Korean BBQ₩₩HongdaeDaily 11:30-23:00
Hongik Sutbul Galbi runs a charcoal-grill galbi room a block from Hongik University's main gate, with thick-cut marinated short rib and pork belly cooked over binchotan rather than gas burners.
Signature: Charcoal-grilled marinated galbi, Samgyeopsal
Order: Charcoal-grilled yangnyeom galbi (marinated short rib): sweet soy and pear marinade with the meat cooked over real binchotan, wrapped in lettuce with ssamjang.
Tip: Ask for both yangnyeom (marinated) and saeng (fresh-cut) galbi to taste the marinade contrast; the kitchen sets the grill to the right charcoal heat.
Korean traditional₩DongdaemunDaily 24 hours
Near Dongdaemun Fashion Market, Bonga cooks its seolleongtang in a traditional gamasot (iron cauldron) from ten beef cuts for 24 hours straight.
Signature: Seolleongtang
Order: Gamasot seolleongtang: broth from ten different beef cuts, slow-cooked in a traditional cast-iron pot for 24 hours until opaque and silky.
Tip: The 24-hour schedule means this is Seoul's best post-midnight beef broth bowl.
Vegan₩₩ItaewonMon-Sat 11:00-22:00, closed Sun
Plant Cafe and Kitchen in Itaewon is one of Seoul's most established fully vegan restaurants, running a menu of American-leaning comfort food alongside.
Signature: Vegan burgers, Salad bowls
Order: Plant burger with house-made patty, fresh aioli and seasonal greens, proving the Korean vegan scene has moved well past tofu.
Tip: The Yeonnam branch at 87 World Cup buk-ro 4-gil, Mapo-gu is closer to Hongdae.
Vegan Korean₩₩Jongno and InsadongVaries, check current schedule
Vegan Insa in Ikseon-dong Hanok Village serves fully plant-based Korean food in a traditional courtyard house, including vegan bibimbap and banchan spreads.
Signature: Vegan bibimbap, Korean banchan
Order: Vegan bibimbap: the full Korean banchan spread reimagined without animal products, served in a hanok courtyard house in Ikseon-dong.
Tip: The outdoor courtyard seats fill quickly on warm evenings; weekday lunch is the quietest window.
Vegan cafe₩₩Itaewon and HannamDaily
ByTOFU is a vegan cafe and bakery in Yongsan serving Western-style pastries and cafe food without any animal products, rated among Seoul's top vegan spots.
Signature: Vegan pastries, Plant-based cafe menu
Order: Seasonal plant-based baked goods: the cafe changes its menu with produce availability, making it a reliable single-origin stop for vegan pastries.
Tip: Popular on weekends; arrive mid-morning for the full pastry range before sellout.
Vegan fine dining₩₩₩₩Gangnam-guTue-Sun dinner service
Legume is Asia's first Michelin-starred vegan restaurant, chef Sung Si-woo's one-star room in Gangnam delivering a plant-based tasting menu built.
Signature: Vegan tasting menu
Order: Seasonal vegan tasting menu: the only fully vegan restaurant in Korea to receive a Michelin star, serving a plant-based progression that references Korean fermentation throughout.
Tip: Book 4 to 6 weeks ahead; the room is small and evening reservations fill within hours of opening.
