What & Where to Eat in Seoul: Ultimate Seoul Food Guide 2026

If you’re wondering where to eat in Seoul, get ready for one of the most exciting food destinations in the world. South Korea’s capital is a paradise for food lovers, mixing classic dishes, fun desserts, and hidden spots that make you fall in love with the city’s flavors fast.

There are a few countries we’d return to just for the food, and South Korea is definitely one of them. Any time we talk about our week in Seoul, the food is the first thing that comes up. We even have a growing list of places we still want to try on our next visit.

Seoul may be the capital, but it feels more like one huge food playground. From smoky BBQ spots grilling up juicy pork belly to tiny street stalls dishing out steaming tteokbokki, the city turns everyday eating into part of the experience. We love eating like locals when we travel, so we made it our mission to find the best restaurants and street food stalls to try as many authentic Korean dishes as possible. We barely knew anything about Korean food before our trip, but we were curious, hungry, and ready to dive in.

In this Seoul food guide, we’ll share exactly what to eat, where to eat in Seoul, and some of our favorite food experiences from our time in South Korea’s incredible capital.

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Where to stay in Seoul?

We ended up staying a full week at Hostel Tommy (Check latest prices on Booking.com or Agoda) near Insadong. It’s right next to a metro station and just across from the lively Ikseon-dong, filled with cafés, bars, and restaurants. Plus, you can walk to most of Seoul’s major historic sites from here. It turned out to be our favourite part of the city, and honestly, we’d stay in the same area again on a future visit.

Below, you’ll find our favourite hotel picks for every budget in this part of the city.

Seoul Food Guide: What to Eat in Seoul

We love trying local food when we travel, and before visiting, Korean cuisine was still quite unfamiliar to us. That changed fast. Korean food quickly became one of our favorite cuisines in the world. Just thinking about what we ate in Seoul makes us want to book a return flight.

From street food snacks and comforting traditional dishes to Korean BBQ, café culture, and even surprisingly good burgers, Seoul is a true foodie city. Eating is easily one of the best things to do in Seoul. While kimchi might be the first thing that comes to mind, Korean cuisine goes far beyond spicy fermented cabbage. 

Korean food is all about balance and bold, comforting flavors. Most meals start with rice or noodles, lots of vegetables, and a mix of meats or seafood, thanks to its coastal location, all tied together with those famous fermented sauces like kimchi, gochujang, and doenjang. You’ll taste plenty of garlic, ginger, soy sauce, and sesame oil too. And the part we loved the most? All the little banchan dishes that land on your table instantly make the meal feel more fun. In Seoul, this traditional base meets a modern food scene, so you’ll find everything from simple kimchi stews to creative twists on classic flavors. It’s fresh, colorful, and the kind of food that makes every meal feel like part of the experience.

Below are some of the must-try dishes to add to your Seoul food guide, whether you’re eating at markets, casual restaurants, or traditional eateries.

Street Food Classics to Try in Seoul

Tteokbokki
One of the most iconic Korean street foods. Chewy rice cakes simmered in a spicy gochujang-based sauce, often with fish cakes. You’ll find it everywhere, from food stalls to subway stations.

Kimbap (Gimbap)
Rice, vegetables, and meat or fish rolled in seaweed. It’s widely eaten as a quick meal or snack, very similar to maki sushi, and is easy to find across Seoul.

Chimaek
Short for chicken and maekju (beer). Korean fried chicken is usually served with beer and comes in many variations, from plain crispy to sweet or spicy glazed versions.

Hotteok
A sweet Korean pancake filled with brown sugar, honey, cinnamon, and nuts. Most commonly sold from street carts, especially during the colder months.

Bindaetteok
A savory mung bean pancake made with vegetables and sometimes pork. It’s pan-fried and usually served with a light soy-based dipping sauce. Gwangjang Market is one of the best places to try it.

Traditional Korean Dishes You Shouldn’t Miss

Korean BBQ
Grilled meat cooked at the table, usually beef or pork. Popular cuts include samgyeopsal (pork belly) and chadol (brisket). Meals are served with lettuce, sauces, and multiple side dishes.

Bibimbap
A bowl of warm rice topped with vegetables, gochujang, and often beef and an egg. Everything is mixed together before eating.

Samgyetang
A traditional ginseng chicken soup made with a whole young chicken stuffed with rice, garlic, jujubes, and ginseng, served in a light broth.

Seolleongtang
Oxtail bone soup simmered for many hours until the broth turns milky. It’s usually served plain, allowing you to season it yourself with salt, pepper, and green onions.

Kimchi Jjigae
A spicy stew made with fermented kimchi, tofu, pork, and vegetables. Commonly eaten as a comfort dish, especially in cooler weather.

Bulgogi
Thinly sliced beef marinated in soy sauce, garlic, sesame oil, and pear, then grilled or stir-fried.

Mandu
Korean dumplings filled with meat, vegetables, or kimchi. They can be steamed, pan-fried, boiled, or deep-fried.

Makguksu
Buckwheat noodles typically served cold, either in a chilled broth or mixed with a spicy sauce. Often topped with vegetables and seaweed.

Kalguksu
Hand-cut wheat noodles served in a warm broth, usually with vegetables and sometimes seafood or meat.

Kimchi
A traditional fermented side dish made most commonly from napa cabbage or radish, seasoned with chili powder, garlic, and ginger. It’s served with almost every meal in Seoul.

Where to eat in Seoul: Our top picks!

1. Tosokchon Samgyetang

If you’re wondering where to eat in Seoul for a truly traditional experience, Tosokchon is the perfect place to start. This was hands down our favorite restaurant in Seoul and the meal we still talk about most.

Tosokchon is famous for its samgyetang, a comforting ginseng chicken soup made with a whole young chicken stuffed with glutinous rice and red dates, simmered in a rich broth of Korean ginseng, garlic, jujube, and herbs. We didn’t fully know what to expect going in. But after seeing it recommended over and over as one of the best places to eat in Seoul, we gave it a try. And wow. It completely blew us away.

The restaurant sits just west of Gyeongbokgung Palace, close to Seochon Hanok Village. It’s an easy stop before or after sightseeing and a beautiful one at that. You dine inside a traditional hanok, which instantly makes the experience feel special. Alongside the soup, you’re served kimchi, garlic, soybean paste, and salt and pepper, so you can season the chicken exactly how you like. Then comes the unexpected bonus: a small glass of insamju, ginseng wine, which pairs surprisingly well with the dish.

Yes, there’s often a line. But the place is huge and incredibly efficient, so it moves fast. Tosokchon has been open for over 30 years, and it’s easy to see why it’s often listed as serving some of the best samgyetang in Seoul. 

📍 Jongno District | Near Gyeongbokgung Palace

Address: 5 Jahamun-ro 5-gil, Jongno District, Seoul, South Korea

2. Ikseon Tonkatsu

We don’t often go back to the same restaurant twice on one trip. But Ikseon Tonkatsu was that good. And conveniently close to where we stayed near Ikseon-dong Hanok Village.

This small, no-frills spot is tucked away in an alley and almost always full. Mostly with locals, which is usually a very good sign. They do one thing exceptionally well: tonkatsu, or Korean-style pork cutlet.

You’re served two massive, ultra-tender pieces of pork on a large platter, along with rice, pickled vegetables, and a rich curry sauce (you can ask for it spicy). There’s also a light broth soup and extra radish kimchi on the side. The portions are generous, the prices are reasonable, and the staff is genuinely friendly.

If you’re looking for where to eat in Seoul beyond tourist-heavy spots, this is one of those understated local gems that really stand out.

📍 Ikseon-dong, Jongno District

Address: 105 Ikseon-dong, Jongno District, Seoul, South Korea

3. 청국장밥

Before this trip, we barely knew Korean cuisine beyond the basics. This little restaurant was one of our very first real introductions, and it couldn’t have been better.

We stumbled upon it after visiting Changgyeonggung Palace, on the way to Jongmyo Shrine. The menu outside immediately caught our attention. Minimal choices, set menus, and no fuss. Exactly what we like. Each set comes with multiple small dishes, which makes it ideal if you want to try a variety of flavors.

We ordered the bulgogi and cheonggukjang, a fermented soybean paste stew. The woman working there kindly explained how to eat it: mix some of the stew and vegetables into your rice. It was warm, earthy, and incredibly comforting. The bulgogi was equally impressive. Thinly sliced, marinated meat that we honestly devoured.

The side dishes came with kimchi, cabbage, aubergine, and perilla leaves. We weren’t entirely sure how everything was supposed to be eaten, so we improvised. Bulogi wrapped in perilla leaves? Absolutely delicious. Whether or not we did it “right,” it was one of our favorite meals.

For anyone curious about authentic, everyday Korean food, this spot deserves a place on your Seoul food guide.

📍 Near Changgyeonggung Palace

Address: 78-1 Inui-dong, Jongno District, Seoul, South Korea

4. 고씨네동해막국수 종로직영점

Tucked away on a side street in artsy Insadong, this cozy hanok-style restaurant is an excellent stop if you’re exploring the area and wondering where to eat in Seoul without straying too far.

They serve a wide range of classic Korean dishes, from kimbap and beef short rib soup to tofu stew and buckwheat noodles. I came here with one goal in mind: my first proper bibimbap.

Bibimbap literally means “mixed rice,” and that’s exactly what you get. A bowl of warm rice topped with seasoned vegetables, gochujang, minced beef, seaweed, and an egg. You mix everything together before eating, and it’s as satisfying as it is simple. I loved it so much that I still crave it when thinking back on our Seoul trip.

Moritz went for the cold buckwheat noodles with perilla oil, topped with seaweed (makguksu). Surprisingly, he ranked it as one of his favorite dishes of the trip. And that’s coming from someone who normally avoids seaweed altogether.

📍 Insadong, Jongno District

Address: 3 Insadong 12-gil, Jongno District, Seoul, South Korea

5. Bangtae Makguksu

After Moritz fell hard for buckwheat noodles, we knew we had to try a place specializing in them. Bangtae Makguksu, just off Insadong’s main street, is always buzzing around lunchtime, which made it an easy choice.

Moritz ordered the bibim makguksu, the spicy, dry version mixed with a gochujang-based sauce. Served cold, you mix everything together before eating. He loved it, though he still slightly preferred the noodles from our previous stop.

I went for mul makguksu, the soup version. Traditionally served cold in a light broth made from beef or chicken, with cucumber, radish, and seaweed. The flavors were clean and refreshing, though personally, I realized I’m just not into cold soup, and would have preferred the hot version. Still very tasty though!

We also ordered a side of bossam, boiled pork belly, which turned out to be the perfect addition. Rich, tender, and great for sharing.

📍 Insadong

Address: 4 Insadong 6-gil, Gwanhun-dong, Jongno District, Seoul, South Korea

6. Yeongchunok

Located near Ikseon-dong Hanok Village, Yeongchunok is a Seoul institution that’s been around for more than 75 years. The restaurant is best known for its gomtang, a beef bone soup made by simmering beef shank bones for many hours until the broth turns cloudy and milky white. Brisket and other cuts of beef are added, along with rice and soft wheat noodles.

At the table, you season the soup yourself with salt, black pepper, and chopped spring onions, which lets you adjust it exactly to your taste. It’s simple, filling, and especially comforting on colder days. We came here at the end of a chilly autumn afternoon, and it warmed us up instantly.

What stood out just as much as the food was the atmosphere. Groups of people sat around small tables, sharing soup, soju, and conversations after work. It felt like a scene straight out of a Korean drama, or at least how we had always imagined Seoul would feel.

📍 Ikseon-dong

Address: 13 Donhwamun-ro 5 ga-gil, Jongno District, Seoul, South Korea

7. Korean BBQ in Seoul

Besides kimchi, Korean BBQ is probably the most well-known part of Korean cuisine, and for good reason. Prime cuts of meat like bulgogi (thinly sliced marinated beef) and galbi (marinated beef short ribs) are grilled right at your table, usually over gas or charcoal. Charcoal grills are often preferred, as they add a subtle smokiness to the meat.

Meat is relatively expensive in Korea, so Korean BBQ is usually one of the pricier meals during a trip. Still, it’s absolutely something you should eat in Seoul. You’ll find BBQ restaurants all over the city, so there’s no shortage of options.

We looked into several places around Ikseon-dong, where BBQ spots line both the main streets and quieter side alleys. Some places clearly catered to tourists, with staff calling out to passersby, while others were packed with locals enjoying dinner after work. We had planned to visit Iksundong Farm on our last evening, but I ended up getting sick, which just gives us a good reason to come back.

8. Bukchon Son-mandu Samcheong-dong

Mandu are Korean dumplings and come in many forms: steamed, fried, boiled, or served in soup, with fillings ranging from meat and vegetables to kimchi. We tried mandu at Bukchon Son-mandu, located near Bukchon Hanok Village. It’s actually a franchise, so you’ll find branches across Seoul.

We ordered a mixed platter to try several types at once. Our favorites were the steamed mandu, especially the round, meatball-style ones. The fried half-moon mandu reminded us of empanadas or chebureki, which we know from Kazakhstan. We also ordered mandu soup, filled with the same dumplings.

While everything tasted good, it was a lot of similar flavors in one meal. In hindsight, we would recommend pairing mandu with something like kalguksu (knife-cut noodle soup) or naengmyeon (cold noodles) for more variety.

📍 Bukchon Hanok Village

Address: 66-2 Yulgok-ro 3-gil, Jongno District, Seoul, South Korea 

9. Bindaetteok at Gwangjang market

Established in 1905, Gwangjang Market is one of the oldest traditional markets in South Korea and also one of the largest, with thousands of stalls packed under one roof. While you’ll find fresh produce and seafood here, the market is especially famous for its prepared food section.

Vendors sell classics like kimbap, tteokbokki, and soondae, but Gwangjang Market is particularly known for bindaetteok, or mung bean pancakes. Several stalls in the center of the market specialize in this dish.

The pancake is pan-fried until crisp around the edges while staying soft and filling in the middle. It’s served with a tangy dipping sauce and a small side of pickled onions. If you’re figuring out where to eat in Seoul and want a traditional market experience, this is an easy place to add to your list.

📍 Gwangjang Market

10. Pojangmachas around Ikseondong

Before coming to Seoul, I didn’t know the name for those iconic red street food tents, but I definitely knew them from watching too many K-dramas. These red tents are called pojangmacha (포장마차), often shortened to pocha, and they’re most commonly found in areas like Ikseon-dong and Jongno.

Every afternoon around 5 pm, the tents start popping up along side streets. They serve simple Korean comfort food like tteokbokki, eomuk (fish cakes), skewers, and plenty of soju. While traditional pojangmacha are becoming rarer, you can still find them mostly around Jongno 3-ga.

The tents near Ikseon-dong were packed every evening, filled with young locals sharing food and drinks after work. The atmosphere alone makes it worth stopping by, and it’s one of the most fun ways to experience Seoul’s street food scene.

📍 Ikseon-dong, Jongno 3-ga

11. Myeongdong Kyoja Main Restaurant

Myeongdong Kyoja has been around for over 50 years and is a true Seoul classic. The place is even Michelin-recognized for its simple but exceptional dishes. The line can look intimidating, with a mix of tourists and locals, but it moves fast thanks to how efficiently everything is run. If you want to avoid the wait, come between meal times.

The menu has only four dishes, and their famous kalguksu is the main reason to visit. These knife-cut wheat noodles are served in a rich chicken broth with minced chicken, perfectly warming and full of flavor. Their steamed mandu are another favorite.

It’s the ideal place to stop during a day of shopping in Myeongdong: comforting food, quick service, and very reasonable prices for the area.

📍 Myeongdong 

Address: 29 Myeongdong 10-gil, Jung District, Seoul, South Korea

12. Art Monster Ikseon-dong

Chimaek, or fried chicken and beer, is one of Korea’s most beloved food pairings. Double-fried chicken for extra crunch + an ice-cold beer = perfection. You’ll find chimaek spots all over Seoul, and honestly, half the fun is just stepping into whichever place feels right while you’re out exploring. Still, a quick check on Google or Naver reviews never hurts.

We stumbled upon Art Monster during an evening walk in Ikseon-dong and were instantly drawn in by the cozy setting and the promise of craft beer. We ordered a combo of two types of fried chicken, and everything was spot on. Great beer, great food, and such an easy, relaxed night out.

If you’re a foodie, trying chimaek in Seoul is a must, right up there with having Korean BBQ and grabbing tteokbokki at a pojangmacha.

📍 Ikseon-dong

Address: 30 Donhwamun-ro 11da-gil, Jongno District, Seoul, South Korea 

13. Anguk Restaurant Doma & Yuzu Ramen Anguk | Korean bbq

On a cold night, especially when you’re feeling under the weather, nothing hits the spot like a good bowl of ramen. We found this place while wandering through the little alleys south of Bukchon Hanok Village, an area packed with small restaurants and cozy corners.

Anguk Restaurant Doma is mostly known for Korean BBQ, but they also serve Yuzu ramen, which was exactly what we needed: a salty, rich broth, perfectly springy noodles, and tender meat that fell apart effortlessly. We devoured our bowls so quickly that we totally forgot to take our own picture. So that says a lot! The atmosphere is warm and intimate too, with soft lighting and a stylish interior. If BBQ is more your thing, they offer both bar seating and more private lounge-style spots.

📍 Anguk, Bukchon hanok village

Address: 14 Bukchon-ro 2-gil, Jongno District, Seoul, South Korea

Below are 3 of our personal non-Korean food recommendations, but we loved them so much we had to include them:

14. Smoke Town

While wandering around Itaewon, an area known for its nightlife and international food scene, we passed Smoke Town and couldn’t resist going in. They specialize in American-style BBQ platters, something we don’t often find back home (Belgium & Germany), so Moritz didn’t even pretend to give me a choice.

We ordered a two-meat platter with brisket and pulled pork, plus sides like baked beans, potato salad, and coleslaw. It even came with a small soup and extra salad. The portion was huge and unbelievably good value, around $35 for two. Everything was tender, juicy, and full of flavor.

The interior is clean, modern, and unfussy, with just a few fun Western touches. Drinks were served by little robot waiters, and we even tried our first Mountain Dew, which is artificial neon green but surprisingly tasty. If you’re craving something non-Korean, this is a great pick.

📍 Itaewon

Address: 1층, 준아트빌, 40 Itaewon-ro 27na-gil, Yongsan District, Seoul, South Korea

15. Se7en Patty Burger

After spending months traveling in Asia, nothing hits quite like a good hamburger, and Seoul’s burger scene is incredible. Se7en Patty Burger popped up while we were exploring Gangnam, and with ratings that good, we had to try it.

This ended up being one of the best smash burgers we’ve ever had. Moritz literally said it was the best hamburger of his life. The patty was juicy, the secret sauce was addictive, and the fries were some of the best I ever had abroad, which says a lot coming from a Belgian and very picky about her fries. You can customize toppings, but I loved the classic smash just as it is.

The place is small and cozy with American diner accents, friendly staff, and even little details like American-brand pepper on the table. Such a fun stop in Gangnam.

📍 Gangnam district

Address: 815 Seolleung-ro, Gangnam District, Seoul, South Korea

16. Daily Fix Euljiro / 데일리픽스 을지로

Another great burger spot, Daily Fix sits in the trendy Euljiro area near Myeongdong. Before trying Se7en Patty, this was our top pick in Seoul. Their truffle burger was my personal favorite, which was rich, aromatic, and so satisfying. The fries didn’t win me over completely, but the burger more than made up for it.

A perfect place to grab something non-Korean during your trip, especially if you’re already exploring the cafés and hidden alleys around Euljiro.

📍 Euljiro, Myeongdong

Address: 104호, 24 Namdaemun-ro 9-gil, Jung District, Seoul, South Korea

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