Best Burgers in Seoul: Itaewon to Seongsu

The best burgers in Seoul are spread across a handful of neighbourhoods: Itaewon and Hannam-dong, the city’s long-standing international district; Hongdae and Yeonnam-dong, near Hongik University; Seongsu-dong, where old warehouses and workshops now house cafés and restaurants; and Sinsa-dong in Gangnam. Expect American-style smash burgers and cheeseburgers next to Korean takes built on bulgogi, kimchi and gochujang.

Korea has its own burger classic. Lotteria, which opened its first Korean store in 1979, launched the bulgogi burger in 1992, putting the sweet soy marinade of Korea’s best-known grilled beef dish on a fast-food patty. Itaewon’s burger history is older still: the district grew up next to the US Army’s Yongsan Garrison, and American food reached Seoul through its streets. Seoul is also a delivery city, where apps carry burgers, like fried chicken, to homes and offices late into the night.

Burgers in Seoul: key facts

• Neighbourhoods to explore: Itaewon, Hannam-dong, Hongdae, Yeonnam-dong, Seongsu-dong and Sinsa-dong.
• Local style: the bulgogi burger, on Korean menus since 1992.
• Korean flavours: kimchi, gochujang and the bulgogi marinade.
• Currency: South Korean won (KRW).
• Getting around: Seoul Metro Line 6 serves Itaewon; Line 2 serves Hongik University and Seongsu.
• What our guides check: opening status, full address, a dated price in won and a dated rating.

Every guide we publish on Seoul is dated and lists only venues, addresses, prices and ratings we could verify. For other cities in Korea and beyond, browse our burger restaurant guides.