Located in Buam-dong, Seoul, Jaha Sonmandu (자하손만두) is a restaurant specializing in Korean hand-made stuffed dumplings. Though the restaurant’s exterior is that of a classic restaurant, the succulent flavors of the food are reminiscent of grandma’s cooking—timeless and full of love.
Main dishes include Mulmandu (boiled Mandu), Pyeonsu (vegetarian dumplings stuffed with mushrooms and cucumbers), Kimchi Mandu and Mandu Jeongol (Mandu cooked with various vegetables in a casserole). In addition to Mandu, there are Bindaetteok (mung-bean pancakes) and Kongguksu (cold noodles in finely crushed beans). Unlike other Mandu restaurants, Jaha Son Mandu features a course meal named “Jaha sangcharim.” Make sure to have a drink of Makgeolli or Bokbunjaju (liquor made of wild mountain raspberry) with your mandu for a perfect taste combination.
Even before the mad cow disease crisis, Yumyeong Hoegwan has only been serving locally-bred hanu beef. The fresh meat, sirloin, and prime ribs are delicious and they also use rice and kimchi made in Korea. The restaurant has a lot of business and group customers, but it is also good for family occasions, wedding receptions, and other social gatherings.
Seochon Traditional Sundae Soup House is considered a must-visit destination. It was shown in the Korean drama series, “Doctors, as a restaurant owned by the father of the main character, Yoo Hye Jung (actress: Park Shin Hye). It is known for its special deep-tasting beef broth, which they brew with marrowbone for 24 hours. Its old-fashioned, traditional style Hanok architecture and its neat interior evokes the Korean traditional castle: Gyeongbokgung and its surroundings. Not only is the Sundae Soup first in its class, the in-house Kimchi is one of the best in its category as well. After the meal, don’t forget to take a photo where the “Doctors” couple, Jiho-Hyejung, enjoyed rice soup.
Woomyunsan Budnamujip is located in the woods. The Seoul Arts Center and the landscape create a real sense of Korean tradition. You can also enjoy the flavor of tradition and the unchanged spirit of the artisan from the dishes prepared with devotion.*Best Korean Restaurant as designated by The Seoul Metropolitan Government.
Gaetmaeul restaurant, located in Ichon-dong in the Yongsan area of Seoul, is widely known for its specialty dish, Son-manduguk (handmade dumpling soup). Not only does it serve exceptionally delicious food, but the service is friendly, and the facilities are clean. As well as the excellent mandu dishes, such as manduguk (dumpling soup) and tteok-manduguk (dumpling soup with rice cake slices), the menu also includes bindatteok (Korean mung-bean pancake) and suyuk (boiled slices of beaf). The kimchi used to fill the dumplings and offered as a side dish is also particularly good.
Little&Much is a dessert cafe that offers flavorful desserts operated by a married patiserrie couple. Variety of cakes are available along with coffees and teas to go with.
Choedaegamne is a traditional restaurant with a cozy garden and a pond. It is located at the end of the alley next to Inside Plaza. At this famous restaurant located in Insa-dong, a traditional interior is enhanced by the date trees planted in between tables. Various dishes are available such as Ssambapjeongshik with organic vegetables, beef shabu shabu using beef stock and fresh tender galbi (ribs) which are purchased daily.
Naneungi is a restaurant specializing in mushroom cuisine. Using exquisite and nutritious neungi mushrooms, Naneungi is dedicated to serving delicious health food to visitors.
Flying Pan in Eunhang-dong, Jung-gu, Daejeon is a restaurant famous for its delicious pizza and pasta. Its sophisticated exterior and cozy Italian interior projects warmth and class, giving diners a strong impression even before they taste their first bite.The restaurant offers a variety of hand-made pastas and thin crust pizza baked fresh in a brick oven. Some of the most popular dishes are the spaghetti, carbonara pasta, and the ‘Flying Pizza,’ which offers a medley of different tastes. Craving something rich? Then try out the ‘Pizza Carbonara’: creamy cheeses and bacon served with hints of olives and black pepper. With its wide selection of scrumptious dishes and extensive wine list, it’s no wonder that Flying Pan has become one of the area’s must-visit places for true food connoisseurs.
Nobizib is a specialty restaurant featuring Galbi (marinated and grilled beef ribs). A combination of the restaurant’s own special sauce, pure bronze gridiron, and oak tree charcoal creates a unique taste beloved by visitors and locals alike. The spicy galbi jjim (braised beef ribs) is another restaurant specialty.Located at the entrance of Myeongdong, Nobizib is easily accessible via public transportation and is frequented by Japanese tourists (thanks to the restaurant’s exposure in tour guidebooks and magazines in Japan).