I recently rounded up 23 Korean restaurants I've visited, all suitable for solo dining. I explored various spots from traditional BBQ and samgyetang to unique cauldron rice and local diners. Many places offered great value and authentic local experiences, with some becoming new favorites like the best doenjang jjigae and naengmyeon of my life. I also encountered friendly locals and appreciated the foreigner-friendly options. — Seoul

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Aired 2026.04.21Vol.7926 · 23.2K views

01 · 0:14Ttosuni-ne 02 · 3:50Maknae Hoejip 03 · 6:45Myeongdong Seoseo Galbi 04 · 10:10Myeongdong Dakhanmari

Travel tips

Key travel tips pulled from this video.

TIP•01

If eating BBQ, note that your clothes will smell, so avoid it on your flight-back day.

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TIP•02

For popular spots with limited-time menus like doenjang jjigae, it's recommended to come early.

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TIP•03

If you want to try doenjang jjigae at Ttosuninejip, bring at least one more person as it's pricier for solo diners.

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TIP•04

At Mugyodong Bugeogukjip, you can get refills of both soup and rice.

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TIP•05

For Sarangbang Kalguksu, it's easy to get in if you avoid peak hours.

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Curated places

Spots mentioned in this video.

Tosokchon Samgyetang

I finally understood why this renowned samgyetang restaurant, visited by past presidents, is so popular; the rich, deeply flavored broth with a whole chicken and generous ingredients made the 20,000 won price completely reasonable.

RecommendedFood & Restaurants

4.2

Maknae Hoejip

I enjoyed the Hoetteopbap, which was a great value at 10,000 won and came with generous side dishes, making me feel like a local in this unpolished, authentic market spot.

RecommendedFood & Restaurants

4.4

Wooga

I highly recommend the Aged Yukhoe Bibimbap, a Michelin-listed lunch-only dish that was a steal at 19,000 won, offering a clean yet deeply savory flavor that truly tasted like happiness.

RecommendedFood & Restaurants

4.0

Guldari Sikdang

I was incredibly grateful to try all three menu items—the thick-cut jeyuk bokkeum, kimchi jjigae, and egg roll—even though I only ordered the jeyuk bokkeum, and found it all incredibly delicious.

Food & Restaurants

3.9

Pyeongyang Myeonok

I found this Michelin Bib Gourmand-listed naengmyeon to be truly incredible, surpassing all others to become the best I've ever had, despite my initial indifference to the dish.

RecommendedFood & Restaurants

4.4

Seoul Matjip

I recommend this market diner for its incredibly delicious Charcoal Bulgogi, which had a fragrant aroma and juicy meat, offering an unreal local vibe despite being a bit far from Seongsu Station.

RecommendedFood & Restaurants

4.1

Yeongdong Seolleongtang

I enjoyed every last bite of the seolleongtang, which had a milky-white, collagen-rich broth and was served with unbelievably huge kimchi, and I appreciated the dedicated area for solo diners.

RecommendedFood & Restaurants

4.5

Mugyodong Bugeogukjip

I found the Dried Pollack Soup to be a simple yet deeply satisfying dish that filled both stomach and soul, a testament to why this Seoul Future Heritage site has been running for nearly 60 years.

RecommendedFood & Restaurants

4.5

Ttukbaegi-jip

I found the Sundubu Jjigae and bibimbap set for just 7,000 won to be a seriously great deal, offering a delicious and warming meal perfect for breakfast or lunch.

Food & Restaurants

4.2

Myeongdong Dakhanmari

I strongly recommend this long-established 'Century Shop' for dakhanmari, especially since they offer a single-serving half chicken, making it perfect for solo travelers or a safe choice for groups.

RecommendedFood & Restaurants

4.8

HONGOJIB

I recommend this solo BBQ place for its flexibility in ordering various meat types and portions, making it ideal for solo travelers wanting to enjoy samgyeopsal, skirt steak, and pork jowl.

RecommendedFood & Restaurants

4.6

Myeongdong Seoseo Galbi

I enjoyed the beef galbi, which was perfectly cooked and allowed for solo dining, providing an authentic, smoky Korean BBQ experience that felt like a trip back in time.

RecommendedFood & Restaurants

4.8

Pal Pal Neoguri Haejang

I found the Neoguri Udon Gukbap, which came with both udon and rice, to be a luxurious combination, and the free suyuk was light yet full of savory flavor and really good.

RecommendedFood & Restaurants

4.9

Dongol Yakbang

I found the Deulkkae Poyak Gomtang to be simple, memorable, and truly delicious, with a light broth and fragrant perilla, making this stylish spot a seriously cost-effective choice despite its location near Seongsu Station.

Food & Restaurants

5.0

Sotnaeum

I personally highly recommend the Mala Samgyeop Cauldron Rice, a uniquely Korean dish not found in Japan, which was seriously addictive and delicious, despite the potential wait during peak hours.

Food & Restaurants

4.1

Gimbap Cheonguk Euljiro Entrance

I found the Stone Pot Bibimbap delicious in its own way, despite wishing it was more sizzling hot, and appreciated the wide variety of reasonably priced Korean dishes available at this classic diner chain.

RecommendedFood & Restaurants

4.2

Ganggane Tteokbokki

I recommend this tteokbokki specialty shop for a quick bite; the muchae tteokbokki was soft and delicious with a subtle sweetness, and the tempura was fully soaked in the broth.

RecommendedFood & Restaurants

3.7

Yujeong Sikdang Dongdaemun

I found this 24-hour diner to be a great spot to experience Korean cuisine, especially the cheonggukjang, and it's very foreigner-friendly, making it easy for first-time travelers to enter.

RecommendedFood & Restaurants

4.4

Sarangbang Kalguksu

I found the Kalguksu with Egg to be a really satisfying bowl with a deep savory broth and a bigger-than-expected portion, making it easy to get in even as a solo diner during off-peak hours.

RecommendedFood & Restaurants

5.0

Yoon Toast

I found the Yun Toast to be delicious and reasonably priced, packed with filling, and the kind owner's hospitality, including a free warm coffee, warmed me from the inside out in this authentic local market.

Food & Restaurants Korean Food

4.2

Ttosuni-ne

I found the doenjang jjigae to be my new all-time favorite, despite the higher price for solo diners, and I'm definitely planning to return, ideally with company next time.