Top places to eat

Taste the best of Seoul. Here you can find my favourite foodie destinations in the city.

Seoul BBQ

Judy's Seoul Hotspots

You can’t go to Seoul without having some Korean barbecue, and this alley in the eastern city is the perfect place to eat with the locals.

Read more at Food and Travel Magazine

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Chef Judy Joo shares Seoul's top dining experiences

The restaurateur, TV chef and author shares her love of Korean cuisine, and her tips on where to eat in the buzzy capital of Seoul.

Read more at National Geographic

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Judy Joo’s ultimate food guide to the city of Seoul

Korean food has well and truly mainstreamed now. And it’s not just seen with the prevalence of kimchi all around London.

Read more at City Matters

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Judy Joo's Seoul

Judy Joo, chef-patron of Soho Korean restaurant Jinjuu, reveals her favourite spots in the Korean capital of Seoul.

Read more at Urban Junkies

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Judy Joo's Foodie Guide to Seoul

The Korean-American celebrity chef and author Judy Joo is a regular on the Seoul culinary circuit.

Read more from The Club at ba.com

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48 Hours in Seoul

“Seoul… amazing city,” my friend Patrick remarked. Then he chuckled. “If you go home before 4am, you’re a loser.” Now, I wouldn’t say that makes you a loser per se, but he has a point; Seoul is a city that truly never sleeps.

Read more at SquareMeal

Social media

@judyjoochef Instagram profile imageWelcome to K-Viral Kitchen — where internet-breaking bites from Korea get the @judyjoochef treatment. 💥✨

Kicking things off with a personal fave: Pa-dak Jeon — a crispy spring onion & chicken pancake 🇰🇷 that’s equal parts crunchy, savory, and utterly craveable.

This dish went full viral after K-singer Lee Chan-won (@mee_woon_sanae) shared it on Korean TV — and trust me, one bite and you’ll be hooked too. Juicy chicken nestled into a spicy chili-studded batter, finished with fresh sexy scallions a tangy soy dipping sauce that sings.

📍 Ingredients via @koreafoodsuk 
🍳 Fried to perfection in my @hexclad go-to pan
💄 Glam by @jonesroadbeauty & @justbobbidotcom 
👩🏻‍🍳 Pro tip: Soak your scallions in ice water for that signature curl and drama— make them Sexy!

It’s comfort food with a crunch. Late-night munchies? Sorted.

#KviralKitchen #CrispyGoals #PaDakJeonPerfection #ScallionSwag #SeoulBites #JudyJooEats #DishesThatBrokeTheInternet #ChefLife #HexCladPartner #EasyKoreanFood #SnackAttack #LeeChanWonApproved #ASMRFood #StreetFoodStar #KRecipeReel #SeoulPlazaStyle2 hours ago via Instagram
@judyjoochef Instagram profile image🔥 Kimchi Fried Rice (Kimchi-bokkeum-bap)

Part of my K-Quick Recipe Series — quick, bold Korean dishes from my newest cookbook!

The ultimate fridge-cleanout meal — with serious Seoul 🔥🍳

My take on this classic uses leftover rice, bold umami filled seasoning, and a cheeky little spoonful of mayo for creaminess (trust me!). Top with scallions and gochugaru — and dinner’s done and delicious. 

What’s your must-add protein in kimchi fried rice? Shrimp? Spam? Egg? Tofu? 👀👇
I always add a fried egg… and toss in some prawns.  Delish.

💡: @samsunguk 
 🛒: @koreafoodsuk 
 📚: K-Quick — From my latest cookbook, K-Quick — link in bio if you want the full collection!

🍚 Serves: 4
⏱️ Prep time: 15 min | Total time: ~30 min

Ingredients:
* 3 tbsp soy sauce
* 1½ tbsp ssamjang
* 1 tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
* 1 tbsp caster sugar
* 2 tbsp roasted sesame oil
* Neutral oil (for frying)
* 2 spring onions (scallions), thinly sliced
* 1 yellow onion, finely chopped
* 125g (1¼ cups) cabbage kimchi, chopped
* 1kg (5 cups) short-grain rice, cooked + dried out
* 60g (¼ cup) Kewpie mayo (or vegan mayo)
* Salt & pepper to taste
To serve (optional):
🌱 Extra spring onions, thinly sliced on a bias
🌶 More gochugaru

How to make it:
1️⃣ Whisk together soy sauce, ssamjang, gochugaru, sugar & sesame oil.
2️⃣ In a large non-stick pan, heat oil over medium-high. Sauté spring onions + yellow onion till softened.
3️⃣ Add chopped kimchi and stir-fry for 2 mins.
4️⃣ Toss in the rice and break it up. Pour in the sauce mix + mayo. Stir to coat everything evenly. Season to taste.
5️⃣ Optional: Stir in your cooked protein of choice.
6️⃣ Serve hot, topped with extra scallions + gochugaru 🌶
✨ The mayo coats the rice grains, adding creaminess you didn’t know you needed. Total umami bomb.

@quartobooksuk @quartobooksus @whitelionpublishing 
#JudyJoo #JudyJooChef #KQuick #KoreanRecipes #KoreanSoulFood #SamsungUK #SamsungKitchen #KoreanCooking #Korea #Seoulplaza #KimchiFriedRice #KimchiBokkeumbap #Leftovers #KoreanComfortFood5 days ago via Instagram
@judyjoochef Instagram profile imageJuly’s off to a sizzling start 🇺🇸🌭🇬🇧

Honored to join Ambassador Warren @us_amb_uk and friends at this year’s Independence Day celebration at Winfield House — where diplomacy came with a side of hot dogs, @jackdaniels_us & @cocacola, and a surprise appearance from a life-sized @wendys Frosty.

Grateful for the warm hospitality and a chance to celebrate American roots in the heart of London — through food, friendship, and a whole lot of flavor.

Note to self: next time, bring kimchi for the hot dogs. 🌭🌶️

#FourthOfJuly #WinfieldHouse #JudyJoo #judyjoochef #FoodDiplomacy #HotDogSeason #WomenInFood #AmericanInLondon #TasteOfHome #WendysFrosty #JackDaniels #CocaCola #KoreanAmericanChef #kimchi #SummerFood #SummerEats #Summervibes6 days ago via Instagram
@judyjoochef Instagram profile imageWhat I Ate at the @henleyroyalregatta🍓🥂

Pulled up in serious style thanks to @genesis_europe — smooth sailing from the start, and the day just kept getting better. 💫

Lunch? A masterclass in indulgence. Wye Valley asparagus dressed up with truffle aioli, perfectly pink lamb with fondant potato, and generous helpings of BYOCaviar (shoutout to @kingsfinefood1 for the pearls ✨). Followed by a raspberry and white chocolate “pebble” that looked more like sculpture than dessert. Almost too pretty to eat… almost. Finished with a stunning British cheese board and flowing Nyetimber and Pimms, of course. When in Regatta mode!

We floated along the Thames on a post-lunch boat ride (dreamy), with live music and the most elegant afternoon tea to top it all off. British summer, you beauty.

Now manifesting a @seoulbirduk riverside stand next year—because fried chicken and champagne? Name a better duo. 😌🍗🍾

Big love to @genesis_europe for the luxe lift, and to @sodexolive for the five-star hospitality and unforgettable day.

#JudyJooChef #JudyJoo #WhatIEatInADay #HenleyRoyalRegatta #GenesisUK #SeoulBird #WomenInFood #BritishSummer #LuxuryEats #ChefLife #RegattaStyle #CaviarOnEverything #BYOCaviar1 week ago via Instagram
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