Seoul(Seodaemun-gu) , Sinchon・Ewha Womans University

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.


Seoul(Jung-gu) , Euljiro・Chungmuro・Namsan

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.


Seoul(Jongno-gu) , Insadong・Jongnon

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.      


Seoul(Songpa-gu)

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


Seoul(Jung-gu) , Myeongdong

Bonsushi is an 'Edomae Sushi' specialty restaurant, serving the elegant tastes of Tokyo to businessmen at affordable prices, with menu sets starting at 10,000 won. In order to serve dishes at affordable prices, fresh fish, shellfish, and 15 other dishes, including the hard-to-come-by 'Okonomi' are constantly in rotation at this sushi restaurant.


Seoul(Jung-gu)

Opened in 1953 by a woman known as Mabongnim, the restaurant takes pride in its 50-plus years of service. As Mabongnim gained popularity, other similar establishments opened nearby, and eventually, formed the now famous “Teokbokki Street.” The elderly proprietor is well known, even starring in a red-pepper paste (gochujang) ad in the 1990's.The secret of this restaurant’s tteokbokki lies in the fact that red pepper paste is mixed with Chinese soybean paste for a sweet and spicy taste, but has now been adopted by other Sindangdong restaurants. Nevertheless, there is something special about this restaurant’s fare. At present, Mabongnim’s daughters-in-law are running the restaurant.


Seoul(Gangnam-gu) , Gangnam・Samseongdong(COEX)

“Pro Ganjang Gejang” is a restaurant serving soy sauce marinated crab (ganjang gejang). This restaurant opened in 1980 as the first ganjang gejang restaurant in Korea. Since its opening in Sinsa-dong, it has grown in popularity not only among Koreans, but also among foreign visitors. It opened branches in Samseong-dong in Seoul, Haeundae in Busan, and in Tokyo and Osaka in Japan.  


Seoul(Nowon-gu)

Situated in Gongneung-dong, Jeil Bean Restaurant has specialized in bean dishes for over 25 years. Using high-quality beans produced in Hongcheon (Gangwon-do), fresh beans are ground at the restaurant using millstones. There are a number of delicious dishes on the menu at Jeil Bean, from bean stew to dishes using tofu. Particularly popular is the cold bean noodles with rich broth that is a beloved summer dish among Koreans.


Seoul(Seodaemun-gu)

The owner of Pho'na Thai personally visited Ho Chi Minh City after falling in love with Vietnamese Pho, and began working at a restaurant there. In his spare time, he would visit popular restaurants in the area and noted the unique taste of each dish, then he opened his own restaurant, here in Korea. The pho of Ho Chi Minh City has been internationalized, and the most popular restaurant, Phobo, has stopped stressing the traditional taste of the olden days and now makes refreshingly spicy pho, to fit the tastes of its customers. Pho'na Thai has also followed in Phobo's footsteps, developing a refreshing taste that Korean's love. Every summer, the owner makes a trip to Vietnam to fix any imperfections in the taste of the noodles and to develop new menu items, furthering the restaurant's popularity. (All ingredients are directly imported from Vietnam).


Seoul(Jongno-gu) , Insadong・Jongnon

Jongno is home to a number of famous haejangguk restaurants, and Cheongjinok (청진옥) is considered the forerunner among them. Opened in 1937, the restaurant has been run by three generations of the same family. Beef bones are simmered for more than 24 hours to make a rich broth, and soybean paste is added to neutralize the meaty odor. Ingredients added to the broth include various vegetables, clotted beef blood, beef intestines, and rice. Always crowded, Cheongjinok is open 24 hours a day.