Seoul Restaurant Tips by AKtravelers Top 5 Page for this destination

Nolbu Myongga: Traditional Korean Food = Many Dishes

One of the unique things about a Korean meal is that it will include small samples of many items, each with its own dish. First-timers to Seul are amazed when the entire meal is spread out before them, covering the table top in white porcelain. The picture attached to this tip was taken at Nolbu Myonnga (see tip above) and represents a meal for two persons costing about W30,000 a piece. That's a lot of dishes!

Rating: 4

Theme: Local

Nolbu Myongga: Dinner with Traditional Entertainment

If you want to experience excellent Korean cuisine while enjoying a succession of traditional Korean dancers and musicians performing in front of you, then Nolbu Myongga is the plce to go. A large, high-ceilinged building with expansive floor-space, Nolbu Myongga will almost certainly have room for you -- with or without reservation. When you show up, a beautifuul traditionally-clad hostess will show you to a space on the floor, where you will sit after taking off your shoes. You will then order by pointing (they speak no English) and wait for them to bring the table (yes, the table) full of food to you. As you choosefrom the 30 or odd small plates in front of you, brightly-clad dancers and musicians will occupy he stage during your meal, vying for your attention as the hostesses watch over you to ensure you don't break any protocol rules. Seriously, they saw me shifting uncomfortably and they told me how to sit with my feet straight out under the table (which was even more uncomfortable) and they even brought a floorpad with a back om it for Phil. The only thing not traditional about Nolbu Myongga is that they don't allow smoking -- a rare but welcome occurrance in Seoul!

Favorite Dish: You will only be able to identify half the food in front of you, but eat it anyway. It's all good (mostly).

Directions: South of the Han River near the Marriott, but worth the trip. Take the subway to the Seoul Express Bus Terminal Stop. It's next to a Polynesian restaurant called the Big Kahuna and near a Pizza place that uses the slogan "Pizza for Women"

Price: US$21-30

Rating: 5

Theme: Local

Outback Steakhouse: Seoul has 22 Outback Restaurants! Ugh!

Outback is an American chain of steakhouses based on faux-Australian theme. They are popular in the U.S. for their big, juicy steaks and bloomin' onions (which none of my real Aussie friends have ever heard of). But still, I was completely unprepared to hear how popular they are in Seoul -- there are 22 of them. In fact, there are three in Myeongdong, two within less than 100 meters of each other.
How did I find this out? Some friends said we should meet at the Outback in Myeongdong and I was working late so I told them I'd meet them there -- start without me. How hard could it be to find the Outback in Myeongdong? Except when there were three!! Finally I gave up visually searching and asked the hostess to phone other Outbacks to find them -- and they were in Chungmuro (the next neighborhood over)!

Favorite Dish: Despite their popularity, the steaks in the Korean Outbacks are not as good as in the American version of the franchise. But if you really are a fan of this restaurant chain, Seoul is the place to go!

Comparison: about average

Price: US$21-30

Rating: 2

Theme: American

Starbucks Coffee: Need Coffee? No Problem in Seoul!

When I first started coming to Seoul in the early 1990's, it was very hard to find a good cup of coffee. Therefore, I fell asleep alot. But over the past five years, Seoul has joined the coffee revolution. Now I am wide awake whenever I need to be because there are Starbucks Coffehouses everywhere in Seoul! This comes in especially handy after the jet-lag-inducing 20-hour trip from the eastern US. There are also a myriad of other brands of coffee bars/restaurants dotting the city. You not be lacking for caffeine in Seoul.
One good thing about the Starbucks in Seoul is that they serve coffee in these unique mugs with Korean lettering on them. The bad news is I haven't been able to find anyone who will sell me those mugs -- the ones you buy at the giftshop do not have the Hangul script. This is a merchandising opportunity being missed.

Comparison: about average

Price: less than US$10

Rating: 5

Theme: Dessert

Tokdo Chamsil: A Chain of Small Sushi Restaurants

If you need a refreshing, cheap and quick meal in Seoul but don't want western style fast food, duck into a chain of small all-you-can-eat sushi places called Tokdo Chamsil, named after the disputed Islands in the Sea of Japan (oops East Sea). For prices of W15000-W30000 you can get miso soup, vegetables seaweed and all the sushi you can eat in a pleasant atmosphere. If you're dining alone, go for the W15000 meal -- it will be enough. For a real Korea experience, accompany the meal with some baek soju.

Comparison: less expensive than average

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 4

Theme: Local

Any Neighborhood in Seoul: Traditional Korean Eating on the Floor

Seoul is teeming with good, small traditional Korean restaurants. You definitely should try one while you're in Seoul. Of course, you will have to take your shoes off and leave them at the door, so if you plan on doing this I wouldn't wear your most expensive shoes (they rarely get stolen, but it has happened to a friend of mine). You will also have to sit on the floor. Some resurants (like the one pictured) have gone soft and supply some pillows with back support, but many don't. Since I'm one of the softies that gets back pain if I sit too long on the floor, I will usually look to take a seat along the wall. This is okay if you're dining informally, but if you're going out with Koreans don't count on being able to do that. Koreans will usually insist on assigning you a seat -- there is no unassigned seating in Korea!

The menu will consist of the standard and delicious bulgogi, kalbi, pork and chicken, and your table will be covered with small bowlswhen you're finished. Enjoy!

Comparison: less expensive than average

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 5

Theme: Local

Yum! Insects!

One of the most popular street foods in Seoul is bundaegi. Bundaegi is roasted silkworm larvae. You can get it served in a cone or a cup for the wonderfully low price of W1000.
Yes, I have tried it. It tasted horrible, I discarded the rest of my cup after two samples. However, if your curious as to how insects taste and you have the courage, I recomment a taste.

Price: less than US$10

Rating: 2

Theme: Local