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Best Restaurants in Seoul (2026)

Seoul is one of Asia's great food cities, and its restaurants range from tiny soup houses that have served one dish for decades to some of the most ambitious tasting menus in the region. At the top end, Mingles holds three Michelin stars and Jungsik two, both in Gangnam, while Onjium, opposite the wall of Gyeongbokgung, reinterprets Joseon court cuisine. For barbecue, Mongtan's straw-smoked short ribs draw long queues in Yongsan, and Byeokje Galbi serves top-grade Hanwoo beef in Songpa.

Some of the most memorable meals cost very little. Imun Seolnongtang, recognised as the city's oldest restaurant, and Hadongkwan, open since 1939, serve clear or milky beef soups from early morning, Myeongdong Kyoja is famous for kalguksu noodles and garlicky kimchi, Woo Lae Oak has served Pyongyang cold noodles since 1946, and Tosokchon is the go-to for ginseng chicken soup near Gyeongbokgung. Book fine dining well ahead, often a month or more for the starred restaurants, and expect to queue at the popular casual places; arriving before noon or mid-afternoon helps. Many dishes, especially barbecue, are served for two or more people, so eating with company makes ordering easier. Tipping is not expected, and water and side dishes are usually free.

10 places · Updated October 23, 2026

Our top 3 restaurants in Seoul

  1. Mingles Modern Korean tasting menu, CheongdamChef Mingoo Kang's tasting-menu restaurant in Gangnam, holder of three Michelin stars, which reworks Korean fermented sauces and seasonal produce with modern technique.
  2. Jungsik New Korean fine dining, CheongdamChef Yim Jung-sik's Cheongdam restaurant, a pioneer of what it calls New Korean fine dining, holding two Michelin stars in the 2026 guide.
  3. Onjium Korean royal court cuisine, SeochonA research-led restaurant facing the wall of Gyeongbokgung, where chefs Cho Eun-hee and Park Sung-bae update Joseon court and aristocratic cooking with seasonal produce.

Restaurant

1. Mingles

Modern Korean tasting menu$$$$Cheongdam

Chef Mingoo Kang's tasting-menu restaurant in Gangnam, holder of three Michelin stars, which reworks Korean fermented sauces and seasonal produce with modern technique.

View details — Mingles

Restaurant

2. Jungsik

New Korean fine dining$$$$Cheongdam

Chef Yim Jung-sik's Cheongdam restaurant, a pioneer of what it calls New Korean fine dining, holding two Michelin stars in the 2026 guide.

View details — Jungsik

Restaurant

3. Onjium

Korean royal court cuisine$$$$Seochon

A research-led restaurant facing the wall of Gyeongbokgung, where chefs Cho Eun-hee and Park Sung-bae update Joseon court and aristocratic cooking with seasonal produce.

View details — Onjium

Restaurant

4. Woo Lae Oak

Pyongyang naengmyeon and bulgogi$$Euljiro

A Euljiro institution serving Pyongyang-style cold buckwheat noodles since 1946, known for its clear beef broth and for bulgogi on the side.

View details — Woo Lae Oak

Restaurant

6. Myeongdong Kyoja

Kalguksu noodles and dumplings$Myeongdong

A family-run Myeongdong restaurant open since 1966, serving a four-item menu built around kalguksu noodle soup, dumplings and its famously garlicky kimchi.

View details — Myeongdong Kyoja

Restaurant

7. Hadongkwan

Gomtang beef soup$Myeongdong

A Myeongdong restaurant serving gomtang, a clear beef soup with brisket and tripe, since 1939, open from early morning until the soup runs out.

View details — Hadongkwan

Restaurant

8. Mongtan

Korean barbecue, straw-smoked beef short ribs$$$Yongsan (Samgakji)

A Yongsan barbecue restaurant famous for beef short ribs smoked over straw before grilling, and for queues that are part of the experience.

View details — Mongtan