Where to eat in Gangnam & Apgujeong
South of the river the classics get polished: garden barbecue estates where galbi is an occasion, a bulgogi house refining the royal-lineage recipe since 1939's traditions moved south, and the soy-marinated crab specialists that made Sinsa-dong's 'gejang alley' a destination in itself. Gangnam is where Korean classics dress up — prices climb, service formalizes, and dishes that are everyday food elsewhere become celebrations. Worth one deliberate splurge meal on any Seoul itinerary.
What to eat here
갈비 · Galbi Beef short ribs in a soy-sugar marinade — celebration-tier Korean BBQ. 
불고기 · Bulgogi Thin-sliced beef in a sweet soy marinade, grilled or pan-cooked. 
간장게장 · Ganjang Gejang Raw crab cured in soy sauce — nicknamed 'the rice thief'. The verified places
Local classicMICHELIN Guide listed
Gangnam's grand old galbi institution — charcoal-grilled yangnyeom galbi with full old-school service, listed in the MICHELIN Guide Seoul.
Known for: Galbi
Open as of our last check (2026-07-17) · Sources: MICHELIN Guide · Visit Gangnam — hours, prices and status can change; check the map link before visiting.
Best known for this dishSince 1939
The grande dame of Seoul bulgogi since 1939 — sweet soy broth-style bulgogi served over a brass pan, the way old Seoul remembers it.
Known for: Bulgogi
Open as of our last check (2026-07-20) · Sources: VisitKorea (한국관광공사) — hours, prices and status can change; check the map link before visiting.
Best known for this dishMICHELIN Bib Gourmand
A one-dish ganjang-gejang specialist using Seosan female crabs — Bib Gourmand every year since 2018, and the cleanest introduction to 'rice thief' culture.
Known for: Ganjang Gejang
Open as of our last check (2026-07-20) · Sources: MICHELIN Guide — hours, prices and status can change; check the map link before visiting.