Seoul(Jongno-gu) , Insadong・Jongnon

Located in the hub of Korean culture, Insa-dong, Doodaemunjip has been serving Korean fusion cuisine for the past 10 years. The restaurant takes form of a traditional hanok decorated with a modern touch, blending Asian and western-style design to create an exquisite atmosphere favored by both Koreans and international visitors. Doodaemunjip is the only building in Insa-dong that has an indoor garden and a terrace full of fresh living plants, presenting peaceful atmosphere rarely found in the urban city. Signature menus include maekjeokgui ssambap (pork with Korean herbs served with vegetable wraps and rice) and Doodaemun haemul onbap (seafood rice) along with other specialty menus such as soy-marinated bossam (vegetable wraps with rice), soy-marinated crab, haemul pajeon (seafood and green onion pancake), etc. In particular, maekjeokgui (pork with Korean herbs) is seasoned with soybean paste made with traditional Korean recipe, bringing out deep flavors when consumed with vegetable wrapped rice. Traditional Korean alcoholic beverages such as bamboo liquor and bokbunjaju (Korean black raspberry wine) are also available.


Seoul(Yongsan-gu) , Itaewon・Yongsan

Nerd On Earth is a bar which Im Seul Ong, a member of the boyband group 2AM and actor, has opened in Itaewon. The ‘Nerd Bar’ (for short) is located in the deep corners of Itaewon, which shows Seul Ong’s taste in bars; he prefers somewhere dark and comfortable. You can feel a unique vibe from the blue and red lights blending together, with the mystical music playing in the background, and you can dine on various ‘high quality’ snacks as you drink. For example, menu items such as the “Nerd Wrap,” which is a wrap with Argula leaves, dried tomato, and ricotta cheese, and ‘Beef Brisket Spicy Seafood Noodle Soup,’ which has a spicy flavor, with generous portions of beef brisket are the menu items that lots of people order in the Nerd Bar. When you climb the rooftop, you can see the panoramic view of Itaewon. All of the above make it a must-stop location.  


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

Bonjour Hawaii is an exotic fusion restaurant. Just by looking taking a glance at parasol rooftop which is by its main entrance, you can tell that the restaurant exudes exotic atmosphere/mood. The interior, small details, and the traditional Hawaiian music will have you mistaken that, in fact, you are at a cafe in Hawaii somewhere. It’s main dishes include, “BBQ Sunset Platter,” (It is a dish that has a set of ingredients: sausage, potato, chicken kebab, shrimp, Korean style pork), and “Cream Curry Udon,” which is just one of its many unique dishes on Bonjour Hawaii’s menu. Also, a pizza so addicting that it is nicknamed, “Drug Pizza,” is its specialty pizza called, “Sushi Pizza,” together with a fruit punch cocktail, you do not have to be jealous of someone who just went on a trip to Hawaii.     Through the restaurant’s appearance in the drama, “Doctors,” it created curiosity in the viewer’s mind. Since after the appearance it has become Hongdae’s, “hot place,” through words by mouth. Specifically, Bonjour Hawaii took on a role of a cafe that the main character Yoo Hae Jung (Park Shin Hae), operated. Back then, the restaurant was called, “ Suni Hawaii,” and Hong Ji Hong (Kim Rae Won), Ryu Hye Jung (Park Shin Hye) who are couples in the drama, “Doctors,” had scenes where they were drinking beer, while enjoying their date.  


Seoul(Yongsan-gu) , Itaewon・Yongsan

The rainbow-colored roll cakes are produced twice a day at 12:30 and 16:30 in the afternoon. They are so popular that they are practically sold out within 10 minutes on weekends and 1 hour on weekdays! The seven colors on the cake seem so vivid that it almost feels like it is filled with artificial pigments. However, the cake is colored by 100% natural ingredients filled with earl grey custard crème, making it an irresistible favorite dessert among the young. If you are not a fan of roll cakes, Frank's has a great selection of other delicacies such as the brioche packed with reach butter flavor, freshly baked ciabattas and croissants with soft and flaky layers. They might be 'less colorful' and attractive compared to their signature rainbow cakes but they are also steady sellers of Frank's. ☞ Baking Time [Rainbow Roll] 12:00 and 16:30 everyday [Cow Roll] 12:00 every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday  


Seoul(Gangnam-gu) , Apgujeong・Cheongdamdong

                     


Seoul(Jung-gu) , Myeongdong

Well-known among both Koreans and foreigners, this restaurant has been specializing in traditional Korean dishes for more than 50 years. Its gopdol bibimbap is patented and also the most popular dish in the restaurant.


Busan(Yeonje-gu)

Gukje Milmyeon is a Korean restaurant specializing in wheat noodle dishes.    


5.0/1
Seoul(Jongno-gu) , Insadong・Jongnon

Hangwachae is a vegetarian buffet restaurant in Insadong, which serves up dishes made with fresh organic vegetables. The owner of the restaurant first began cooking vegetarian dishes for her vegetarian husband. When her friends tasted her cooking, they encouraged her to open a vegetarian restaurant, which lead to the opening of Hangwachae. The owner prepares the food as if she were preparing it for her husband and friends, therefore the ingredients are all fresh and of high quality.Soup, rice, rice porridge, and Korean pancakes are offered as the basic menu and are also included in the buffet. The rice served is made with 20 different Oriental herbs. The buffet offers some 20 to 30 different dishes. For protein supplements, the buffet offers walnuts, homemade tofu, and muk (nut jellies). It also offers rice cakes and bananas. One of Hangwachae’s most famous dishes is the green salad served with cheonggukjang (thick soybean paste) sauce made with choenggukjang, milk, and papaya. The kimchi is flavored with fruit instead of pickled fish. Hangwachae only uses grape oil in its cooking.


Seoul(Mapo-gu)

Jin Jin is a traditional Chinese cuisine restaurant operated by Chef Wang Yuk Sung, an expert in Chinese culinary arts for 40 years. Jin Jin originally began with the chef's passion to spread the taste of traditional Chinese cuisine to the public and train other chefs. Located in Seogyo-dong, Jin Jin offers menus at reasonable prices.  


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

Following his mother’s footsteps, the son of the previous owner is now managing the family business. Opened during the early years of Jokbal Street, the delicious meat at this restaurant is fondly remembered by customers. While the meat itself has almost no fat, the fat portion is extremely soft and savory. This restaurant is also different from the others in that it provides kongnamul-guk (bean sprout soup) with the jokbal (steamed pork hock). Pyeongyang-style naengmyeon (cold noodles) and tteok-mandu-guk (rice cake-dumpling soup) are also delicious. Pyeongyang naengmyeon is cooked to suit South Korean tastebuds. Besides, the noodles and dumplings are hand-made. Despite the restaurants long history, the building of the restaurant is clean and well-maintained as it was being rebuilt after a fire in the 1980s. There are plenty of tables on the first and second floors to accommodate customers, and the third floor is reserved for large groups. Especially noticeable is the clean appearance both inside and out, despite the restaurant’s long history; probably because the building was rebuilt after a fire in the 1980s. Plenty of tables on the first and second floors accommodate customers, and the third floor is reserved for large groups.