Gyeongsangnam-do
Hungry travellers with limited Korean skills come here because there’s no need to speak or read a menu: this place only serves chungmu gimbap (충무 김밥), a…
Must-see restaurants in South Korea
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Gangnam & Southern Seoul
This place was voted number 25 in Asia's 50 Best Restaurants in 2018; neo-Korean cuisine hardly gets better than this. At the Apgujeong outpost of the New…
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Myeong-dong & Jung-gu
Scoring a hat trick for high-quality food, entertainment and shopping is Korea House. A dozen dainty, artistic courses make up the royal banquet. The…
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Jeju-do
Everything about this restaurant, housed in a traditional building, is inviting. Inside the door you're greeted by warm smiles and the sweet earthy aroma…
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Jeonju
Jeonju's best night out, if you can get a seat. Unlike other makgeolli (milky rice wine) bars, where the food is secondary, the dishes here are…
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Mokpo
Mokpo is known for its octopus, particularly for its nakji tangtangi (chopped live octopus). This is the best place in town to try it, and if you're not…
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Jeollanam-do
Hungry? Come here to feast on tongdak (통닭), chicken served in two courses. First comes a tabletop stir-fry of chicken marinated in a tangy, spicy sauce,…
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Seoul
Credited with kicking off a trend for more authentic Thai restaurants in Seoul, Tuk Tuk's Thai chefs whack out a broad menu of spicy dishes that don't…
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Busan
A sterling example of a successful restaurant owner who won’t update the interior. According to superstition, the good fortune a successful shop enjoys…
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Gangnam & Southern Seoul
'Normal' is the casual counterpart to restaurant Ryunique, one of Asia's Top 50 restaurants. A contemporary bistro that makes fine dining affordable, the…
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Chungcheongnam-do
The best restaurant at the Donghak-sa entrance to Gyeryongsan National Park is styled after its namesake – you can't miss it. Naturally, it specialises in…
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Jeju-si
Sit cross-legged at rustic wooden tables, peering out into the wild garden of this meat-free restaurant. Dishes use local Jeju produce for dishes such as…
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Chungcheongnam-do
This restaurant serves the prettiest ssambap (assorted ingredients with rice and lettuce wraps) around, with a fragrant array of leaves and handfuls of…
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Myeong-dong & Jung-gu
Feast on artfully plated, contemporary twists on Korean classics, such as pinenut soup with soy milk espuma (foam) or raw blue crab, at this serene…
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Daegu
This superb restaurant has been serving divine and healthy traditional Korean food over three floors since 1978; and even if it’s packed they’ll usually…
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Gangnam & Southern Seoul
This fine Italian restaurant is as casually cool as its all-black-wearing diners, but the food is seriously top-notch. Homemade squid-ink linguine with…
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Jeju-do
Is it the delicious galbi (barbecued beef ribs) and noodles or the large, chic neon space that guarantees a long queue here? Either way, come early,…
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Itaewon & Yongsan-gu
These mouth-watering, deep-filled sandwiches served on wide, half-loaves of pillowy bread are beloved by locals and expats. Try the wickedly seasoned (and…
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Gangnam & Southern Seoul
Serving top-class galbi (beef ribs) for over 30 years, Samwon is a Korean idyll, surrounded by beautiful traditional gardens including several waterfalls…
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Chungcheongnam-do
Seafood soup served in a hotpot (해물뚝배기) is the popular dish here. Boil the soup on the table burner and ladle out servings brimming with shellfish, shrimp…
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Itaewon & Yongsan-gu
A luxe spin-off of the Paris Baguette chain, Passion 5 is the Rolls-Royce of Korean bakeries, offering a Fortnum & Mason–like experience as you wander the…
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Jeonju
Some folks say this is the best bibimbap restaurant in the city's historic district. The classic Jeonju dish comes with bright yellow mung-bean jelly, a…
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Jeju-do
Dining inside Ando Tadao’s Glass House is a delightful experience, one best enjoyed during the day when you can take in the coastal views through the…
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Itaewon & Yongsan-gu
The portions are more modest than your typical Southern smokehouse, but the pulled pork and beef-brisket rolls with 'skinny ass' fries are some of the…
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Seoul
Real charcoal (rather than hotplates) brings out the flavours of the fine cuts of pork and beef at this galbi (beef ribs) joint; look for the stove on the…
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Busan
This cosy restaurant, not far from a lighthouse, is where people come for a drink to watch the sunset and unexpectedly stay for the sunrise. Meals include…
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Itaewon & Yongsan-gu
Vegan wraps, avocado burgers, chickpea tagines and peanut stews are just some of the virtuously delicious highlights at this popular vegan hang-out…
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Seogwipo
Perched on a cliff overlooking the harbour, this is the place for barbecued beef or pork. The atmosphere is informal and boisterous thanks to the…
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Myeong-dong & Jung-gu
One worth dressing up for, this classy restaurant specialises in vegetarian temple dishes that date from the Goryeo dynsasty. It's all set-course,…
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Busan
Buying a raw-fish dinner couldn't be easier thanks to Jacky, the affable owner of this seafood restaurant. He speaks fluent English and uses signboards to…
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Jeju-si
Of the many restaurants overlooking the harbour, Haejin is the largest and one of the most popular places to try Jeju-do’s seafood specialities such as…
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Myeong-dong & Jung-gu
The special kalguksu (noodles in a meat, dumpling and vegetable broth) is famous, so it’s busy, busy, busy. Fortunately, it has multiple levels and a…
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Gyeongju
Since 1979, this cosy restaurant with a delightfully cluttered and rustic interior has been serving tasty pajeon (파전; scallion pancake; ₩10,000) made from…
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Gyeongju
Run by the ever-so-friendly Hae Yong, who can put together a decent BLT sandwich for you to munch on as you peruse the book-stuffed walls. Looking for…
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Seoul
You can enjoy the bright lights of Hongdae's student hang-outs but still dine at this converted hanok restaurant hidden in a quiet courtyard. The menu of…
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Jeju-do
The glasshouse-like garden restaurant has classy museum looks but is one of the best budget places around. There is only one dish, guksu (noodle soup)…
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Daegu
This terrific, welcoming, very popular ramen restaurant is a modern all-wood affair with busy, efficient staff and a short menu of excellent noodle dishes…
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Chungcheongnam-do
This popular restaurant with an eclectic interior serves delicious ssambap (rice and side dishes with lettuce wraps), with fragrant leaves and a whole…
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Gyeongju
This very atmospheric place is a traditional family-run courtyard restaurant beside Tumuli-gongwon, with a delicious and broad menu featuring lip-smacking…
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Seogwipo
The lowercase name hints at the minimalist black-and-white bistro so tiny you might miss it posing on the corner – a sign of the Lee Jung Seop-ro area's…
