Opened in 1991, Jihwaja hopes to introduce ‘Royal Cuisine of the Joseon Dynasty’ (Intangible Cultural Property No. 38) to the public. Using fresh seasonal ingredients all year-round, it is recognized as the best royal cuisine restaurant in Korea. Here you can experience the unique food culture and the secret recipes of the family of Hwang Hye-seong using all your five senses.
Santorini is a Greek restaurant located in Itaewon along ‘Restaurant Street’ located behind the Hamilton Hotel. Decorated in a Mediterranean theme, the restaurant offers authentic Greek food cooked by native Greek chefs. Main dishes include Saganaki (deep-fried chunks of cheese), Gyros (meat barbeque) with pita bread, Souvlaki (skewers of meat), and Moussaka.
This restaurant's feature items are its Samseon-nurungjitang, Dongpayuk, and Seafood Galbi. Seafood is plentiful in the Samseon-nurungjitang, making for a delicous soup base to which nicely browned rice is added later. When the browned rice is added to the soup base, a loud crackling noise is heard, which signals the beginning of a delicious meal.
Migami is a Japanese restaurant specializing in fresh sashimi. Popular dishes on the menu include seasonal fish, sashimi, grilled eel, abalone soup, putter fish, noodles and fried seafood platters. The restaurant has private rooms for groups of 4, 6 or 10 people, as well as banquet rooms that can each accommodate up to 50 people.
Korean beef bulgogi (marinated thinly-sliced beef) and gomguksu (wheat flour noodles in a thick beef bone soup) are the most popular items here. Another popular menu item is the North Korean-style wangmandu (large dumpling). Because they serve simple main dishes and elaborate side dishes, this place is a favorite with many.
Samonim Dongaseu is a popular dongaseu (pork cutlet) restaurant despite its location hidden in the alleys. The fresh salad and butter-roast potato are served with the thick and crispy meat. The amount served is plentiful enough to satisfy even the hunger of any grown man.
Hyoja Bakery is a cozy and small bakery famous for supplying nutritious and healthy baked goods for Cheongwadae (the Blue House), Seoul Government Complex and 10 kindergarten schools. The bakery has been in the same spot for nearly 3 decades, located in Seochon, Jongno-gu. The 24/7 store is 3 stories tall, where the 2nd and 3rd floors are used for producing delicious breads, and the 1st floor is the sales venue. From donuts, to croquettes and bagels, they make a wide variety of delicious breads. Among the many great treats, the most famous is the homemade corn bread filled with sweet corn, minced onion, mushrooms, and bamboo shoots. Although Hyoja does not have point saving cards like many chain stores do, it does offer a lot of free samples, and additional free breads for purchases over 10,000 won. Customers make repeat visits for this kind of service only found at small bakeries like Hyoja.
Taco Chilichili serves high-quality taco dishes that are simple, delicious, and reasonably priced. Though food at the restaurant differs somewhat from traditional Mexican cuisine, the quesadillas, and rice-filled burritos will still be sure to tantalize your taste buds.
Indoor dining areas are located on the first and second floors of the restaurant; there is also an outdoor dining area on the second floor, where you can enjoy an exotic atmosphere as you eat. The dining area on the first floor only has a few tables and can be noisier, but it also gives diners the unique experience of seeing their food as it’s prepared. For a quieter and more open dining experience, head up to the wider seating sections on the second floor.