Jung District in the heart of Seoul is not only home to various exciting attractions such as Deoksugung Palace, the vibrant shopping areas of Myeongdong and Namsan Tower, it is also filled with some of the best restaurants in the city.
Eulji Myun Oak (을지면옥)
Restaurant, Korean, $$$
Not only one of the best places to eat in Jung District, but undoubtedly in the entire city, Eulji Myun Oak serves delicious Naengmyeon, or cold noodles. The noodles are handmade from potatoes or buckwheat and then served in a delicious cold beef broth. The whole dish is then topped with cucumbers, a boiled egg and spicy mustard sauce for its unique flavor. Korean especially enjoy this dish in summer.
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Sun - Sat:
11:00 am - 9:00 pm
Jinju Jip (진주집)
Restaurant, Korean, $$$
Jinju Jip has been around for years and is a local favorite. The restaurant specializes in oxtail soup. The dish melts in your mouth due to the tenderness of the meat that has been braised for hours. Koreans say that there’s nothing better to cure a nasty hangover than having a bowl.
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Sun - Sat:
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Congdu (콩두)
Restaurant, Korean, $$$
Congdu is the perfect example of modern Korean cuisine. It’s only here where you can find fusion dishes such as grilled beef sirloin steak with 15-year seed soy sauce or crab marinated in a soy sauce using a special recipe passed down for generations from the Joseon Dynasty. Not only are some of the meals of royal origin, the restaurant building itself was once the office of a Joseon Queen. The views only add to the atmosphere as guests can enjoy the beautiful sight of the Deoksu Palace Gardens while eating modern Korean food.
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Sun - Sat:
11:30 am - 10:00 pm
Isaac Toast (이삭토스트)
Restaurant, European, American, $$$
A light lunch, dinner or a snack, Isaac Toast in Myeongdong has become extremely popular. One of their signature toasts is the Bulgalbi MVP Toast (불갈비 MVP 토스트) for only KRW 3,200. Each toast is made from scratch and served warm and toasted.
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Sun - Sat:
7:00 am - 8:30 pm
Mugyodong Bugeokukjib (북어국집)
Restaurant, Korean
Mugyodong Bugeokukjib might be one of those restaurants visitors have a hard time pronouncing the name of but once you are there, you’ll find that it was worth the struggle. Mugyodong Bugeokukjib is one of the best places in Seoul to have authentic Korean breakfast. There is no menu as there’s only one dish: beef and pollock soup. Nevertheless, the restaurant is so popular that a long line of people forms well before its opening hour of 11 AM.
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Sun - Sat:
7:00 am - 8:00 pm
Brera (브레라)
Restaurant, Italian, European
One of the few places in Seoul where you can get authentic brunch, Brera is one of the most popular restaurants for European dishes in the city. Brera’s Italian kitchen and bar serve delicious homemade pasta, European brunch, pizza, a variety of desserts and cocktails.
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Sun - Sat:
11:00 am - 11:00 pm
Momoyama (모모야마)
Restaurant, Japanese
Located at Seoul’s Lotte Hotel, Momoyama is a first-class Japanese restaurant bringing authentic dishes to the people of Seoul. Chef Makoto Shimura previously worked at Sushisho in Tokyo but came to Seoul to serve original sushi. Shimura specializes in Edo-style mature sushi.
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Jeonju Jungang Hoegwan (명동전주중앙회관)
Restaurant, Korean
Jeonju Jungang Hoekwan is one of the best places in the city to have authentic bibimbap, or mixed rice. Bibimbap is probably Korea’s most famous dish and is served in a variety of restaurants across the country and far beyond its borders. For those who don’t know, bibimbap is white rice topped with vegetables, meat, an egg and red chili paste. What makes this place so unique is the food presentation. The bibimbap is served in a hot stone bowl and topped with colorful seasonal vegetables.
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Fri - Wed:
9:30 am - 10:30 pm
Wangbijib (왕비집)
Restaurant, Korean, Barbeque, $$$
This authentic Korean BBQ restaurant has become so popular that it opened four more locations in Myeongdong and Jongno. Unlike many other BBQ places, Wangbijib offers both pork and beef options, which is great for those who crave a bit of variety. The quality and marinade of the meat is superb, which is why Wangbijib is so popular.
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Mon - Sun:
11:30 am - 10:30 pm
Pierre Gagnaire à Séoul (피에르 가니에르 서울)
Restaurant, French, European, $$$
Pierre Gagnaire à Séoul is another Michelin star restaurant in Seoul and offers exquisite French fusion meals. The restaurant opened in Lotte Hotel’s new wing in 2008 and has been popular among the high-society and those who are looking for the ultimate food experience in Seoul. Once you step inside the restaurant, you get teleported straight to Paris – glass chandeliers and gold details give this space its authentic French vibe. The food is even better as the chefs reinvent French cuisine by experimenting with flavors and ingredients.
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