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This month, we introduce some of Korea’s finest restaurants, traditional Korean liquor, and a bar that creates a unique dining night through its original blends. Discover places that stay true to the essence of Korean taste while elevating it into a high-end experience. If you visit Seoul, this list is a starting point you should not miss.

This selection is based on Korean tradition and how it is reinterpreted into modern dining. It is not just about eating. It is one way to understand the city of Seoul.

1. Bium

(Image: Bium)

Bium is a place that presents Korean cuisine at its most essential level while elevating it into a refined, high-end experience. As its name suggests, “Bium” is built on the philosophy of emptying in order to fill. It reflects the natural cycle and a deeper understanding of balance and nature.

The restaurant focuses on harmony with nature, using fermented and aged ingredients that take from six months up to five years to complete. These processes are at the core of creating the depth of Korean flavor.

Dining at Bium is not loud or intense. It is calm, subtle, and deeply layered. The experience is not overwhelming, but it stays with you. It presents the essence of traditional Korean cuisine in a highly refined way, offering a clear standard of how Korean food can be experienced at the highest level.

Located in Cheongdam, Bium.

2. Samwon Garden

 (Image: Samwon Garden)

Korean BBQ, especially bulgogi, is one of the most essential dishes in Korean cuisine. It is loved by everyone—locals, international visitors, from children to the elderly.

Samwon Garden, located in Apgujeong, has held its place for many years and is often seen as a landmark of the area. By maintaining consistent quality over time, it has become a representative restaurant for Korean BBQ and bulgogi.

Dining here is more than just a meal. It is an experience of the fundamentals and traditions of Korean BBQ.

Located in Sinsa, Samwon Garden.

3. Zest

(Image: Zest)

If you are looking for a proper cocktail bar in Seoul, Zest Bar in Cheongdam is worth visiting. Open every day until 2 AM, it has already attracted many cocktail enthusiasts.

At Zest, cocktails go beyond drinks—they are crafted like dishes. A single glass is complete on its own, often without the need for any side food. From the first aroma to the texture on the tongue, the moment it goes down, and the long finish after—it offers multiple layers in one sip.

Each cocktail is carefully designed as a full experience. It is a place where you can understand how a drink can be structured like a meal.

Located in Cheongdam, Zest.

4. Wolhadam Takju

(Image: Songjeong Jujo)

Wolhadam Takju is a premium traditional Korean rice wine that blends heritage with a modern sensibility. It is something worth experiencing when visiting Korea.

It takes around 1,000 hours to complete a single bottle. The process follows the natural flow of fermentation without rushing, allowing the drink to mature quietly. This is where its elegance begins. It has a creamy and silky texture.

Made with 100% Korean rice, it carries a soft melon-like aroma. As you taste it, gentle notes of pear and green grape spread smoothly across the palate. It captures the elegance of Korean traditional liquor in one bottle.

Available at Galleria Department Store WEST, within Gourmet 494 in Apgujeong.