Darley's Seoul Restaurant Picks: The List I Send Friends Before They Travel to Korea
A friend of mine recently told me he was heading to Korea, and true to form, I sent him a list of exactly where to eat. It's the same list I've built from filming Korea for Foodies, my Travels with Darley episode dedicated entirely to South Korea's food scene — so I figured it was worth sharing here, too. If you're planning your own trip, watch my Korea for Foodies episode for tips before you go. Then bookmark this list.
Some of My Favorite Seoul Restaurants
Dosan Hoikwan — Great Korean BBQ in Gangnam. I filmed here for Korea for Foodies, and it's still one of the best Korean BBQ meals I've had — tender, perfectly charred, and worth building a night around.
Mangwon Market — A diverse food hall experience where you can taste whatever catches your eye. It's a real neighborhood market, not a tourist stop, and a great way to sample a lot of different Korean street food in one visit. Also worth a look: Gwangjang Market, Korea's oldest permanent market, known for its street food.
Mosu Seoul — Michelin three-star dining from Chef Sung Anh, who trained in the U.S. before moving back to Seoul. It's a splurge, but a memorable one — his dishes take Korean ingredients in genuinely unexpected directions.
Bukchon Hanok Village — A beautiful, well-preserved neighborhood of traditional Korean architecture in the middle of Seoul. It's not a restaurant stop, but it's a great place to walk between meals and see the city's history up close.
A Great Way to See Seoul Like a Local
Joe McPherson runs ZenKimchi, a guiding company that's been a huge asset every time I've filmed in Seoul. If you want a local's perspective on where to eat and drink, it's a great resource to book directly.
Outside of Seoul: A Temple Stay Worth Planning Around
Baekyangsa Temple is where I met and cooked with the venerable Jeong Kwan — the monk who became internationally known through Chef's Table on Netflix. You can stay overnight at the temple and take part in a cooking class with her. It's a few hours outside Seoul, so it's really only worth the trip if you can go for two nights. Email: baekyangsa@templestay.com
Watch the Episode
For the full story behind these picks — Korean BBQ, market food, temple cuisine and more — watch Korea for Foodies on YouTube.
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