Best Global Food Finds in Seoul

Grilled Steak tapas at Tapeo Spanish Bar

Interestingly, Seoul has an amazing variety of ethnicities living in the city.  Korean food is great and all but sometimes you just want to have something different. However, this often come with a price tag. You can find great foreign restaurants anywhere in Seoul, but for the best variety you might want to take a trip to Itaewon, known as the foreigner neighbourhood. There are foods from all over the world, even places you never would have thought you would find in Korea.

Wonder Ground

I wrote a blog post about Wonder Ground before. This was a random find near Gangnam Station. The experience is pretty good, the restaurant has got a different design than most you see. They serve western food with a Korean twist. But it is delicious. I ordered steak and my friend ordered cream pasta with bacon, very thick bacon. I am a big fan of beer samplers, and they had great tasting flavors. This restaurant is right beside the famous Mies Container.

Zelen

Zelen is a Bulgarian restaurant in Itaewon. Yes, you read it right! Who would have ever thought a Bulgarian restaurant would be in Korea. I haven't even heard of one in Toronto! But I have been here twice, the food is amazing. The first time I went I had chicken stuffed with spinach, the second time stuffed bell peppers both were delicious!  

Les Deux Plats

Les Deux Plats is an Italian restaurant located in Itaewon. I was a little confused how the name of the restaurant was French but they serve Italian food..... Anyways the food was pretty good. I have been there twice now and got something different each time. The first time I went I had seafood pasta with cream sauce. The thing I have about Italian food in Korea is that its not as rich and creamy as it is back home. That can get really hard to eat. This restaurant has three floors, the top for is the rooftop which is great in the summer. 

On the Border

Who doesn't love Mexican food. On the Border is everywhere in Korea but is more expensive than some of the other Mexican restaurants. But I find this one tastes a lot better than the others do so I am willing to pay a little extra for that. There is usually a wait for a table so don't go when you are starving.

Pier 17

I am a huge fan of Southern American food. Recently Southern food has been huge in Korea. In Seoul there are BBQ and seafood broil spots popping up everywhere. Pier 17 is a restaurant serving 'Southern Food'. I don't know much about Southern Food, after all I am Canadian but I love Jambalaya (pictured below). Give this restaurant a try. You get a stamp card and every 10k you spend gets you another stamp. You can get free drinks and other stuff.

SPC Square

I randomly went to SPC with a friend and we've been in love ever since. SPC is a huge building with like 6 different restaurants in it. They have oven brick pizza which is delicious. There is German food, a wine bar, Italian food, desert, coffee shops even brunch.

Santorini

Who doesn't like Greek Food? Itaewon is home to most of the global food in this post. Greek food is one of my favourite foods and for good reasons. The chicken is always juicy and tasty, every meal i've eaten here I have been satisfied. This restaurant my be a bit pricey but it is worth it because the food is so good. ​

Castle Praha

I found Castle Praha one day walking around Hongdae with a friend. What attracted me was the castle like building. As I got closer I realized it was a restaurant, a Czech restaurant. I always find it very strange finding these different cuisines in Seoul. I've never had Czech food, so why not try it. I'm not sure how authentic it was but the food was delicious and the portion sizes we huge. I would definitely go back again. There is also a location in Itaewon but it doesn't have the castle look like the Hongdae one.

Kervan

I've seen so many great reviews about Kervan, which made me want to try it out. First of all the restaurant is gorgeous. It has a lot of the print and Turkish lamps. It made me feel like I was in a restaurant in Turkey. I ordered yogurt chicken and it was AMAZING. The flavour in the chicken, wow! I'm in love with this place now. 

Braai Republic

When i think of South African food my mind draws a blank. I didn't know what South African food was and didn't know what to expect. Braai is the South African word for barbecue and is damn good. The restaurant is very welcoming and the owner is very friendly.

Tapeo Spanish Bar

Itaewon has a plethora of amazing restaurants. Tapeo is one out of many. This one is different, as it is a tapas restaurant. Tapas is Spanish for appetizers. The menu is very extensive and the prices are a bit steep, it is Itaewon afterall!