A Guide to Eating and Drinking in Seoul
- Seoul Information
- Eating & drinking in Seoul
- Things to do in Seoul
- Where to stay in Seoul
- Seoul street map
Eating out in Seoul is a delight for the adventurous traveler, with a variety of Korean and other Asian dishes to chose from. The increasing number of visitors to the city, however, means a handful of Westernized restaurants now compete with the local fare.
South Korean cuisine has obvious influences from nearby China and Japan, although it interestingly also involves a lot of chilli and garlic. Rice and soup form the staples of most meals, which are then accompanied by 'bachan' (side dishes) such as bean sprouts, fishcakes and pickled cucumbers.
Budget travelers can eat very well indeed in Seoul, as dining out is - like much of life in the city - very affordable. From street stalls and buffets to chic restaurants, there are a great number of places to try. One word of warning, though - South Korea's metal chopsticks can be hard to manage for the uninitiated!
After dinner, the city really starts to hot up and, like their near neighbors, South Koreans are karaoke-mad. Karaoke bars litter the city and are by far the most popular spot for a night out. Unenthusiastic travelers shouldn't be intimidated, as there is a big drinking culture attached to this scene and it's mostly well-known pop songs that are performed.
However, Seoul's nightlife does have a couple of other options. Jazz is quite popular in the city, as is hip hop and dance. Vistors will find, though, that the energy and enthusiasm of the karaoke bars is rather hard to beat...