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South Korea
Steakhouses in Seoul
Seoul's beef culture is built on Hanwoo, the native Korean cattle breed, graded by marbling and usually grilled at the table over charcoal, alongside American-style steakhouses that serve dry-aged US and Australian beef.
Most beef eaten out in Seoul is gui, meat grilled at the table, often over charcoal. The best-known cuts are galbi (short rib), served marinated (yangnyeom galbi) or plain (saeng galbi), and deungsim (sirloin and ribeye), along with thin marinated bulgogi. Large "garden" galbi houses became a Seoul format after Samwon Garden opened in Apgujeong in 1976; older restaurants such as Daedo Sikdang (1964) built their name on a single cut.
Premium beef in Seoul is usually Hanwoo, the native Korean breed, sold with a quality grade from the Korea Institute for Animal Products Quality Evaluation (KAPE): 1++, 1+, 1, 2 and 3. Marbling is the main factor, scored from 1 to 9; since the December 2019 revision, 1++ covers marbling scores 7 to 9 (before, 8 and 9), and menus often show the score, as in 1++(9). Much of the city's beef passes through the Majang-dong livestock market in Seongdong-gu, the main wholesale meat market, where butcher-restaurants grill meat bought at the counter.
Korea also imports large volumes of beef, mainly from the United States and Australia. That beef dominates the American-style steakhouses of Gangnam, Hannam-dong and the international hotels, several of which dry-age USDA Prime in-house. A newer group of restaurants dry-ages Hanwoo itself or serves it as a tasting course. In the 2026 MICHELIN Guide Seoul, several beef barbecue restaurants appear as Selected restaurants; in the World's 101 Best Steak Restaurants 2025, Born and Bred in Majang-dong was listed at No. 15.
Listed by name, never by payment or score. Facts last verified: 20 Oct 2026.
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BLT Steak (JW Marriott Dongdaemun Square)
Dongdaemun
BLT Steak (JW Marriott Dongdaemun Square)
JW Marriott Dongdaemun Square Seoul, 279 Cheonggyecheon-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Style American chophouse Beef United States Aging dry-aged Why it is listedSeoul branch of the New York steakhouse brand created by chef Laurent Tourondel, inside the JW Marriott Dongdaemun Square hotel; serves dry-aged steaks with popovers.
Sources: marriott.com · fodors.com · koreatimes.co.kr
Not yet verified: fire, founded, price
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Michelin GuideBoreumsae
Samseong-dong · Est. 2015
Michelin GuideBoreumsae
36 Teheran-ro 81-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
Style Korean BBQ Beef South Korea (Jeju) · Jeju Black Cattle (heugu) Founded 2015 Why it is listedServes native Jeju black cattle from a farm the owners run on Jeju Island; opened in late 2015; listed in the MICHELIN Guide Seoul (Selected, 2024 and 2025).
Sources: joinpearl.co · guide.michelin.com · enprimeurclub.com
Not yet verified: fire, aging, price
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Michelin Guide101 Best50 Best
Born and Bred
Majang-dong
Michelin Guide101 Best50 BestBorn and Bred
2F, 1 Majang-ro 42-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul
Style Korean BBQ Beef South Korea · Hanwoo Why it is listedListed at No. 15 in World's 101 Best Steak Restaurants 2025; listed in the 2026 MICHELIN Guide South Korea; No. 64 in Asia's 50 Best Restaurants 2024. Hanwoo from the Majang-dong market, across four floors.
Sources: guide.michelin.com · bestofkorea.com · koncierge.kr · tatlerasia.com · timeout.com
Not yet verified: fire, aging, founded, price
What to order
Hanwoo grilling cuts by weightHanwoo steaksHanwoo tasting courseNearby
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Michelin GuideBudnamujip
Seocho-dong · Est. 1977
Michelin GuideBudnamujip
434 Hyoryeong-ro, Seocho-gu, Seoul
Style Korean BBQ Price $$ Beef South Korea · Hanwoo Founded 1977 Why it is listedFamily-run Hanwoo grill house in operation since 1977; MICHELIN Guide Seoul Selected restaurant in 2024 and 2025.
Sources: joinpearl.co · guide.michelin.com · ktriptips.com
Not yet verified: fire, aging
What to order
Nearby
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Michelin Guide
Byeokje Galbi (Bangi)
Bangi-dong · Est. 1986
Michelin GuideByeokje Galbi (Bangi)
1-4 Yangjae-daero 71-gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul
Style Korean BBQ Price $$ Fire charcoal Beef South Korea · Hanwoo · 1++ (BMS No. 9) Founded 1986 Why it is listedServing charcoal-grilled beef short ribs since 1986; buys whole Hanwoo of marbling score 9 at auction, from cattle raised on a farm in Pocheon (MICHELIN Guide Seoul).
Sources: guide.michelin.com · timeout.com · tablejourney.com
Not yet verified: aging
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Daedo Sikdang (Wangsimni)
Wangsimni · Est. 1964
Daedo Sikdang (Wangsimni)
3 Muhak-ro 12-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul
Style Korean BBQ Beef South Korea · Hanwoo Founded 1964 Why it is listedOpened in Wangsimni in 1964; built around Hanwoo sirloin cooked on a cast-iron pan; the brand now has franchised branches.
Sources: ktriptips.com · hankyung.com · tastekoreanfood.com
Not yet verified: fire, aging, price
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Michelin Guide
Gom Ba Wie
Samseong-dong · Est. 1983
Michelin GuideGom Ba Wie
10 Yeongdong-daero 115-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
Style Korean BBQ Price $$ Fire charcoal Beef South Korea · Hanwoo Founded 1983 Why it is listedOpened in 1983 near Bongeunsa temple; specialises in grilled Hanwoo tripe and intestines over wood charcoal; listed in the MICHELIN Guide Seoul.
Sources: joinpearl.co · guide.michelin.com · guide.michelin.com 2
Not yet verified: aging
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Goo Steak (GOO STK)
Sinsa-dong (Garosu-gil)
Goo Steak (GOO STK)
108 Apgujeong-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
Style American chophouse Price $$$$ Beef United States · USDA Prime Aging dry-aged Why it is listedOne of the first restaurants in Korea to build its menu on dry-aged steak, from 2009; profiled in JoongAng Ilbo's steak series in May 2026.
Sources: v.daum.net · timeout.com · usmef.org
Not yet verified: fire, founded
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Michelin Guide
Imok Smoke Dining
Sinsa-dong
Michelin GuideImok Smoke Dining
B1F, 6 Apgujeong-ro 2-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
Style Modern grill Price $$$ Fire wood Why it is listedFixed-course barbecue by chef Yoo Yong-wook built around smoking; beef ribs smoked over oak for four hours; listed in the MICHELIN Guide Seoul 2026.
Sources: tenasia.com · waug.com · guide.michelin.com
Not yet verified: beef, aging, founded
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Mongtan
Samgakji
Mongtan
50 Baekbeom-ro 99-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Style Korean BBQ Fire charcoal Why it is listedBeef short ribs first smoked over a straw fire, then finished on a charcoal grill at the table; no reservations, with waits of several hours.
Sources: theinfatuation.com · ladyironchef.com
Not yet verified: beef, aging, founded, price
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Michelin Guide
RMW Carne
Hannam-dong
Michelin GuideRMW Carne
2F, 12 Daesagwan-ro 5-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Style Modern grill Price $$ Aging dry-aged Why it is listedSmall steak restaurant in a renovated house that dry-ages cuts from several cattle breeds and makes its own charcuterie; MICHELIN Guide Seoul Selected restaurant in 2024 and 2025.
Sources: enprimeurclub.com · guide.michelin.com
Not yet verified: fire, beef, founded
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Michelin Guide
Samwon Garden
Sinsa-dong (Apgujeong) · Est. 1976
Michelin GuideSamwon Garden
835 Eonju-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
Style Korean BBQ Price $$ Fire charcoal Beef South Korea, Australia, United States · Hanwoo Founded 1976 Why it is listedOpened in Apgujeong in 1976 and credited with starting Seoul's large "garden" galbi restaurants; listed in the MICHELIN Guide Seoul 2026; a New York branch opened in 2018.
Sources: joinpearl.co · koncierge.kr · visitgangnam.net · tastekoreanfood.com · guide.michelin.com
Not yet verified: aging
What to order
Nearby
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Smith & Wollensky Seoul
Hannam-dong · Est. 2024
Smith & Wollensky Seoul
71 Dokseodang-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul (7th–8th floors and rooftop)
Style American chophouse Beef United States · USDA Prime · grain-fed Aging dry-aged · 28+ days Founded 2024 Why it is listedFirst Korean location of the New York steakhouse, opened on 1 October 2024 with partner YJ Partners; USDA Prime dry-aged in-house for at least 28 days.
Sources: smithandwollensky.com · smithandwollensky.com 2 · joinpearl.co
Not yet verified: fire, price
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Michelin GuideSooksoodoga
Seongbuk-gu
Michelin GuideSooksoodoga
28 Dongsomun-ro 17-gil, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul
Style Korean BBQ Price $$ Beef South Korea · Hanwoo Why it is listedAges Hanwoo for 46 to 720 hours under varying temperature, humidity and oxygen, grilled and served as courses of three cuts; listed in the MICHELIN Guide Seoul.
Sources: guide.michelin.com · guide.michelin.com 2
Not yet verified: fire, aging, founded
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SUT. The Butcher's Edge (Conrad Seoul)
Yeouido
SUT. The Butcher's Edge (Conrad Seoul)
37F, Conrad Seoul, 10 Gukjegeumyung-ro, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul
Style Modern grill Fire charcoal Beef United States, Australia, South Korea · Hanwoo · USDA Prime (US beef) Aging dry-aged Why it is listedSteak omakase on the 37th floor of the Conrad Seoul: dry-aged USDA Prime and Australian King River beef, plus Hanwoo, seared over charcoal.
Sources: tablecheck.com · hilton.com
Not yet verified: founded, price
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Texas de Brazil (Central City)
Banpo-dong · Est. 2015
Texas de Brazil (Central City)
205 Sapyeong-daero, Banpo-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul
Style Brazilian churrascaria Founded 2015 Why it is listedOpened on 10 September 2015 as the US churrascaria chain's first restaurant in Asia; gauchos carve meat at the table, directed by a red/green disc.
Sources: texasdebrazil.com · fsrmagazine.com
Not yet verified: fire, beef, aging, price
What to order
rodízio (beef, lamb, pork, chicken, sausage)Nearby
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Michelin Guide
Vault Steakhouse
Cheongdam-dong
Michelin GuideVault Steakhouse
2F, 22 Apgujeong-ro 72-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
Style American chophouse Price $$$$ Beef United States Aging dry-aged · 14 or 28 days Why it is listedAmerican-style steakhouse listed in the MICHELIN Guide Seoul; US beef dry-aged for 14 or 28 days; above the Vault+82 whisky bar.
Sources: guide.michelin.com · foodle.pro
Not yet verified: fire, founded
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Wolfgang's Steakhouse (Cheongdam)
Cheongdam-dong · Est. 2015
Wolfgang's Steakhouse (Cheongdam)
21 Seolleung-ro 152-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
Style American chophouse Fire infrared broiler Beef United States · Black Angus · USDA Prime Aging dry-aged · 22–28 days Founded 2015 Why it is listedFirst Korean branch of the New York steakhouse chain, opened in March 2015; USDA Prime dry-aged in-house and broiled at about 870 °C / 1,600 °F.
Sources: creatrip.com · koreaherald.com · timeout.com
Not yet verified: price
Frequently asked questions
What is Hanwoo beef?
Hanwoo is the native cattle breed of Korea, raised mostly for beef. It is graded by KAPE for marbling, colour, texture and maturity, and costs more than imported beef in Korea.
What does 1++ grade mean?
1++ is the highest of the five Korean beef quality grades (1++, 1+, 1, 2, 3). Since December 2019 it covers marbling scores 7, 8 and 9; a label such as 1++(9) shows the top marbling score.
Where to eat Korean beef BBQ in Seoul?
Long-running galbi houses are concentrated in Gangnam, Seocho and Songpa (Samwon Garden, Budnamujip, Byeokje Galbi), while Majang-dong in Seongdong-gu, around the wholesale meat market, has butcher-restaurants and Born and Bred.
Is the steak in Seoul steakhouses Korean or imported?
Both. Korean barbecue restaurants mostly serve Hanwoo; American-style steakhouses such as Wolfgang's, Smith & Wollensky and Vault serve imported US beef, often dry-aged for about 2 to 4 weeks.
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