3 Best Restaurants in Seoul, South Korea

Set in a beautiful dining room that evokes 1930s Shanghai, this elegant Chinese restaurant in L'Escape Hotel is a favorite among Seoulites. Bold and spicy Sichuan flavors punctuate the menu, which is filled with delectable elevated classics and dim sum. The signature 42-day-old, applewood roasted Peking duck has a crispy skin and is prepared tableside.

It can be hard to find authentic Chinese food in Seoul (Korea tends to feature fusion dishes like jajangmyeon [noodles in black bean sauce],tangsuyuk [sweet and sour pork], and jjampong [spicy seafood noodle soup]), which is why Paljinhyang is a breath of fresh air. This is one of the few places in the city where you can get Peking Duck, though you should be prepared to pay for it. They also offer high end versions of Korean-Chinese favorites, like "Olive Beef Rib Jajangmyeon," and "Korean Pork Shoulder Tangsuyuk."

Sometimes called Little Chinatown for its ties to the Mandarin- and Cantonese-speaking communities, Yeonnam-dong has a few dozen restaurants that specialize in malatang, xiao long bao, and mapo tofu. Of these, Yeongyo stands out with its extensive menu of dumplings, braised meats, and stir-fried vegetables. Two must-try dishes here include the Shengjian mantou baozi (fried pork buns) and uyuk tangmyeon (beef noodles), both made more delicious with the Taiwanese fruit beer on the menu. The original Yeongyo location can get quite busy, but you can also try their second location, Yeongyo Dumpling, just around the corner. The latter sells a limited menu, focusing only on the star Yeongyo dishes.