About My Best Seoul
My Best Seoul helps visitors and residents find the Seoul restaurants, cafés, shops, hotels and services worth their time, with every ranking in English.
Old palaces, new neighbourhoods
Seoul folds six centuries of history into one of the most modern cities in Asia. Joseon-era palaces and the hanok alleys of Bukchon sit a short subway ride from the towers of Gangnam, and the Han River divides the city into two very different halves. Districts change character fast, too: a quiet street in Seongsu or Mangwon can become a café destination within a couple of years.
What we cover
My Best Seoul ranks the places that stand apart in their field: restaurants and street food, cafés and bakeries, beauty and skincare, shopping and fashion, hotels, nightlife, art, education, health and more. Each entry gives the address, a contact number, opening hours and a short description in English.
How the work is done
Our editors take each category district by district, from Jongno and Mapo to Yongsan and Gangnam, weigh what the people who use each place have said about it over the years, and verify addresses and hours before anything appears. Because few cities change their shopfronts as quickly as Seoul, each list is reopened often.
Good to know
Seoul is easy to navigate by subway, but addresses can confuse newcomers, so our listings give full details to help you find each place. Many restaurants are set up for groups, some barbecue spots ask for a minimum of two portions, and cafés tend to open late in the morning and stay open late at night.
For visitors and expats
The guide is written for travellers who want to get beyond the main shopping streets, for students and professionals settling into life in Seoul, and for anyone who finds it easier to choose a clinic or a restaurant when the information is in English. Long-stay visitors and exchange students will find it particularly handy.
Businesses in Seoul
Is your business featured in our rankings? Take ownership of the listing and add to it, in English, through our For businesses page.