10 korean spots in Jung-gu and Myeongdong, editor-picked by TableJourney. All of Jung-gu and Myeongdong's food · All korean in Seoul.
La Yeon ★ 4.7
249 Dongho-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
On the 23rd floor of the Shilla Seoul, La Yeon serves royal-tradition Korean tasting menus against a panorama of the Han River basin, holding two Michelin.
Woo Lae Oak ★ 4.4
62-29 Changgyeonggung-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
Open since 1946, Woo Lae Oak is Seoul's canonical address for Pyongyang-style naengmyeon (cold buckwheat noodles), the broth made from hanwoo foreshank.
Tip: The broth is clear and mild; if you want spice ask for bibim naengmyeon. Bulgogi is the other order.
Woo Lae Oak ★ 4.4
62-29 Changgyeonggung-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
Open since 1946, Woo Lae Oak is Seoul's institution for Pyongyang-style naengmyeon: cold buckwheat noodles in clear hanwoo bone broth, in the Michelin Guide.
Tip: Add the thin slices of cold beef from the side dish to the noodle bowl; it is part of the intended eat.
Hadongkwan ★ 4.3
12 Myeongdong 9-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
Hadongkwan has been open since 1939 in Myeongdong and is in the Michelin Guide for a bowl of seolleongtang that has not changed: slow-cooked ox bone.
Tip: The kitchen closes at 15:30 sharp; arrive for an early lunch to guarantee a bowl.
Hadongkwan ★ 4.3
12 Myeongdong 9-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
One of Seoul's oldest restaurants, Hadongkwan serves only seolleongtang (milky-white ox bone soup) from morning until it sells out around 15:30.
Tip: The kitchen closes when the pot is empty, typically mid-afternoon. No dinner service.
Hadongkwan ★ 4.3
12 Myeongdong 9-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
Established in 1939, Hadongkwan is in the Michelin Guide for seolleongtang: ox bone broth slow-cooked to opaque white, seasoned only with salt at the table.
Ojangdong Hamheung Naengmyeon ★ 4.2
108 Mareunnae-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
Family-run since 1953, Ojangdong serves Hamheung-style cold noodles: the noodles are made from potato starch and are notably chewier than Pyongyang-style.
Tip: Cut the noodles with scissors if you prefer shorter strands; the kitchen leaves them long by tradition.
Ojangdong Hamheung Naengmyeon ★ 4.2
108 Mareunnae-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
Open since 1953, Ojangdong serves Hamheung-style naengmyeon: potato starch noodles notably chewier than Pyongyang style, best in the spicy bibim version.
Tip: Hamheung noodles are chewier than Pyongyang style; cut with scissors at the table if you prefer shorter strands.
Vegan Kitchen ★ 4.1
21 Toegye-ro 20-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
Vegan Kitchen in Jung-gu serves Korean cuisine free of meat, fish and dairy in the temple food tradition, rated 4.5 stars across over 400 HappyCow reviews.
Tip: Temple food avoids garlic and spring onions; ask whether the kitchen follows this convention or not before ordering.
Vegan Kitchen ★ 4.1
21 Toegye-ro 20-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
Vegan Kitchen in Jung-gu serves Korean cuisine in the temple food tradition: no meat, fish, dairy, and in the traditional style, often no garlic or spring.
Tip: Ask whether the kitchen follows the strict temple food convention (no alliums) or uses garlic; it affects the flavour profile significantly.