The Best Barbecue in Seoul: 14 Must-Try Restaurants

Barbecue has prolonged been an integral component of Korean delicacies. Dishes like bulgogi day back hundreds of years, whilst depictions display noblemen accumulating outdoors in the 18th century to grill meat about an open fireplace whilst ingesting and reciting poetry. Now there’s no lack of barbecue dining establishments in the place, particularly Seoul — though there’s lots of mediocre barbecue much too, so it is fantastic to know what to seem for.

Nearly any merchandise can acquire centre phase in Korean barbecue: Pork, beef, and rooster are all normal, and organ meats are broadly preferred as well. The most coveted are cuts of hanwoo, Korea’s beloved native cow breed recognized for its flavorful, fatty marbling (there are about 120 phrases in the Korean dictionary to describe specific beef sections, if you want to get complex). Sourcing fantastic elements is very important although often rigorous marination can mask the flavor of inferior merchandise, on the entire, preparation for Korean barbecue is reasonably clear-cut, making it possible for normal excellent to demonstrate via. Mouthwatering residence-produced banchan is also a great indicator of a standout cafe. So is siksa (actually “meal”), a carb-based mostly dish that could stand by itself as a food but operates even superior after a round of barbecue, with well known choices such as naengmyeon (cold noodles), fried rice, and kimchi jjigae, as nicely as extra unconventional usually takes that new dining establishments use to distinguish themselves.

Think about this tutorial a beginning level as you take in your way about Seoul. The listing involves some timeless classics combined with some hotshot newcomers absolutely everyone is speaking about. No subject in which you pick, be ready to wait around in line, as most dining places never take reservations. As lengthy as you make a decision on the right cafe, the wait is usually worth it.

Matty Yangwoo Kim is a former Eater intern and a photographer of A Incredibly Significant Cookbook. Outside the house his day job, he eats his way all around Seoul, typically documenting dining establishments and chefs by the lens.

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Observe: Places to eat on this map are detailed geographically.