Hao Guesthouse in Hongdae

This Fukuoka restaurant, known for its unique combination of Japanese ramen and French cooking, has now opened in Seoul. Created by Chef Takahito Nishimura as an expression of his deep passion for ramen, the restaurant showcases his personal style through layered flavours built from carefully balanced toppings, sauces, and oils. While remaining true to ramen tradition, the kitchen thoughtfully localises its dishes with elements such as laver oil, Cheongyang chilli pepper, and tsukemono inspired by white kimchi. A standout dish of freshly cooked pot rice mixed with cheese and ramen broth furthe

Juxtaposed with Seoul’s contemporary skyline, a traditional hanok is home to Chef Kyung-jae Park’s Sosuheon. The serene setting offers an elegant retreat from the city. From the eight-seat counter, diners can watch the confident chef at work as he prepares nigiri with quiet concentration. Prior to the nigiri course, a range of well-executed dishes is served, from cod roe with hairy crab to steamed tilefish and grilled hairtail. Highlights include gizzard shad and creamy cuttlefish, and a bowl of matcha brings the memorable evening to a close.

Damtaek is a cozy little ramen haven nestled in a quiet alley near Hapjeong Station. Chef Jo Won-hyeon has purposefully adorned this quaint space with vintage artifacts. The restaurant’s shio ramen, and associated variations that use the same soup base, are in stark contrast to its homey, down-to-earth vibe. The refined and clean flavors of the soups are singular and inspire lingering addiction. With a passion for creating tastes unbound by culinary convention, the chef has persistently dedicated his craft toward perfecting the art of shio ramen, creating ramen that can delight any palate.

Oreno Ramen blends its broth just before serving, creating a frothy soup that pleasantly coats the palate. The paitan, made by boiling a whole chicken, is a milky broth with a nutty flavour and creamy texture. House-made noodles, melt-in-your-mouth chicken, kelp, and egg complete an exceptional bowl. For an extra kick, opt for the spicy broth, and take advantage of complimentary refills of noodles, rice, and broth. Though the restaurant often has a long queue, turnover is quick, so waits are usually short. A side of chilli peppers is also recommended and provided free of charge.

Okdongsik has defined its own refined take on dwaeji gukbap, offering a light, clean broth reminiscent of gomtang. Made from the ham and foreleg of native Korean black pigs raised on Jirisan Mountain, the broth is subtle yet elegant in flavour. Prepared using the toryeom method—repeatedly pouring hot broth over the rice—each grain comes alive, enhancing the dish's depth. The house dipping sauce complements paper-thin slices of pork beautifully. Delicately crafted kimchi dumplings complete the comforting dining experience.

For over 40 years, Chef Wang Yuk-sung has been committed to popularizing Chinese cuisine in Korea. Unlike most generic Korean-style Chinese restaurants ubiquitous to Seoul, Chef Wang offers a limited menu of just ten dishes to ensure that the quality of the food he serves is consistently high. Some of the most requested dishes include shrimp toast, stir-fried crab meat with egg white, mapo tofu and stir-fried beef with gai lan.

Chef Nak-young Kim, an expert on Italian cuisine, offers his unique take on noodle dishes at Seokyonanmyunbang. His nanmyeon is a unique, creative fusion of Korean and Italian culinary traditions. The chef delicately balances these two distinctive traditions to highlight the texture of noodles and the delectable flavours of broth. Signature dishes include gueomdak nanmyeon made from a Jeju breed of chicken and seokyo nanmyeon featuring a broth made from chicken and Hanwoo beef. The chef creates seasonal noodle dishes, making it worthwhile to make multiple visits for new experiences.