Most of the restaurant guides on this site are built around a subway station or a single building, because that is usually how the decision gets made: you are already near Gwanghwamun, or inside the COEX mall, or walking out of Euljiro, and you want somewhere good nearby. This page groups those guides by area so you can find the one closest to where you are staying or sightseeing.
Markets have their own section. They work differently from restaurants: you often eat at a stall counter, and at Noryangjin you buy seafood downstairs first and pay a restaurant to cook it. At the end are the practical guides, from booking a table as a foreigner to how Korean BBQ is ordered and where vegetarians have options.
Jongno & Gwanghwamun
Office-district lunches around Gwanghwamun and hanok restaurants in Bukchon.
The 10 Best Restaurants in D Tower Gwanghwamun
Ten restaurants in the D Tower building next to Gwanghwamun Station, from modern Chinese to Hanwoo.
Gwanghwamun Restaurants: 20 Best Picks in Seoul (2026)
Twenty places around Gwanghwamun Square for Korean classics, quick lunches and dinner.
The 6 Best Restaurants in Bukchon Hanok Village
Hanjeongsik, hanok fine dining and pasta bars inside the hanok neighborhood.
City Hall, Euljiro & Myeongdong
Old-school soup and noodle shops sit next to newer places in this part of Jung-gu.
8 Best City Hall Restaurants Near City Hall Station, Seoul
Naengmyeon, gomtang, jokbal and city-view dining near City Hall Station.
Gangnam & Samseong
Mall dining at COEX, the streets around Samseong Station and Michelin-listed restaurants.
The 8 Best Restaurants in Starfield COEX Mall
Eight restaurants inside the COEX mall at Samseong Station.
The 10 Best Restaurants in Samseong-dong (Samseong Station/삼성역)
Ten places to eat around COEX and the World Trade Center in Samseong-dong.
Sinchon, Yeonnam-dong & Itaewon
University-area restaurants west of the center, and the international mix around Itaewon.
The 10 Best Restaurants in Sinchon Near Sinchon Station
Korean BBQ and international food near Sinchon Station.
The 7 Best Restaurants in Yeonnam-dong Near Hongik University Station
Restaurants and cafes in Yeonnam-dong, a short walk from Hongik University Station.
The 10 Best Restaurants in Itaewon Near Itaewon Station
Korean BBQ, dumplings, tacos, Thai and Italian within walking distance of Itaewon Station.
Markets
- Gwangjang Market: Your Ultimate Guide to Seoul’s Culinary Gem: bindae-tteok, yukhoe and mayak gimbap at the food stalls in Jongno.
- Namdaemun Market Guide: Hours, Food & What to Buy: the kalguksu and galchi jorim alleys, reached from Hoehyeon Station.
- Mangwon Market Food Guide: What to Eat Near Mangwon Station: what to eat, with a half-day route along Mangridan-gil.
- Noryangjin Fish Market Guide: Hours, Prices & How to Order: how the buy-then-cook system works and how to avoid overpaying.
- Gyeongdong Market Starbucks 1960 Guide: Jegi-dong Exit 2: the cafe inside Gyeongdong Market, from Jegi-dong Station Exit 2.
Know before you eat
- Can Foreigners Book Restaurants in Korea? CatchTable Guide
- Mastering Korean BBQ: Ultimate Guide to Cuts, Grilling, & Ssam
- Mastering Late-Night Pojangmacha Culture: Your Guide to Ordering & Etiquette
- Seoul Street Food: An Epic Culinary Adventure Guide
- 10 Korean food Foreigners Absolutely Love (And Why You Should Try Them)
- Seoul’s Top 20 Vegan and Vegetarian Korean Restaurants
- Vegan and Vegetarian Food in Seoul: What to Eat & Order
- Korean Convenience Store Must-Buys & Creative Meal Hacks
- Can Foreigners Use Baemin & Coupang Eats in Korea?
- Master Korean Cuisine: Traditional Cooking Classes in Seoul
Planning the rest of the trip? See the trip checklist or explore Jongno & Gwanghwamun.
Photos on this page: Korea Tourism Organization (visitkorea.or.kr), Korea Open Government License Type 1. Title graphics: Korea Visiting.