Cheongnyangni Dongbu Motel

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.

The name Tutoiement means 'to speak in a friendly, informal way', reflecting Chef Do-hyeon Kim’s desire to connect casually with diners through food. Interestingly, in contrast to this relaxed approach, the precisely cooked and sophisticated French cuisine engages the senses, placing the focus firmly on the food. The chef expresses the subtle flavours, textures, and nuances of each ingredient with care, plating dishes to highlight harmony between the components and their accompanying sauces. His cooking reflects a personal journey, guided by clarity of vision and a desire to create a dining ex

After honing his culinary skills in Japan, the owner-chef returned to reinterpret the beloved soba tradition using Korean buckwheat. Instead of following the typical buckwheat-to-flour ratios such as juwari or nihachi, the chef opted for sotoichi. The soba features a gentle grain aroma and a pleasantly chewy texture. You can enjoy classic zaru soba along with tasty braised dishes and crispy tempura, all great choices to pair with sake.

Born and Bred showcases top-grade hanwoo sourced from Majang-dong, curated by an owner truly “born and bred” there. Spanning four floors, each with its own concept, the restaurant offers a wide range—from signature burgers and steaks to Korean-style grilling cuts and specialty selections by weight. One floor serves a set tasting menu, while another presents a chef’s choice menu that best reflects the restaurant’s identity, so it’s worth choosing your floor in advance.

Located along a main road in Sindang-dong, Geumdwaeji Sikdang can be easily spotted by its gold-on-white-tile signage and the queue outside the door long after peak dining hours. The establishment used to serve fine cuts of YBD pig and has recently upgraded the meat quality by switching to premium-grade cuts. The texture of the pork is firm and meaty, with a good balance of flavourful fat that renders the meat supremely juicy. Items are cooked on a cast-iron grill over coal briquettes that help keep the temperature constant.

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

Joo052 is a portmanteau of 'Joo' (alcohol) and '052', the area code of the region the chefs live in. It is a Korean gastropub brimming with culinary ideas as playful as the restaurant’s name. Employing diverse fermented pastes and fermentation techniques, the basis of Korean cuisine, the chef duo offers unique dishes prepared with exceptional care and attention to detail to bring out unforgettable flavours. Additionally, the varied menu selections tend to go well together, making it easy to enjoy multiple items at once. These charms make Joo052 a perfect place to experience the exquisite harmo