Hotel the Artist Dongdaemun

Stunning views are guaranteed from La Yeon’s position on the 23rd floor of The Shilla Hotel, but the quality of the food ensures your attention never strays far from the plate. There is a delicacy and lightness to the dishes, which take the time-honoured traditions of Korean cuisine and update them without compromising familiar flavours and textures. From crisp red mullet to tender, char-grilled Hanwoo bulgogi, the kitchen resists overcomplication and focuses instead on clean, precise flavours. The dining room is comfortable, and the service team is a delight.

Tucked beneath a red awning in Sindang-dong Jungang Market, Gosari Express stands out among the neighbourhood’s long-established eateries. With the motto 'Vegetarian every day', it takes a playful approach to plant-based dining. Every dish features the restaurant’s signature gosari oil sauce, from spicy bibim noodles to Taiwanese pancakes topped with sweet and tangy gosari chilli sauce. This inventive spot demonstrates the boundless potential of gosari.

Across the street from the stone wall of Gyeongbokgung Palace, Onjium blends traditional Korean aesthetics with modern architectural calm. Guided by court cuisine specialist Cho Eun-hee and Park Sung-bae, the culinary team reinterprets traditional Korean flavours through modern techniques, seasonal ingredients, and years of research. Each dish is rooted in history yet speaks to today’s palate. Counter seating offers a glimpse into the quiet focus of the kitchen, while carefully curated beverage pairings enhance the experience.

Woo Lae Oak is one of the best-known Pyongyang naengmyeon restaurants in Seoul, and its traditions have been upheld since its opening in 1946. The broth is what sets this spot apart from other competitors. It is made by boiling Hanwoo foreshank for hours and seasoned with nothing more than salt and soy sauce to create the clean savoury flavour that can only be tasted here. The bulgogi, another popular dish, pairs well with the cold noodles. The restaurant has maintained consistent flavours and has exclusively used local ingredients through its many years of service, which makes it packed with

At this humble diner situated in Bukchon Village, the pork and rice soup comes in two sizes: medium and extra-meat. A special oil made with Cheongyang chilli pepper and kale is drizzled on top of the clean soup, creating a unique visual appearance and rich, harmonious flavours. The Spanish Duroc baby pork ribs and thin slices of pork butt that complement the dish are exceedingly tender and boast delicate flavours, further elevating the gastronomic experience.

On your way to your table, you’ll walk past a cabinet of Peking duck that’s a favorite order of many of the guests here at this handsome and comfortable Chinese restaurant at the Four Seasons hotel. While the menu leans towards Cantonese cuisine–lunchtime dim sum is always popular and the choice is extensive–the kitchen also offers specialities from a number of Chinese regions. Wok-fried Hoengseong Hanwood beef with ginger is a dish to look out for.

Set inside a converted traditional hanok, this restaurant is built around its signature gaeseong-style dumplings, a recipe passed down from the owner’s grandmother. The dough, fermented for three hours, yields wrappers with a pleasantly elastic texture and a subtle wheat aroma, while the filling—pork blended with generous vegetables—offers a clean, harmonious flavour. The clear, milky broth is simmered for eight hours with beef and ten kinds of fresh vegetables, resulting in a naturally savoury depth without heavy seasoning. The accompanying mul-kimchi and kkakdugi pair beautifully with the du