Where To Find The Best Bulgogi In Seoul

Perhaps one of the best known traditional Korean dishes is bulgogi: beef bathed in a soy sauce, sugar, and Korean pear marinade, and cooked with vegetables in a wok or pan. In the past, the dish was only enjoyed on special celebratory occasions, but today it is a fairly common meal. However, not all bulgogi restaurants are created equal – here are the best places to try it.

1. Old School Bulgogi (옛맛서울불고기)

Restaurant, Korean

If you find yourself in western Seoul, be sure not to miss the chance to visit Old School Bulgogi. Bulgogi sets include heaping portions of marinated beef, heaps of mushrooms and onions, and delightfully chewy glass noodles in a delectable broth – not to mention plenty of banchan (side dishes). In addition to the fun social experience that the no-frills restaurant offers, it is also known for its character of a chef. Offering some of the biggest portions for the best prices you’ll find in the city, this is not a place to dine alone, so be sure to bring along a friend or two.

2. Byeokje Galbi (벽제갈비)

Restaurant, Korean

If you’re looking for something a bit more upscale, head to Byeokje Galbi in the ritzy neighborhood of Seorae Maeul. Reputed to serve up some of the best galbi in town, the restaurant only uses hanwoo, or high-end Korean beef, in their dishes. Their bulgogi (30,000 won (US$28)) is a star dish and pairs beautifully with the perfectly spicy prima kimchi. Other dishes on offer include galbi, galbi tang, gom tang, and naegmyeon.

3. Maple Tree House Itaewon (단풍나무집)

Restaurant, Korean

Known for being one of the top Korean BBQ restaurants in Seoul, Maple Tree House is also one of the best places to try bulgogi. Treat your taste buds to the maple-aged bulgogi, two hundred grams of thinly sliced chuckroll, delicately marinated, and served with glass noodles in Maple Tree House’s special beef broth. Or, if you’re looking to warm up on a cold day, try the beef bulgogi stew set: thin slices of chuckroll, vegetables and glass noodles stewed in a sweet bulgogi stock and served with steamed rice.

5. Gaehwaok (개화옥)

Restaurant, Korean

Situated in ritzy Gangnam, Gaehwaok has taken traditional Korean dishes and reinterpreted them with a modern twist to fit the taste of Seoul’s Instagram-obsessed youth. Go here for the bulgogi, but if you’re feeling particularly hungry, also try the grilled vegetables and soybean noodles. The traditional Korean dinnerware the food is served on also enhances the taste and atmosphere.

6. Samwon Garden (삼원가든)

Restaurant, Korean

With enough seating to accommodate up to 1,200 guests, it’s safe to say that Samwon Garden – the biggest restaurant in Seoul – can draw a crowd. The restaurant owes its popularity to its traditional dining atmosphere as well as its expansive menu of delicious Korean entrees. The bulgogi table set, which consists of perfectly sweet bulgogi and a spread of banchan which are equally as beautiful, is the restaurant’s signature dish and might just be one of the most memorable meals you’ll have in Seoul.

7. Yeokjeon Hall (역전회관)

Restaurant, Korean

With constant competition and ever-changing food trends, it’s not easy for a restaurant in Seoul to stay open for an extended length of time. But Yeokjeon Hall has stood the test of time since 1962 thanks to its widely known and unique bulgogi variation, bassag bulgogi. This crunchy take on the traditional dish is raved about in food circles, and is best enjoyed when wrapped in sesame leaves. The restaurant’s affordability, history, and food are all contributing factors for its listing by Michelin Bib Gourmand 2017.

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