If you are planning your food trip to Seoul, Korea, these are some of the few places you should not miss out. Read more to find out some of the succulent and authentic Korean dishes that will not fail you.

Gwangjang Market

Gwangjang Market is one the largest and oldest traditional food market in Seoul, Korea. In this market, visitors can find a wide range of local Korean food and products.

Most of the stalls sell similar food but there are some popular ones.

The Korean knife cut noodles soup was comforting and good. It definitely did warm my heart and soul! On the other hand, their bibimbap is served with barley instead of white rice which means it is actually more nutritious!

I really love the bungeoppang (korean fish shaped pastry) from this stall. Their bungeoppang is freshly made and filled with generous amount of red bean paste. Anyway, don’t to get yourself the traditional sweet rice drink (sikhye).

88 Changgyeonggung-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea

본가진미간장게장
Never knew raw crab marinated in soy sauce (gejang) can be so scrumptious! The crabs they serve here are big, and the flesh was firm and sweet. How can one resist these roe-filled, succulent crabs?

Of course one of the best way to enjoy crab roe is to mix with some rice on the top shell.

Besides of gejang, their seafood pot was really amazing too. The soup was packed with flavour from the variety of fresh seafood which makes the soup “naturally” sweet.

Songpa1-dong, Seoul Korea

Yeongdong Freshwater Eel 

Fresh mud water eel packed with awesome natural flavour grilled perfectly on your table. The eel was soft, chewy and delicious. It was pricey but it’s definitely worth it. Also, there is also a side of unnlimited chives to compliment your meal!

If you are feeling adventurous, you can try out the soju that is injected with eel gallbladder.

98-8 Nonhyeon 2(i)-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea

Tosokchon Samgyetang

This restaurant is popular for tourists and locals and is well known for its authentic ginseng chicken soup (samgyetang). The chicken is tender while the ginseng soup is thick and flavorful. Several ingredients are stuffed in the chicken such as ginseng, chestnuts, glutinous rice and so forth. The portion is really huge so be sure to come here with empty stomach.

5 Jahamun-ro 5-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea

Taejo Gamjaguk Sungshin Women’s Univ.

This restaurant has been passed been passed down for more than 60 years and it’s definitely a place to go for pod rib potato soup (gamjatang). The soup is spicy, rich and topped with plenty of sesame leaves.

Love how they cook the rice with the “leftover” thick soup at the end.

43 Bomun-ro 34-gil, Dongseon-dong, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, South Korea

Gimsasgasbabjib
This authentic Korean restaurant is located about two hours away from Seoul. But I highly recommend this as you can see from the picture, there are so many side dishes! The dishes here are authentic and amazing. I like how the serve barley rice here too!

473-7, Guam-ri, Hwado-eup, Namyangju-si, Gyeonggi-do


Cafe Onion Angguk
One of the must-visit cafes in Seoul that serves a wide variety of pastries. It is located and set within an old school hanok setting yet modern on the inside. This cafe is always packed and getting a table here can be very challenging.

5, Gyedong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul 03059 South Korea

Starbucks
Hanok-themed Starbucks which is near City Hall Square.

112 Sogong-ro, Sogong-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea

Namdaemun Market

Namdaemun is the largest traditional market in Korea selling various food and goods. Make sure you venture through the narrow alleys instead of the Main Street to discover some of the food stalls and restaurants.

Ikseon-dong
Ikseon-dong is a hidden treasure in the bustling city. Ikseon-dong hold treasures in the form of cafes, restaurants and handicraft shops with unique concepts and designs operated by young entrepreneurs.

Nakwon

Nakwon is one of the top cafes in Ikseon-dong which is frequented by locals for its insta-worthy spot. It’s a cafe with a railway based design and serves a variety of drinks and cakes.

33-5 Supyo-ro 28-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea

Shinsagae Department Store (Food Hall)

The Shinsegae food hall is located on the basement level which is accessible via an escalator in the cosmetics department and a few other doors. Every vendor in the food hall was hand-selected to ensure they are in line with the Shinsagae brand.

15 Yeongjung-ro, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, South Korea