So you’ve landed in Seoul — jet-lagged, wide-eyed, and probably living off convenience store kimbap and banana milk (maybe even cafe food). We’ve all been there, especially as a fresh international student in South Korea.
But let’s be real. Even on a student’s budget, you can eat well here.
Between late-night cravings, group hangouts, and those “I deserve this” solo treat-yourself meals, you’re going to need some solid go-to spots. And no, we’re not talking about that one chain you keep seeing in every subway station.
To save you from decision fatigue (you’re welcome), I, alongside Noorin Ansari, have rounded up 10 restaurants in Seoul that are student-tested and approved.
You can trust us — I studied at Hanyang University and the University of Utah Asia Campus. Ansari participated in an exchange programme at Korea University.
We recommended restaurants that’ll cure homesickness, are close to university stations, and/or include Korean dishes that are instant favourites for foreigners.
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10 restaurants in Seoul to visit while studying there
1. Mass Plate (매스플레이트)
Opening hours: Daily (11a.m. to 8:30p.m.)
Naver reviews: 578 reviews
Location: Seoul, Seongbuk-gu Gaeunsagil 18, 2nd floor (서울 성북구 개운사길 18 2층)
For those who crave rice with a bit of extra spice, Mass Plate is the place for you.
“I really recommend the pilaf rice,” says Ansari. “It’s so good. I say this in the nicest way possible, but Korean rice dishes can get a little boring. Coming from Afghan culture, we add spices to our rice, so we don’t just eat plain white rice. At Mass Plate, they add a little more spice to their rice dishes.”
Prices are reasonable at Mass Plate, and you can choose between small and large portions.
Prices range from 11,900 Korean won (US$8.50) to KRW 19,900 (US$14.30).
2. NaegaJjimHanDak (내가찜한닭)
Opening hours: Depending on outlets
Naver reviews: 4.35 stars
Location: 21 outlets (천호점, 관악점, 송파점, 한양대점, 외대점, 성신여대점, 과기대점, 명동점, 노량진점, 고대점, 대학로점, 신촌점, 건국대점, 강남역점, 동국대, 미아점, 중앙대, 숙대점, 경희대점, 숭실대점, 노원점)
If you’ve never had JjimDak (찜닭) in your life, you have not lived. It’s a Korean braised chicken dish made with various vegetables and mandu, marinated in a soy sauce-based sauce. Sometimes you can even add melted cheese to it.
For Ansari, she had to have it at least three times a week — it’s that good. One of the best restaurants in Seoul to enjoy it at is NaegaJjimHanDak (내가찜한닭).
“I recommend this restaurant because it’s the best one I’ve tried so far, and you can customise your dish,” Ansari shares. “My favourite order is the sunsal andong (순살안동찜닭), which means boneless andong. I’ll also add cheese as a topping.”
Majority of the outlets are located close to universities, so you can easily drop by for a meal after classes.
Prices range from KRW 21,000 (US$15.10) to KRW 44,000 (US$31.50).
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3. Mangwon Donkatsu (망원돈까스)
Opening hours: Saturday to Thursday (11a.m. to 9:20p.m.)
Naver reviews: 2,428 reviews
Location: Seoul, Mapo-gu Mangwon-ro8gil 74 (서울 마포구 망원로8길 74)
I’ve probably had donkatsu four times a week while studying in South Korea. It was the easiest meal to find in Seoul, and you could never go wrong with it. The thing is, not all restaurants in Seoul do it well, and it can often be quite expensive.
But at Mangwon Donkatsu (망원돈까스), you can get the best of both worlds.
Their cheese corden blue (치즈코돈부르) is a hit, as well as their cheese sweet potato donkatsu (치즈고구마돈까스). Mangwon Donkatsu also serves up mean rice bowls (덮밥) and udons (우동). You’ll be spoiled for choice.
Prices range from KRW 8,500 (US$6.10) to KRW 14,000 (US$10). If you’re looking for affordable set meals, prices range from KRW 11,000 (approximately US$8) to KRW 12,500 (approximately US$9).
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4. Dubai Restaurant (두바이레스토랑)
Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday (12p.m. to 11p.m.)
Naver reviews: 4.47 stars
Location: Seoul, Yongsan-gu Itaewon-ro 192 (서울 용산구 이태원로 192)
Halal-certified meals aren’t easily accessible in Seoul, and even when available, they are often expensive and have limited options. But not at Dubai Restaurant.
“I really recommend the restaurant,” Ansari shares. “I was missing Afghan food, but there weren’t any in Seoul. Eating at Dubai Restaurant was a good fix. They serve Arabic meals like hummus, sambosa, shish kebab, and shawarma. They also offer Arabic rice dishes.”
Prices range from KRW 5,000 (US$3.60) to KRW 80,000 (US$57.20).
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5. Krap Pom (까폼)
Opening hours: Daily (11:30a.m. to 10p.m.)
Naver reviews: 4.51 stars
Location: Seoul, Gangnam-gu Seonrung-ro 153gil 18, Basement Level 1 (서울 강남구 선릉로153길 18 지하1층)
Krap Pom is one of the restaurants in Seoul I’d sell my soul to — it was my holy grail.
Nestled in the busy streets of Sinsa-Dong, this Thai restaurant is serving one of the best Thai dishes in the whole of South Korea. From pad thai and tomyam soup to papaya salad and kaopad, it’s one taste closer to home for Thais and those familiar with its taste.
I’d recommend the pad thai and tom yum soup, especially on a cold day. But if you’re having a meal with a couple of friends, you should try the leng saeb, a giant portion of pork ribs and backbone doused in a rich and addictive spicy broth, accompanied by plenty of lime, coriander, and chilli.
It’s so good that even Blackpink’s Lisa would frequent the restaurant.
Sadly, prices are a little on the higher side, which might make a dent in your bank account. However, it’s worth a try. Prices from KRW 12,000 (US$8.60) to KRW 35,000 (US$25.10).
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6. Jangin Dakgalbi (장인닭갈비)
Opening hours: Depending on outlets
Naver reviews: 3,000 reviews
Location: 20 outlets (서면점, 공덕점, 홍대 2호점, 창원상남점, 용봉점, 남포점, 신림점, 진월점, 종로점, 불당점, 명동점, 대학로점, 홍대 1호점, 강남점, 건대점, 부평점, 청라스퀘어7점, 중계홈플러스점, 뉴코아부천점, 대전월평점)
Eating dakgalbi is a must in Seoul, and it’s one of the best meals to have with a group of friends.
For Ansari, it was one of her favourite meals. “I really love dakgalbi, and I would frequent Jangin Dakgalbi because they’ll allow you to customise your meal,” she shares. “There are several chains around Seoul, so you can try it at any of their outlets closer to you. “
Popular dishes are cheese dakgalbi (치즈닭갈비), jangin dakgalbi (장인닭갈비), and jangin bokkeum bap (장인볶음밥).
Prices range from KRW 3,000 (US$2.20) to KRW 48,000 (US$34.30).
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7. Goreun Haetsal (고른햇살)
Opening hours: Daily (6:30a.m. to 11:30p.m.)
Naver reviews: 4.51 stars
Location: Seoul, Seongbuk-gu Gaeunsagil 14 (서울 성북구 개운사길 14)
Now, if you’re looking for something simple and cheap, Goreun Haetsal (고른햇살) is one of the best restaurants in Seoul for that.
“It’s a popular restaurant by Korea University, and it’s the cheapest bunshik meals in the area,” Ansani shares.
“They have kimbap, fried dishes, ramyeon, tteokbokki, and udong. My favourite is the tuna mayo kimbap. It’s a small restaurant that opens early in the morning and closes late at night. It’s busy around lunch and dinner time, and you’ll often catch international students having meals there.”
Prices range from KRW 2,000 (US$1.50) to KRW 7,000 (US$5) — making it one of the cheapest restaurants in Seoul.
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8. Yeojen Udong 0410 (여전우동 0410)
Opening hours: Depending on outlets
Naver reviews: 500 reviews
Location: 54 outlets (고대안암점, 신논현역점, 종로3가역점, 홍대입구역점, 강남터미널점, 건대로데오점, 노량진점, and more)
With over 54 outlets, Yeojen Udong 0410 is serving up delicious udongs. It’s one of the best restaurants in Seoul for a quick meal.
“It’s a good place to eat at, and I often visit the place to grab a bite,” Ansari recalls. “I’d recommend it to students on a budget.”
Not only do they serve udon, but also rice bowls and donkatsu.
Prices range from KRW 4,000 (US$2.90) to KRW 9,500 (US$6.80) — another cheap restaurant in Seoul to add to your list.
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9. Didi Chicken (디디치킨)
Opening hours: Depending on outlets
Naver reviews: 4.5 stars
Location: 6 outlets (논현본점, 청계산입구역점, 올림픽점, 대흥점, 연세대점, 가양등촌점)
I lived off Didi Chicken (디디치킨) throughout my time in South Korea. I’d order a massive set meal for myself and save it as leftovers to eat throughout the week — and I saved a lot of money doing it.
The best part? The chicken set is bomb. My go-to takeaway order would be the one chicken with three flavours (한마리 3가지맛): original, yangnyeom, and ganjang chicken (오리지널, 양념, 간장치킨). I’d also add one cheese ball (치즈볼) as a treat for myself.
Didi Chicken offers delivery if you’re too lazy to leave your dorm.
Prices range from KRW 3,000 (US$2.20) to KRW 31,000 (US$22.20) — making it one of the cheapest restaurants in Seoul.
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10. Jeju Oktap BlackBBQ (제주옥탑 블랙BBQ)
Opening hours: Daily (11a.m. to 2a.m.)
Naver reviews: 316 reviews
Location: Seoul, Gangnam-gu Eonju-ro170gil 34 Jeju Oktap BlackBBQ (서울 강남구 언주로170길 34 제주옥탑 블랙BBQ)
Looking for good Korean barbecue? You should check out Jeju Oktap BlackBBQ (제주옥탑 블랙BBQ). However, having a meal here isn’t a financially wise decision, but it’s worth making a dent in your bank account.
The pork is juicy, and the side dishes taste like nothing you’ve ever tasted before (even though it’s the usual Korean side dishes). It’s the best Korean barbecue I’ve had in my life. And the best part? They serve unlimited ice cream.
Prices range from KRW 12,000 (US$8.60) to KRW 68,000 (US$48.60) — making it another one of the cheapest restaurants in Seoul.
