Seoul(Yongsan-gu) , Itaewon・Yongsan

Nestled in Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu in Seoul, 'Bada Sikdang' stands as a testament to South Korea's rich culinary history, operating since the early 1970s for over 40 years. The restaurant is renowned for its signature dish, the Johnson Tang, a hearty stew brimming with ham, sausage, and cabbage. The specialty doesn't end there; it beautifully marries the sweetness of cabbage and the generous amount of sausages with the savory goodness of cheese, creating a gastronomic symphony of flavors that keep you coming back for more. For those unacquainted with Korean cuisine, the star of Bada Sikdang, Budae-jjigae (known as army base stew in English), originated from South Korea and embodies a spicy Korean stew crafted with an assortment of ingredients, which are often canned or processed for an enriched flavor profile. The harmonious blend includes elements such as ham, sausage, Spam, baked beans, kimchi, instant noodles, and the Korean chili paste, gochujang. Not just a treat for your palate, it has become a popular anju (a dish accompanied with alcoholic drinks) and a go-to comfort food prepared in a large pot to share the joy with others. It doesn't just offer a hearty meal but an experience of Korean culinary traditions deeply ingrained in the culture, resonating with names such as army stew and spicy sausage stew. Photo / 写真 / 照片(instagram) @hyunju_kwak Photo / 写真 / 照片(instagram) @j_heartt Photo / 写真 / 照片(instagram) @jjjjjjjjjjo_o110 What further elevates the allure of 'Bada Sikdang' is its reputation as a hotspot frequented by K-POP idols and Hallyu stars. It has essentially turned into a hallmark of Korean tourism, offering not just a feast for your taste buds but also a treasure hunt for fans where they can find traces of their favorite stars' visits. As such, the establishment promises not just a meal, but a rich experience steeped in Korean culture and the modern phenomenon of the Hallyu wave, enticing fans and food enthusiasts alike to make a necessary stop in their Korean journey. It holds a position of reverence in the world of gastronomy, showcasing the authentic flavors of Korea while letting you brush up with the star-studded visits, making it a must-visit destination in Seoul.


Seoul(Yongsan-gu)

Since its opening in 1998, Cheongsa Chorong has been one of the most popular restaurants in Itaewon, particularly among Japanese and Chinese tourists. It serves a wide variety of traditional Korean dishes and stages 30-minutes shows featuring traditional Korean performances including seungmu (Buddhist Dance), taepyeongmu (Great Peace Dance), and janggochum (Drum Dance) at 7:00pm every night.


Seoul(Yongsan-gu) , Itaewon・Yongsan

An authentic American burger joint along one of the main restaurant streets of Itaewon, ’Smokey Saloon’ (est. 2005) is decorated like an old pub from the American ‘Wild West.’ Visitors may be surprised, however, that the burger restaurant is not filled with the scent of cigarette smoke, but rather the heavenly aroma of quality beef. The restaurant is famous for serving up thick beef patties that are seasoned only with salt and pepper, preserving the juicy flavor of the meat. The representative burger, the ‘Smoky Burger’ (a thick patty with roasted bacon, sauce, and cheese) is a customer favorite.


Seoul(Yongsan-gu) , Itaewon・Yongsan


Seoul(Mapo-gu) , Hongik-University-Area


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

Yongkoong Yeoksam Branch is located on the 21st floor of the Korea Technology Center in Yeoksam-dong, so it has a great view of Seoul. This authentic Chinese restaurant serves Beijing and Guangdong-style cuisine made of carefully selected ingredients and prepared by a master chef who used to work at a first class hotel. - Conveniently located in Gangnam, it has 120 seats in the main hall and 80 seats in rooms. - You can reserve a whole room for your baby’s first birthday party, meeting, special occasions, or formal meetings between families. - The restaurant serves a wide variety of dishes to choose from.


Seoul(Seodaemun-gu)

Chef’s Noodle is a modern, fusion-style restaurant specializing in noodles, jeon (Korean pancake), and rice dishes. Serving quality fare at reasonable prices, the restaurant continues to develop new menu items to appeal to a wider range of customers.


Seoul(Seongbuk-gu)

In business for more than 40 years, Seongbukdong Dwaejigalbijip (성북동 돼지갈비집) has become a local legend thanks to its simple but savory menu. Pork served at the restaurant is marinated overnight in a special sauce, which infuses the meat with rich flavors that are released when the meat is grilled and the fat drips off. The restaurant’s main dishes include Dwaeji Galbi and Dwaeji Bulgogi Baekban (set meal with Bulgogi meat grilled over the fire).


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

Jongjeom has been open for 25 years. Initially, it was located at the end of Tteok-bokki Street, which is how it earned the name Jongjeom, meaning "the end of the line." (Currently, several other restaurants have opened up around Jeongjeom’s original location). The restaurant serves Sindangdong-style tteok-bokki, which combines red pepper paste and Chinese soybean paste to create a sweet and spicy fare. Another well-known specialty is dakbal (fried chicken feet seasoned with red pepper paste), which is especially popular among secondary school students. Tip: Order tteok-bokki to get a free soda.