The best spots for solo dining in Seoul

Seoul may be a foodie’s paradise, but given Korea’s strongly community-oriented culture, finding places to eat in Seoul that cater to solo diners can be a challenge. Thankfully, there’s been a rise in restaurants that welcome solo eaters, accommodating not only local workers and students but also international visitors.

Until fairly recently, even asking for a table for one could attract curious or sympathetic glances, with the implication being that dining solo meant there was something amiss with your social life. Those attitudes have since shifted greatly. Today, solo dining is widely accepted, thanks to the growing “honbap” trend – a Korean term that literally means “eating alone”.

If you’re searching for the best solo dining spots in Gangnam, Hongdae or Myeongdong to savour top-notch Korean food, read on.

This modern Korean restaurant in the heart of Gangnam – located squarely between Sinnonhyeon Station (Line 9) and Gangnam Station (Line 2) – is a great place for solo dining in Seoul. It’s ideal for solo eaters looking to enjoy a substantial, sit-down meal without breaking the bank. The restaurant offers an extensive menu of set meals for just 14,000 KRW (around 10 USD or 7 GBP) – a great deal given the location and generous portion sizes.

Their signature dish is the bossam (boiled pork) set, which comes with four banchan (small side dishes), a soup and a bowl of steamed rice. The tender pork is also served with a generous pile of perilla and lettuce leaves, raw veggies and a dollop of ssamjang sauce – everything you need to build the perfect “ssam”, a Korean BBQ-style wrap. Grab a leaf, layer on some pork, a spoonful of spicy sauce, a bit of rice, a sliver of raw garlic and whichever banchan you prefer, then wrap it up for the ultimate flavour-packed bite. It’s a hearty meal that will satisfy all your samgyeopsal cravings and keep you coming back for more.

Tip: The restaurant has window-facing counter seating designed for solo eaters, so you can enjoy your meal at a leisurely pace without having to worry about taking up a group table for too long.

Naver maps link: https://naver.me/5pEs3LAr

Also located in central Gangnam, this hidden gem is tucked away in the basement of an office building along one of the district’s bustling side streets. It can be a little tricky to find, but if you follow the CU sign at the front of the building, you’ll be led down to an underground alleyway lined with eateries. Seojim Restaurant is easily identifiable by its white sign featuring three horses.

With its quiet atmosphere and minimalist interior, it’s a fantastic option for solo diners looking for authentic, comforting Korean food at a great price – a full meal costs just 10,000 KRW (around 7 USD or 5 GBP). It’s especially popular with local office workers, so weekday lunchtimes can get packed.

Although everything on the menu looked tempting, I went for the kimchi jjigae and bossam set meal – a popular choice, it seems, as three out of the other five diners also ordered it. The jjigae (stew) packed a moderately spicy punch – enough to make your nose run, but not overwhelmingly hot. The sour, fermented depth of the broth paired perfectly with the boiled pork belly and fluffy steamed rice. The rotating banchan selection was a highlight, particularly the savoury jeon (pancake), which is especially moreish. A local spot that serves up consistently excellent food, it’s no wonder it continues to draw queues of customers during peak hours.

Naver maps link: https://naver.me/x7rQpfbu

Tucked away down a quiet back alley in Sinchon, near Hongdae, Cochon Tonkatsu is a firm favourite among both locals and tourists. This budget-friendly Japanese restaurant is a great choice for solo diners looking for a quick, satisfying bite to fuel their explorations of the Mapo-gu district, famed for its vibrant nightlife, K-pop street performances and youthful energy.

Cochon Tonkatsu keeps things simple, offering just one item on its menu: the tonkatsu meal, priced at an unbelievably low 4,000 KRW (around 4 USD/2.50 GBP). Those with a bigger appetite can add extra cutlets for an additional 1,000 KRW per piece.

The standard set meal includes a breaded pork cutlet, a bowl of miso soup, pickled mango, a mini mortar and pestle with sesame seeds to grind yourself, shredded cabbage and steamed white rice. Bottles of thick, tangy tonkatsu sauce are provided on each table so you can drizzle on as much as you like.

The food is not revolutionary, but is everything you could want: simple, good quality and well-prepared. The pork cutlet, coated in a thin, crispy layer of breadcrumbs, is so tender you could almost slice it with a chopstick. Although the cutlet itself is not at all greasy, the various sides help to cut through the pork’s natural richness.

Unsurprisingly, the restaurant is rarely empty, so be prepared to wait a few minutes for a seat. Still, with its delicious food, speedy service and unbeatable value for money, it’s undoubtably one of the best places to eat in Seoul for solo diners.

Naver maps link: https://naver.me/xmPIc0Ib

Nestled in a quieter corner of Myeongdong – yet just a short walk away from its bustling shopping streets and famous night market – Cheongjong Naju Beef Bone Soup is a fantastic place for solo dining in Seoul, especially for those craving a wholesome, satisfying meal in Korea’s most famous fashion and beauty district.

Located inside an unassuming commercial building next to a Catholic gift shop, the restaurant is the first on the right once you enter the main corridor. While the entrance may not be the most obvious, the welcoming owners make everyone feel right at home.

As its name suggests, the restaurant’s signature dish is its beef bone soup, which features tender slices of brisket and beef intestine swimming in a deeply nourishing broth simmered for hours and delicately seasoned with spring onions. The soup comes with a bowl of hot steamed rice, which you can spoon directly into the broth to soak up the rich, meaty flavour. Another stand-out is the generous side of kimchi and kkakdugi (diced radish kimchi) – the cabbage kimchi, in particular, is among the best I’ve tasted in Seoul.

A standard bowl costs just 10,000 KRW (around 7 USD or 5 GBP), with a special version available for 13,000 KRW. For solo diners looking for authentic Korean food in Seoul that’s both healthy and affordable, this spot is hard to beat. It’s the first place I recommend to friends visiting the city.

Tip: As the restaurant is popular among local office workers, avoid weekday lunchtimes and instead go for an early evening meal or Saturday lunch.

Naver maps link: https://naver.me/5P2aaKp3

Located at the foot of the steep slope leading up to Haebangchon Village in the Yongsan district, Nammaegukbap is an intimate eatery specialising in gukbap – a versatile hot soup served with cooked rice mixed directly into the broth. Unlike other Korean soups where the rice is eaten on the side, with gukbap, it’s all about taking in the rich flavours of the broth with every bite of rice.

Featuring counter seating around the open kitchen, where diners can watch the chefs ladle steaming spoonfuls of soup from giant stock pots, Nammaegukbap is one of the best places in Seoul for solo diners to savour this delicious dish. This family-owned spot, operated by a brother and sister, offers a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere that instantly puts solo travellers at ease.

Like most restaurants on this list, Nammaegukbap keeps its menu simple, focusing on fresh, expertly prepared dishes. Choices include dwaeji-gukbap – a creamy soup originating from Busan made by simmering pork bones for hours along with soy sauce, miso and rice vinegar – and a spicy variation of the same dish. I was drawn to the cloudy, milky-white broth and succulent-looking slices of steamed pork being prepped behind the counter, and ordered the dwaeji-gukbap and bossam set meal for 17,000 KRW (around 12.50 USD/10 GBP).

Although this style of gukbap typically features a rich, heavy broth, Nammaegukbap’s version is lighter, while still packing tons of flavour. The dish is meant to be seasoned with salted shrimp and a homemade green chilli paste, then enjoyed with rice mixed in for the perfect blend of flavours and textures. The steamed pork (bossam) was a stand-out addition and one I’m glad I ordered, as it was unbelievably tender and arguably the best I’ve tried in Korea.

For a unique, flavourful meal in a comforting, solo diner-friendly setting, Nammaegukbap is a must-visit.

Naver maps link: https://naver.me/G2VwP7bz

If you’ve been apprehensive about dining alone in Seoul, I hope this article has helped ease your concerns and inspired you with some great restaurants to try. Remember, getting comfortable eating out solo can be incredibly rewarding, so settle in and look forward to some amazing meals!