Itaewon · Hannam Korean · Courses · Sool Pairings

Top 10 Korean Restaurants in Itaewon

From homey rice pots to Michelin-selected grills and modern sool houses, this handpicked route captures the aromas, textures, and moods that make Itaewon irresistible right now.

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Tongue & Groove Joint aged meat sizzling on a grill with cozy pub lighting

1. Tongue & Groove Joint — Itaewon

Hours 11:30–22:50 (Last order 21:30) Address 7, Bogwang-ro 60-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea

The first bite is all perfume and tenderness from meats dry-aged no less than twenty one days. It is a table that locals and travelers both bookmark for date nights, where the signature shrimp melts like butter and the steaks land with a rosy center and savory crust. The room hums like a modern pub and your senses lean in at once to the sizzle, the aroma, and the quiet confidence of a Michelin Guide selection.

Chef driven aging with beef, pork, and lamb and a house ssamjang that stacks umami give this spot a broad appeal for careful eaters and big appetites alike.

TIPS
Weekends fill fast so reserve early on CATCHTABLE. The steamed eggs are made without water and pair beautifully between bites.
User Review
Guests praise balanced flavor, a relaxed vibe, and kind service, calling the shrimp and tenderloin can’t miss and noting it works for dates or even a comfortable solo meal.
Parc Seoul Hannam neat Korean table setting with warm light

2. Parc Seoul Hannam — Hannam

Hours 11:30–21:00 (Break 15:20–17:30) Address 1F, 1-dong, 26-5, Itaewon-ro 55ga-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea

It feels like a friend’s Hannam apartment where the kitchen is always on and the food tastes clean and immediate. Dishes arrive cooked to order with good ingredients and no shortcuts so both residents and visitors come for comforting banchan, balanced stews, and seasonal sets that change with the weather. The quiet clink of plates and soft aromas invite long conversations and unhurried bites.

Menus differ by weekday and weekend and by lunch and dinner so peek at their updates before you go to catch a favorite set at its best.

User Review
Diners mention leaving both full and happy, appreciating warm service and how easy it is to talk and linger over the table.
HANWOOMOOL Korean beef course dining with minimalist plating

3. HANWOOMOOL — Itaewon

Hours 12:00–21:30 (Break 13:30–17:00) Address 14-4, Itaewon-ro 16-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea

A Korean beef course that leans into ceremony and comfort with a modern touch. Locals celebrate birthdays here and visitors discover how thoughtfully paired sool makes grilled courses and stews feel new. Portions are generous for the price point so expect a slow building feast and a softly perfumed room where the first pour sets the mood.

The space includes a six person room for intimate gatherings and a flexible corkage policy so you can tailor pairings to your taste.

TIPS
No onsite parking and a reservation deposit applies with a strict refund policy. Entry allowed from your reserved time and children must be eight or older ordering the same course.
User Review
Guests commend the value and flavor across a long course, adding that the owner’s kindness stands out. Some note a lingering meat aroma at late seatings in the enclosed room.
Hue 135 dry-aged steak course plated with wine in Hannam

4. Hue 135 — Hannam

Hours 11:30–22:30 (Break 15:00–17:30) Address 6, Itaewon-ro 55na-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea

Evenings revolve around dry aged steak courses that arrive in a thoughtful rhythm with appetizers and wines while lunch focuses on comforting assorted rice hot pot sets. It is a polished choice for dates and celebrations and a steady favorite among locals and visitors who want generous portions without losing finesse.

Courses can be pre selected when reserving so the kitchen can pace your meal perfectly from the first slice to the last pour.

TIPS
A reservation fee helps prevent no shows and can be applied to the bill. Overseas card deposits are non refundable.
User Review
Couples note they left happily full with attentive service and that every plate showed care from the kitchen.
Soom Rice Bar pot rice and ochazuke broth pour in Hannam

5. Soom Rice Bar — Hannam

Hours 11:30–20:00 (Break 16:00–17:30) Address 58-18 Itaewon-ro 54-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, the first floor

Steam rises from the pot as grains finish with a gentle gloss and the room fills with the nutty aroma of fresh rice. Locals slip in for seafood topped pots and finish with broth poured ochazuke style while visitors find it a calm antidote to the neighborhood’s buzz. The flavors are clean and soothing and the service is the kind that makes you think of bringing family next time.

Daily delivered ingredients and freshly blended new crop rice keep textures bouncy and flavors bright from first spoonful to last.

User Review
People call out fresh seafood, a spotless space, and staff so friendly that many plan return visits with parents in mind.
Jusik Itaewon modern Korean dining table by the window

6. Jusik Itaewon — Itaewon

Hours 16:30–23:30 Address 2F, 36, Noksapyeong-daero 32-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea

An airy second floor hideaway for easy evenings with friends or a relaxed date. The kitchen cooks to order with a broad Korean comfort leaning menu so groups with mixed tastes land happily here. Locals and out of towners alike like the balance of flavor and value and the way the room feels open yet cozy.

Reserve on CATCHTABLE to shorten the wait since dishes start as you arrive and pacing improves when the team knows you are on the way.

User Review
Visitors often mention kind owner interactions and attentive service that make team dinners and friendly meetups feel easy.
Refine Itaewon traditional liquor and modern Korean small plates on a marble table

7. Refine Itaewon Branch — Itaewon

Hours 17:00–00:00 Address 2nd Floor, 158 Itaewon-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

A softly lit second floor lounge where contemporary Korean dishes meet beautiful tableware and well chosen traditional liquors. It is equally loved by locals and visitors celebrating something special and by friends catching up over long conversations. The plating is graceful and the flavors are thoughtful so the evening moves with easy elegance.

The team allows cake service for birthdays and offers corkage for wine and whisky which makes planning a personal celebration simple.

TIPS
Corkage is 30,000 KRW for wine or champagne and 40,000 KRW for whisky. Book prime slots in advance on CATCHTABLE for weekends.
User Review
Guests highlight a gorgeous atmosphere, delicious plates across the board, and note it is an easy yes for birthdays and repeat visits.
Zoo gwan elegant bar with traditional liquor and Korean small plates

8. Zoo gwan — Itaewon

Hours 17:00–00:00 Address 13 Itaewon-ro 26-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea, 2nd Floor

A gastronomic tavern where traditional Korean liquor meets inventive plates in a date ready setting. Locals slip in for beef rib soup and crisp soju pairings while visitors discover playful dishes like basil cream shrimp and refreshing yukhoe in chilled broth. The lighting flatters and the staff guides you to the right bottle for your palate.

The design leans elegant so it works for introductions and special occasions as much as for relaxed evenings with friends.

User Review
Diners love the generous raw beef and call the basil cream shrimp exceptionally good with a friendly team that adds to the experience.
Horongbul lantern lit room with traditional liquor bottles and anju

9. Horongbul — Itaewon

Hours 17:30–02:00 Address 15 Itaewon-ro 16-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea

Under lantern light the room glows warm and the night slows down with curated traditional liquors from small producers. It is a favorite of locals for solo nightcaps and gentle dates and curious travelers come to learn the seasons through rotating pairings and snacks. The air feels calm and conversations carry comfortably above soft clinks.

There are small rooms that seat six to eight and a time limit may apply when crowds run high to keep the rhythm of the space.

TIPS
When there is a wait or a later reservation, seating is limited to two and a half hours. Ask the team for a pairing guide based on what you like.
User Review
Groups celebrate birthdays here and praise a starter drink that wakes up the palate and resets any heaviness mid meal.
Monthly Kitchen bright dining room with chef’s plates and drinks

10. Monthly Kitchen — Hannam

Hours 10:00–21:40 (Break 15:00–17:00) Address 58-12, Itaewon-ro 54-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul Special City

A light hearted space by Chef Ahn Kyung seok where drinks and plates mingle in a relaxed mood from day to night. It is where locals breeze in for a casual bite and visitors toast to the neighborhood before heading out. Portions lean refined so order a few and share to explore textures and sauces across the table.

The first floor restaurant keeps things bright and comfortable and the second floor sister space expands on the chef’s monthly inspirations.

TIPS
Dining time is up to two hours after entry. For rooms of six or more call ahead as hall reservations for larger groups may follow a different channel.
User Review
Guests note distinctive dishes like eggplant lasagna as standouts and mention that public parking nearby is the easy move.
A steaming Korean table at Parc Hannam with seasonal banchan

Why book now?

Because Itaewon runs on energy and timing. The best seats and the calmest service windows go to those who plan a little and arrive with appetite. Let the aromas of charcoal, rice steam, and good sool lead the way and let CATCHTABLE handle the rest.

Shortest waits
Early dinner at 17:30 or late after 20:30 often beats the rush. Lunch at Parc and Soom Rice Bar is a sweet spot if you can slip in before break.
Policies to know
HANWOOMOOL and Hue 135 use deposits and have time specific entry. Some venues have strict break times so confirm on CATCHTABLE before you head out.
Match the mood
Date nights love Tongue & Groove Joint and Hue 135. Slow comfort calls for Parc or Soom Rice Bar. Sool centric evenings shine at Refine, Zoo gwan, and Horongbul.
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