Seoul(Yongsan-gu) , Itaewon・Yongsan

JJ Mahoney’s on the second basement floor of the Grand Hyatt Hotel is divided into distinctive themed spaces: Delhi, perfect for a quick lunch; the Music Room, complete with live music; the Dance Floor, with high-tech sound and lighting systems; the Island Bar at the center; the Pool Hall; and an outdoor terrace.  


4.0/1
Seoul(Jongno-gu)

Jirisan is one of the representative Korean restaurants in Insa-dong, an area known for its traditional culture. One of the trademarks of this restaurant, besides its amazingly delectable bean and tofu dishes, is a wooden sign that welcome guests into a neat and cozy interior.Each day, fresh beans are ground at the restaurant to prepare dishes such as soybean paste, soft tofu, and bean-curd tofu stew. Bean-curds are prepared by using seawater, which gives the tofu a unique flavor. The fresh and clean taste of the tofu is one of the many reasons that choosey tofu aficionados flock to the restaurant.Not just limited to tofu, Jirisan presents customers with a full-range of side dishes such as kimchi, japchae (glass noodles with sautéed vegetables), cucumber kimchi, seasoned seaweed, braised lotus roots, roasted yellow corbinas (a type of fish), leafy greens, bean-curd stew, and more. The restaurant gives visitors a chance to experience a hearty traditional Korean-style meal, but has thoughtfully toned down its seasonings to appeal to a wider audience (particularly those not used to spicy foods).One of the recommended menu items is the Jirisan set meal, which offers diners the chance to sample foods that are popular in the Jirisan region. Adventurous diners may want to try the sea urchin soup or dried Pollack soup.The restaurant, originally a traditional Korean house, has been modified over the years to better suit the needs of its customers. The walls surrounding the structure were removed and a glass ceiling was installed to allow guests to enjoy the natural light of the sun as they sample some of the area’s best traditional Korean cuisine.


Seoul(Jongno-gu) , Insadong・Jongnon

Located close to Dongdaemun Gate and Cheonggyecheon Plaza, Haruyeonga is a great restaurant for a hearty meal after sightseeing or shopping in the surrounding area.Haruyeonga specializes in meat and typical Korean dinning options, including bibimbap with marinated pork, spicy ribs and doenjang stew (bean paste stew) with lean beef brisket. Their stir-fried small octopus is also popular. The Jeju roasted black pork is another must try dish as it is grilled over hardwood charcoal.


Daegu(Jung-gu)

Unlike traditional 'gukbap,' which is rice in beef broth based soup, the rice and the soup in 'ttaro-gukbap (ttaro meaning 'separately')' are served separately. It is a speciality in Daegu, and the main dish served at Gugil Ttarogukbap (국일따로국밥). The restaurant makes the broth with beef bones, and adds spices, meat and coagulated ox blood to complete rich and flavorful soup. Meanwhile, the restaurant was designated as a site of master craftsmanship by the Korean Traditional Culture Preservation Committee, as well as an authentic local speciality restaurant in Daegu. ​


Seoul(Yeongdeungpo-gu) , Yeouido・Yeongdeungpo・Mapo

Seven Springs delivers pleasure and well-being, as the food intends to serve an environmentally-friendly, healthy meal. The restaurant is styled with a pleasantly comfortable interior, while the open-kitchen allows guests to watch the chefs prepare the salads, for a more delightful dining experience.


Gyeonggi-do(Suwon-si) , suwon

Quality Korean beef is cut into bite-size pieces before being marinated in a mixture of salt, pepper, and garlic. The beef is grilled on charcoal to drain the fat and make the beef juicier. It is served with a number of small and savory side dishes like spicy cabbage (kimchi), Korean sweet pumpkin pancake (jeon), and others.


Gwangju(Dong-gu)

Kungjeon Bakery in Chungjang-ro, Dong-gu, Gwangju Ciy has been serving fresh baked goods for the last 40 years. Among its 200 kinds of bread and 60 kinds of cake, the best items are the “dragon egg bread,” “butterfly pie” and “paper pie.”


Seoul(Songpa-gu) , Jamsil(Lotte World)

This is a chicken barbeque restaurant, which is owned by the mother of Block B member, Taeil. Inside the restaurant, there are fan letters and flat cards, which cover up the walls. Unlike other chicken barbeque places, the Korean Barbeque Gaerong Branch restaurant puts the chicken in the fire oven, which makes the plain and simple taste of the chicken stand out more. The popular menu items are: salt-roasted barbeque chicken, which maximized the plain and simple taste of the chicken, and chives no-bone barbeque chicken, which is assorted with chives.  


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.


Busan(Jung-gu)

Hannyang Jokbal, located on Nampodong Food Street, is a Jokbal (steamed pigs’ feet) ‘Matjip’ (a term that refers to the most delicious restaurants in a certain area). Hanyang Jokbal is one of the most famous restaurants on the street, which is well known for jokbal. The most famous dish at the restaurant is ‘Nangchae Jokbal’. This cold pigs’ feet dish is a specialty of Nampodong Food Street, but is hard to find in other parts of Korea. The combination of steamed pig feet, fresh cucumber, and jellyfish mixed with mustard sauce is a must-try food for visitors to Busan.