Seoul, South Korea — Food and Dining
Restaurants in Seoul, South Korea
Restaurants
Expensive
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
Moderate
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.
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
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.
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
Cheap
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.kr
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.
