It’s finally here!

Seoul is one of the most restaurant crazy towns in the world, but it’s so hard to find where the good restaurants are.  ZenKimchi Dining is making it easier by publishing information and quick reviews on restaurants, giving a better window into the constantly evolving Korean dining scene.

In each blog post, we tell [...]

Location: Chain (Hongdae, Sillim, Gyeongseong University, Ehwa, Busan)
Cuisine: Cafe
Price: Cheap
Reservations: No
Suggested Items: Does it matter? It’s a Charlie Brown cafe.

I’m putting this in for the sake of kitsch. I’ve long been jaded by Hard Rock Cafes. We actually have had one or two in Seoul, and I’ve only been to it [...]

Location: Chain (Hongdae, Anyang)
Cuisine: Australian
Price: Cheap
Reservations: No
Suggested Items: Meat Pie, Bob’s Chili Dog

This came as a complete surprise. What looked like a typical Korean fusion spot where they take their concepts of western foods and drown them in squeeze bottle gunk has turned out to be pretty good. [...]

Location: Jongno
Cuisine: Asian
Price:$$
Reservations: Accepted
Suggested Items: Crab Cakes, Sichuan Chicken

Pan-Asian places tend to be disappointments when they’re not tied to a specific chef showing off his style. So I was naturally skeptical of Touch of Spice, which seemed like a generic corporate power lunch stop. Yes, there are some elements that make it [...]

Location: Seoul, Gwanghwamun
Cuisine: Korean
Price: $
Reservations: None
Suggested Items: Kimchi jjigae 김치 찌개, Gyeran mari 계란마리 (rolled omelet)

I’m always on the hunt for the secret holes-in-the-wall that locals know about. Gwanghwamun Jip is one such place. Tucked in a closet-sized space in a back alley, this place serves a great pot of pork [...]

Location: Seoul, Seoul National University
Cuisine: Italian
Price: $$
Reservations: Optional

Suggested Items: Lasagna, Spaghetti Bolognese, Tiramisu

This Italian restaurant is the real deal. No sugared garlic bread or cream of spaghetti soup. Jina and Franco are partners from Olivo at the JW Marriott who decided to go into business together. Jina is a sommelier, [...]

Location: Seoul, Hannam-dong
Cuisine: Modern
Price: $$
Reservations: Optional

Suggested Items: Any of the tasting menus

Celebrity chef Edward Kwon is trying to show Korea that fine dining doesn’t need a steep price tag. Inspired by a trip to Tokyo, where he ate at famous restaurants for less than 5,000 yen, Kwon wants to help [...]

Reviewed by The Stumbler and Tuttle

Location: Seoul, Gangseo-gu
Cuisine: Korean
Price: $
Reservations: Optional (takes reservations but not needed)
Suggested Items: Galbi-sal (갈비살)

This is the third review from the Stumbler/Tuttle team from Southwest Seoul. This review is based on our second visit to this restaurant, which was much like [...]

Cuisine: Spanish

Price:$$$

Reservations: Optional

Suggested Items: Paella, White Anchovies in Vinegar, Jamon, Cheese Platter

It’s hard to find Spanish cuisine in Korea. This tapas bar in trendy Garosu-gil is an import from Japan. You’ll actually hear a good bit of Japanese behind the bar. The entrance displays two legs of jamon, and you can order [...]

Cuisine: Korean, Barbecue

Price:$$

Reservations: No

Suggested Items: Mixed Grill (Modeum Gui 모듬 구이)

I’m a big fan of all Korean barbecue, particularly the wood smoked kind. There’s a popular stop in Anyang that smoked their “Q” in a choo-choo-train-shaped smoker. Ordering the mixed grill brings a load of protein, including duck, pork [...]

Cuisine: Pub Grub

Price:$$

Reservations: Not necessary

Suggested Items: Breakfast Burrito, Meatloaf, Burgers

The Holy Grill is a sacred pilgrimage site to any expat living in Daegu. The quality of this place would compete well with the best burger ‘n’ beer joints in Itaewon. Yet they don’t rest on their laurels. The Holy Grill consists of [...]