Last November, the Gohar World team spent a busy week in Seoul working on our first international store at 10 Corso Como. We set up shop, hosted a dinner to celebrate, and met a ton of new friends in the process. We asked our new friends at Artment-dep for restaurant recommendations for when we get the chance to visit again.
FOR HIGH-OUALITY KOREAN COOKING
ONIUM (온지음)
In Korean, 'onjium' means 'creating in the right way'. Onjium, the restaurant, is a culinary institute that has been studying Korean heritage since 2013. Their menu explores seasonal ingredients to craft centuries-old recipes that have been reinvented through the team's research. Aside from its food service, Onjium also houses clothing and design studios as part of its mission to comprehensively represent Korean culture.
AF, 49 HYOJA-RO, JONGNO-GU, SEOUI
FOR CONTEMPORARY THAI DISHES
YEONG DONG POCHANA (영동포차나)
Yeongdong Pochana' combines Yeongdong', the old name of Gangnam, and 'Pochana', a noun commonly given to long-established restaurants in Thailand.
Rather than serving traditional Thai food typically preferred by tourists, Yeong Dong Pochana breaks away from the stereotype and features a variety of exotic dishes enjoyed by Korean locals. Their iconic dishes include crispy pork with somtam, a Thai oyster omelet, and fried fish with sour apple salad.
SEOUL, GANGNAM-GU, EONJU-RO 148-GIL, 14 NA- DONG 208-HO
FOR THE BEST ROAST CHICKEN
HANNAM ORIENTAL ROAST CHICKEN (한방통닭)
Despite its rather humble exterior, Oriental Roast Chicken has played host to a world-class list of clientele. The small eatery is filled with the autographs of numerous K-Pop stars and Korean Olympic medallists. We can see why they like the simple shop:
Oriental Roast Chicken serves the juiciest and most tender chicken, roasted with glutinous rice and chestnuts. They also offer takeout, but dining in is worth it alone to meet the best service team in town.
38 DAESAGWAN-RO 34-GIL, YONGSAN-GU, SEOUL
FOR KOREAN SEAFOOD AND JAPANESE SAKE
EULJIRO BOSEOK (을지로 보석)
Euljiro Boseok is always a hit or miss. Not because of the food, but because of the limited seats available at this tiny bar (only ten!). Tucked away in a back alley of Euljiro, the hole-in-the wall serves Korean-style seafood cuisine, paired with a curated selection of Japanese sake and natural wines. Crowd favorites include the Minari-prawn pancake and the spicy fermented octopus capellini.
11-10 3F, MAREUNNAE-RO,JEO-DONG 2(1)- GA, JUNG-GU, SEOUL
FOR LEGENDARY COLD NOODLES
WOO LAE OAK (우래옥)
Lauded as one of the best Pyongyang cold buckwheat noodle restaurants in the city, Woo Lae Oak has been serving consistently outstanding food since 1946. The family-operated establishment is tucked away in the back alleys of Euljiro 4-ga, a bustling business hub. Must-trys include their legendary Pyongyang noodles, served in broth or in a spicy sauce, and their bulgogi, grilled tableside.
62-29 CHANGGYEONGGUNG-RO, JUNG-GU, SEOUL
