Itaewon restaurants cover more of the world than any other neighborhood in Seoul. It is also the best place in Korea to find halal food, thanks to the Seoul Central Mosque at the top of the hill. This guide covers where to eat Korean food and Korean BBQ in Itaewon, halal restaurants near the mosque, vegan options, and how to check whether a place is really halal-certified.
Most places are a short walk from Itaewon Station (Line 6). For the halal street, use Exit 3 and walk uphill.
Korean Restaurants in Itaewon
Ahn’s Makgeolli (안씨 막걸리)
Listed in the MICHELIN Guide Seoul 2026, this spot pairs a wide range of makgeolli (Korean rice wine) with modern Korean drinking food. MICHELIN mentions house-made tofu served with shrimp-salted kimchi, pork belly and pollock roe.
- Address: 3 Hoenamu-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul (서울 용산구 회나무로 3)
- Station: Noksapyeong Station (Line 6)
- Map: Open in Naver Map
Bogwangjeong Itaewon (보광정 이태원점)
One of the cheapest Korean meals in Itaewon. It is a government-designated “good price” restaurant, serving stews and noodles for ₩8,000.
- Address: 118 Bogwang-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul (서울 용산구 보광로 118)
- Order: Jjigae (stew), kalguksu or gat-kimchi noodles, ₩8,000 each
- Hours: Mon–Thu 16:00–23:00, Fri–Sun 12:00–23:00
- Map: Open in Naver Map
Wonjo Boribap Sujebi (원조보리밥수제비)
A simple local spot for hand-torn dough soup and bibimbap, also on the government “good price” list.
- Address: 24 Itaewon-ro 14-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul (서울 용산구 이태원로14길 24)
- Order: Potato or kimchi sujebi ₩9,000, bibimbap ₩10,000
- Map: Open in Naver Map
Soseoul Hannam (소설한남)
For a special night, this one-star restaurant in nearby Hannam-dong serves contemporary Korean dishes based on seasoned salads, pan-fried and braised dishes. See our Michelin restaurants in Seoul guide for more starred picks.
- Address: B1F, 21-18 Hannam-daero 20-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul (서울 용산구 한남대로20길 21-18 지하 1층)
- Map: Open in Naver Map
Itaewon BBQ: Where to Grill Korean Barbecue
| Restaurant | What to order | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daeheung Jeongyuk Sikdang (대흥정육식당) | Fresh pork belly, pork jowl, brisket | Check menu | About 2 minutes from Itaewon Station Exit 3, multilingual menu |
| Itaewon Griddle (이태원그리들) | Samgyeopsal (pork belly) | ₩17,000 | 30-1 Hoenamu-ro. Weekdays 11:00–23:00 (break 14:00–17:00), weekends 17:00–23:00 |
| Dwaeji-jip (돼지집) | Frozen pork belly | ₩15,000 | 17 Itaewon-ro 20-gil |
| Tongue & Groove Joint (텅앤그루브조인트) | Aged Hanwoo beef, Korean pork, lamb chops | Check menu | 7 Bogwang-ro 60-gil, 11:30–22:50 |
Korean BBQ restaurants usually need at least two servings per table. On weekends, Itaewon BBQ spots are busiest around 18:00, so go early. For more barbecue picks across the city, see our guide to the best Korean BBQ in Seoul.
Halal Food Near Seoul Central Mosque
The Seoul Central Mosque (서울중앙성원), opened on May 21, 1976, is Korea’s first mosque. It sits at 39 Usadan-ro 10-gil. The street that climbs up to it from Itaewon Station Exit 3 is lined with halal restaurants, halal butchers and grocery stores.
EID Halal Korean Food (이드)
EID is a halal Korean restaurant run by a Korean Muslim family a few minutes’ walk from the mosque. It holds certification from the Korea Muslim Federation (KMF), and its kitchen is fully halal with no pork or alcohol. It is the easiest place to try bulgogi, bibimbap and samgyetang if you eat halal.
| EID Halal Korean Food | 이드 |
| Address | 67 Usadan-ro 10-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul (서울 용산구 우사단로10길 67) |
| Station | Itaewon Station (Line 6), Exit 3, about 8 minutes uphill |
| Hours | Daily 11:30–21:00 (last order 20:30) |
| Order | Bulgogi, bibimbap, samgyetang, fried chicken |
| Price | Mains about ₩10,000–18,000 |
| Map | Open in Naver Map |
Makan Halal Korean Restaurant (마칸)
A Muslim-owned Korean restaurant on the same street, about 150 meters from EID. The menu includes beef bulgogi, spicy braised chicken (dakdoritang), bibimbap and cold noodles.
- Address: 52 Usadan-ro 10-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul (서울 용산구 우사단로10길 52)
- Map: Open in Naver Map
Jibbap Kim Seonsaeng (집밥김선생)
Halal Korean home cooking, served as set meals.
- Address: 28 Noksapyeong-daero 46-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul (서울 용산구 녹사평대로46길 28)
- Map: Open in Naver Map
Other Halal Restaurants in Itaewon
- Kervan (케르반), 190 Itaewon-ro: Turkish. Pottery kebab (testi kebab) and lahmacun are the signatures.
- Mr. Kebab (미스터케밥), 192 Itaewon-ro: Turkish doner kebab counter.
- Petra (페트라), 2F, 33 Noksapyeong-daero 40-gil: Jordanian. Hummus, falafel and couscous, with vegetarian dishes. Daily 11:30–21:00.
How to Find Halal-Certified Restaurants in Seoul
The Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) sorts Muslim-friendly restaurants into four levels. Know the difference before you sit down:
- Halal Certified: certified by an approved body such as the Korea Muslim Federation (KMF). All food is halal.
- Self-certified: the Muslim owner states that all food is halal.
- Muslim Friendly: some halal dishes, and alcohol may be sold.
- Pork Free: no pork, but no halal menu, and alcohol may be sold.
The KTO’s printed list of Muslim-friendly restaurants dates from December 2021, and certifications expire. If halal status matters to you, check the certificate on the wall for the issuing body and the expiry date, or ask the staff, “Is the meat halal certified?”
Vegan and Vegetarian Options in Itaewon
- ALT.a (알트에이), 109 Bogwang-ro: a vegan Chinese restaurant and a MICHELIN Bib Gourmand. MICHELIN mentions sweet and sour “pork,” yuringi and vegan jjamppong. Open in Naver Map
- Plant Cafe & Kitchen (플랜트), 2F, 117 Bogwang-ro: a 100% plant-based cafe and one of Seoul’s first vegan restaurants. Burgers, bowls and cakes. Closed Mondays, and phone reservations are accepted at +82 2-749-1981. Open in Naver Map
- Petra: Jordanian food with several vegetarian dishes (see above).
Korean soups and stews often use anchovy or meat broth. If you are vegetarian, ask about the broth before you order.
FAQ
Where can I eat halal Korean food in Seoul?
In Itaewon, near the Seoul Central Mosque. EID is KMF-certified and serves bulgogi, bibimbap and samgyetang. Makan and Jibbap Kim Seonsaeng also serve halal Korean dishes.
How do I get to the Itaewon mosque?
Take Line 6 to Itaewon Station, leave by Exit 3 and walk uphill along Usadan-ro 10-gil. The mosque is at 39 Usadan-ro 10-gil.
Is Itaewon good for Korean BBQ?
Yes. There are several pork barbecue spots near Itaewon Station and on Hoenamu-ro, with pork belly from about ₩15,000–17,000 per serving.
Are there vegan restaurants in Itaewon?
Yes. ALT.a is a MICHELIN Bib Gourmand vegan Chinese restaurant, and Plant Cafe & Kitchen is fully plant-based.
Prices and hours were checked in November 2026 and can change. Check Naver Map before you go.
More Seoul guides: best Korean restaurants in Seoul, Tosokchon Samgyetang, and all Seoul restaurant guides.
