A full English breakfast is more of a national institution in the United Kingdom than a meal, as you may have guessed. The Korean breakfast menu, on the other hand, took some getting used to because instead of bacon butties and fry ups, it offered rice and kimchi as bowls.
But don’t worry, friends of the world; Seoul has already arrived to the brunch party – better late than never, right? Visit Korea’s capital and you’ll discover it full of bistros and bakeries that serve up delicious meals throughout the day.
We’ve been searching for the greatest brunches in town over the last two years – from french toast to fine dining, let us help you discover Seoul’s top ten brunch spots.
The Beastro
The Beastro is a trendy American-style restaurant in the center of Hongdae, which is without a doubt one of the greatest places to brunch in Seoul.
The weekend brunch menu is served from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and our favorite place to cure the Hongdae hangover is located in the university area’s trendy and happening University District.
The Sunday brunch menu includes a variety of dishes such as eggs Benedict, pancakes, and sandwiches. The Biscuits & Gravy is the restaurant’s most popular dish, and it’s well worth a try. It’s the ideal brunch dish for two with two fluffy homemade biscuits, sage sausage gravy, thick house smoked bacon, and two any style eggs.
Is it time for another shot of whiskey? The Beastro has an excellent selection of creative mixed drinks, some of the best we’ve had in Seoul.
It’s worth noting that the service has been excellent each time we’ve gone, which isn’t always the case in Seoul.
9,000 – 15,000 won per dish
MADE
MADE, located in the middle of Apgujeong and Garosugil, is an Italian-American restaurant with a daily brunch menu as well as an extra special brunch option on weekends (nearly perfect).
If you’ve never been to a MADE restaurant before, you’re probably wondering what the hype is all about. It might be tough to pick from MADE’s heavenly brunch menu when there are so many delicious dishes available. If you want assistance, we recommend the pork belly hash topped with two fried eggs, thin caramelised onions and sauté
One of the things we love about MADE is that the brunch menu is available all day, and with cocktails and wine on the list, this cozy restaurant makes for a great date night.
Fresh, high-quality foods that are readily available to a large number of people without compromising quality or safety.
The Flying Pan
The Flying Pan is one of Itaewon’s most popular brunch spots, and for good reason. There’s something for everyone on this tiny restaurant’s extensive brunch menu, which includes everything from full breakfasts to french toast.
The portions are substantial enough to share, and the ingredients are fresh and delectable. We’re still thinking about the deliciously sweet bacon french toast served with mascarpone, berry compote, and drizzled with maple syrup. We recommend having a drink of the restaurant’s homemade smoothies, but if you want to add some bubbles.
It’s easy to overlook this little treasure while standing in the basement. The line of brunch patrons will soon grow long, so come early on weekends to avoid disappoint.
Sweet and sour pork is a traditional Korean dish that can be prepared in several different ways. It’s a good choice for those who want to learn how to cook but don’t have much cooking experience. The cost of preparing sweet and sour pork varies based on the dish’s complexity, from 14,000 – 20,000 won per plate.
Normal by Ryunique
You can enjoy a special occasion or just want to have a good time? ‘Normal,’ the sibling restaurant of Ryunique, is here to help. In 2015, Ryunique was ranked among Asia’s 50 greatest restaurants, and now its sister restaurant, ‘Normal,’ is offering you the opportunity to eat in elegance while remaining budget-friendly.
The fantastic chef Ryu has put together a seven-course gastronomic journey featuring gastro-scientific delights that will leave you speechless. The Amuse, which we had, included edible flowers – it looked too beautiful to eat!
The attentive and extremely knowledgeable waiting staff, who take the time to explain each course to you as they bring it to your table — as well as adding a final touch of theatre before you dig in.
If you enjoy desserts, the last course of home-made yoghurt with vanilla pudding, lemon meringue chips, rose water jelly, strawberries, and apple mint is a must try. If you’re searching for a beautiful-looking meal that tastes as wonderful as it looks in Seoul, Normal by Ryunique is one of the best places.
For a 7-course set meal, the menu is seasonal and will change according to the season. It costs 80,000 won for a 7-course table d’hôte (menu is seasonal).
The Royal Food & Drink
The Royal Food & Drink has only been operational for a year, yet it has already established itself as one of Seoul’s finest brunch spots. After sampling the restaurant’s delectable brunch menu, it’s easy to see why.
The food at this Gastropub in HBC is delectable, offering a mouthwatering brunch menu with wonderful drinks and homemade smoothies. The Guacamole Breakfast, one of the restaurant’s most popular dishes, is a breakfast bagel big enough to satisfy the gods of brunch.
This guacamole breakfast bagel has creamy quacamole oozing out of it, crispy bacon, cheese, an over easy egg, and tomatoes on top with a sprinkle of paprika – YUM.
The chickpea salmon salad, which included onion, tomato, cucumber, chopped avocado, and sprinted with fetam cheese, was a delicious brunch dish to enjoy in the summer. The Green Breakfast is a vegetarian breakfast platter that features eggs, tomatoes, mushrooms, avocado, spinach on toast.
Oh, and don’t forget to try a pineapple margarita; you won’t be disappointed.
The cost of each dish varies depending on the ingredients, but they are generally about 10,000 – 16,000 won.
Brotherhood Kitchen
This restaurant, located in Gangnam, has an American diner feel and features a vintage neon sign that reads “donuts.” The menu offers everything from hot dogs and hamburgers to steak and pasta dishes.
Don’t leave without trying Brotherhood’s chicken and waffles, which are unquestionably the restaurant’s top seller. Two juicy pieces of boneless fried chicken on a crispy waffle topped with maple syrup, berries, and sweet mayo; and yes, it tastes just as wonderful as it looks. In fact, if you don’t get it.
Wash it down with a thick strawberry shake and mac ‘n’ cheese balls. If you’re looking for something lighter, the cheese omelette is loaded with peppers and onions and has black olives on top. It’s no surprise that Brotherhood Kitchen has become a popular brunch hotspot in the city because it offers quick service plus a reasonable price tag.
The sauce is made with beef stock, mushrooms, and celery in a rich broth that takes approximately 20 minutes to prepare. The dish usually costs 13,000 – 17,000 won.
Bad Farmers
Brunch guilt-free at Bad Farmers, a trendy restaurant in Sinsa that serves up healthy food bowls, is the perfect way to start your weekend. Finding a delectable, nutritious salad may be tough in Korea, but Bad Farmers has it down pat.
The house salad bowl, which was overflowing with quinoa, roast chicken, rucola, grated cheese, cherry tomatoes, sweetcorn, and broccoli in a basil pesto sauce—the greatest salad we’ve ever eaten in Seoul. If you’re searching for a vegetarian choice, it’s simple to ask for no meat or fish while watching.
The open sandwiches are also highly recommended, and they’re ideal with the salad bowls. The shrimp and tofu mayonnaise was served on two thick slices of bread with juicy prawns, tomatoes, and a squeeze of fresh lime over the top. Choose from beet hummus, blueberries, salmon guacamole, or feta if tofu.
The interior is rustic and comfy, with 10 little tables as well as 2 long tables for group sitting. If you want to dine al fresco, there’s also a patio area where you can relax. It’s worth noting that you can’t book a table here; instead, arrive early if you want to avoid the queues.
A full one-day course costs between 11,000 and 14,000 won per person.
Cafe Able
Cafe Able’s cutesy interior shouldn’t deceive you: this place serves up a fantastic brunch. The restored house has rustic brick walls and modern furnishings with wicker baskets, flowers, and watering cans on the shelves, giving us the impression of dining in a cafe in Paris.
The omelette frittata was unexpectedly filling, with peppers, broccoli, onions, and cheese packed inside. The meal was rounded off with a spoonful of sour cream and chives and accompanied by toast and jam on the side. It was served to us in an adorable frying pan that was both Instagram-friendly and delicious.
We’re in Seoul for a couple of days, and we were looking for an egg dish that was delicious yet not too heavy. The only restaurant we’ve found with Eggs Florentine on the menu is Cafe Able. The meal was served steaming hot, accompanied by a thick and creamy sauce packed with sun-dried tomatoes.
The restaurant’s name, Natural Bliss, refers to the concept of “bliss,” taken from a Hindu philosophy on existence. The cuisine at this eatery is based mostly on home-grown and organic foods created with fresh and natural ingredients, some of which are produced on their own farm. With most dishes costing somewhat more than other restaurants on our list.
You’ll find a wide range of breakfast and lunch options, as well as full meals and sandwiches and salads. There’s also a huge choice of homemade juices, smoothies, and teas served hot or iced.
Sides and salads are typically 13,000-17,000 won per dish.
Original Pancake House
A popular American restaurant chain known for its enormous portions has opened a branch in Seoul, bringing America’s famous portion sizes with it and stirring up a storm among expats.
The Original Pancake House is without a doubt the finest spot in Seoul to get your morning meal of fluffy pancakes and waffles. We loved the 1950s décor, and if you don’t want pancakes, there are lots of other brunch choices on the menu, including country fried chicken, Italian-style hash, waffles, and salads.
However, if you’re seeking for real pancakes in Korea, it’ll set you back a little. If you have a big appetite, most dishes on the menu are enough to share because the omelette is accompanied with pancakes!
Each serving costs about 13,000 – 17,000 won.
WinK Kitchen & Taphouse
Alas! We’ve finally discovered a restaurant in Seoul that serves both brunch and booze, which is our favorite combination.
For 2 hours, WinK Kitchen & Taphouse will serve unlimited mimosas (20,000 won), champagne (25,000 won), or bloody mary’s (30,000 won) for brunch. It’s one of our favorite places to brunch in Seoul, located next to Seoul National University.
The bottomless feature has undoubtedly already persuaded you, but the brunch is fantastic as well. The crispy fried chicken leg, perched on top of thick cut french toast and drizzled with maple syrup, is a tasty option.
Choose the ‘Big Breakfast’ if you’re hungry. A plate stacked with house-cured bacon, chorizo home fries, three eggs (any style), sautéed mushrooms, Mexican pinto beans, and a grilled tomato with a side of toast and strawberry jam — but remember to save room for those bottomless mimosas.
If none of the above appeal to you, the restaurant serves all of the classics as well as a lengthy list of mixed drinks.
Last updated: 21/10/2021
