Foodies select Seoul's top 100 dining spots

The Korea Times

The Korea Times

Lifestyle

Thu, November 30, 2023 | 22:38

Travel & Food

Foodies select Seoul's top 100 dining spots

Posted : 2023-08-30 15:15

Updated : 2023-08-31 14:50

A bowl of "naengmyeon" or Korean-style cold noodles / Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul

By Ko Dong-hwan

For the upcoming week-long event in September celebrating Seoul's vibrant culinary landscape, a diverse panel of 30 judges has curated this year's "100 Taste of Seoul 2023" list. Organized annually by the Seoul Metropolitan Government, the list features the city's 100 premier restaurants, cafes and bars.

The lineup features a wide variety of culinary options ― 21 Korean, 25 Western, 12 Asian, 10 grill and 10 vegetarian establishments. The list also includes 11 cafes and dessert spots, as well as 11 bars and pubs.

Since the list's inception in 2020, 35 venues have consistently maintained their status among the top 100, while 28 newcomers made their debut this year.

The 30 judges, ranging from local food and beverage industry experts to gastronomic travelers, scholars and food journalists, have participated in making the list. Their selection was based on "glocalization," or global appeal and local flavor.

Reflecting the rich culinary history, the city's Tourism and Sports Bureau has also introduced a separate top 50 list exclusively for vegan restaurants. Given the historical connection between traditional Korean cuisine and vegetarian dishes often prepared in households and Buddhist temples, this list serves as both a representation of Seoul's past and its present.

The selected venues will be featured in the Korean and English editions of "100 Taste of Seoul 2023," a guidebook made by the tourism business division available at designated local restaurants, embassies in Seoul and tourism information centers. Korean cultural centers outside the country and tourism exhibitions taking place overseas will also carry the publication.

The list will be available online at tasteofseoul.visitseoul.net, with the Korean version starting Thursday and the English version set to go live on Sept. 8.

Kim Young-hwan, chief of the bureau, described the latest list as a "savory encyclopedia" highlighting the rich tapestry of Seoul's culinary landscape, including dishes like "naengmyeon" (Korean-style cold noodles) and "galbi" (barbecued pork and beef).

The release of the list coincides with the city government's annual Taste of Seoul week at Nodeul Island in Han River from Sept. 16 to 22. The event comprises different themes like "coffee and rice-fermented wine" led by local masters, "signature pop-ups" by chefs from Bangkok, Hong Kong, New York, Los Angeles and Japan, as well as the "taste of Seoul tour" that will guide visitors to local restaurants throughout the city.

According to city officials, this annual list is instrumental in capturing the evolving gastronomic trends in Seoul and promoting them to both city residents and international tourists.

aoshima11@koreatimes.co.kr