Korea's audience-choice restaurants in Gangnam, Seoul (With CATCHTABLE GLOBAL Data)

The room goes quiet as the rice sighs and vinegar rises, a cool brush of wasabi meeting fish that tastes like the season itself. Kobune blends sushi craft and Japanese cuisine in a way that feels inevitable and yet surprising with every course. Loved by both discerning locals and visiting sushi pilgrims who secure the counter seats early on CATCHTABLE.

• Order this: Counter omakase and note any allergies at least two days ahead for a flawless flow.

Just up the road, the perfume of lamb fat turns sweet as it kisses the grate and any worry about gaminess melts away at first bite. This is where locals bring friends to convert them to lamb, and travelers follow the buzz for a relaxed yet expert grill session booked via CATCHTABLE.

• Order this: Lamb galbi followed by a compact beef course so you can taste the contrast in texture and umami.

A gentle glow, easy music, and the nutty scent of warm bread drifting from the pass invite you to slow down. AiSuma plates Italian comfort with intention, from seafood-rich tomato stews to steak risotto that lands silky and savory. A spot locals book for dates and anniversaries that travelers happily adopt.

• Order this: Octopus stew, steak risotto, and the fresh-baked bread starter to set the tone.

Steam fogs the room and mala aromatics bloom as the pot splits red and clear, a table theatre that draws everyone from industry folks to jet-lagged travelers. As a global name planted under COEX, it is a convenient crowd-pleaser that both locals and visitors rely on when the clock hits late.

• Order this: Half-and-half broth, beef and lamb slices, plus the hand-pulled noodle show for fun.

A couple of minutes from Exit 9, the peppercorn bloom and deep beefy stock tell you this is classic Sichuan comfort. With spacious seating and a stack of broths and sauces, it is a reliable choice for families and friend groups that both locals book often and travelers happily discover.

• Order this: Spicy mala and clear broth combo with tripe, tofu skin, and crisp vegetables for texture play.

Move into a soft-lit bar where the clink of stems meets the comfort of Italian-inspired small plates. The pairings feel effortless, the room gentle enough for real conversation, the cooking confident without being showy. A quiet favorite among locals that travelers mark for intimate evenings.

• Order this: Today’s glass wine with a pasta or steak plate, then lean into the by-the-bottle list.

The dough browns to a leopard-speckled crust as shiitake and blue cheese perfume the air with a savory, grown-up richness. It is the kind of compact, characterful pizzeria where seats go first to those in the know, including a steady stream of locals and curious visitors.

• Order this: Signature Shiitake and Blue Cheese pizza and bring a brunch appetite if you come early.

The lake breeze follows you in as blistered crusts emerge from the oven, cheese stretching and herbs releasing their fragrance. Equally popular with neighborhood regulars and out-of-towners on a Seokchon Lake stroll, it is a reliable, friendly choice that welcomes groups and takeout plans with ease.

• Order this: A classic wood-fired pizza and a house pasta to share so you can sample both specialties.

Slip into a hidden corner where the lighting softens and small plates rotate with the seasons, meant for sake or a glass of wine and an unhurried evening. A locals-first gem that travelers love discovering through CATCHTABLE, especially if you prefer conversations over clatter.

• Order this: Seasonal sashimi set with a crisp sake, then follow with a warm small plate for balance.

Finish where the ice sings against crystal and citrus oils lift from the rim. Bar Glas mixes classics with playful signatures in a mellow space that makes time stretch in the best way. Local regulars and visiting night owls alike return for the balance in the glass and the kindness in service.

• Order this: A house signature, then a favorite classic to compare the bar’s touch.