Top 10 Korean Celebrity Restaurants that Will Make Your Inner Fangirl Scream in Delight
Carissa Ng Carissa is fascinated by globalisation, the beauty of nature and the interdependence of diverse cultures. Her mind constantly drifts off to dreams of travelling around the world, because she wants to explore every continent and city. She is also a sleepyhead-sloth who has a huge weakness for rainbows, sushi, all things Korean, and adorable chubby babies.
ALL YOU KOREAN LOVERS! Put your hands up! How many times have you drooled, while watching Hallyu celebrities munch happily on fried chicken or jajangmyeon in dramas and variety shows? Well I know I do for sure. EVERY SINGLE TIME.
And what better combination exists other than delicious food PLUS your favourite celebrity crush? That’s right. You don’t have to pray fervently that you will meet them on the streets or chase them down at their show recordings anymore. Another alternative is to visit their restaurants and cafes! Even if you don’t manage to see them, you can still grab selfies with their family members.
Soooo… *DRUMROLL* Here is the ultimate list of celebrity-owned dining places in Korea that you must hunt down for a chance to catch a glimpse of them!
1. G-Dragon’s Cafe Aewol Monsant 카페 애월 드 몽상
Image credit: Trazy
Who hasn’t heard of G-Dragon, the resident fashionista and trendsetter in the Korean music industry?! His new cafe on the island of Jeju is perfect for a visit, boasting floor-to-ceiling glass windows and a stylish exterior. The eclectic decor gives off rustic vibes with warm hues of brown and faded rock walls. The highlight is definitely the impressive ocean view of Jeju Island right in front of your eyes.
In the evening, as the sun sets and the sky turns awash in a multitude of colours, the view is even more breathtaking. Indulge in a good cup of coffee, pizzas, cookies, salads and macarons as you have a relaxing and enjoyable time here. If the odds are in your favour, you might be lucky enough to catch GD or maybe even his celebrity friends with him in action!
Image credit: Soompi and myvipwaves
Address: 2546 Aewol-ri, Aewol-eup, Cheju, Jeju-do, South Korea
Direction: Go to Jeju Intercity Bus Terminal to catch bus #702, take the bus for about 45–50 minutes and get off at Handamdong (한담동) bus stop. After that, walk straight ahead for a few minutes, then take a right turn into Aewol-ro 1 gil. Head all the way straight towards the ocean, and turn right at the end of the road. You will see a sign that shows the path to Monsant cafe.
Chance to meet: GD, Big Bang, Dara
2. Yoo Ah In’s T.M.I Dining Pub 티엠아이
Image credit: Aminoapps
If you don’t know who Yoo Ah In is, you should be ashamed of yourself. This renowned actor has acted in many famous dramas and movies such as Sungkyunkwan Scandal, Veteran, The Throne, and most recently, Six Flying Dragons. More importantly, his best friends are the SIZZLING LEADS of Descendants of the Sun – Song Hye Kyo and Song Joong Ki! Need I say more?
Image credit: Trazy
Anyway, T.M.I which literally stands for Too Much Information, is a casual and stylish dining pub located in Itaewon. Kick back with your friends over signature cocktails, beers and other drinks for an awesome night. The food here is made using organic ingredients only, which is great for the health-conscious. Make sure to try their signature dish, the Mushroom Burger!
Address: 16 Noksapyeong-daero 32-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Opening hours: 11am – 2am daily, closed on Mondays
Direction: Take exit 3 of Noksapyeong station on Line 6, go straight and cross the road, and turn right. After passing ‘Savile Row Custom Tailor Shop’, turn left, walk straight, and you will see T.M.I on your right.
Chance to meet: Yoo Ah In, Song Hye Kyo, Song Joong Ki
3. EXO Chanyeol’s Viva Polo 비바폴로
Image credit: Meinseoulution and Exosta12
Viva Polo is a cozy little restaurant opened by EXO Chanyeol’s mother, which serves up delicious Italian fare. This place is essentially a haven for all EXO fans because the walls are just plastered with childhood photos of him, along with pictures drawn by his fans from all over the world! You can enjoy pastas, pizzas, risottos, salads and more with a Korean fusion twist. Furthermore, within the menu, there is a special recommendation handwritten by Chanyeol – Kimchi Arrabiatta Pasta! Chanyeol and his family also regularly organise and celebrate the birthdays of the other EXO members here...So ANY Exo fan can come down for a meal, you never know when you’ll get lucky!
Address: 1631 Yangjaedae-ro, Myeongil-dong, Gangdong-gu, Seoul
Opening Hours: 11.30am – 9.30pm daily
Direction: Come out of Exit 1 at Myeongil Station (Line 5, Purple Line) and turn right after the corner. You will see the restaurant on your right
Chance to meet: Chanyeol, EXO members and his mother
4. Running Man HAHA’s Loco Quan 401 BBQ Restaurant
Image credit: SeoulStorys and Flfiona
HAHA! No I’m not laughing, I’m referring to one of our favourite Running Man celebrities who bears an uncanny resemblance to Pororo, the adorable cartoon penguin. Known for his reggae music and hip-hop style, Haha’s personality is reflected strongly in the restaurant’s interior and decor with Jamaican vibes all around. There’s also cardboard cutouts of Haha in hilarious poses for you to snap photos with! The Jeju Black Pork, pork belly and doshirak (lunchbox) are highly recommended here. Stay alert while chewing that piece of succulent pork because you never know when the Running Man crew might pop in for a visit or to complete a mission!
Address: 395-17 Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu
Opening Hours: Mon – Thu and Sun (4pm – 2am), Fri – Sat (4pm – 4am)
Direction: Hongik Station Exit 9
Menu: You need to order at least 2 servings for 4 pax!
Chance to meet: Haha, his wife Byul, and Running Man members
5. Park Shin Hye's Little Tin Drums 양쳘북
Image credit: Park Shin Hye Fanpage
Are you a fangirl or fanboy of Park Shin Hye in the movie Miracle Cell No.7, or dramas such as Pinocchio or Doctors? If so, you should totally pop by this restaurant! Opened by Park Shin Hye’s mother, it specialises in lamb tripe but offers BBQ pork and beef intestines as well. Park Shin Hye regularly helps out and dines there with her friends and her manager, so you might catch sight of her if the stars are aligned! However, do take note that there’s an unspoken rule of no photo-taking with her at the restaurant, unfortunately. But hey, there’s no stopping you from approaching her once she leaves the restaurant, am I right? *winks* Have fun admiring her movie posters and autographs by other celebrities on the wall as well!
Address: 548-3 Seoul Gangdong-gu, Seonae-dong
Opening hours: 11.30am – 11pm daily
Direction: Take exit 3 of Gangdong-gu Office station on Line 8. Turn right and walk along the street for 3 blocks. It is located next to the CGV movie theater.
Chance to meet: Park Shin Hye, her parents, Jang Geun Suk
6. Suzy’s Caffe Soo 카페 수
Image credit: Soompi and Hauntedbykpop
Bestowed upon with the title of “the nation’s first love”, Bae Suzy is widely admired for her natural beauty and adorable antics. Most importantly, her boyfriend is another top celebrity star, Lee Min Ho! *GASP* When two perfect human beings come together as a couple, the global fandom just simply explodes. They are like the Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie equivalent in the Korean entertainment industry, albeit a younger version.
She is extremely famous for her role in Introduction to Architecture, Dream High, and as a member of the girl group Miss A. You might have spotted her acting recently in Uncontrollably Fond, with another top star and model, Kim Woo Bin. Caffe Soo is located in Gwangju, Suzy’s hometown, so make a trip down for some coffee and smoothies now!
Address: 14–25 Usan-dong, Buk-gu, Gwangju, South Korea
Opening hours: 9am – 10pm daily
Direction: You have to take a train (Honam Line) from Seoul to Gwangju which is at the south-western part of Korea. Take bus number 47 from 광주역육교 bus stop. Get off at the 6th bus stop (무등도서관). Walk straight and then turn left. It is located opposite the Gwangju City Library
Chance to meet: Suzy and her family
7. Jo In Sung’s Everything But The Hero Cafe
Image credit: Youtube
A handsome and lanky model-turned-actor, Jo In Sung is a mesmerizing eye candy especially for all girls, women, and ahjummas alike. He is a household name in Korea, best known for dramas such as That Winter, The Wind Blows; It’s Okay, It’s Love; and films such as A Frozen Flower. He bought a three-story building and the first floor was used to house this cafe, run by his younger brother. The cafe definitely catches your eye with its unique name and sophisticated interior.
Image credit: Trazy
If a handsome waiter who looks vaguely like Jo In Sung takes your order, that’s probably his brother, because they are said to look quite alike. Aside from its famous owner, this cafe is popular among locals for its hand-dripped coffee and Dutch coffee. He has been spotted at the cafe with his It’s Okay, It’s Love co-stars such as Gong Hyo Jin, Kim Ki Bang and Lee Sung Kyung, and has also met Cha Tae Hyun there while he was filming for 2 Days 1 Night...So you better keep your eyes peeled!
Address: 210-68 Itaewon-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Opening hours: 11am – 11pm daily
Directions: Take exit 2 of Noksapyeong station on Line 6. Walk all the way straight until you reach the underpass, go through the underpass and take the stairs on the left. Walk into the alley next to Swit:B ice cream store, keep walking for about 10 to 15 mins and you’ll see it on your right.
Chance to meet: Jo In Sung, his younger brother, Gong Hyo Jin, Kim Ki Bang, Lee Sung Kyung, Cha Tae Hyun
8. Yoo Yeon Seok’s LUA Lounge Bar 루아 라운지바
Image credit: LUA Lounge Facebook
Best known for his beloved character Chilbong in Reply 1994, and as chef Baek Gun Woo in Warm and Cozy, Yoo Yeon Seok has opened his very own lounge bar in the Itaewon area. He personally handled the aesthetic style and interior decoration of this place, which shows he indeed has impeccable taste! Aren’t you just dying to visit it after looking at these stunning photos?!
Image credit: LUA Lounge Facebook
Have I mentioned that he even repairs the light bulbs, put up decorations and does flower arrangements for the tables?! Talk about dedication and love for his own business! You will find many photos of him taken with fans there when you do a quick search on Instagram and Facebook, which means that he visits LUA lounge VERY VERY regularly. Enjoy a glass of wine along with a scrumptious plate of risotto when you dine there. His best pals, Son Ho Joon and Baro might even visit once in awhile!
Address: 127-1 Itaewon 1(il)-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Opening hours: 6pm – 2am on weekdays, 6pm – 4am on weekends
Directions: Take exit 3 of Itaewon Station on Line 6. Walk straight, and turn right at the end of the street. It is situated opposite the Itaewon fire station.
Chance to meet: Yoo Yeon Seok, Son Ho Joon, Baro
9. Hong Suk Chun’s My Chi Chi’s 마이 치치스 and 7 others
Image credit: Trazy
Hong Seok Chun is a legendary figure because he is the most prominent and openly gay celebrity in Korea. Coming out publicly was not easy for him and it caused a lot of controversy which he continues to struggle with today because most Koreans still hold traditional gender stereotypes. Nevertheless, he is a famous celebrity chef known for his straightforward actions towards handsome male celebrities (*winks*) and witty jokes. My Chi Chi’s is unique because they offer a variety of chicken dishes, cooked in Greek, Moroccan, Thai, Japanese, Chinese, Italian, French, Indian and Mexican styles. You’ll definitely be spoilt for choice!
Image credit: Trazy
Aside from My Chi Chi’s, he has 7 other restaurants in Itaewon, all characterized by the prefix “My,” which include – My Hong, My Thai, My Thai China, My X, My Chelsea, My Noodle and My Suji. Girls are in for a huge treat, because he employs only handsome male waiters in his restaurants. The KEY point however, is that his restaurants are a MECCA for celebrity couples to date in secret at the exclusive rooftop area. Uh huh. You know where to go with your DSLRs right now and snap some photos like a paparazzi.
Address: 6 Itaewon-ro 19-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Opening hours: 11.30am – 1am daily, except on Fri and Sat it opens till 2am
Directions: Take exit 1 of Itaewon station on Line 6. Walk straight until you see a suit store called GGK, then turn left. Walk all the way straight and you will see it at the end of the alley.
Chance to meet: Hong Suk Chun, handsome male waiters, other celebrities
10. PSY’s Modern Bapsang 모던 밥상
Image credit: Eattraveldrink and Wikimedia
Hey~ Sexy lady! Op op op op oppa Gangnam Style! I’m sure these phrases sound VERY familiar to you. If not, you’ve probably been living in a cave. Opened by his mother, this restaurant serves a variety of dishes such as bossam (marinated pork with vegetables), North Korean style dumplings and many more! I’m already salivating from typing this out. It is located in the central district of Garosugil and you can totally pop by for a hearty and delicious meal once you’re done with all your shopping!
Address: 545-20 Sinsa-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Opening hours: 11.30am - 3pm, 5pm - 10pm daily
Directions: It is near Sinsa station of Line 3
Chance to meet: Psy, his mother
THAT’S RIGHT! Go forth and chase your favourite celebrities down at their favourite food haunts now! May the odds be ever in your favour.
Also Read: 24 Fun Things to Do in Seoul on Your Very First Visit