Shim’s Tapas, opened in 2006, introduced Spanish tapas to Korea, attracting many young and trend-conscious people in the Hongdae area and foreign residents of Seoul. Shim's Tapas serves Spanish cuisine cooked with natural ingredients and spices. The bread, including baguettes, rye bread, and olive bread, are baked in the restaurant kitchen. Along with 30 different kinds of tapas, other items that are available include rice dishes, spaghetti, pizza, wine, beer, cocktails, and coffee.

Suyeonsanbang, a traditional Korean tea house located in Seongbuk-dong, was originally the house where the late Korean author Lee Tae-Jun wrote many of his books. Now, his estate has opened Suyeonsanbang’s doors to the public in the form of a charming and peaceful tea house. Famous for its savory tea, beautiful nature, and rich history, Suyeonsanbang has been covered by a variety of foreign media outlets like NHK (Japan), BBC (UK), French TV channels, and numerous Japanese magazines. To take a break during the summer heat, visitors come to Suyeonsanbang to try their patbingsu (shaved ice with red beans), one of its summer specialties. So come relax and be inspired in this traditional Hanok tea house.

Woonsan (Formerly, Yongsusan) is a traditional Korean restaurant located in the basement of the Seoul Finance Center. For the past 30 years, the restaurant has been serving up Gaeseong-style (Old capital of Goryeo Dynasty), which is said to be experienced using each of the five senses. Though the restaurant offers a variety of traditional course meals, the best-selling course is Haewon Jeongsik. This special set meal typically starts with porridge for soothing the stomach and then moves on to more substantial dishes like Kimchi, mung bean jelly, vegetable dishes, pork, beef, jeon (Korean-style pancakes), Gujeolpan (a platter of nine delicacies), Tteokgalbi (grilled short rib meat patties), rice steamed in bamboo, and desserts. Private rooms are also available in various sizes for business meetings or special family gatherings.

Seochon Traditional Sundae Soup House is considered a must-visit destination. It was shown in the Korean drama series, “Doctors, as a restaurant owned by the father of the main character, Yoo Hye Jung (actress: Park Shin Hye). It is known for its special deep-tasting beef broth, which they brew with marrowbone for 24 hours. Its old-fashioned, traditional style Hanok architecture and its neat interior evokes the Korean traditional castle: Gyeongbokgung and its surroundings. Not only is the Sundae Soup first in its class, the in-house Kimchi is one of the best in its category as well. After the meal, don’t forget to take a photo where the “Doctors” couple, Jiho-Hyejung, enjoyed rice soup.  

Asosan offers quality Japanese dishes cooked by a professional chef who has years of experience working as a chef at such noted places as Hyatt Hotel, Walkerhill Hotel, and famous sushi restaurants in Tokyo. In addition to traditional Japanese dishes like sushi, sashimi, udong (hot noodle soup), the restaurant also offers a wide range of delicacies that uses ingredients such as puffer fish, eel, pine mushroom, crab, etc.

Among the many Thai restaurants in Itaewon, you’ll experience the most authentic Thai cuisine here. Run by the Baiyoke Hotel of Thailand, the mouth-watering food and wonderful service bring customers back often. Most of the cooks and employees have come from Thailand to work here. A typical Thai dish is tom yam kung (spicy shrimp soup). Various spices are added to give this dish its remarkably unique flavor. People who have tried the cuisine for the first time might need some time to get accustomed to the taste, but once they do, they’ll want more. Delicately spiced noodles, which are sautéed with various vegetables as well as beef or chicken, go well with tom yam kung. TIP: Since the restaurant is managed by Itaewon Hotel, there is a surtax of 10% and a service fee of 10% which are added to the bill.

Dduksim Hanu - Gwanghwamun Branch offers outstanding Korean beef at an exceptional price. The interior of the restaurant is also very attractive, bringing the beauty and liveliness of nature inside. The restaurant has rooms of various sizes ranging enough seating for groups as large as 50 people, to rooms for just two people for a private dining experience. Dduksim Hanu is the perfect location for VIP dinners, family outings, company dinners and more.

It is a shabu-shabu-style handmade dumpling restaurant with handmade dumplings and various vegetables.

Thick and rich broth makes a good impression here. Boiled chicken with ginseng (Samgyetang) gives a soft and tender taste with glutinous rice, chestnuts, ginseng and Chinese dates. The rich flavor of ginseng liquor, fried chicken gizzard, cubed white radishes, cabbage kimchi, and garlic with Korean hot pepper paste makes this dish even better. *Best Korean Restauranta as designated by The Seoul Metropolitan Government  

Opened during the remodeling of Myeong-dong Cathedral, Bistro 74 is a Korean Western fusion restaurant located at the first floor of the Myeong-dong Cathedral. Its feature dishes like fusion rice and quality-made sandwiches, and it’s a great place to enjoy a cup of coffee. Its terrace is especially popular as a place to peacefully enjoy the sites and people of Myeong-dong, and they also do take-out.