Korea's acclaimed restaurants in Myeongdong, Seoul (With CATCHTABLE GLOBAL Data)

A few blocks from Myeongdong’s neon, Haepo greets you with the perfume of oak—smoke that’s sweet, clean, and hungry-making. Locals and savvy travelers alike come for pork and beef intestines that meet a lava-stone grill blazing past 400°C, where edges crackle glassy and the center stays plush and juicy.

Expect bold, fire-forward flavors and a compact, cozy room that suits small gatherings; it’s the spot you suggest when someone says, “I want to taste the grill.”

• Order this: Oak-fired bulgogi and mixed gopchang; pair rich cuts with crisp greens and a cold beer.
• Good to know: Mid-range pricing; best enjoyed with 2–4 people for variety.

Slip off the main street into a friendly nook where steam from al dente pasta mingles with the buttery scent of steak basting in its own jus. Loved by both locals and visitors, it’s the kind of Italian you crave mid-shopping—comforting, unfussy, and wine-ready.

The room is simple and easygoing; come with a partner, order two pastas and a steak, and share everything.

• Order this: A creamy pasta plus a tomato-based pasta for contrast; add a medium-rare steak to share.
• Good to know: First-come seating; materials may run out. For 7+ call ahead; use nearby paid parking.

Daylight brings the comforting steam of shabu-shabu and hand-friendly noodles; by evening, the kitchen pivots to soulful Korean dishes, the room humming with clinks of toasting glasses. It’s a crowd-pleaser for colleagues and families, a short stroll from Myeongdong.

Private rooms and a terrace make it versatile—quiet catch-ups or celebratory spreads both feel natural here.

• Order this: Shabu set for lunch; at night, pair Jeil Hangjeong Suyuk and Baekgolbaengi-tang with traditional liquors.
• Good to know: Friendly service; works well for mixed-age groups.

If your night in Myeongdong needs a glow-up, this stylish bar is a playground for your palate—highballs that sparkle, cocktails with balance and bite, and a food menu that keeps pace. Locals and travelers slide in for a nightcap that can easily become a night out.

It’s the kind of counter where the bartender remembers what you liked and nudges you toward your next favorite sip.

• Order this: A signature highball followed by a seasonal cocktail; explore the whiskey shelf if you’re in the mood.
• Good to know: Corkage generally not allowed; permitted with fees (Wine 55,000 KRW; Whiskey 150,000 KRW).

Ariake is the hush of a temple and the clarity of great produce on porcelain—seafood caught in pristine waters, knife work that breathes, broths that whisper umami. Beloved by international gourmands and special-occasion locals, it’s a refined pause in the city’s rush.

Courses progress with quiet logic—temperature, texture, and aroma in elegant sync—making it ideal for anniversaries or business lunches you want to remember.

• Order this: Seasonal course; ask the team about seafood provenance and sake pairings.
• Good to know: Seasonal event courses and holiday specials are announced; check notices when reserving.

Warm lighting, hushed service, and classic French flavors delivered with modern finesse—Continental gives special nights their proper frame. It’s a darling of both travelers chasing Michelin-listed polish and locals celebrating milestones.

The kitchen’s seasonal signatures lean into deep reductions and precise textures; wines are paired with a steady hand.

• Order this: Seasonal tasting with wine pairing; ask about truffle or high-season specialties.
• Good to know: Dress code is smart or business casual; special high-season menus may apply in December.

When the city’s pace softens, Wataru turns on the amber glow—sake chilled, sashimi gleaming, and homestyle Japanese dishes that feel like a memory. It’s equally loved by locals and travelers for late-night comfort with careful cooking.

From saketoba to pot rice, the menu reads like what the chef’s parents might have made on a good day—simple, soulful, and right.

• Order this: A sashimi set to start, then warm pot rice and seasonal small plates with sake.
• Good to know: Corkage applies (Wine/Sake 30,000 KRW; Magnum/Issho/Whiskey 50,000 KRW). For 5+ call to reserve.

Part gallery, part grand dining room, Palsun distills the essence of Chinese cuisine into polished courses—wok aroma rising, sauces glossy yet restrained. It’s a magnet for visiting food lovers and families marking big days.

The space blends oriental warmth with modern lines; service is classically gracious without fuss.

• Order this: A signature course for the table; ask about seasonal specials and wine promotions.
• Good to know: For select holiday dinners, phone reservations may be required.

As dusk washes the skyline violet, ASEUL pours cheongju and sets out seasonal Korean plates that hum with balance—subtle, savory, and quietly inventive. It’s where locals and in-the-know travelers toast the city’s twilight.

Traditional liquors meet modern plating; the mood is date-night gentle with enough energy for a friends’ catch-up.

• Order this: A progression of seasonal plates with makgeolli, cheongju, or takju to explore pairing.
• Good to know: Not reservation-only but appreciated; lunch 2 hours, dinner 2.5 hours. Rooms have minimums (150,000 lunch / 300,000 dinner).

A counter-only “jewel” where a Korean course unfolds with seasonal seafood, herbs, kimchi—and the cult-favorite perilla oil octopus jeot capellini that perfumes the air with nutty, briny warmth. Both locals and visiting food nerds chase these seats.

The cooking is familiar yet slyly inventive; the energy is intimate, the pacing deliberate, the finish satisfying down to dessert.

• Order this: Course menu with the signature capellini; save room for abalone pot rice and braised short ribs.
• Good to know: All seats are counter. One bottle of team stew is required per party (two for 4+). No domestic liquors; reservations via Instagram DM; cancellation fees apply.