The Best Barbecue in Seoul: 14 Must-Try Restaurants

Grilling at Nam-Yeongdon.

Robert Evans/Eater

Barbecue has lengthy been an integral component of Korean cuisine. Dishes like bulgogi day back again centuries, whilst depictions present noblemen collecting outside in the 18th century to grill meat above an open up fireplace while drinking and reciting poetry. Currently there’s no scarcity of barbecue places to eat in the country, primarily Seoul — although there is a lot of mediocre barbecue way too, so it is excellent to know what to search for.

Virtually any product can get heart phase in Korean barbecue: Pork, beef, and chicken are all typical, and organ meats are greatly well known as nicely. The most coveted are cuts of hanwoo, Korea’s beloved native cow breed known for its flavorful, fatty marbling (there are over 120 words in the Korean dictionary to explain precise beef pieces, if you want to get specialized). Sourcing excellent ingredients is critical while from time to time intense marination can mask the taste of inferior goods, on the entire, preparation for Korean barbecue is reasonably straightforward, enabling all-natural high quality to display as a result of. Mouthwatering property-produced banchan is also a fantastic indicator of a standout cafe. So is siksa (actually “meal”), a carb-dependent dish that could stand alone as a meal but works even much better immediately after a spherical of barbecue, with preferred selections including naengmyeon (cold noodles), fried rice, and kimchi jjigae, as nicely as extra unconventional will take that new dining establishments use to distinguish themselves.

Take into consideration this tutorial a starting off level as you eat your way around Seoul. The list includes some timeless classics mixed with some hotshot newcomers everybody is chatting about. No subject the place you decide on, be organized to wait in line, as most places to eat really do not choose reservations. As extended as you make a decision on the suitable cafe, the hold out is usually value it.

Matty Yangwoo Kim is a former Eater intern and a photographer of A Very Severe Cookbook. Exterior his working day work, he eats his way around Seoul, normally documenting places to eat and cooks through the lens.