It goes without saying that getting a taste of Korean food is an absolute must in Korea. Yet looking for the best place to eat can be tough without recommendations. With the widely used South Korean navigation system T Map, you can easily find popular restaurants near you.
In this article, we list the five most popular Seoul restaurants on T Map that you might want to add to your itinerary.
Get one gratifying meal at Myeongdong Kyoja. This restaurant is known for their kalguksu (knife-cut noodle soup) and mandu (dumplings). The kalguksu has a deep and flavorful taste that many enjoy. Their other dishes such as bibim-guksu (spicy noodles) and kong-guksu (soymilk noodle soup) are also well-loved by both locals and tourists alike.
Myeongdong Kyoja serves fast without sacrificing taste, one important reason why people frequent this restaurant. It is also another Michelin Bib Gourmand awardee, a testament to its passion for good noodles.
Location: 29 Myeongdong 10-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
Store Hours: 10:30 AM - 8:30 PM (weekdays); 10:30 AM - 9:30 PM (weekends and holidays)
Taste some comforting traditional Korean food at Samcheongdong Sujebi. Their titular dish - sujebi (hand-pulled dough soup) - is served in a clay pot together with kimchi. The large serving size is perfect for a diner on an empty stomach. Besides sujebi, they also sell good gamjajeon (potato pancakes) and pajeon (green onion pancakes).
Fill yourself with some gamjatang (pork bone soup) at Somunnan Seongsu Gamjatang. Located near Seongsu and Konkuk University, this restaurant uses top quality meat served in very generous amounts. One can choose from three sizes of this meal to share among friends.
Thanks to this tasty dish, expect long lines when you visit, especially at dinnertime. The restaurant was also featured on the SBS variety show Baek Jong Won’s Top 3 Chef King, bringing it even more recognition.
Location: 45 Yeonmujang-gil, Seongsu-dong 2-ga, Seongdong-gu, Seoul
Store Hours: Open 24 hours a day
Ttosunine (“tto-soon-ee-neh', not “tto-su-9'), located in Yeongdeungpo-gu, is considered to have the best doenjang jjigae (soybean paste stew) in Korea. Although their jjigae is their most popular dish, Ttosunine also specializes in Korean barbecue, with many of their customers enjoying their signature toshisal (marinated hanger steak / onglet).
Location: 16 Seonyu-ro 47-gil, Yangpyeongdong 4-ga, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul
Store Hours: 11:30 AM - 9:00 PM Mon-Fri; 11:30 AM - 2:00 PM Sat-Sun
Ever wondered what cold noodles taste like? Wooraeok is best known for their flavorful bowl of naengmyeon (cold noodle soup). It's one of the most iconic old restaurants in Seoul that just keeps people coming back for more. Aside from naengmyeon, they are also known for their bulgogi (grilled marinated beef).
This restaurant in the Jugyo-dong neighborhood has been standing since 1946. Unlike other stores with shabby exteriors, Wooraeok goes for a classy, sophisticated look. They’re so popular that they’ve begun to expand globally, specifically in the U.S.
Location: 62-29 Changgyeonggung-ro, Jugyo-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul
Store Hours: 11:30 AM - 9:30 PM Tue-Sun
Sources: T-Map, YouTube Channels (Delicious Haven - Foodie, asacplace, 먹즐남, 술읽는청년_A man reading a liquor, 더들리)
