SEOUL 1988 Innenstadt in Hamburg

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The food at Seoul 1988 was simply fantastic – very, very tasty and authentic! The staff was incredibly friendly and attentive, making you feel immediately welcome. It was very busy at lunchtime, but after a short wait, we got a table – and it was absolutely worth the wait. The atmosphere is cozy and reminiscent of a small restaurant in the heart of Seoul. An all-around great experience – we'll definitely be back!

Good food with polite staff. Big portions, but more on the expensive side. You can take a take a way. A lot of people waiting, there is a waiting list calling by your name. Recommending for those who are looking for a nostalgic korean food experience.

Some of the best food I have ever eaten, period. I have not had much Korean food, so I can’t really compare it to what you’ll get in Seoul but I really recommend it. However, we were waiting for a table outside for over an hour, so you will have to be prepared for this, especially in the evenings. They also only accept cash.

I'm writing this review right after eating tofu bibimbap. It's been eight years since I've been to Germany, and the euro exchange rate has risen, along with the cost of living. Even just grabbing a salad, bread, and a drink at the supermarket can be incredibly expensive. For €13.70 for the lunch special, I got a generous meal of three side dishes and apple cider, so I'm happily writing this review. They even had a luggage storage chair, similar to what you see in Korea, and they had vintage props like 1980s presidential election posters, which made it even more fascinating. I went alone during a busy time, but they gave me a table for four, which was a nice touch. The restaurant isn't very large, but the value for money means there's a wait during lunch hours. I hope you'll move to a larger space if business continues. I hope you prosper.

Very tasty, truly Korean. At least I saw all the Koreans know about it, so I think that's a good sign.

Authentic Korean dinner! Best meal we had in Hamburg 😊

The food was rapidly made and delicious. I tried the Tonkatsu and, to my surprise, it was huge! The panko crust was super crispy, the meat tender and juicy and the sauce, to die for. It's my second time eating here and would definitely come again.

We went there for dinner and it was absolutely delicious. What you should know beforehand is that you can only pay in cash, but there is an ATM just downstairs. It's a very small restaurant with only 4-5 tables and it was very busy, so you have to get lucky. Our telephone reservation in advance was unsuccessful due to language difficulties. But we went in anyway and were given a very friendly welcome. As we had never been there before and weren't quite sure how to order, we asked for help. There was a small language barrier to overcome (as they don't speak German that well), but the lovely staff did their best and were considerate of one another, everything worked out really well. They were very helpful, friendly, and relaxed. Everything worked out perfectly, and the food we were recommended was delicious (No. 26). We'll be back next time we're in Hamburg. Very authentic.

A little trip to Korea in the heart of Hamburg! Very authentic, super delicious chicken – crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, just as it should be. The side dishes also taste like Korean food. The shop is small but cozy, with a real street food vibe. You really feel like you're in Seoul. Tip: Only pay in cash and expect to wait. It's worth it!

The food was average, nothing special but also nothing bad. I would normally recommend it to everyone, but unfortunately I can't. Hygiene-wise, it was a disaster. There were two hairs in my food, from a woman if I had to judge by their length. Which was very unappetizing. It's a shame they didn't pay attention to them, and the shop wasn't generally clean. Plus, they don't want to give you cutlery or napkins. How else are you supposed to eat when there's no place to sit? It's still a mystery to me, even though I said I'll just eat in the car. Oh well, what else can you expect?

I went to Seoul 1988 for dinner with my girlfriend because we were craving Korean food. The food came quickly, but I had a chicken dish where two pieces of the fried chicken were still raw inside. I also found it a bit odd that you could only pay in cash and didn't get a proper bill. The food, which wasn't raw, was very tasty and authentically Korean.

Omg das Essen is wie in Korea and sooooooo good. I went here on a short visit to Hamburg, and it's the number one Korean restaurant in Germany I've been to so far!!! The owner and staff are really friendly, the food is really clean, and the moment I took a bite, I was like, "Where am I? Seoul!!!!!!!!" Haha ...

Great team – you feel welcome. 😍

Food? 10/10. Atmosphere? 11/10. The vibe? It's amazing. The restaurant is simply next level and absolutely amazing!! I highly recommend it👍🏻

Super authentic, super delicious, great team. We were thrilled.

Absolutely delicious. It’s a small space but with big flavors and great service. Their crispy chicken is incredible and the sauce is finger licking worthy. Each meal was full of flavor and more than enough for 4 people sharing.

We went to a Korean restaurant for the first time on my husband's birthday and were absolutely thrilled. Following a spontaneous whim, we chose Seoul 1988 in the city center. Despite the waitlist, we only had to wait a few minutes. You sign in and the number of people, and that's it. Everything was very polite. We received a very (!) friendly welcome, the ordering process was explained to us upon request, and the food arrived very quickly. In addition to the kimchi options, we had the bulgogi, the chicken teriyaki, and the seaweed salad. It was fantastic! We've never eaten so well out before. The service was incredibly friendly, the music was lovely, and considering the small place, they made the most of it. I highly recommend it. But always expect a bit of a wait. We'd love to come back when we're in Hamburg!

I have been here multiple times over the past year and I can confirm that this is the BEST spot ever for Korean fried chicken! Good prices for good food, there is a clear reason the restaurant is always full ;)

In the reviews, I thought it would be so delicious just because it was Korean, but it really is Korea… I was going to eat chicken because it was Boknal, but the chicken gomtang I ate was really great. (Is it a seasonal menu?) There was a bit of a wait, but that didn’t matter. This is a great restaurant in Hamburg. If you want to save money on airfare and go to Korea, come here!!! I’ve been to a Korean restaurant in Dresden, Prague, but this is the best. The place I went to before had small portions, but this place has a lot, is good value for money, and tastes good. It’s cash only, but I want to give all my cash. (I’m serious.) The side dishes were refilled, and I had one bowl. The kimchi was so salty that it seemed like it came from somewhere in the province. It was perfect. There was a bell, so I didn’t have to worry about what other people thought, and the chair that holds my bag? It’s sturdy. Eat before you get on the train at the central station. See more…

Authentic and super delicious food! You feel like you're in another world in this small but fine restaurant. The fried chicken is unbeatable! A must-try!!

I’m a regular here and every time it’s so delicious! It really feels like Korea when you come here 💕 (but you can only pay with cash!!!)

A really great restaurant with delicious food and really friendly staff!

Very authentic. We really enjoyed it.

Incredibly delicious food, a great selection, and the staff are incredibly friendly and accommodating. Highly recommended; if you want something truly authentic, this is the place for you. You feel comfortable and welcome here. We'll be back!

Excellent food and the staff is very nice !

A delicious, filling, and friendly restaurant!!!!!

A real find in Hamburg, a charming place with very fast and friendly service. I've been to Korea a couple of times, and it reminded me a lot of the flavors and atmosphere there. Highly recommended.

This is for sure the best korean restaurant in town (as I only tried one so far). They located in the downtown of Hamburg. So easy to find. We were there around the evening and the place was already crowded, they didn’t accept reservations and cash payments only. The staff were nice, they could speak English, Korean and German. We ordered 4 dishes and my favorite is Dak Galbi chicken with cheese. Kimchi pancake is not so much of Kimchi pancakes like what’s tried anywhere but maybe it’s their recipes. I will definitely want to try Korean fried chicken next time. Recommend.

Small Korean restaurant right in the heart of Hamburg. We sat outside at fairly small tables. Fast, friendly service. The food was great. Very tasty. It looks and tastes exactly what I imagine Korean food to be. My favorite was the fried tofu. Definitely recommended!

The food was amazing! We saw it and immediately knew it was the perfect place for our weekend getaway. The place is super small, with maybe six tables inside, but it's worth the wait. You can sign up for a waiting list so you can get served quickly even if others are waiting. Super cute place. I've never been to South Korea, but that's exactly what I imagine it will be like. 12/10 I would come again

Loved loved loved this place! During my month long trip to hamburg, i visited this place twice. The food is delicious, and the staff is super nice and helpful. They don't accept any other method of payment, only cash. So prepare for that in advance. The first time I visited I tried a bunch of things like teokbokki, bibimbap, and all the flavours of fried chicken. I came back for the fried chicken, especially the spicy flavours. It was full of flavours and the chicken was expertly cooked. Can't wait to visit again during my next trip to hamburg.

We loved the foods! The staff were very kind and foods were delicious. I believe that everyone should come and try their food.

If you like korean food you must come eat here. The staff was so friendly. Our food arrived quickly even tho it was full. Prices were reseonable considering the portions are huge. The atmosphere made me feel like I am actually in korea. We drank soju here with my friend and the staff gave us a soju sample for us to decide what type of soju we wanted. We also ordered the buldak chicken and kimchi jjigae.

I felt like I was in Korea at this restaurant. The decor is lovingly designed, and the food was served quickly. It was one of the best Korean dishes I've ever eaten, and I was very satisfied. I can wholeheartedly recommend the restaurant and will definitely return. The staff is also very friendly and accommodating.

Authentic Korean food! Truly delicious 😋

Love this place!!!! Finally a spot in Hamburg I feel like coming back to. Passed it couple of times and today I came for my bday lunch. It didn‘t disappoint whatsoever! The chicken was tasty and very crispy although covered in sauce, the meat tender and perfectly cooked. Every the rice was extraordinary. All that combined with wonderful, kind and fast service and the feeling that you stepped into a Seoul BBQ restaurant…perfect! Highly recommended!

There are few places in Hamburg and the surrounding area where you can get such good Korean food!

Amazing authentic Korean dishes. Friendly service and nice cozy atmosphere! I come again and again here! ❤️

The food is highly recommended. Very little space. The food comes quickly. You'll be full. The price/performance ratio is good.

I came to Hamburg for the first time during my trip to Europe and I really wanted to eat Korean food so I stopped by because the reviews were good! I think there were more Germans than Koreans!!! The kimchi stew was so delicious…!!! The owner is so kind🥹💗

Fast delivery and very good packaging. The food was INCREDIBLE. The fried chicken was divine, and the cheese dakgalbi was a delight.

Top fried chicken, the juiciest kind

The tofu bibimbap was so delicious! The side dishes were so delicious, and the staff was so friendly. The chairs and tables had a Korean feel :)

이 식당은 정말 맛있어요. 음식도 훌륭했고 직원들도 정말 친절했어요 ♡ My best friend and I found this restaurant by chance and spent a nice evening there. The food is really great. We shared the Bulgogi as well as the Tteokbokki and the Mandu and all three courts met our expectations ☺️ We'll definitely come over again. Until then we wish the restaurant good luck and many visitors .. 🍀💚

The sign on the wall says 'Please do not bring drinks on your own'. They also wrote this in Chinese and Vietmese. It is suspiciously a total discrimination !!!! As a Korean restaurant, it is not written in Korean or German, nor English!!!! I understand this requirement totally. But they only wrote this in these two languages. Will NEVER go there again. On our visit. We order multiple. The food is just so-so. The portion is bibibap is quite large, but the seafood pancake is not the one shown in the picture. The shape are so different. The seafood pancake is more like egg pancake. The frid chicken is with so much sauce on it. Would not recommend it in general. There are better ones in Hamburg.

Amazing food, very fast service and very kind staff! Would absolutely recommend! Keep in mind: you can only pay in cash

Very small room with small tables and chairs. Sardine box feeling

it was very lovely. to begin with you have to write down your name and group size on a sheet of paper right near the entrance so the staff can assign you a table if available (they’ll call your name and if you ain’t there anymore they give the table to someone else down the list). there is a little wait time, but if you’re not in a hurry that shouldn’t be too big of a problem tbh. the menu itself is quite big in option to pick from so a broad variety of everything for all tastes is available (if you happen to be vegan it might not be your first pick tho) the charming interior adds to the whole vibe and the staff is very nice and very welcoming. (if you happen to struggle with overstimulation, like myself, try to go there either very early or not during rush hour, but even then the noise is not too bad and pretty manageable. there is soft music playing in the background as well and in total 6 tables). if you’re not a pro with chopsticks, they have a tray with extra spoons at your table, there is also extra napkins, as well as soy sauce and another condiment (it’s a red sauce where i’m not sure what exactly it is, but it’s very tasty and not too spicy if you’re wondering). all in all a very good place to go for a good hearty meal, so i can only highly recommend it to all.

Last Tuesday, I ate there for the first time with a work colleague. Before that, I could only "drop by" once because I didn't have any cash in my pocket. Through sports alone, I have a close connection to Korea, which has intensified recently, and so I was looking for a place that gave me that feeling. I like good food, I don't need anything fancy, just what Koreans call 정 (Jeong), and that's what we got as soon as we entered the restaurant. Yes, it was crowded, yes, we had to wait, but that's just how it is. Slow down and enjoy the moment. If you're in a hurry and want something quickly, you might just be unlucky that everything is full. The waitresses, no matter which of the two who served us, were very nice. Language didn't matter: hands, feet, German, English, it worked. I had the Bibimbap Seoul and got kimchi (wow, that was good), corn, and potatoes as sides. My colleague at work had a new dish, and he was the first to order it. It was breaded meat, similar to a schnitzel, with Korean sauce, vegetables, and rice. Everything tasted really good and was beautifully prepared. I also bought some drinks from the somaek promotion: a bottle of soju and two maekju. Everyone was so welcoming, and when the waitress saw that my colleague had finished this truly enormous portion of meat, they celebrated as if he had performed a miracle. :-) They asked countless times whether it really tasted good, whether it was good, and then again they looked astonished that he had eaten it all. Even the cook looked out from the kitchen and had to see for herself; there was a lot of laughter. Simply a great lunch break, good food in a great atmosphere. Thanks for the 정 and see you next time.

The food was partly okay...the service needs serious rethinking...no glasses or anything else were provided for drinks, nor were any napkins!! The staff wasn't particularly helpful and/or friendly...no one spoke German, or communication was very limited! No card payments were possible, and it wasn't indicated ANYWHERE...very annoying... The tables weren't clean either!

We had three dishes for two and kimchi as a side dish. The food came quickly, and the interior made it feel like you're eating street food. When we arrived, it was very busy, and we had to sign up and wait. We'll definitely be back!

The delicious smell immediately drew us in. After a short wait, we were assigned an outdoor seating area. We quickly found what we were looking for and were served a few complimentary Korean appetizers (including kimchi) in addition to our order. Everything was delicious, perfectly seasoned, and authentic. Friendly staff! Thank you :-)

A cute little restaurant in the center of town. It was my first time trying Korean food, and it was delicious. I was also full for a reasonable price. The decor was nice, too; it's definitely worth a visit. The service was also very friendly :)

Traditional koreanisch! 😍❤️ very tasty food 🥘

Very delicious food, quick and friendly service. Totally recommended:) Don’t forget to bring your cash😆

Tastes better than in Korea! Amazing! As a Korean living in Europe who just took a short trip to Hamburg, I really wanted to eat something authentic and Korean – and I wasn't disappointed! It really tastes very, very good! Personally, I can't stand Asian-inspired food – original food has to stay original and maintain its own identity. If you're looking for really good Korean food, this is the place. Service and ambiance are also top-notch! Everything is just right.

The food is delicious but one of the employees has a really bad attitude We ordered a small portion of squid, but the staff ordered a large set meal, so when we checked out, the price on the bill was different from what we expected, and we were confused. The middle-aged woman at the checkout was very impatient 🙄 🙄🙄🙄

Tried Buldaq Fried Chicken! It wasnt as spicy as mentioned in the menu! Nonetheless the taste was good!

Just perfect. For real. Come if you like authentic korean food.

Traditionally Korean! 😍❤️ Exactly how I imagined it, that's how I got it. Very good! Always happy. 🫶🏻

I have been a regular at this restaurant for a long time and have always really enjoyed the food, especially the chicken. When it's full, the food usually tastes better. This is probably because it is freshly prepared. The atmosphere is cozy and so far I've been mostly happy. However, on my last visit I was very disappointed. Two other guests, white women, were warmly greeted and served attentively. My friend and I, two men with southern appearance, were treated rather indifferently. There was only one chair at our table. My friend was able to sit while I had to stand until I asked for a second chair myself. The waitress brought it reluctantly. When our appetizers and drinks were served, cutlery and napkins were missing. Everything was hastily placed on the table. At the next table, where no order had even been placed yet, a tray with cutlery, sauces and napkins was being prepared. Even though we ordered first, the other guests' food was served before ours. Another employee came over to pay. The amount on the bill was 29.40 euros, I gave 30 euros without saying a word to express my dissatisfaction with the service. Instead of giving the change immediately or at least waiting for a quick “That’s right,” she simply stood there as if she were waiting for more tip. That was unpleasant and made the negative feeling even worse. I don't want to accuse anyone of anything, but I felt disrespected and unwelcome. That's not easy for me to say, especially since I've been a regular at this restaurant. Unfortunately, I will come much less frequently in the future or perhaps not at all.

The food was delicious, the shop is relatively small, which means I can imagine that there would be longer waiting times, especially at peak times. In addition, only cash payment is accepted here…

Very good place to get some real Korean food. Kimchi-Glassnoodle-Pancakes!!

That was really nice. I was there with two Korean friends and we received a welcoming welcome. Food was good, service was friendly and open, and the ambience was interesting and cozy with its 80s style. 9/10, but only because the music was from the 00s that evening :D

SEOUL 1988 downtown is one of my favorite locations. At peak times it can sometimes be difficult to get a table due to the size of the restaurant. The restaurant offers authentic Korean cuisine in a cozy atmosphere - the restaurant is decorated, with posters and decorations, as one would imagine an iconic small street with kiosks in South Korea. The portions are large and incredibly tasty. Overall, a very good choice if you are looking for authentic Korean cuisine in downtown Hamburg. I always like to come back! :)

My friend recommended this restaurant to me. Since moving away from Seoul, I have visited a Korean restaurant in every city. And here's the best part. We had samgyupsal (Korean grill) like in Korea. Kimchi was super tasty and original like in Korea. I can recommend to everyone. Uh! The service was also super super super good. Fast and yet friendly.

I had dinner here with my Korean wife. Delicious, authentic Korean dishes and super friendly staff! Absolutely recommended!

I love to go here with my wife specially on Fridays. Lunch menu is really awesome with a reasonable price. I recommend this Korean restaurant with 100 marks.

I haven't been to Korea yet but visiting Seoul 1988 brings me a lot closer. Lovely food in a friendly and (what I believe to be) authentic environment 😋

Super tasty, super friendly. Pretty big portions :-D

Tteokbokki were delicious! Unfortunately, the seating is very cramped, not quite as comfortable and the price is a bit higher, not a snap. Still recommended & delicious!

My wife and I came in for lunch and stood in line for a while. If you also come up and there is a queue, write your names and number of guests on the list - a sheet of paper and a pen on the right wall directly in front of the door. Very atmospheric place! Fast and excellent service. We had chicken in soy sauce and beef. Everything is fine, I won’t say that something is wow. But for a street food restaurant it’s great! Thank you very much!!!

The food is really delicious and the price is reasonable!

The service was really good and everyone was super friendly. We had the kimchi stew (kimchi Jjigae) and yatsche bibimbab. Unfortunately, both were relatively bland and neutral in taste. The fried chicken, however, was possibly the best thing I ate in Hamburg.

Super friendly restaurant, among the best Korean food I have ever had in Germany. 😍

Food was solid, unfortunately we couldn't try the grill dishes we wanted because our table didn't have a grill. That would have been good to know beforehand, then we would have liked to have waited longer

Mega friendly staff and the food was simply delicious

Wonderful Korean Food and Ambiance!

Super delicious authentic Korean food! It's really fun to eat there thanks to the small but very fine menu. A must for anyone who likes Korean cuisine. See you soon

The food is very authentic korean style. The chicken and the barbecue are top notch and highly recommended. Talking about ambience is that the place us very local korean style small restaurant where you have small seat, very limited seat. You have to wait in the line as there is no reservation facility as you have wait in the queue untill someone finishes their eating. You have no option to pay with the card, which I absolutely hate it. We are in 2025 cmon...

Found our new favorite Korean spot in Hamburg! The fried chicken is incredibly crispy and juicy. Their kimchi jigae is delicious, perfect spice level and so comforting. Love the cozy Korean street food atmosphere. Super friendly service even during late hours. Must try if you're into authentic Korean food!

The employees are really kind. The food taste and portions are outstanding. Though, it is a really small place and be prepared to wait in the line because they don’t take reservations.

Seoul 1988 is a real gem for Korean cuisine in Hamburg! 🇰🇷🍲 The dishes are authentic, fresh and full of flavor - just like in Korea. The bibimbap and bulgogi in particular are an absolute highlight! The kimchi selection is also excellent and tastes homemade. If you love real Korean food, you should definitely stop by here. Absolute recommendation! 💯✨ #Seoul1988 #KoreanFood #Authentic #HamburgEats

No cash accepted It's narrow and the atmosphere isn't great. I don't know why the table was made with a coal briquette from Kangbi House in Korea.

An intimate yet comfy place with superb portions and scrumptious dishes.

The fried chicken is very delicious, but the restaurant is a bit small and the wait for a seat takes a while

The food was great, we were welcomed and served very nicely. You immediately feel comfortable. It's definitely not the last time I've been here.

Unfortunately it was very cold (despite the jacket), there was no tea, the food got cold very quickly and once again there was no card payment, so as a customer you have to walk to the bank. Real street food experience but also way too expensive. Definitely the last time there.

Incredibly tasty, huge portions and the price is absolutely fair. Service is super friendly and makes you feel welcome. You can't go wrong here!

I have had lunch here a couple of times. The bibimbap is great and nicely presented. The experience feels authentic and the food is well made. I enjoy eating here, even if it means waiting for a table for some time.

Very tasty and attentive service!

Fantastic food and perfect atmosphere. The employees are super nice and help you put the food together. We had the Korean BBQ and loved it. All dishes were perfectly prepared. The 45 minute wait on a Saturday evening is really worth it. I would really recommend this restaurant to everyone.

First of all, what you need to know is that they don’t accept card payments. They only accept cash. Next thing is, if you want to go to the restaurant and they‘re full. You need to write your name on the guest list that they hanged near the door and wait for them to call your name, to later usher you to your seat (you will also meed to write down the total number of the guests). It‘s a tiny restaurant, so I think it could only max. receive 6 group inside? With the max of 3 big 4 groups? Other than that, the tables can only fit 2-3 person. But you have to be there when you‘re waiting because if not, your name will be skipped. ALRIGHT. Next on to the food. It’s very authentic obviously they are cooking their own traditional dishes. So yes, veryly. AND THEY ARE GOOD. Or maybe I haven’t been to any other authentic korean restaurant (so I‘m biased lawl) BUT THEY ARE SOOOOO GOOD??? ESPECIALLY THE KIMCHI HOLY MOTHER OF LOOOOORD. CAN‘T I JUST BUY THE KIMCHI ALONE??? (Cause we got them for free). The chicken is enough for you to share with the whole group because they are BIG alright. I alone buy the bibimbab and they are DELICIOUS, DELICIOUS! Anyways they are authentic and the price is soooo worth it?????? Like they are WORTH IT. WORTH IT. The staff is SOOO ADORABLE AND FRIENDLY AND CUTE (imsimping eunnie). So yeah 10 out of 10💃🧚‍♀️

The food is so delicious, and the owner is so very kind!! I want to come again

It was the best Korean restaurant I ate at while wandering around for a month. It was my first taste of home in Germany, and most importantly, unlike other restaurants, it only served Korean food. The taste was good for foreigners to eat, and it was also nice to have a wide variety of menus to choose from.

Arrived just before the kitchen closed but they accommodated five of us and served up great food with super friendly service

This is a kimchi stew restaurant. It may be unfamiliar to those who like sweet kimchi stew, but it is the best Korean restaurant for those who like rich and deep-tasting kimchi stew. The food comes out quickly and the staff is friendly. This place only accepts cash payments, so it is recommended to prepare cash in advance. +On weekends, you have to write down your name and wait outside, so if you don't want to wait more than 30 minutes, we recommend open run.

The food tasted excellent and was reasonably priced. However, the indoor area was very small so we had to wait outside for almost 1.5 hours.

Seoul1988 in Hamburg is a real experience! I had lunch there and was thrilled - the food was fresh, authentic and tasted excellent. The atmosphere is cozy and you immediately feel welcome. A small note: card payments are not possible, so you should have cash with you. The store isn't too big, so it can get a little crowded at peak times, but it's definitely worth the wait. Absolutely recommended, I would love to come here again!

Great Korean food in lovely atmosphere; very friendly service. Prepare to wait as the place is tiny and no reservations are possible.