Itaewon Food Guide 2025: Hidden Gems & Trending Hotspots Locals Actually Love

Now I see why Itaewon is so popular!

Hello, food explorers! Today, I completely conquered the truly hot Itaewon restaurants. Honestly, I used to think of Itaewon as just a neighborhood with a lot of foreigners, but when I visited recently, it was totally different!

This area, connecting from Gyeongridan-gil to Hannam-dong and Haebangchon, is emerging as the hottest restaurant sanctuary in Seoul right now. Since 2025, many places have newly entered the Michelin Guide, and new trendy restaurants that are a hit on social media keep popping up.

The charm of this neighborhood is that you can taste a really diverse range of high-quality foods, from Italian, Thai, Chinese, Japanese, to desserts, all within one block. It feels like a small world tour!

Top 3 Hottest Waiting Restaurants Right Now

1. 부자피자 1호점 - The Absolute Powerhouse of Itaewon Pizza

When you think of Itaewon, you can't leave out 부자피자. At first, I thought, 'Do you really wait 2-3 hours just to eat a pizza?' But after trying it, I completely understood.

Location: 28 Itaewon-ro 55ga-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul (5-minute walk from Hangangjin Station)
Business Hours: 11:30-22:00 (Break Time 15:00-17:30)
Price Range: Margherita 24,000 KRW, Diavola 28,000 KRW

The amazing thing here is that it's authentic Neapolitan-style pizza baked in a wood-fired oven, and the dough is no joke. It's crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside, and you can really feel the use of high-quality cheese. Especially the Margherita, which is simple but each ingredient stands out in flavor.

2. 유한(YUHAN) - Pride of 2025 Michelin Bib Gourmand

Located in Hannam-dong, 유한 is a Thai restaurant newly selected for the Michelin Bib Gourmand this year. The atmosphere is really sophisticated, and the food quality is top-notch!

Location: 8 Hangang-daero 40-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul (8-minute walk from Hangangjin Station, Exit 3)
Business Hours: Tue-Sun 18:00-24:00 (Closed on Mondays)
Price Range: Som Tam 18,000 KRW, Pad Thai 16,000 KRW, Green Curry 22,000 KRW

The Som Tam here is truly an art. The balance of sweet, sour, and spicy flavors is perfect, and the vegetables are incredibly fresh. The Green Curry has a really rich taste but is not greasy, and the combination of spices is fantastic. The atmosphere is romantic, perfect for a date.

3. 취향(醉乡) - Hidden Master of Lamb Skewers in Gyeongridan-gil

This place, hidden in an alley in Gyeongridan-gil, is a restaurant known only to those in the know. It's run by a Chinese owner, so the taste is truly authentic!

Location: Itaewon-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul (Alley next to Jeil Market)
Business Hours: Tue-Sun 17:00-02:00 (Opens at 16:00 on Sat, Sun)
Price Range: Lamb Skewer 3,500 KRW each, Lamb Ribs 28,000 KRW

The lamb skewers are really tender with no gamey smell at all. Especially the Tomato Egg Stir-fry is a real delicacy. It suits Korean tastes perfectly, and when paired with Tsingtao beer, it's heaven!

Sweet Finale Dessert Spots

재인서울 - Legend of Desserts in Hannam-dong

재인서울, which moved from Yeonhui-dong to Hannam-dong, is truly one of Seoul's top patisseries. Popular items disappear in an instant as soon as it opens at 1 PM!

Location: 48 Itaewon-ro 54-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Open: 13:00 (Closed every Mon, Tue)
Tip: Make sure to go exactly at opening time!

르솔레이 - The Original Dessert Cafe of Itaewon

When it comes to dessert cafes in Itaewon, you can't leave out this place. It's a healing space where authentic French-style desserts meet a cafe with a great atmosphere.

Location: 2nd Floor, 28 Itaewon-ro 54-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Price Range: Cakes 7,000-12,000 KRW

Hidden Gems in Gyeongridan-gil & Haebangchon

모모의기묘한모험 - The Ultimate in Atmosphere

This place with a truly unique name is a cocktail bar that also serves delicious food. The interior is really fascinating and has the perfect Instagram vibe!

Perfect Itaewon Restaurant Tour Course

Romantic Date Course (1 PM - 10 PM)

1. 1:00 PM: Buy desserts at 재인서울 (Takeout)
2. 2:00 PM: Shopping + Cafe tour at Hannam-dong Union Town
3. 3:30 PM: Stroll along Gyeongridan-gil and enjoy the atmosphere
4. 4:30 PM: Put your name on the waiting list at 부자피자
5. 6:00 PM: Early dinner at 부자피자
6. 8:00 PM: Move to Haebangchon to enjoy the night view

Food Tour with Friends (6 PM - 1 AM)

1. 6:00 PM: Start with Thai cuisine at 유한
2. 8:00 PM: Bar hopping in Gyeongridan-gil
3. 9:30 PM: Lamb skewers + Tsingtao at 취향
4. 11:00 PM: Cocktails at 모모의기묘한모험
5. 12:30 AM: Late-night food tour on Itaewon Main Street

Complete Tips for Exploring Itaewon Restaurants

Transportation & Parking Perfect Guide

• Subway: Utilize both Itaewon Station and Hangangjin Station on Line 6 (Approx. 1km between stations)
• Bus: Routes 421, 463 (Itaewon Entrance Stop)
• Parking: Hannam-dong Public Parking Lot (3,000 KRW per hour, open 24 hours)
• Walking: All within 15 minutes between Gyeongridan-gil↔Hannam-dong↔Haebangchon

Waiting & Reservation Strategy

• 부자피자: Tableling app is a must, on-site waiting is possible but be prepared for 2-3 hours
• 유한: Phone reservations available (02-797-5464), recommended before 6 PM on weekdays
• 취향: No reservations, no waiting if you go at opening time
• 재인서울: No reservations, open run is essential

Seasonal Visit Strategy

• Spring/Fall: Utilize outdoor terraces, best season for Gyeongridan-gil strolls
• Summer: Focus on indoor air-conditioned restaurants, dessert cafes are a must
• Winter: Warm indoor restaurants + night view points (well-heated rooftops)

2025 New Restaurants & Trends

Noteworthy New Openings This Year

• Oit Cafe: Haebangchon 3rd-floor rooftop cafe (Opened in June)
• Brick Happy Food Hannam Branch: Branch of the famous Chinese restaurant from Apgujeong
• OUCH: Gelato specialty shop in Hannam-dong

2025 Itaewon Restaurant Trends

• Premium Dessert & Patisserie Craze
• Rising Popularity of Authentic Asian Fusion Cuisine
• Increase in Rooftop & Night View Restaurants
• Spread of Small-Scale Omakase & Course Meals

Itaewon Restaurant Recommendations by Budget

Value for Money Restaurants (10,000-20,000 KRW per person)

• 취향 Lamb Skewers: Lamb Skewer + Tsingtao Set 18,000 KRW
• Itaewon Jeil Market Snack: Tteokbokki, Fried Foods, etc. around 5,000 KRW
• Local Cafes: Americano 4,000-6,000 KRW

Mid-Range Restaurants (30,000-50,000 KRW per person)

• 유한: Course Meal 35,000 KRW
• 부자피자: Around 50,000 KRW for 2 people
• Spain Club: Tapas + Drink 40,000 KRW

Premium Restaurants (Over 50,000 KRW per person)

• Buccelli House: Steak Lunch Course 80,000 KRW
• Michelin Restaurants: 100,000 KRW Dinner Course

Unique Charm Points of Itaewon

The biggest charm of Itaewon is truly its 'diversity.' I wonder if there's another place where you can taste authentic cuisines from so many different countries in one neighborhood. And each restaurant has its own distinct identity, so wherever you go, you can have a special experience.

Especially the alleys connecting Gyeongridan-gil and Hannam-dong offer new discoveries every time you walk through them. There are hidden small bars, cafes full of personality, and local-only restaurants scattered everywhere. So it's fun just to wander around without a plan.

Conclusion: Special Experiences in Itaewon

What I felt while touring Itaewon restaurants is that this is not just a place to go for 'delicious food,' but a place to go for 'special experiences.' Each restaurant has a story, and they express that story through their food.

The reason why waiting for over 2 hours at 부자피자 was enjoyable is that the conversations I had with friends during that time were precious, and the reason why the taste of Som Tam at 유한 was special is that it was a special time spent with a loved one.

So when you come to Itaewon, make sure to leave time and bring a relaxed mind. Even if there's a wait, don't get frustrated, and think of that time as part of the journey, and it will be a much more enjoyable experience!

I hope you create many special memories with delicious food in Itaewon! Next time, I'll come back with more hidden gems. Have a delicious day!