Looking for Korean Restaurants in Seoul? Seongsu is the trendy spot for young Koreans, known for its diverse culinary scene. While foreign cuisines are plentiful, finding authentic Korean matjip(맛집, taste-house, which means nice restaurant)s can be challenging here.
This guide introduces 4 gems that offer traditional Korean flavors in stylish settings in Seongsu. The area near Ttukseom Station, adjacent to Seoul Forest, is particularly rich in Korean restaurants that that boast both a beautiful interiors and delicious food.
Here are my top 4 picks for Korean restaurants.
If it’s your first time to visit a Korean restaurant and you don’t have any ideas about Korean restaurant practices, here are some tips.
How to Order at a Korean Restaurant: Local’s Guide
Daban (다반)
: a modern bansang
Daban offers an opportunity to experience ‘bansang’, a traditional Korean meal composition rarely found in typical restaurants. While many Korean eateries serve limited side dishes, Daban brings the authentic Korean dining experience to life.
Signature Dish: Bansang
At Daban, the star of the show is their bansang – a meal featuring rice accompanied by more than five different side dishes. This setup closely mimics the way Koreans traditionally eat at home, providing a genuine cultural dining experience.
Menu Highlights:
- Seasonal Bansang: The restaurant updates its bansang menu with seasonal ingredients, ensuring a fresh and varied experience with each visit.
- Gamtakimbap: A popular fusion twist on traditional kimbap, unique to Daban and highly favored by patrons.
Atmosphere and Drinks:
The restaurant boasts a modern yet sophisticated ambiance. Complementing the food is a diverse selection of traditional Korean liquors that add depth to the dining experience.
Why Visit Daban:
- Authentic home-style Korean dining experience
- Wide range of à la carte options for exploring diverse Korean tastes
- Seasonal menu showcasing fresh, local ingredients
- Fusion dishes that respect traditional flavors
Menu
Recommended Order:
For first-time visitors, I suggest trying one of the bansang options to get the full experience. Bansang Charim A with Seoul Style Chicken Soup is a great choice.
Bansang:
Bansang Charim A – 23,000 KRW
Seoul Style Chicken Soup Bansang (서울식 닭곰탕 반상)
- Chicken Soup (닭곰탕)
- Muksabal (묵사발)
- Spicy Chicken Salad and Crispy Seaweed Chips (닭무침과 김부각)
- Baek Kimchi (백김치) – White Kimchi
- Dried Radish Kimchi (무말랭이)
- Summer Fruits (여름과일)
Bansang Charim B – 21,000 KRW
Wonju Chogye Guksu Bansang (원주 초계국수 반상)
Chogye Guksu (초계국수) – Cold Chicken Noodles
Tarae Sauce Gondre Jumeokbap (타래소스 곤드레 주먹밥) – Pressed Rice Balls with Tarae Sauce and Gondre (Cordyceps)
Myeon Jeonbyeong (메밀전병) – Buckwheat Pancake
Moo Malengi (무말랭이) – Dried Radish Kimchi
Baek Kimchi (백김치) – White Kimchi
Summer Fruits (여름과일) – Seasonal Fruits
Dishes:
- Hanwoo Beef Tartare & Seaweed Chips Tarte (한우 육회 김부각 타르트) – 15,000 KRW
- Aged Kimchi Gamtae Kimbap (묵은지 감태김밥) – 15,000 KRW
- Sea Urchin Soba Noodles (성게 메밀 국수) – 21,000 KRW
- Spicy Beef Stir-Fried Noodles (육개 볶음 국수) – 15,000 KRW
- Seaweed and Oyster Ravioli (매생이 굴 라비올리) – 14,000 KRW
- Truffle Pig’s Blood Sausage Grill (트러플 피순대 구이) – 14,000 KRW
- Arugula Squid Kimchi Pancake (루꼴라 오징어 김치전) – 13,000 KRW
- Crispy Pork Belly (크리스피제육) – 33,000 KRW
- Assorted Korean Pancakes with Pickled Vegetables(모듬전과 장아찌) – 31,000 KRW
- Braised Short Ribs with Chestnut Purée (갈비찜과 밤퓨레) – 38,000 KRW
- Makgeolli Ice Cream (막걸리 아이스크림) – 7,000 KRW
Daban(다반)
- 📍 Address: 1F, 18-10, Seoulsup 4-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul (서울시 성동구 서울숲4길 18-10 1층)
- 📌 Google map: view
- 🕙️ Opening hours: Everday 11:30-15:30, 17:00-22:00
- 🌐 Instagram: @daban_seoul/
Nanpo (난포)
: Ssambap and Fusion Korean Cuisine
Nanpo brings a creative twist to Korean cuisine, blending innovative techniques with traditional flavors. While classified as fusion, this Korean restaurant maintains a strong connection to authentic Korean tastes, offering a unique dining experience.
Signature Dish: Gang-doen-jang Ssambap
The star of Nanpo’s menu is the “Gang-doen-jang Ssambap”. This dish features rice balls with meat wrapped in kale, served atop a rich Gang-doen-jang stew. It’s a perfect representation of how Nanpo reimagines classic Korean flavors.
Menu Highlights:
- Gang-doen-jang Ssambap: A renowned Korean dish, Ssambap
- Seasonal Sashimi with Pickled Kimchi Rice Roll: A fresh take on traditional ingredients
- Shrimp and Potato Pancake: A crispy, savory delight
Atmosphere and Dining Style:
Nanpo offers a modern, stylish setting that complements its innovative menu. The restaurant’s approach to dining allows guests to experience both meal-style and specialty offerings.
Why Visit Nanpo:
- Diverse menu catering to various tastes and preferences
- Creative fusion of traditional Korean flavors with modern culinary techniques
- High-quality ingredients, including Korean beef and fresh seafood
Menu
Recommended Order:
For two people, I suggest ordering the Gang-doen-jang Ssambap, Seasonal Sashimi & Pickled Kimchi Rice Roll, and the Shrimp and Potato Pancake. This combination provides a good mix of Nanpo’s signature items and flavors.
Meals:
- Beef Bone Soup (곰국) – 13,000 KRW
- Octopus Soy Sauce Noodles (돌문어간장국수) – 14,000 KRW
- Seasonal Sashimi Noodles (제철회국수) – 13,000 KRW
- Abalone and Perilla Seed Noodles (전복들깨국수) – 16,000 KRW
- Seasonal Sashimi & Pickled Kimchi Rice Roll(제철회묵은지말이) – 11,000 KRW
- Gang-doen-jang Ssambap (강된장쌈밥) – 10,000 KRW
Dishes:
- Cod Pancake (대구전) – 18,000 KRW
- Shrimp and Potato Pancake (새우감자전) – 18,000 KRW
- Boiled Octopus (문어숙회) – 25,000 KRW
- Korean Beef Brisket (한우수육) – 38,000 KRW
- Korean Beef Shank Stew (한우스지전골) – 32,000 KRW
Nampo (난포)
- 📍 Address: 1F, 18-8 Seoulsup 4-gil, Seongsu-dong 1(il)-ga, Seongdong-gu, Seoul (서울시 성동구 성수동1가 서울숲4길 18-8 1층)
- 📌 Google map: view
- 🕙️ Opening hours: Everday 11:00-15:50, 17:00-21:30
- 🌐 Instagram: @nanpo_official
Chyori Sangkyung (쵸리상경)
: The Art of Sotbap
Located 2nd floor just above Nanpo, Chyori Sangkyung specializes in sotbap, a traditional Korean dish that elevates the humble rice pot to gourmet levels.
Signature Dish: Sotbap
Sotbap is a layered rice dish cooked in a stone or metal pot, topped with various ingredients. It results in a perfect blend of flavors and a crispy bottom layer called ‘nurungji.’ Chyori Sangkyung offers various sotbap options, each showcasing different ingredients and tastes.
Menu Highlights:
- Sous Vide Doenjang Pork Belly: A modern take on a classic Korean flavor
- Salmon Sotbap: A popular choice with rich, flavorful salmon
- Cho-ring-gi: A unique signature dish featuring crispy fried chicken breast
Atmosphere and Dining Experience:
The restaurant offers a contemporary setting that honors traditional cooking methods. The warmth of the sotbap dishes creates a comforting, satisfying dining experience.
Why Visit Chyori Sangkyung:
- Seasonal menu changes for variety and freshness
- Expertly prepared sotbap dishes that are hard to replicate at home
- Blend of traditional cooking methods with modern presentation
Menu
Recommended Order:
I suggest each person orders their own sotbap (my favorite is Grilled Eel Sotbap). Add the Cho-ring-gi or Sous Vide Doenjang Pork Belly to share for a fuller experience of the restaurant’s offerings.
Sotbap:
- Salmon Sotbap (연어 솥밥) – 18,000 KRW
- Abalone Sotbap (전복장 솥밥) – 19,000 KRW
- Steak Sotbap (스테이크 솥밥) – 25,000 KRW
- Eonyang-style Flat Grilled Pork Sotbap (언양식 납작불고기 솥밥) – 18,000 KRW
- Grilled Eel Sotbap (장어 솥밥) – 23,000 KRW
Dishes:
- Shiitake Menbosha (표고 멘보샤) 4pc – 14,000 KRW
(Fried shiitake mushrooms topped with minced shrimp) - Cho-ring-gi (쵸린기) – 20,000 KRW
(Crispy fried chicken breast with rich vegetables and a special soy sauce) - Sous Vide Doenjang Pork Belly (수비드 된장 통삼겹구이) – 25,000 KRW
(Pork belly cooked slowly in doenjang sauce, served with barley doenjang, fermented shrimp, and vegetables)
Chyori sankyung(쵸리상경)
- 📍 Address: 2F, 18-8 Seoulsup 4-gil, Seongsu-dong 1(il)-ga, Seongdong-gu, Seoul (서울시 성동구 성수동1가 서울숲4길 18-8 2층)
- 📌 Google map: view
- 🕙️ Opening hours: Everday 11:00-15:00, 17:00-22:00
- 🌐 Instagram: @chyorisangkyung
Manhak (만학)
: Sotbap with Main Dishes
Just a short walk from Chyori Sangkyung, Manhak offers another take on sotbap, showcasing the dish’s versatility and popularity in the area. The big differences between Chori Sangkyung and this place is the ordering system. At this restaurant, each person must order one dish(other than sotbap), and sotbap is served in a set menu style.
Signature Dish: Sotbap Set Meals
Manhak’s unique approach combines individual main dishes with shared sotbap, creating a communal dining experience. Their abalone sotbap is particularly noteworthy for its exceptional fragrance and flavor.
Menu Highlights:
- Market-style Fried Chili Peppers: A must-try side dish
- Grilled Marinated Beef Ribs: A classic Korean favorite
- Abalone Mushroom Sotbap: Known for its rich aroma and taste
Atmosphere and Dining Style:
Manhak offers a comfortable, casual setting perfect for group dining. The set meal style encourages sharing and trying a variety of dishes.
Why Visit Manhak:
- Excellent value for the quality and quantity of food
- Unique ordering system that allows for variety in a single meal
- High-quality ingredients in both main dishes and sotbap
Menu
Recommended Order:
For two people, I suggest ordering Grilled Marinated Beef Ribs and Grilled Pork Cheek as main dishes, paired with the Abalone Mushroom Sotbap. Don’t forget to add the Market-style Fried Chili Peppers – they’re delicious and not spicy at all!
Main Dishes:
- Grilled Marinated Beef Ribs (소 갈빗살 양념구이) – 21,000 KRW
- Braised Beltfish (일품 갈치조림) – 20,000 KRW
- Aged Salmon Sashimi (숙성 연어 회) – 20,000 KRW
- Jeju-style Braised Pork (제주식 돔베고기) – 18,000 KRW
- Grilled Pork Cheek with Chili Peppers (항정살구이와 꽈리고추) – 16,000 KRW
- Manhak Braised Mackerel Pike (만학 삼치조림) – 16,000 KRW
Sotbap:
- Shrimp Butter Sotbap (새우버터 솥밥)
- Beef Brisket Garlic Sotbap (차돌박이 마늘 솥밥)
- Abalone Mushroom Sotbap (전복 버섯 솥밥) – +2,000 KRW
- Sea Bream Sotbap (도미 솥밥) – +4,000 KRW
Side Dishes:
Market-style Fried Chili Peppers (시장 고추튀김) – 5,000 KRW
Manhak(만학)
- 📍 Address: 26-24 Seoul Forest 4-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul (서울시 성동구 서울숲4길 26-24)
- 📌 Google map: view
- 🕙️ Opening hours: Everday 11:30-15:00, 17:00-21:00
- 🌐 Instagram: @manhak_official
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