SEOUL 1988 Innenstadt in Hamburg

Traditional Korean! 😍❤️ Exactly as I imagined it, and that's what I got. Very good! Always happy to come back. 🫶🏻

I've been a regular at this restaurant for a while and have always enjoyed the food, especially the chicken. When it's busy, the food usually tastes better. This is probably because it's freshly prepared. The atmosphere is cozy, and so far, I've mostly been satisfied. 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 of southern appearance, were treated rather indifferently. There was only one chair at our table. My friend was able to sit down, while I had to stand until I asked for a second chair myself. The waitress reluctantly brought it. When our appetizers and drinks were served, silverware and napkins were missing. Everything was hastily placed on the table. At the neighboring table, where no one had even ordered yet, a tray with silverware, sauces, and napkins was prepared. Even though we ordered first, the other guests' food was served before ours. When it was time to pay, another employee came. The bill totaled €29.40, and I gave €30 without saying a word to express my dissatisfaction with the service. Instead of giving the change immediately or at least waiting for a brief "That's right," she simply stood there, as if waiting for more of a tip. This was uncomfortable and reinforced the negative feeling. I don't want to accuse anyone of anything, but I felt disrespected and unwelcome. This isn't easy for me to say, especially since I've been a regular visitor to this restaurant. Unfortunately, I'll be coming much less often 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

Wonderful Korean Food and Ambiance!

Mega friendly staff and the food was simply delicious

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.

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💃🧚‍♀️

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.

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.

Small authentic restaurant with few seats. Great and quickly prepared food, pleasant atmosphere. Some of the guests waited outside for a free table. Cash only

I had pork belly and kimchi stew. It felt just like Korea, haha. The food was delicious. It was nice to have Cass beer after a week. The owner was so kind. I hope your business does well!

Super delicious food. Incredibly friendly service and great atmosphere. Most would say it's too cramped inside, but it reminds me of all the street food stalls in Asia. Personally, I think it's great. I'm in love with their spoons too.

Shop very small and "authentic". It's a bit uncomfortable to sit in, I would only recommend it for lunch and not for a proper dinner. Unfortunately, it's very drafty in the store and the front door doesn't close properly. As a result, it was very cold in the store throughout. Service very friendly and attentive. Food is also very tasty, even if a lot of cooking is done with glutamate and the stuff is evaporated the next day... I would come back for a quick snack, but if I wanted to sit for a longer period of time I would choose another restaurant.

The dishes was authentic and flavourful, however the restaurant itself is small so the seating is limited. But it’s definitely worth the visit!

We went for lunch and really loved it. Price wise mid range, but the decoration is quirky, and we liked the vibe. The food was spot on, and so in honesty, we are thinking of going back before we leave town. So I guess that's a whole hearted thumbs up.

Nice spot, super friendly waiters and amazing food ☺️

As soon as you go in you see how authentic it is. Because I’ve been in South Korea I know how it’s like. Tables, bowls, stools all is like in Korea. Meals are also really delicious. Taste just like how it suppose to taste. Everything is so good. Best prices is with the lunch menu

Small location, delicious Korean food, uncomplicated and relaxed

A small shop but very authentic! We had to wait a bit but the food came very quickly. The prices for lunch are fair. The portion of chicken is also large, so you can share it between two people. Always happy!

Delicious!! Just a shame that you have to wait more than an hour outside for a seat… especially tough in winter. Luckily the staff is very friendly and the food is worth the wait so i still definitely recommend!

The restaurant is quite small, so only a few people can eat there at the same time, but that's what makes it cosy. The decorations are thoughtful, and the waiters have been super friendly. The food was ready quite fast. The portions were super generous for the amount we paid. A really nice place to eat.

I have now been to SEOUL 1988 more than five times and have been thrilled every time! The restaurant offers authentic Korean cuisine at the highest level - every dish impresses with fresh ingredients and a distinctive taste. Especially those who love the spicier version of Korean dishes will definitely get their money's worth here. The small but fine restaurant in downtown Hamburg has a very special atmosphere. With only six tables it's rather intimate, but that's exactly what makes it so charming. It almost feels like visiting friends. The service is always friendly and attentive, which makes the stay even more pleasant. It's definitely worth waiting for a free spot - it's worth every minute! Like the restaurant, the menu is small but still varied and, in our opinion, leaves nothing to be desired - there is something for every taste here. I can really only recommend SEOUL 1988. For anyone who wants to enjoy authentic Korean cuisine in a cozy atmosphere, this restaurant is an absolute must!

Friendly service and delicious food, I want to return :)

A small place located in the center of the city not far from the hbf. The restaurant gives you a antique feel with its interiors and a Korean vibe.

I recently went to this little Korean shop and tried the chicken - it was really delicious and I really enjoyed it. The food felt homey, almost like a family business, which I really appreciated. However, the store is very small and you quickly get the impression that people are waiting in line. This makes it a little difficult to enjoy the meal in peace. A big plus point: the air was clean and not greasy. The kitchen was well separated, so my clothes didn't smell like food after the visit - that's really rare and very positive. A small negative point: Unfortunately you can only pay in cash there. So I had to quickly go to the ATM and withdraw money, which was a bit annoying. Overall a great experience, especially because of the delicious food and the homely atmosphere.

10/10 experience all the way. Cannot recommend enough! Fast and friendly service, amazing food and a cosy, informal atmosphere.

📍 SEOUL 1988 - Hamburg Central Station Yesterday I went on a culinary trip to Korea - right in the middle of Hamburg! 😍✨ SEOUL 1988 totally convinced me with its authentic dishes and special atmosphere. 🍴 Dishes that came to the table: • 🧀 Dakgalbi: Chicken in spicy sauce with spring onions and melted cheese - the perfect combination of spicy and creamy! • 🥞 Kimchi pancakes: Crispy and full of flavor – an absolute must-try! • 🍗 Korean Fried Chicken: Crispy, juicy and with a slightly sweet and spicy glaze. ✨ Special features: The atmosphere is simply unbeatable – original Korean flair with great details. And the best thing: you can enjoy the food directly at the table, freshly prepared on a hot plate! 🔥 💡 Tip for your visit: CASH PAYMENT only and be sure to put it on the list at the door and be hungry enough – the portions are generous and you definitely don’t want to miss out!

The food is very clean and delicious. The pork rice bowl was moderately spicy without being overpowering, and the chicken gangjeong (seasoned chicken) was provided with generous chunks of soft meat. Even in Korea, it would be difficult to find a restaurant that cooks food at this level at this price. The friendly reception was also nice. cash only. please refer to this.

10/10 great Korean food, super authentic, super quick, really nice staff, great value for money

Honestly a huge letdown- place is really small with 5 tables inside and 2 outside. Based on the previous reviews I was looking for an authentic Korean spot. Ordered the Mandu and kimchi jjigae. While the Mandu was amazing and reminded me of Mandu in Seoul, the jjigae tasted like a prepackaged spicy tomato soup. The meat was overcooked and the tofu is on the firm side. Didn’t taste fresh or authentic at all. It’s served in a metal pot and came out really fast as if they just reheated it. Also place is cash only which is another downside.

Authentic and super tasty Korean restaurant. Highly recommended. Since the food looked so delicious, I actually forgot to take a photo of it.

They do not accept credit card here. I had to leave my belongings and had to go out looking for an ATM. Kind of embarrassing !!

The Best korean Chicken I have tried by far in Germany. The bibimbap was also really tasty, the service was impeccable!!! The place really cozy and well decorated. Is not that big, but is worth it to wait for a table! Would definitely recommend it.

I can recommend a beautiful restaurant to everyone. I love it weede visit it again. Very, very nice service, very friendly. I love Korean food.

This place has been one of my favorite bimbimbap places for a few years now, but unfortunately the food isn't as tasty compared to my last visits, which were a few months ago. It is very sad to say that the quality of bimbimbap is declining. The meat of the bimbimbap is also reduced from 10+ pieces to just 3 pieces. :(

The food was hot and incredibly tasty – simply a pleasure! The store has a great atmosphere that immediately puts you in the mood. The staff? Absolutely friendly, traditional and professional at the same time. Definitely worth a visit!

Very tasty food, nice service. The waiting times are really annoying, especially because you can't make a reservation and eat out with a large group, but otherwise a top restaurant with really delicious food!

Seoul 1988 is the perfect place if you want to immerse yourself in Korean culture. The restaurant is decorated in authentic Korean street food style, making you feel like you're in Korea - a real highlight! In my opinion, the food was good: freshly prepared and with typical flavors that leave you wanting more. Particularly worth a visit for fans of street food. An authentic experience that I would happily recommend!

A very authentic Korean restaurant. It was super tasty and I absolutely recommend it!

By far the best Korean restaurant we have ever been to. The food is consistently top and the service is extremely good. The staff is always nice and accommodating. Plus, you never have to wait long for your food. We really enjoy coming here and can highly recommend it to everyone!

Insanely good Korean food. Very authentic food and very friendly service. Unfortunately you cannot make a reservation in this small restaurant, but there is a waiting list outside in the evening. But the wait in the cold was definitely worth it.

Very authentic restaurant. Very small, but nice. Food very tasty and of very good quality. Definitely highly recommended!

Very good, the food was very good, too bad they have two different menus, one for the week and one for the weekend. Really nice atmosphere, small but particular place. Too bad the room was cold, I got cold

Very small shop with food that seems authentic to me as a German and also tastes very tasty.

Very authentic shop. Service was very nice and attentive. The food was super tasty.

The food is as amazing and authentic as you can get, but the atmosphere makes it even better. The restaurant recreates the atmosphere of a Seoul street in the 80’s so well that you feel like you’re sitting outside, it’s incredible. It almost needs its own Google Maps listing as an art exhibition. Even if you’re not a fan of Korean food (do these people exist?) it’s worth going just for the atmosphere

Mega tasty, cheap and friendly staff!

Korean Fried Chicken a real recommendation!!

I think one of the best Korean restaurant in town. There are something not 100% authentic or some typical dishes missing in their menu but definitely when I miss Korean food, is the place to visit.

Before you've eaten here, you're probably wondering why there's a queue at this snack bar. The numerous Korean guests indicate that the food is really authentic and I have to say that it is very tasty.

Do you know that feeling when you're drunk? Your body temperature feels like it's 40°, it's a bit dim and you can hardly talk anymore? I had this, triggered by this spiciness in the food. If you can't stand the heat, you should really let us know! The food itself is super delicious! I can really recommend the Dakgalbi, but the price really hurt. 21€! You should definitely make a reservation, my group and I had to wait a long time before we could get in. There is little seating and the tables are small and placed close together. Otherwise it seems pretty chill there. But please work on the prices... I would come so often!

Very good fried chicken. Fast service too but you may need to wait in the long queue as it's quite a small restaurant.

Super yummy, it's just worth it, especially for lunch.

By far best Korean Food in Hamburg, quality is very consistent and never fails to satisfy. The restaurant is a bit small though and might need some waiting to be seated but all in all always a great experience

This is my second visit on this trip. Of course, I highly recommend the Jeyuk deopbab. The taste is good and the quantity is plentiful. Since it is quite spicy, it would be better if you add some non-spicy broth. It is great value for money.

We had to queue outside for 20 minutes. Then we were asked inside to continue waiting at the counter downstairs. At some point we were shown to the table and were finally able to order. We waited over 45 minutes for our food. The tables after us had already all received something. When I pointed this out to the waitress, she apologized very sincerely and gave us two cocktails to make up for it. :) The food tasted very good and so did the colorful cocktail. Unfortunately, the other cocktail wasn't as tasty. The restaurant was very authentically designed. There is a photo box at the exit so you can stick the photos on the walls. The waitress was really nice and she couldn't help it that we had to wait so long and our food was forgotten.

we went there hearing many good things, and ordered their infamous chicken as a starter. it was very hot but super yummy. finally found a restaraunt where 'spicy' is spicy. although I was dissapointed by main course as we ordered squid I think? personally I liked the dumplings though. also the ambience is cute, you get the fell of small streetsude korean Restaurants. very retro.

I have rarely had such a fantastic meal, not only was the food to die for, but also the ambience couldn't be beaten, with the first step into the shop it felt like I had traveled through time to Korea. Really only recommended!

The best food and service ever, Hamburg's best chicken

Just 👍 It's a must for us every time we visit Hamburg

Simply amazing! Please think not staying and sitting over for too long. There are not that many sitting place and it nice for them and for the people waiting not spending too much time after you are done. No worries, you will get enough and will have time to enjoy fully the amazing food.. the fried chicken.. no words 👌

Good .Warm food.Delitious and kind. Among Korean restaurant it willbe top. Recommend to you.

Kimchi-jjigae is good but a bit too spicy. The staffs was nice. Limited tables.

Really authentic and tasty Korean food! Very friendly.

Staff was friendly , place is a little bit small, but so Charmant anyway! And the food’s just yummiii!! I’ll def go back ! 🥰

Lunch with freshly prepared, tasty dishes

It was always my favorite Korean restaurant in Hamburg. However, I had a huge motto in my kimchi and could no longer eat my food as a main course out of disgust. The waitress was super nice, apologized and brought us new kimchi. It can always happen, but somehow I found it so disgusting that nothing went down. There is nothing in compensation :)

The most delicious and authentic Korean food I have eaten in Hamburg so far 😍 The interior design is great too! I'll definitely be back!