2.22 Restaurant guide
Korean RestaurantGungyeon
Created by Han Bok-ryeo, the daughter of Hwang Hye-sung, Korea’s Intangible Cultural Asset, specializing in Joseon dynasty royal cuisine, this elegant restaurant offers classic full-course meals for epicures.
Price range: 30,000 won ($32)* and up
Location: Gahoi-dong
Telephone: (02) 3673-1104
*Prices are per-person estimates and do not include beverages.
Wooreega
An Jung-hyun, an expert in traditional Korean wedding foods, prepares refined and delicious Korean dishes in a modern atmosphere.
Price range: 28,000 won or up for lunch; 55,000 won or up for dinner
Location: Cheongdam-dong
Telephone: (02) 3442-2288
Hanwoori
Boasting a 20-year history, Hanwoori serves Korean-style shabu shabu (hot pot), guksu jeongol (noodle stew) and galbi (rib meat) barbecue.
Price range: 17,000 won and up
Location: Sinsa-dong
Telephone: (02) 545-9933
Sanbong Hwarogui
Specializing in unique grilled “beef bacon” marinated in Korean herbs. The meat is matched with French wine. Sanbong naengmyeon (cold noodles) is excellent.
Price range: 12,000 won and up
Location: Apgujeong-dong
Telephone: (02) 546-2229
Hoban
Tucked away on Insa-dong street, this nostalgic Korean restaurant serves rare Korean delicacies, such as homemade blood sausage, fermented stingray and octopus patties.
Price range: 15,000 won and up
Location: Insa-dong
Telephone: (02) 733-4886
Saebyeokjip
Despite its unkempt interior and rude waitresses, this restaurant is best known for delicious authentic Korean barbecue and stews.
Price range: 40,000 won and up
Location: Cheongdam-dong
Telephone: (02) 546-5739
Italian Restaurant
Antonio
Two Italian brothers, Antonio and Rodolfo Patella, make sure their dishes remain the finest in Seoul.
Price range: 15,000 won and up
Location: Cheongdam-dong
Telephone: (02) 3443-4333
Bonasera
Authentic Tuscan fare, inspired by Michelin one-star Ristorante Balbo. Ribeye steak, pan-fried tenderloin and mixed seafood with herbs are recommended.
Price range: 20,000 won and up
Location: Cheongdam-dong
Telephone: (02) 543-8373
Benedizione
A traditional Italian place run by the Shilla Hotel. Serves steak and grilled Neapolitan dishes.
Price range: 20,000 won and up
Location: Cheongdam-dong
Telephone: (02) 518-3838
The Kitchen
A jewelry designer-turned-restaurateur’s passion for Italian cuisine can be tasted in this small, elegant place.
Price range: 8,000 won and up
Location: Yeonhi-dong
Telephone: (02) 322-8580
Grand Ciel
A small restaurant with only six tables is frequented by fashion industry people, who rave about some of the best pasta in town.
Price range: 13,000 won and up
Location: Cheongdam-dong
Telephone: (02) 548-0283
Il Primo
Koreans love this Italian restaurant for its Koreanized pasta and pizza, affordable price and cozy atmosphere in the Sinchon area.
Price range: 15,000 won and up
Location: Sinchon
Telephone: (02) 362-1888
La Cucina
Located near the Grand Hyatt, this restaurant offers privacy and ambience along with excellent pasta and steaks.
Price range: 20,000 won and up
Location: Mount Namsan
Telephone: (02) 794-6005
Thai Restaurant
Antonio
Two Italian brothers, Antonio and Rodolfo Patella, make sure their dishes remain the finest in Seoul.
Price range: 15,000 won and up
Location: Cheongdam-dong
Telephone: (02) 3443-4333
Bonasera
Authentic Tuscan fare, inspired by Michelin one-star Ristorante Balbo. Ribeye steak, pan-fried tenderloin and mixed seafood with herbs are recommended.
Price range: 20,000 won and up
Location: Cheongdam-dong
Telephone: (02) 543-8373
Benedizione
A traditional Italian place run by the Shilla Hotel. Serves steak and grilled Neapolitan dishes.
Price range: 20,000 won and up
Location: Cheongdam-dong
Telephone: (02) 518-3838
The Kitchen
A jewelry designer-turned-restaurateur’s passion for Italian cuisine can be tasted in this small, elegant place.
Price range: 8,000 won and up
Location: Yeonhi-dong
Telephone: (02) 322-8580
Grand Ciel
A small restaurant with only six tables is frequented by fashion industry people, who rave about some of the best pasta in town.
Price range: 13,000 won and up
Location: Cheongdam-dong
Telephone: (02) 548-0283
Il Primo
Koreans love this Italian restaurant for its Koreanized pasta and pizza, affordable price and cozy atmosphere in the Sinchon area.
Price range: 15,000 won and up
Location: Sinchon
Telephone: (02) 362-1888
La Cucina
Located near the Grand Hyatt, this restaurant offers privacy and ambience along with excellent pasta and steaks.
Price range: 20,000 won and up
Location: Mount Namsan
Telephone: (02) 794-6005
Pan-asian Restaurant
Marco Polo
At the top of the World Trade Center, this restaurant comes with spectacular views and popular Asian treats in a sleek dining hall on one side. The other side of the restaurant serves contemporary European dishes with north African flavors.
Price range: 30,000 won and up
Location: Samseong-dong
Telephone: (02) 559-7620
Chai 797
Tucked behind the French Village in Seocho-dong, this cozy restaurant conveniently gathers all delicious dishes from Asian cities, from freshly made dim sum to pad thai to stir-fried beef with black bean sauce to spicy oyster noodle soup.
Price range: 10,000 won and up
Location: Seocho-dong
Telephone: (02) 537-7972
La Seine
This new-concept buffet restaurant downtown features “food stations” churning out fresh and delicious Asian dishes of all kinds.
Price range: 55,000 won for lunch; 60,000 won for dinner
Location: Basement of Hotel Lotte
Telephone: (02) 317-7171~2
Oriental Spoon
An Asian-restaurant expert runs this clean, comfortable and retro-chic establishment. Serves tasty, inexpensive dishes, such as yaki soba, Chinese oyster soup and pad thai.
Price range: 8,000 won and up
Location: Apgujeong-dong
Telephone: (02) 512-0916
Seasons
Korean-American pasta experts whip up assorted fusion dishes in an elegant setting in this trendy spot in Cheongdam-dong.
Price range: 12,000 won and up
Location: Cheongdam-dong
Telephone: (02) 517-0905
Market O
This clean restaurant specializes in light, health-conscious Asian dishes, from tofu salad to California rolls.
Price range: 12,000 won and up
Location: Apgujeong-dong
Telephone: (02) 548-5090
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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