Seochon Orak Stay

JUEUN offers a delicate expression of Korea’s four seasons, favouring a classic, understated approach over trends or ornamentation. A variety of fermented sauces form the backbone of the menu, enhancing ingredients with natural depth and harmony, while the seasonally changing courses provide a strong incentive for return visits. The meal follows a thoughtful progression and concludes with a traditional Korean table that highlights a wide spectrum of flavours. Ceramics by local artists and subtle media art create a space where tradition and modernity coexist with quiet elegance. The curated pai

Andeok is known for its beef naengguksu and mandutguk. The mulguksu here is similar to Pyongyang-style naengmyeon, though the noodles are softer and springier thanks to the higher buckwheat content. The clean, mild broth is complemented by lightly seasoned beef, delivering a deep, savoury flavour with each bite. Fried peppers are also popular; the meat-and-vegetable filling, encased in a crisp batter, is unexpectedly flavourful. Arriving at opening time is recommended to avoid long queues at lunchtime.

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.

Since 1932, Yonggeumok has been offering piping hot bowls of loach soup, a popular local dish believed to boost energy, especially during the summer months. This restaurant serves two different versions of the hearty and comforting soup: the chunkier Seoul style with whole loach, and the smoother Jeolla province style with ground loach. Everything on the menu as well as the complimentary side dishes are prepared daily by the longtime owner and chef Han Jeong-ja.

Horapha, which means “Thai basil” in Thai. The menu is simple, but each dish delivers remarkably deep flavors. Namtokhet is a spicy salad made with charcoal-grilled mushrooms, aromatic herbs, and toasted rice powder, which has a pleasant chewy texture. Kaeng massaman is a curry with a unique flavor profile, made with cinnamon and sweet roasted vegetables. Paired with the right wine, these dishes offer a distinctive tasting experience. There is limited seating, and the place is always packed. With limited seating and steady demand, reserving in advance is the best way to secure a spot.

Tucked away at the end of a quiet alley, the small, shoe-off restaurant retains a cosy charm. Founded in Naejadong in 1975 and relocated to its current site in 2006, it is known for a clean, aromatic heat that eliminates any gaminess. Its gamjatang is distinctive for using only bean sprouts and chives to create a refreshingly sharp broth. The jokbal is simmered for hours in a fragrant blend of spices and house broth, resulting in tender meat free of any off-flavours and deeply flavourful, chewy skin. Guests can choose between the richer hind leg or the softer foreleg, and the generous portions

At Daesungjip, a rich, milky broth comes brimming with tender beef knee cartilage (dogani), tendon (suji), and shank (satae), all served with a dose of old-school hospitality. There’s no trace of gaminess—just a clean, subtly sweet broth with a luxuriously silky mouthfeel from well-emulsified fat. The steaming soup, springy dogani, and fluffy rice form a perfect trio, elevated by sharp kimchi, crisp kkakdugi, and bold gochujang garlic on the side. Owner Lee Chun-hee, still behind the ladle daily, may just be the key to the unwavering quality of this beloved doganitang.