my visit, and I ended up really enjoying walking around and checking out all the cute vendors.

It is a great place to pick up souvenirs, browse unique handmade items, or spend an afternoon doing something more interactive like crafting. If you are already in the area, I definitely recommend adding it to your itinerary.

Yeouido Hangang Park

Yeouido Hangang Park was one of the first places my husband took me when I visited Seoul, and it is still one of my favorite spots to relax in the city.

The park is located right along the Han River, making it a great place to go for a walk, especially at night when you can enjoy the city views and the atmosphere by the water. They also host different seasonal festivals, events, and pop ups throughout the year.

If you are looking for a place to go for a jog, take a casual walk, or just enjoy a slower moment away from the busy streets of Seoul, I definitely recommend checking out Yeouido Hangang Park.

Hongdae Shopping Street

Hongdae Shopping Street is one of the more lively areas in Seoul, and it is especially popular among university students and younger crowds.

Because of that, it is a great neighborhood if you are looking for nightlife, bars, late night restaurants, shopping, and entertainment. There are plenty of things to do here, whether you are visiting as a tourist or just looking for a fun area to explore.

If you are interested in experiencing the younger side of Seoul and checking out the nightlife scene, Hongdae is definitely one of the neighborhoods I recommend visiting.

Starfield Coex Mall

Starfield COEX Mall is a perfect example of how seriously Korea takes its malls. Unlike many malls in the US, Korean malls are often destinations by themselves, and COEX Mall is one of my favorites.

Inside the mall, you will find a full sized aquarium, tons of different shops, restaurants, and some of the most famous library spaces in Seoul. It is a great place to spend a few hours, especially if you want something indoors or need a break from exploring the city.

If you are looking for a cool mall experience beyond Lotte World Tower, I definitely recommend checking out Starfield COEX Mall.

Bukchon Hanok Village

Bukchon Hanok Village is one of the most touristy things you can do in Seoul, especially if you are already visiting the nearby palaces.

The village is famous for its traditional Korean houses, known as hanok, and it is one of the most popular spots to take photos and experience a more historic side of Seoul. There are plenty of cafés, shops, and tourist restaurants nearby, but keep in mind that this is still an active residential neighborhood. Please be respectful, keep your voices down, and remember that people actually live here.

There are also plenty of nearby shops where you can rent hanbok, the traditional Korean clothing. If you rent a hanbok, you can often enter the nearby palaces for free, which makes it a fun way to experience Seoul's history.

Overall, while it is definitely a tourist destination, Bukchon Hanok Village is still worth visiting for the traditional architecture and the experience of walking through one of Seoul's most iconic neighborhoods.

Head Spa Lucy

Head Spa Lucy is one of the viral experiences that has become really popular in Korea, and I highly recommend trying a head spa while visiting.

My husband actually made a reservation for me here, and it ended up being one of my favorite experiences from the trip. Before starting, they do a scalp analysis where they take photos and show you the current condition of your scalp. After that, they begin a roughly 1.5 hour treatment that includes a relaxing scalp massage and the full head spa experience.

The entire process was incredibly relaxing, and I honestly thought it was one of the best spa experiences I've ever had. The experience was around $130, and I also ended up purchasing the shampoo they recommended to bring back home to the States. I've been using it since and have really liked how my hair has responded to it.

If you are looking for a unique Korean experience beyond food and shopping, a head spa is definitely something I recommend adding to your Seoul itinerary.