100 Taste of Seoul (2023): Seoul’s Iconic Restaurants Handpicked by Gourmet Curators

 

‐ Thirty food experts handpicked a list of great eateries of different categories—Korean, Western, Grill, Dessert, and others
‐ As the week-long 2023 Taste of Seoul starts on Saturday, September 16, Nodeul island and other places across Seoul will begin gastronomic adventures

 

SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA, August 31, 2023 – Korean food and gastronomy are drawing global attention. Against this backdrop, the Seoul Metropolitan Government (SMG) released the 100 Taste of Seoul (2023) for the event week. The 100 Taste of Seoul lists restaurants and bars handpicked by 30 Korean and international gourmet curators.

The 30 gourmet curators—from industry experts, gastronomic travelers, scholars, and food and beverage journalists—have made the list since 2020, assessing glocalism (globalization + localization), popularity, and expertise of venues.

The 30 gourmet curators—from industry experts, gastronomic travelers, scholars, and food and beverage journalists—have made the list since 2020, assessing glocalism (globalization + localization), popularity, and expertise of venues.

 

This year’s 100 Taste of Seoul has seven food categories: Korean (21 places), Western (25), Asian (12), Grill (10), Plant-based (10), Café & Dessert (11), and Bar & Pub (11).

Notably, 35 places offering different culinary options were recognized for their originality and excellent dishes by being selected for the fourth consecutive year since the inception of the 100 Taste of Seoul in 2020.

Restaurants selected for four years in a row are: ▲ [Korean]: Kwonsooksoo, A Flower Blossom on the Rice, Mingles, SOIGNE, ONJIUM, Woo Lae Oak, JUNGSIK, Joo Ok, La Yeon, SOSEOUL Hannam, ▲ [Western]: The Green Table, Mosu Seoul, MUOKI, BORGO HANNAM, alla prima, EVETT, ZERO COMPLEX, Paul's Diner, ▲ [Asian]: Mitou, JinJin, KOJIMA, ▲ [Grill]: Gold Pig Restaurant, BORN & BRED, ULLEUNG, ▲ [Plant-based]: local EAT, Balwoo Gongyong, BASE IS NICE.

Along with the 100 Taste of Seoul, Seoul also prepared 50 Plant-based Restaurant of Seoul list. Since the plant-based diet is trending in global culinary tourism and Seoul has well-established vegetarian traditional food and Buddhist temple dishes, restaurants on the list are expected to be deemed healthy and receive much love.

The SMG will publish the 100 Taste of Seoul 2023, a gourmet guide, in Korean and English and distribute it to food and beverage businesses, embassies, and tourism information centers in Korea. Luxury tourism expos abroad and overseas cultural centers will also carry the guide.

Selected dining rooms and bars will be reachable on Catch Table, a restaurant reservation application. For foreign guests, English reservation services will be provided. 

Detailed information will be available on the website of Taste of Seoul (tasteofseoul.visitseoul.net) from Thursday, August 31, at 5 p.m. for Korean and Friday, August 8, at 5 p.m. For English. 

The fourth Taste of Seoul will begin on Saturday, September 16, on Nodeul island and other places across the city. The event will end on Friday, September 22. A range of activities that will satisfy local and international tourists will take place throughout the week.

On Saturday and Sunday (September 16-17), Seoul will hold Taste of Seoul Market at Nodeul Yard. Detailed program information for weekend docent tours and workshops for all tourists is already released.

Famous chefs from Bangkok, Hong Kong, New York, LA, and Japan will participate in the Signature Pop-up where the world meets Seoul. 

On day two (Sunday, September 17), Seoul will hold the Seoul Gourmet Awards at the Live House on Nodeul island. Nominees from the 100 Taste of Seoul and Korean and foreign media outlets will be invited. The Seoul Gourmet Awards will grant Taste of Seoul (2023) trophies to restaurant & bar chefs and best chefs of establishments selected in the 100 Taste of Seoul.