Korea's must-visit restaurants in Itaewon, Seoul (With CATCHTABLE GLOBAL Data)

A locals’ hideout that travelers quickly adopt, Troika warms you from the first whiff of beet-sweet borscht and the grill’s gentle smoke. Shashlik arrives juicy and glistening, the kind of tenderness that begs for another sip of tart cranberry juice as the pechka’s glow softens the room. Prices are friendly, the mood is cozy, and the rooftop becomes a little party when the breeze is right.

• Order this: Juicy shashlik with the vegetable plate, then borscht with a snowy dollop of sour cream.

Loved by both Seoulites and visiting couples, this secluded spot feels like stepping into a secret—lamps low, voices hushed, plates steaming. The house-favorite jangjorim cream pasta balances soy-braised depth with silken cream, while tender meats bring a celebratory hush to the table. It’s the kind of place that turns “just dinner” into a memory.

• Order this: Set menu with jangjorim cream pasta; add a glass of wine and linger post-sunset.

Just up the hill in Hannam, Chef Ahn Kyung-seok’s globe-trotting pub cooks with Japanese precision and Italian soul, plating food that smells as good as the playlist sounds. Expect clean flavors, tight portions, and a few refractions of comfort—like the fan-favorite eggplant lasagna that eats lighter than it looks.

• Order this: Eggplant lasagna and a seasonal special; pair with a crisp white or sake.

For celebrants and serious carnivores, this counter glows with the perfume of searing 1++ Korean beef—edges whispering, centers perfectly blushing. The Black Course is already indulgent; the Premium Course adds extra finesse and is room-only, a private showcase of craft and pacing that both locals and visiting food lovers chase.

• Order this: Black Course at the counter, or the room-only Premium Course with advance booking.

In a renovated home that keeps its bones, Muwol’s lights glow on copper pots and glassy makgeolli—ricotta-creamy or blueberry-bright. It’s where locals unwind and visitors find a modern Korean table: herbal bossam steaming, sizzling jeon, and a clean, comforting hot-pot broth that plays beautifully with the drinks.

• Order this: Herbal barbecue bossam with ricotta makgeolli; finish with the hot pot or fresh salmon sashimi.

A few blocks on, the air shifts to walnut, Comté, and voile—a Jura-only wine bar pouring savagnin and oxidative treasures that make food taste more itself. The skewers carry a playful edge, a spot where styles meet and sip seamlessly, drawing both neighborhood regulars and wine-chasing travelers.

• Order this: A glass flight of Jura whites with signature skewers; ask for pairing guidance.

Slip through the gate into a soft-lit garden and a “come-for-a-glass” wine bar that locals whisper about. The list is playful and ever-changing, with themed spreads that make wine feel like a festival—artists on the walls, good music in the air, and simple, thoughtful plates to match.

• Order this: A few by-the-glass pours around today’s food theme; ask for a non-alcoholic option if desired.

When the craving is sizzle-and-sip, this compact charmer delivers—pan aromas of yakisoba and braised pork belly rising to meet clinking highballs. Locals love the weekday happy hour and the new shio yakisoba that eats lighter, while travelers appreciate the warm service and kid-friendly welcome.

• Order this: Shio Yakisoba and Buta no Kakuni with a classic highball; ride happy hour if you can.

A two-minute stroll from Sookdaeipgu Station, this breezy pojangmacha is where the neighborhood gathers—steam curling off clam pots, woks snapping with stir-fries. It’s very much a locals-first spot that travelers discover via CATCHTABLE, and the vibe is exactly what you want from a stall: unfussy, fragrant, and fun.

• Order this: Steamed clams, grilled shellfish, and a spicy stir-fry to share with ice-cold beer.

Smaller and moodier than its Namyeong sibling, this stall is perfect for two or a solo wind-down. The air is briny and toasty, the seafood fresh, and the prices a touch higher than you’d expect—but flavors land, and the night feels easy.

• Order this: Seafood hot pot and a small sashimi plate; linger with soju or a crisp beer.