This place is famous for its Namwon-style crushed loach soup that was enjoyed by commoners in the olden days. Your mouth waters as boiling crushed loach soup in an earthen bowl is put on the table. With chopped hot chili peppers from Cheongyang and Chinese pepper flour, you can enjoy the taste of hot and spicy crushed loach soup. *Best Korean Restaurants As Designated by The Seoul Metropolitan Government

Bonkatsu Red Label is a premium Japanese restaurant in Korea boasting 11 years of tradition. Founded by the Bon Food System, the establishment brings to you a wide variety of Japanese food through restaurants such as the Bonkatsu Restaurant, Bonkatsu Deli Cafe, Bonsushi, and Bonkatsu Red Label. At the Lotte Department Store Main Branch, guests have the opportunity of trying Saikoro Steaks and Hamburg Steaks, along with other delicious menu items.

Located at the entry of Samcheong Park, Doban is a Korean restaurant that features dishes using seasonal ingredients. Doban means "partner" in Buddhism. The restaurant is in a remodeled house and has a large signboard outside, making it easy to find. The main draw of Doban lies in the fact that the restaurant uses only fresh, seasonal ingredients often not available to city residents. The most popular thing on the menu is the course meal called “banjeongsik,” which comes with five main dishes and nine side dishes. The array of simple, light food (such as salad, japchae, bossam, and jeon) is a delightful mix of flavors whose seasonal ingredients (such as ferns and lettuce) make each bite a palate-pleasing sensation. Banjeongsik is part of the lunch menu and is only available until 3 p.m. Other course items are ilpum, epum, and sampum. Doban is a great spot for family gatherings and business meetings.      

The Nolita Yeoksam Branch offers a diverse atmosphere as the hall is divided into 3 different concepts, along with a wine room for a comfortable and cozy dining experience. Nolita also emphasizes only the freshest ingredients for all of its delicious dishes.

Since 1975, Gami has been a beloved Korean diner specializing in noodle dishes. Any local would agree that recommending just one item to try at Gami is near impossible, so we will list a few of our favorites: udong (udon), bibim-guksu (noodles with veggie, meat and spicy sauce), bajirak-cham-guksu (noodle soup with clams), gul-kalguksu (hand-rolled noodle soup with oyster), dak-kalguksu (hand-rolled noodle in chicken broth), Gaseuo Udong (Katsuo udon), jjolmyeon (chewy cold noodle), dolsot-bibimbap (bibimbap in a hot stone pot), doenjang-jjigae (soybean paste stew), and kimchi-jjigae (kimchi stew). The hand-rolled rice dishes (think onigiri) have persisted as a long standing favorite as well. And if you have room after a delicious meal, then try their shaved ice deserts, an especially refreshing treat in the summer.

Located in the forest, with the fresh air blowing from the popular course on the Bugak Mountain Skyway, Bearhouse prides itself in 30 odd years of traditional, Western-style steak and seafood. As the nation's oldest restaurant, Bearhouse offers a beautiful view of the Bugak Mountain Skyway and refreshing clean air. Though the restaurant may be a little hard to find, all guests are rewarded with a delicious meal when they visit.

Located in Hyoje-dong in Jongno, Jipbul-gui Hwangso Gopchang (짚불구이황소곱창) specializes in straw-fire grilled bull intestines. Oriental herb powders are used to get rid of the smell of the intestines as well as burn away the fat. The use of straw in the fire further reduces the characteristic odor of the meat. Among the specialty restaurants serving the dish, this particular restaurant is quite famous, thanks in part to its appearance on several TV programs.

Nobizib is a specialty restaurant featuring Galbi (marinated and grilled beef ribs). A combination of the restaurant’s own special sauce, pure bronze gridiron, and oak tree charcoal creates a unique taste beloved by visitors and locals alike. The spicy galbi jjim (braised beef ribs) is another restaurant specialty.Located at the entrance of Myeongdong, Nobizib is easily accessible via public transportation and is frequented by Japanese tourists (thanks to the restaurant’s exposure in tour guidebooks and magazines in Japan).

Seven Springs delivers pleasure and well-being, as the food intends to serve an environmentally-friendly, healthy meal. The restaurant is styled with a pleasantly comfortable interior, while the open-kitchen allows guests to watch the chefs prepare the salads, for a more delightful dining experience.

All ingredients are directly delivered from the market in Mungyung. The ingredients such as jelly, soy bean curd, soy sauce, soybean paste, Korean hot pepper paste and fermented soybean paste are all made from Korean agricultural products so that they taste rich and solid. The most popular menu is buckwheat jelly table d’hote (for 2 people or more) with fermented soy bean paste and bean-curd paste. *Best Korean Restaurant as designated by The Seoul Metropolitan Government