Are you looking to take a break from all the donkass, gimbap, and jjigae? Whether you’ve been in Korea long term, or you’re looking for a taste of home during your travels, this guide is bound to have something that you’re missing. Here, in no particular order, are the 15 best establishments for foreign food and expertly crafted cocktails.

Breakfast & Brunch

The Flying Pan

123–7 Itaewon-dong, Yongsan-gu

Not that there are many options, but if you asked most expats in Seoul where to get a good brunch, The Flying Pan would likely be at the top of their list. This all day brunch restaurant has just about anything that you’re used to getting in America. I recommend ordering the Eggs Avocado, which comes with two poached eggs atop smoked salmon, avocado, and fresh slices of bread. This restaurant can be a bit pricey, with the average meal costing about ₩16,000.

Travel Maker

37, Yanghwa-ro 21-gil, Mapo-gu

Travel Maker is the closest thing you can get to IHOP in Korea. They serve delicious breakfast sets all day long. A set costs around ₩12,000 and comes loaded with eggs, home fries, bacon, sausage, and your choice of pancakes, waffle, or french toast. All breakfast sets come with unlimited coffee, which tastes remarkable similar to American diner coffee. Travel Maker can be a bit busy on Saturday and Sunday mornings, so be prepared to wait for a table.

Dinner

Gusto Taco

41, Wausan-ro, Mapo-gu

Gusto Taco is by far the best Mexican restaurant in Seoul. I think this restaurant could hold its own against most great Mexican restaurants in America. Their tortillas are made fresh daily, and their homemade queso is phenomenal. They have a huge menu that includes vegetarian and vegan options. I’ve tried several of their dishes, but I keep coming back to their delicious pork tacos. Tacos start at about ₩7,000 for two large tacos; other menu items max out around ₩13,000. I would recommend calling ahead if you’re planning on going for dinner, as they have been known to run out of ingredients and close early.

Ciuri Ciuri

3–13, Dongmak-ro 15-gil, Mapo-gu

Ciuri Ciuri is a small family owned Sicilian restaurant. Their food is as authentic as you’re going to find in Korea, with most recipes coming straight from the owner’s Sicilian grandmother. Many of the ingredients are imported directly from Italy, including anelletti pasta, and aged Parmigiano Reggiano cheese. I recommend ordering the Anelletti, which was recommended to my by the waiter on my last visit, or trying one of their constantly changing specials. Prices at Ciuri Ciuri are very reasonable, with dishes ranging from ₩9,000 to ₩18,000. Don’t leave without trying their incredible cannoli.

Fat Cat Neighborhood Bistro

46 Yongsandong 2(i)-ga, Yongsan-gu

This small bistro serves some of the best sandwiches and salads that I have come across in Korea. Featuring cosy outdoor seating and a welcoming interior, Fat Cat is a place that makes you want to stay and hang out for a while. Their large menu has something for everyone, from the health conscious to the not so health conscious. Their pulled pork sandwich, served standing upright in a small casserole dish full of sauce, is one of the most flavorful sandwiches I’ve had in recent memory. If you’re craving a good sandwich, and Subway just isn’t cutting it, Fat Cat is the place for you. All menu items hover around ₩10,000.

Linus’ BBQ

136–13, Itaewon-ro, Yongsan-gu

Linus’ is the only place to go in Seoul for authentic southern style BBQ. The owner, Linus Kim, grew up in Birmingham, Alabama, and strives to bring the flavors of his hometown to Korea. Linus’ BBQ’s menu features all of your favorites including ribs, pulled pork, brisket, and smoked chicken. You can order à la carte or choose from several set options to get a taste of everything. Sets serve two people and range from ₩22,000 to ₩30,000. Whatever you order, I highly recommend getting a side of their smoked mac and cheese to go with it.

Linus’ BBQ also serves cocktails that are way better than they need to be for a BBQ joint. Their extremely knowledgeable bartenders make excellent classic cocktails, as well as some of their own creations. Don’t be shy about asking a bartender for a drink suggestion, as they are extremely friendly and eager to make recommendations. Cocktails start at ₩14,000.

Jyoti

6, Sinchon-ro 20-gil, Mapo-gu

One thing that I missed the most after moving to Korea was Indian food. When I lived in America, I would eat Indian food almost weekly, so finding a decent spot to satisfy my cravings for Indian cuisine was a top priority. The flavors at most Indian restaurants in Korea just aren’t quite what I was used to. Their recipes are usually slightly adjusted to fit a Korean palate; they reduce the salt content and add a bit of sweetness. After trying more places than I can count, and leaving slightly or severely disappointed, I finally found what I was looking for in Jyoti. Jyoti has several locations throughout Seoul, with their main branch located in Sinchon. They offer a gigantic menu featuring everyone’s favorite Indian dishes. The taste is authentic, and the prices are reasonable. You’ll likely spend under ₩15,000 for a filling and flavorful meal. Be sure to order some garlic or butter naan to soak up your remaining curry.

My Thai

123–18, Itaewon-dong, Yongsan-gu

Owned by Korean TV personality Hong Seok-Cheon, My Thai serves up all the classic Thai dishes in large shareable portions. They offer a variety of rich, spicy curries, and noodle dishes topped with fresh herbs. After tasting my way through a majority of the menu, I can promise that you can’t go wrong with any choice that you make. My favorites include the Pad Thai Goong and Green Curry. Although this restaurant is a bit pricy, with most dishes around ₩20,000, portions are large and flavors are authentic.

For those who are interested, owner of My Thai, Hong Seok-Cheon is the owner of eight other restaurants in Itaewon. After a successful career as an actor and TV personality, Hong Seok-Cheon was ousted from the spotlight in 2000 after coming out as gay during a talk show interview. He opened his first restaurant in 2002, and has been slowly regaining his celebrity status ever since. Currently, Hong makes regular appearances on television and is an advocate for LGBTQ rights in Korea. He has hopes of eventually running for political office within Yongsan-gu.

The Halal Guys

187 Itaewon-ro Yongsan-gu, 2nd Floor

The Halal Guys has everything you’ve been missing from your local halal food cart back home. From chicken over rice smothered in hot sauce and white sauce to gyros and falafel; The Halal Guys can satisfy your cravings for NYC style halal food for under ₩10,000. Open until 3AM on Friday and Saturday, The Halal Guys is the perfect spot for a late night snack.

Monster Pizza

363–1 Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu

If you’ve ever looked for decent pizza in Korea, you know that options are severely limited. Some Korean pizza places are tasty, but not exactly what you’re looking for when you’re trying to find pizza that tastes like home. Although it isn’t perfect, Monster Pizza, with several locations throughout Seoul, is the best that I’ve had in Korea. They offer three different kinds of pizza: cheese, pepperoni, and “Spice Girls,” each costing around ₩20,000 for a whole large pie.

Again Refresh

88–19 Sangsu-dong, Mapo-gu

If you’re starting a new diet, or just looking for a delicious way to eat healthier, head over to Again Refresh for excellent salads and detox juices. With several locations spread throughout Seoul, Again Refresh serves tasty salads for around ₩10,000. My go-to salads are the Shrimp Salad with mango vinaigrette and the Salmon Avocado Salad with green pesto. Their salads are also conveniently available for delivery through the Baedal Minjok app.

Plant Café & Kitchen

117 Bogwang-ro, Yongsan-gu, 2nd Floor

Plant Café & Kitchen is proof that eating healthy can be fun and delicious. Their entire menu is vegan, yet they still manage to produce such creative culinary masterpieces. I am not a vegan, and when this restaurant was recommended to me about a year ago, I had no interest in going. However, having just recently dined at Plant for the first time, I can’t believe what I have been missing out on. Since my first visit, I have returned several times and tasted my way through a majority of the menu. My personal favorite, the Sesame Peanut Soba Bowl, makes the perfect lunch or dinner that won’t leave you feeling bloated or lethargic. An honorable mention goes to the Lentil Veggie Bowl and the Hummus & Roasted Squash Salad. Prices for a meal at Plant range from ₩10,000 to ₩14,000. Don’t leave without trying the Power Green Smoothie or one of their fresh-pressed to-order juices.

Wicked Jjimdak

26 Wausan-ro 19-gil, Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu

Although Wicked Jjimdak is technically a Korean restaurant, I included it in this list due to the variety of fusion options. If your not familiar, Jjimdak is a savory Korean braised chicken and vegetable dish. Wicked Jjimdak serves several variations of jjimdak, ranging from more traditional options to dishes like Pepperoni Pizza Jjimdak. The best dish is the Boneless Chicken Soy Sauce Jjimdak with an added cheese topping. This includes chicken, noodles, carrots, sweet potato, and cheese filled rice cakes, all smothered in a savory brown sauce. The sauce is so good, that I often find myself shamelessly scooping it up with my spoon and drinking it once all the food is gone. Each order can come in small, medium, or large, and range in price from ₩15,000 to ₩25,000. Every time a friend visits from America, I bring them to this restaurant, and every friend has chosen it as their favorite meal in Korea.

Drinks

BAR d.still

10, Wausan-ro 15-Gil, Mapo-gu

After you’ve had your fill of Cass and Soju, you may be looking for a place to relax with a great cocktail. Dimly lit and quietly playing jazz, BAR d.still offers an oasis from the hectic goings on outside. Their entire cocktail list has been carefully put together by their highly trained mixologists. The staff holds monthly brainstorming sessions, so they are always keeping the menu fresh and exciting. BAR d.still has won numerous awards for their cocktails within Korea, and has even been recognized as one of the top 50 bars in Asia. They are fully stocked with every brand and type of alcohol imaginable, so there is no doubt that they will have what you are looking for. I recommend having a seat at the bar and asking the friendly bartenders for a recommendation. They do a great job suggesting some of their own creations based on what you already like. The expert craftsmanship that goes into each cocktail makes the ₩18,000 per drink price tag well worth it.

Note: BAR d.still can be a bit of a challenge to find, as there is no sign outside, and the interior appears dark when looking in from the street. Don’t be afraid to approach their wooden door and give the big brass handle a pull.

XII

45–1 Yongsandong 2(i)-ga, Yongsan-gu

XII is named for the twelve seats available inside. Like BAR d.still, this establishment lacks any signs outside or indication that there is a bar behind the old wooden door. You will notice something that looks like and old elevator floor indicator, numbered 1 to 12, above the exterior door. This barely lit device actually tells you how many seats are available inside. With only twelve places to sit inside, this bar is not well suited for large groups, but great for a relaxing cocktail with a few friends. Each bartender that I spoke with had over 10 years of experience crafting cocktails and was eager to recommend their favorites. I enjoyed the unique flavor of the Earl Gray Martini that I had on my most recent visit. Prices here are around ₩15,000 per cocktail.