Seoul is a dream come true for foodies and offers everything from street food at the popular
pojangmacha or covered wagons to world-class cuisine.
Kimchi (fermented spicy cabbage) and Korean ginseng are heralded for their health benefits and popular traditional dishes to try include
bibimbab, rice mixed with vegetables and hot pepper paste;
bulgogi, beef barbecued on the table; and
gimbap, rice with vegetables mixed with seaweed.
The restaurants below are grouped into four different pricing categories:
$$$$ (over 100 won)
$$$ (50 won to 100 won)
$$ (25 won to 50
won)
$ (up to 25 won)
These prices are for a three course meal for one, with half a bottle of house wine or equivalent, tax and service included.
Namu/Liquid Bar
Contemporary Japanese cuisine at its finest served at long tables in stylish surrounds with plenty of natural rough-hewn timber and ice-cold sake served at the wraparound bar.
21 Gwangjang Dong, Gwangjin-gu
Tel: (02) 2022 0222.
Website:
www.wseoul.com Price: $$$$
Yongsusan
A slick modern gourmand’s heaven and great lunch spot, serving mouthwatering traditional Korean delicacies, surrounded by the trendiest top-end international restaurants in Seoul.
Seoul Finance Center B1, 84, 1st Taepyung-no, Chung-gu
Tel: (02) 771 5503.
Website:
www.yongsusan.co.kr Price: $$$
Min’s Club
Korean and western food in this ‘tea, wine and dine club’ housed in an informal, atmospheric
hanok (traditional Korean house).
66-7 Kyungun-dong, Jongro-gu
Tel: (02) 733 2966.
Price: $$
Top Cloud Restaurant
Good value Korean-European fusion buffet by candlelight with live jazz, set on the top floor of the Jongno Tower with stunning views over the city.
33rd Floor, Jongno Tower Building, 1-1 Jongno 2-ga, Jung-gu (Subway: Exit 3, Line 1 to Jonggak Station)
Tel: (02) 2230 3000.
Website:
www.topcloud.co.kr Price: $$
Tosokchon Samgyetang
This restaurant’s specialty is stewed whole chicken stuffed with rice and ginseng, said to boost stamina, and served communal-style. The president gets a take-out from here.
85-1 Chebu-dong Jongro-gu
Tel: (02) 737 7444.
Price: $$
Meokjagolmok
A market alley with over 200 stalls selling a variety of reasonably-priced traditional food from grilled fish to whole chicken and vegetarian specialties in a noisy, lively ambience.
Gwangjang Market, 6-1 Yeji-dong, Jongno-gu
Tel: (02) 2267 0291/2.
Website:
www.kwangjangmarket.co.krPrice: $ (includes soft drink)
Nightlife:The varied and dynamic nightlife in this city that never sleeps includes everything from 24-hour
norebang (singing room) and snacking at open-air night markets or
hofs (Korean pubs) to upmarket clubs and international hotel bars. Hongik University (Hongdae), is home to Seoul’s vibrant club scene, the upmarket Apgujeong-dong, has cinemas, the trendiest cafes and bars and the world-class Seven Luck Casino and Itaewon the greatest concentration of western-style pubs and clubs. Visit
www.seoulstyle.com for a selection by area.
Bars: The futuristic
Woo Bar,W Hotel, 21 Gwangjang Dong, Gwangjin-gu, Walkerhill is the hottest bar in town, but a 15-minute taxi ride out of the center. Bang in one of the happening districts is
Above, 19-25 Itaewon-dong store, Itaewon, a swanky wine bar with a candlelit indoor pond and
Gecko’s Terrace, 128-5 Itaewon-dong, yongsan-gu, one of the most popular pubs in Seoul, serving good food.
Clubs: Club Day, on the last Friday of the month gives access to 13 clubs in the Hongdae district such as:
Club M2, Ohoo Building, Seokyo Dong (website:
www.ohoo.net), which with top international DJs attract a trendy crowd and has great lighting and
St102, 360-18 Seokyo-Dong, a hip hop club with black walls and cool characters.
Live Music: The sexy
Once in a Blue Moon, 85-1 Cheongdam-Dong Kangnam-gu, Apgujeong (tel: (02) 549 5490) is the best known jazz bar in the city in upmarket Apkujong
with live music nightly. For a different vibe, try
Rock and Roll, 648-4 Shinsa Dong Kangnam-gu (tel (02) 545 4163), an established wooden-panelled pub playing rock music in the heart of this district.
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The Columbus World Travel Guide has been published for 26 years and is sold in over 90 countries worldwide.
Word Travels is a comprehensive travel guide covering hundreds of cities and holiday resorts in more than 125 countries.
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