9 Best Restaurants in Seoul, South Korea

A long-time favorite of Hongdae partygoers, this Korean barbecue joint nestled alongside the long cheolkil (railroad tracks) focuses on galbi (beef ribs). Cuts of beef in your choice of sweetly marinated or lightly seasoned are cooked over wire mesh grills and served alongside their signature pot of bubbling doenjang-jjigae (soybean paste stew). The spacious two-story building accommodates large groups and you’ll often overhear reunions of high school friends or groups of co-workers celebrating with their favorite combination of meats and drinks. Open early and closed late, it’s a choice location to start out the night or grab an early breakfast as the sun comes up.

If you're in the mood for some proper Korean barbecue pork, look no further: this highly rated eatery serves grilled samgyeopsal (pork belly) and moksal(pork collar) like nobody's business. The staff will make sure that your meat is grilled to perfection while you can sit back and enjoy the lively atmosphere. Not only are the cuts of meat fresh and thick, but the service is also top notch.

A popular Korean barbecue restaurant near Samgakji Station, sophisticated Mongtan produces their unique flavor by pre-cooking meat over straw before the final finish on a pan grill. There is an in-house butcher of sorts, and visitors can watch as their cuts of meat are pulled from the fridge and scored before cooking. While the restaurant serves a mean samgyeopsal (pork belly), their specialty is the woodae-galbi (aged, bone-in beef ribs) which is a slightly sweet, smoky meat served with charred scallion and a thick rice-cake. Naengmyeon (cold, buckwheat noodles) and doenjang-jjigae (soybean paste stew) are common additions to the meal. While there is little to complain about in terms of taste and service, a table is difficult to come by and waits can take up to two hours.

Since 1984 Buil Galmaegi has been serving up galmaegisal (pork skirt meat) to hungry Jamsil residents, and decades later it's still going strong. This is Korean barbecue in its purest form: hearty, unadorned, and deeply delicious.

Who says Korean barbecue is just about pork or beef? This joint takes the idea of grilled meat at your table and adds chicken to the equation, which, if you're a fan of the bird, works very well. The interior is clean and made of bright wood, which adds a countrified, traditional feel to the place. The modun gui (mixed grill) contains several cuts of chicken (dark and white meat), along with some spicy marinated bits to keep you on your toes. 

Situated on "Meat Alley" (Gogi Golmok), Heuk Da Don specializes in Jeju Island barbecue pork (the black pigs raised on Jeju are said to have a deeper flavor). This restaurant serves up several different cuts, so you're best off ordering the mixed grill. There is indoor and outdoor seating, though if you really want to soak up the party-like atmosphere, sit outside, and make sure to wash down that grilled porky goodness with some cold beer or soju. 

Baek Jong-won is probably Korea's best known celebrity chef and restaurateur, and Saemaul is his barbecue chain. If you're looking for very solid Korean grilled pork, you won't go wrong at his Jamsil branch. Situated on the Bangi "Food Alley," Seamaul is known for its mixed grill, pork belly, pork collar, marinated pork, and its signature yeontan bulgogi, which comes in both mild and spicy forms. If you're feeling brave, they also offer makjang (pork intestines).

This neighborhood barbecue restaurant serves up a variety of hanwoo beef as well other favorites such as samgyeopsal (pork belly). The prices vary drastically depending on which cut you're keen on, but Sammi's staying power has been its consistent commitment to quality. 

The proximity to the National Assembly Building and various other government offices makes this Korean barbecue restaurant a popular lunch and dinner spot for politicians. The understated, art deco-style dining room features gold-tinted accents, marble tabletops, and a menu of prime Korean beef and pork served with the requisite side dishes including kimchi, pickled radishes, bean paste, and whole garlic cloves.