Location: Itaewon
Cuisine: South African
Price: $$
Reservations: Sure
Suggested Items: Anything with sausage or lamb, cider
Rooted in the Afrikaans word for “barbecue,” this South African watering hole has popped up in Itaewon. On the menu are South African comfort foods, meaning Boerewors sausages, stewed lamb, and pap (a porridge made from maize, like grits and [...]
Location: Yangjae, near Costco
Cuisine: American
Price: $
Reservations: No
Suggested Items: Philly Cheesesteak, Italian Hoagie
The glorious cheesesteak, done well. Everyone I have brought to 105 South St. Grill or has gone based on my recommendation has loved it. A nice Korean couple has put together a great operation of cheesesteaks crisped on the flattop and [...]
Location: Itaewon
Cuisine: Mexican, Ko-Mexican
Price: $$
Reservations: Taken
Suggested Items: Kimchi Carnitas Fries, Galbi Tacos, Mexican Martini
Every now and then a restaurant comes in that changes the scene. Vatos could very well be it. They serve modern California-Baha style Mexican street tacos–the kind that have been hitting the U.S. by storm. People rave about the [...]
Reviewed by: Christian Peterson
Location: Mok-dong
Restaurant Name: JB bbokki
Cuisine: Italian Korean Fusion
Price: $$
Reservations: Optional (takes reservations but not needed)
Suggested Items: Any meat eaters curious about tasting korean fusion food should try the Roast Chop Steak
Dokk-Bokki..!! With a dry red wine….i won’t tell you what wine to pair with the meat because there are [...]
Forgive the Tabasco and ketchup–that was my doing
Location: Haebangcheon
Cuisine: American
Price: $
Reservations: Takes ‘em
Suggested Items: Breakfast, Chicago Dog
A little breakfast nook in the HBC. It serves breakfast IN THE MORNING! That’s a concept you don’t see much in Korea. It’s a small place, and the service is a bit gruff (but I [...]
Location: Jongno
Cuisine: Korean
Price: $$
Reservations: Possible
Suggested Items: Makkolli, Galbi Jjim
This is the real thing–a dying breed. Durim is a classic Korean restaurant in a traditional Hanok house deep in a winding alley that’s under threat of redevelopment. Sit down in here and get comfortable. This place specializes in handmade tofu. Good tofu. It’s [...]
Location: Jung-gu
Cuisine: Burgers
Price: Cheap to Moderate
Reservations: No
Suggested Items: Daehanmin Burger, Ninja Burger
Mira Diner, brought to you by the owners of Gecko’s, takes an international approach to burgers. Each one represents a different country and has amusing names, like the Ninja Burger with wasabi and pickled ginger. They also have the Daehanmin Burger, a Korean interpretation [...]
Location: Gwacheon
Cuisine: Spanish
Price: $$
Reservations: Accepted
Suggested Items: Tapas lunch set, Fideo, Creme Brulee
This well-themed Spanish restaurant near Seoul Grand Park and Seoul Racecourse Park is worth the journey. The ingredients are fresh and vibrant. The service is attentive and helpful. The interior and exterior are detailed. All this and they don’t charge you [...]
Location: Apgujeong
Cuisine: Modern Korean, pub
Price: $
Reservations: Accepted
Suggested Items: Bossam, Sea Squirt Bibimbap, Green Chile Pasta
ANZU is the casual outlet for the trailblazing Jung Sik Dang. The clever flavors and interpretations are there along with some Korean classics and a very affordable a la carte price. ANZU is open for lunch then closes [...]
Location: Ilsan
Cuisine: Indian
Price: $$
Reservations: Accepted
Suggested Items: Lamb Curry, Mixed Grill, Paneer, Samosas
The name scared me at first. It sounded like a TGI Friday version of Indian food. The restaurant itself was big, possibly the largest Indian dining room in Korea. But seriously, the food was great! And it was at a good [...]
Cuisine: Korean
Price: $
Reservations: No
Suggested Items: Boribap, Chicken Barbecue, Pajeon, Makkeoli
This was Anyang’s best kept secret until recently. Now it looks like people are flocking here. Fortunately, it hasn’t diminished the quality of its dishes, even with its recent expansion. San Ma-eul is a folksy traditional country restaurant at the foot of Gwanak Mountain that originally [...]
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Price: $
Reservations: No
Suggested Items: Sultan Lamb, Miza, The Hubbly Bubbly, Turkish Coffee
One of the oldest restaurants in Itaewon and still going strong, Petra gives you a good value for your money. This Middle Eastern style restaurant serves some great home cooked meals. Well… the Jordanian general I dined with said it was the [...]
Cuisine: Austrian
Price: $$
Reservations: Optional
Suggested Items: Wienerschnitzel, Chateaubriand, all the desserts
Chef Meili opened a few years ago, injecting energy into Teutonic cuisine in Seoul. Splitting duties between the main restaurant, the full-service butcher downstairs and catering, Chef Christian Meilinger is a busy man. The main restaurant serves classic Austrian dishes, like a plate-covering Wienerschnitzel with cranberry [...]
Cuisine: Korean
Price: $
Reservations: No
Suggested Items: Samgyetang (it’s all they have)
This Anyang restaurant specializes in Samgyetang and nothing else. It serves nothing else. You just go in and tell them how many bowls, and they come out with bubbling bowls filled with whole small chickens stuffed with rice, jujubes and medicinal herbs and bark, which actually [...]
Cuisine: Cafe
Price: $
Reservations: No
Suggested Items: Waffle Plate
American Plate is a small cozy cafe in the Bisan area of Anyang. The service is slow, but they serve an adequate American style “brunch,” including blueberry pancakes, waffles and French toast. No one has told them that they should heat up their syrup before serving, but baby steps [...]
Cuisine: Korean, Seafood
Price: $
Reservations: No
Suggested Items: Ggongchi Gwi 꽁치구이 (Grilled Pacific Saury), Samchi Yangnyeom Gwi 삼치양념구이 (Yangnyeom-style Grilled Japanese Spanish Mackerel)
Gumteo is a grilled fish restaurant chain. They specialize in good quality grilled fish at good prices. It’s Korean-style grilled fish, so they are highly seasoned. A good basic dish to try is the Ggongchi [...]
Cuisine: Korean
Price: $
Reservations: No
Suggested Items: Omogary Kimchi Jjigae, Hand-made Jjajangmyeon Noodles
This is a fastly growing chain of restaurants that have stores from Busan to Seoul. They specialize in “omogari” kimchi, which is heavily aged kimchi. The flavors are rich, sharp and hearty. The kimchi jjigae is the star of the show, with succulent chunks of [...]
Cuisine: Asian, Modern
Price: $$
Reservations: Recommended
Suggested Items: The “Amazing” Fish, BulGalbi and Grilled Mushroom Salad, Million Won Samgyeopsal
Star chef is a chef-run bistro near Yangjae that specializes in updated Korean and pan-Asian cuisine. Chef-owner Hu-nam Kim prepares dishes with heavy Korean, Southeast Asian, Japanese, Chinese and European influences. Popular items include the BulGalbi and Grilled Mushroom [...]
