‘Daehak-ro’, which gets its name from Seoul National University, which used to be located here, is a cultural and artistic center with about 100 large and small theaters currently putting on daily performances. There is something here for everyone – from Ihwajang, the residence of Lee Seung-man, the first president of Korea, to the Naksan public art project and the beautiful, historic medical museum. Not to be missed are the many charming cafés and restaurants around Marronnier Park at the heart of Daehak-ro, an area that is alive with street performers and a famous place to go on a date. On weekends, vehicle access to the streets is restricted, and this is when the area truly comes alive with the uninhibited expression of youthful vitality.

1. Bukpyeong Dakgomtang (Korean : Dakgomtang)

This restaurant is famous for their dakgomtang (chicken soup), which has a clear, refreshing broth. The soup is light, clean-tasting, and delicious, so they have lots of loyal customers. The restaurant is also frequented by a lot of Japanese tourists.
- address: 195 Dongsung-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul
- phone: 02-3675-6375

2. Deulpul (Korean)

Side dishes made from homemade pepper paste, soybean paste, soy sauce, vegetables and wild greens are very delicious here. Also mushrooms and wild edible greens are popular and a traditional tea along with dessert is served after the meal.
- address: 71-1 Myeongnyun-dong 4-ga, Jongno-gu, Seoul
- phone: 02-745-9383
- website: http://www.dulpul.co.kr

3. Goldong-myeon (Korean : Guksu)

This Daehangno-area noodle restaurant is very popular, so you’ll likely have to wait in line. The representative dish here is gol-dong-myeon, a variation of mixed noodles that comes from Korean royal cuisine and is mixed with soy sauce, rather than the usual hot pepper paste.
- address: 1-45 Dongsung-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul
- phone: 02-764-5113

4. Guksijip (Korean : Guksu)

This restaurant, which is famous for its fresh-tasting food, offers handmade noodles. Reservations are essential as there are usually no seats available for walk-in customers. After the day’s noodles have been sold out, usually between 12 and 2, no more are served. The noodles and seasoning sauce are served simply in a broth made from beef brisket, but the noodles are very thin and amazingly delicate and soft.
- address: 9 Seongbuk-dong, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul
- phone: 02-762-1924 

5. Hyehwa Kalguksu (Korean : Kalguksu)

This restaurant has been a fixture of  Hyehwa-dong for almost 30 years and faithfully maintains its long-standing traditions. To their four-leg broth, they add beef brisket and simmer it for 24 hours, so the finely-sliced noodles that they serve in it taste fantastic. Besides kalguksu (hand-cut noodle soup), they also serve thinly-sliced bulgogi-style beef flame broiled in a gridiron, fish tempura, and octopus.
- address: 84-3 Hyehwa-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul
- phone: 02-743-8212
- website: www.혜화칼국수.kr

6. Istanbul (Turkish)

This restaurant in Uijeongbu was the first in Korea to introduce kebabs, a traditional Turkish dish. Enjoy convenient fast food-style kebabs at a reasonable price.
- address: 69-1 Myeongnyun-dong 4-ga, Jongno-gu, Seoul
- phone: 02-744-9790
- website: http://www.istanbul21.com

7. Kobe Genpei (Japanese)

The Japanese-style ramen here tastes very authentic. The chef is Japanese, and all the ingredients, with the exception of the meat and vegetables, are brought in from Japan.
- address: 203-1 Hyehwa-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul
- phone: 02-765-6808

8. Mami Cheonggukjang (Korean : Cheonggukjang)

This restaurant is famous for cheonggukjang (soybean paste soup). This restaurant recently underwent renovations, and the interior is still pristine.
- address: 18-2 Dongsung-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul
- phone: 02-765-0842

9. Myeongnyun Sonkalguksu (Korean : Kalguksu)

The popular item here is the handmade cut noodles in beef broth. The thick boiled brisket and flank and lightly boiled octopus are also good. You can order half and half of each. The restaurant isn’t open for dinner and often closes early when ingredients run out.
- address: 31-23 Myeongnyun-dong 1-ga, Jongno-gu, Seoul
- phone: 02-742-8662

10. Paris Hanoi (Vietnamese)

This restaurant has two noodle dishes on their menu: pho (rice noodles in a light-tasting and refreshing broth) and banh nam (rice noodles mixed with fried and sliced dumplings and vegetables), which is also popular. In the cafe-like atmosphere, you can casually enjoy Vietnamese pho.
- address: 83-1 Myeongnyun-dong 4-ga, Jongno-gu, Seoul
- phone: 02-3673-1999

11. Persian Palace (Iranian)

This is an Iranian spicy curry restaurant. You can taste spicy curry made by an Iranian. Their best dish is curry made with lamb marinated in seasonings for 3 days. The smoked chicken curry is also recommended. Their Persian full-course set menus include various kinds of curry sauce, six pieces of chicken, and Iranian-style rice cakes. In addition to curries, you can enjoy various kinds of exotic food, such as Iranian-style bread, yogurt, and alcoholic beverages.
- address: 121-1 Myeongnyun-dong 2-ga, Jongno-gu, Seoul
- phone: 02-763-6050
- website: http://www.persianpalace.com 

12. Sao Paulo (Brazilian)

Enjoy all-you-can-eat Brazilian churrasco grilled steak for 25,000, served with fried rice, feijoda (beef and pork stew with black beans), potato salad, and pickles. Various kinds of meat are also available, including chicken, sausages, beef strip loin, and pork belly, etc. The grilled pineapple makes a tasty accompaniment for the meat.
- address: 19-2 Myeongnyun-dong 4-ga, Jongno-gu, Seoul
- phone: 02-764-6079

13. Seongbukdong Dwaeji-galbijip (Galbi)

This is a famous spareribs restaurant that has been in operation in the Sungbukdong area for 30 years.  The set menu of char-grilled spareribs with a bowl of rice is excellent.  Since it is grilled over charcoal briquette, the pork acquires a smoky flavour and loses most of its fat, so it has a nice chewy texture.    
- address: 114-2 Seongbuk-dong, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul
- phone: 02-764-2420 

14. Sonkalguksu (Korean : Kalguksu)

At this restaurant, you can enjoy humble home-style kalguksu (knife-cut noodles). The kalguksu is served in a rich beef broth, and a Korean-style pancake is included with your order, making it even better. Dinner service ends at 6:00, so you should call ahead to find out whether they can accommodate you.
- address: 74-37 Hyehwa-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul
- phone: 02-764-7947

15. Urimilguksi (Korean : Kalguksu)

This restaurant specializes in sagol kalguksu (hand-cut noodles). The ‘sagol’ broth is made with four leg bones of Korean-bred cows and tastes great, and the noodles, which are thinner than regular kalguksu, have a nice chewy texture.  Kalguksu is best enjoyed garnished with beef brisket and zucchini and topped with spicy seasonings. 
- address: 124-11 Seongbuk-dong, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul
- phone: 02-745-3764