Korea's highly rated restaurants in Itaewon, Seoul (With CATCHTABLE GLOBAL Data)

Steam rises in herbal curls, broth shimmering with beefy depth that clings to the noodles—this is the kind of pho that tastes like a perfect memory. Loved by locals and travelers alike, Hieutu leans bright and aromatic, the kind of bowl you crave on a cool Seoul afternoon before wandering up into Itaewon proper.

• Order this!: Classic pho with fresh herbs; add a shared plate for a fuller spread.

At the counter, blades whisper and rice breathes—clean cuts, seasonal fish, and a measured rhythm that lets flavors bloom. Loved by both visitors and regulars, this “affordable omakase” focuses on balance over bling, ideal before an evening amble toward Itaewon’s neon.

• Order this: Counter omakase; sit close to watch the seasoning and pacing up close.

Lime, basil, chili—the room fills with Bangkok perfume as colorful plates land with precision. Loved by locals and travelers, SSONGTAI delivers layered curries, wok-kissed noodles, and vegan takes without compromise, a vibrant pause before a late-night in Gyeongridan.

• Don’t miss: Tom yum and a noodle favorite; ask for vegan adaptations if needed.

Charcoal breathes, fat drips, and the room smells like caramelized edges—yakitori at its most honest. Loved by both locals and visiting food fans, Kushi Nori serves skewers with snap and smoke, backed by Japanese chefs who let freshness do the talking—perfect as you move deeper into Hannam.

• Order this: Thigh, tsukune, and a vegetable skewer flight; pair with a crisp beer.

A modern tavern dressed in Enlightenment-era nostalgia: pork back cuts hiss on the grill while artisan sool glows amber in the glass. Loved by neighborhood regulars and curious travelers, it’s where a smoky, chewy bite meets an unexpectedly elegant abalone-innards pasta—surprising, and it works—before you slide back toward Itaewon’s ridge.

• Order this: Grilled back meat with salt, plus the abalone innards pasta for deep umami.

Warm lights, city views, and Italian comforts sized for sharing—gambas loaded with plump shrimp, a creamy tickle of mentaiko, and a steak rosé pasta that eats like a celebration. Beloved by locals and visitors, it’s the kind of easy-elegant room you book for birthdays or date nights before drifting down into the bar streets.

• Don’t miss: Gambas, vongole, and the signature steak rosé pasta with their special sauce.

Numbing spice and wok-kissed smoke curl through a cozy room that peers out to Namsan. A favorite for both neighborhood regulars and out-of-towners, Malakushi pairs mala heat with refined baijiu flights—great before or after a natural-wine stop nearby.

• Order this: A mala centerpiece with shared sides; ask staff for a baijiu pairing to match your spice tolerance.

By day, a pita-and-poke lunch that’s fresh and unfussy; by night, a softly lit wine bar with smart, travel-inspired plates. Loved by both locals and visitors, Hari is that serene pause in the crawl—the pour that nudges conversation deeper before you head back into Itaewon.

• Order this: At lunch, the pita sandwich; at dinner, ask for the day’s specials with a lively, low-intervention pour.

An easy, modern space for dates or friend groups where the kitchen actually cooks to order—fresh, hot, and generous. Loved by locals and travelers, it’s the reliable “everyone’s happy” stop on the route, especially if you reserve to shorten the time between perilla-scented bites and your first drink.

• Order this: Build a table of anju favorites; staff can steer you toward the most popular pairings.

A sister spot that doubles down on consistency: market-fresh ingredients cooked to order, anju that reads like greatest hits, and bottles that nudge the night along. Loved by both regulars and first-timers, it’s a relaxed endnote to an Itaewon crawl.

• Order this: A spread of hot dishes and Songi-ju (matsutake-infused) if available—surprisingly elegant with fried plates.