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

The first sizzle lands with a whisper of smoke and soy, then comes the buttery pop of fat from a skewer of beef intestines that is crisp at the edges and plush within. This izakaya feels like Tokyo tucked below a Seoul side street, the kind of counter where the chef’s hand controls flame and patience in equal measure. Loved by both locals and visitors, it is a night-out fix where one more skewer is always the right answer.

• Order this: Grilled beef intestine, chicken tsukune, and a highball to chase the charcoal scent.

Dinner brings the gentle perfume of dry-aging and a deep, even sear that clicks under the knife, releasing warm juices that taste of butter and mineral. Lunch turns soft and soothing with an assorted rice hot-pot set that leans light and restorative. It suits date nights and quiet conversations, with service that is attentive without hovering.

• Order this: Dinner dry-aged steak course with a sommelier-picked red; lunch for a lighter, value-forward set.

Earth, stone, and wood frame a dining room where broths are layered and seasonings stay poised, letting each seasonal ingredient speak clearly. Portions are generous by fine-dining standards, and the room feels open and unhurried, ideal for milestones. If you want a calm celebration with Korean roots, this is your spot.

• Order this: Seasonal course menu; ask about private rooms for first-birthday or family gatherings.

Plates arrive like small artworks, but the flavors are direct and satisfying. Acidity, fat, and umami hold each other in balance so every bite lands clean. The room is deliberately spare to sharpen attention, making it a thoughtful choice for diners who love creativity guided by discipline.

• Order this: Full tasting with beverage pairing to appreciate the arc of the menu.

Korean flavors are edited to their essence so textures feel precise and broths read like clear, quiet lines. The pacing encourages conversation, and the room’s restraint lets special moments feel focused. It is especially good if you are seeking a contemporary Korean experience that is both elegant and grounded.

• Order this: Seasonal course. Add a small cake for anniversaries with advance booking.

Courses unfold like chapters, with sauces tuned to season and herbs clipped from the restaurant’s own garden. Bouillabaisse and classics reappear in new forms with the weather, and the staff brings a gently celebratory energy. Think refined but warm, perfect for birthdays and quiet toasts.

• Order this: Seasonal course featuring the kitchen’s signature fish dish; trust the by-the-glass pairing.

The room resembles a gallery and the cooking is polished and restrained, so flavors feel plush without heaviness. Seasonal specials weave pine mushrooms, fine seafood, and Korean beef into a Cantonese frame that feels both classic and new. Spacious tables and considerate spacing make it ideal for anniversaries and formal occasions.

• Order this: Seasonal specials and a tea pairing. Ask about limited collaboration menus and set availability.

Bright, clean slices of tuna arrive in generous rounds with the light brine of the sea and a melt that lingers. Evenings are lively with unlimited refills on a manager’s selection that scales by cut and budget. Lunch leans simple with sashimi rice bowls, great for office days.

• Order this: Manager’s Recommended Tuna in the evening, or a quick chirashi for lunch when you are on the clock.

A sister to The Plaza’s celebrated Dowon, this dining room favors clean, premium ingredients and a relaxed pace. Plates feel polished yet comforting, perfect for family gatherings near the station. If you want quality Chinese without the fuss of a hotel lobby, this is the sweet spot.

• Order this: A balanced spread of classic mains and a noodle or rice to finish. Ask about private rooms by phone.

The city glitters beneath you while a French course glides by with seasonal themes, crisp pairings, and a finale set against the kind of view that turns dinner into a memory. Couple seats place you side by side at the window, while regular seats face one another for small groups. Plan for transport and arrive with time to spare so your evening feels effortless.

• Order this: Lunch for a bright, panoramic experience or the dinner couple course for a celebration with champagne.