SEOUL 1988 Innenstadt in Hamburg

A very small and authentic place with delicious Korean cuisine. Seating is limited, but it's worth the wait. The menu features a dozen or so traditional dishes. All the dishes we ordered were very generous and flavorful. It's a shame the menu has a limited selection of drinks. Card payment is not accepted.

The food was really delicious, but the staff were incredibly rude. I noticed a piece of plastic in my soft tofu stew, and when I told them, they didn't even apologize and asked, "Do you want a new one?" They didn't even apologize when they remade it or when I paid, which was disappointing. My friend, who was with me, said this was her third visit and this was the first time something like this had happened, and that it hadn't happened before when the middle-aged female staff member or the owner was there, which made me even more upset. The food here is genuinely delicious, but the staff were incredibly rude. I found a piece of plastic in my soft tofu stew, and when I pointed it out, they didn't even bother to apologize. All I got was, "Do you want us to make a new one?" Even when they brought out the replacement—and again later when I paid—not a single apology was offered. It was honestly shocking and very disappointing. My friend, who was visiting for the third time, said she’d never experienced anything like this before and that this kind of behavior never happened when the middle-aged female staff member or the owner was around. Knowing that made the whole situation feel even worse.

Bulgogi was tough and the taste was mediocre. Was not impressed!

Very authentic and delicious Korean cuisine! We'll be back :)

Although you have to wait for a table and seat as the restaurant has limited space it is all worth the wait. The foods are really good and prepared in an authentic Korean way and very friendly staff.

I love this place and was not the first time coming; great food, not many people inside(although there was a line when I went outside). People working there are very nice and speaks english. My food was ready in several minutes. Loved the bonus side dishes. Cash only part can be a bit annoying but it’s written everywhere. Ans there’s an atm across the street; so it wasn’t a big deal.

We had a delicious meal here last night, just the two of us. It's a bit cramped, but we still really enjoyed it. The food was really tasty, and what I thought was really cool was that there's a hot plate on the table, so two people can easily finish cooking and keep a dish warm. It's important to know that they only accept cash.

Independent bistro with excellent food; I haven't eaten this well in a long time. The bistro's ambiance is typical of the region. There's a waiting list at the entrance. Cash only.

I really don't understand how this restaurant gets so many good reviews. The place looks a bit dated, slightly dusty, and it was surprisingly cold inside. There were two servers – one noticeably more inattentive than the other. Both had their phones constantly in their hands, one even while snacking, and they didn't wash their hands before serving the food – that's unacceptable. One of them seemed quite annoyed when we asked for glasses and the bill. The food itself was okay, but nothing special. The chicken was sometimes juicy but not crispy, or sometimes crispy but dry. The sauces were bland and mostly just sweet. The japchae was unfortunately far too salty. Overall, it wasn't a pleasant experience and certainly not a place I would visit again – there are much better Korean restaurants in Germany. It's also important to mention that they don't accept card payments. Really strange in 2025! What a waste of money, and I'm very disappointed by all the good reviews.

For me, this is the worst Korean restaurant I've tried in Germany so far. And the fact that they only accept cash is really concerning.

I found a black foreign object in my roast chicken, with a head and tail (net-like). I think it was a fly. The waitress claimed it was gravy. I have to ask why all the other pieces of the roast chicken were a normal color, but only this one piece contained something black?

Small, authentic and absolutely delicious!

The food was alright. The waitress was a bit rushed today. But the real shocker was when a kitchen worker, presumably Indian, blocked our way to the restroom and shouted an insult at us in Hindi as he walked past. Since my wife is from India, I could easily understand why. That's really no way to treat guests. This was my last time here, and I certainly wouldn't recommend this restaurant to anyone.

Everything was delicious but there was no payment by credit card.

I went there with my foreign colleagues to introduce them to Korean food, and they were surprised at how Korean it tasted. I went there not long after I arrived in Germany, and I was surprised that it was almost exactly like Korea. The staff were friendly and the atmosphere was nice. I think I'll go again!

I used to love coming here; the restaurant was truly my go-to whenever I was in Hamburg. But I have to say, I was truly disappointed after my visit yesterday. The quality of the food has noticeably declined. Even if you take a look into the kitchen, the hygiene conditions are a bit off-putting. It's a shame, I used to really enjoy this place, but I probably won't be back :(

Keep it up and you're the best👍

These days, everything is handled by card, but it's a shame that only cash is accepted here.

It seemed very authentic and tasted exceptionally good. Very good service.

I recommend the owner take a closer look at his window displays; the food on offer is decidedly different. I felt very sorry for the only server; she had to serve the entire place on her own.

Jeyuk. I had spicy chicken galbi. I asked for the pork to be extra spicy, and it satisfied my long-held craving for Korean food. The kimchi was especially delicious with a hint of pickled vegetables!! It was delicious.

Me and my husband went there yesterday and it was a really pleasant experience. The food was prepared at a reasonable time and quality and taste is really good!! The chicken fry was excellent as well as the rice noodles. However bring cash as they not accept card

We ordered the Tinted Fish dish and the Seoul Bibimbap for two people — both were delicious! Btw, we couldn’t finish everything, so we took some home :D *they serve complimentary kimchi, cucumber pickles, and bean sprouts. It’s a small but very cute place, and the staff are super friendly. My rating: I’d defo come again and recommend it to my friends 🤌🏻🤌🏻🤌🏻✨

My wife and I have been here several times, and we were delighted every time – super delicious food, very friendly service, and a cozy atmosphere. We'd be happy to return!

You can't help but feel at home! We've eaten here several times, and the food is delicious every time. The service is great, and the atmosphere is relaxed and pleasant!

It's a very small shop, but always full, so you almost always have to wait. The ambiance... well, it takes some getting used to, but the food is top-notch.

Large portion, but only normal taste

Absolutely amazing place! If you want good Korean food in Hamburg, you have to go here! Unfortunately, you can't make reservations, and since the place is very small, you'll have to wait outside and put your name on a waiting list if you have any doubts... but the food is absolutely worth the wait. You can only pay in cash, which might be a problem or rather uncomfortable for some, but I don't find it a huge deal.

Great delicious authentic Korean food. Although there’s no wow factor, still it’s close to perfect - same as what you can expect on a Korean home or a local eatery in Korea. Great portion too making it extremely great value.

Super delicious food, lots of Korean people, so it was probably authentic. Very cool atmosphere. Not cheap, but the portion sizes were good. The chairs weren't really suitable for tall people. But that doesn't matter, because the food is so delicious that you can eat it all up quickly.

Great food! Unfortunately, there aren't many seats, often resulting in a wait. Service is good, and the ambiance is also good. The music is sometimes quite unpleasant, making it unsuitable for a place to eat.

I used to really like it, but I haven't been there in about a year. Today I went with my boyfriend, and the quality of the food has really declined. My boyfriend doesn't feel well for hours afterward. It's a shame, it used to be really great. I used to really like the small appetizers, but now they're inedible, and everything is so bland. We were there in the early evening—maybe the lunch menu is still good...

It's totally worth it. The service is excellent, the food is delicious, and everything is super clean. Highly recommended.

We had two spicy cheese Dakgalbi (famous Chunchon style chicken cuisine) plus a squid traditional Korean food. It is really authentic which can not be tastable in entire Europe or Germany! Highly recommended!!!

Delicious Korean dishes and super friendly staff. The value for money is absolutely perfect. Reservations aren't available, but the line moves quite quickly.

I'd never eaten Korean food before, and I was simply overwhelmed. It was so delicious, and everyone was so nice.

In my opinion, this is the best Korean restaurant in Hamburg. In terms of taste and atmosphere. It's just a real shame that card payments aren't accepted. Hopefully, that will change in the future.

Since it was very busy, I ordered my takeaway meal, the "Sundobu Jjigae," a spicy stew with tofu and seafood for €15.50. It was ready within 5 minutes and was packaged in a paper bag. Upon request, I was even given chopsticks. The service was very friendly. The portion was a decent size, just like if I had eaten in. I also received three small containers of toppings/appetizers, which I was very happy about.

The food was decent. The music was a bit loud. The waitress was friendly.

10/10 food. Cheap Good staff You could eat here every day

It tasted very authentic, the dumplings were particularly good.

Good price, good value for money. Nice decoration. Taste decent. An enjoyable dinner.

This is one of my favorite Korean restaurants in Hamburg. The restaurant isn't particularly large, but it has a nice local restaurant feel and a lovely atmosphere. The food is delicious, and they also offer yakiniku-style grilled meat to your liking. I had the chicken dakgalbi, which was cooked just right and went really well with rice. I also ordered buchimgae, which wasn't the typical buchimgae you'd expect, but more like a thin omelet, with a slightly sweet and gentle flavor that was also delicious. The kimchi served as an appetizer was also very tasty, and was enough to make you want to eat more rice! The prices are generally very reasonable considering the portions and quality. Please note that payment is cash only.

The food was delicious! I felt like I was on a trip to Korea! The service was very friendly (especially the lady behind the counter) :) The meals were reasonably priced and prepared very quickly. I recommend it to everyone ❤️

The food was great, the atmosphere was wonderful, and the quality was excellent. The service was very fast and friendly. Thank you.

The food was fantastic! The atmosphere was Korean-esque, and the service was very friendly! I highly recommend it!

The food was truly delicious: authentic and full of flavor. The price is a bit high, but if you're looking for Korean cuisine in a good atmosphere, this is the place for you! The staff was friendly, but not particularly attentive.

I come here almost every time I'm staying at a hotel in Hamburg. The portions are really large, so you should come hungry.

An unassuming but delicious restaurant at the Chilehaus. It's a bit cramped, but we had a very good meal.

Small but very fine food, friendly staff, highly recommended. Plan for a waiting time.

The restaurant is cozy and very cute. The staff was very nice and smiled a lot which made me feel welcomed. Me and my friend were eating new dish “Tonkatsu”, it’s VERY big and will be enough for two people. It was very tasty and I would definitely recommend it to you. We even had a little chat with one of the staff members who was very cute. So glad I was here!🫶🫶🫶

A small, cramped space where you write your name and hope someone finishes eating so you can get a seat. The dumplings are pricey at €10 for seven and quite bland, but the fried chicken is outstanding, crispy, juicy, flavorful, and served in a generous portion for €20 that easily feeds two. The bibimbap is also excellent. It is cash only, and while the service is straightforward as you sit, order, and get your food, the waitress was pleasant enough.

The Korean fried chicken was mediocre in taste, but top-notch in price. There are significantly better and cheaper alternatives in Hamburg.

Good food, but not being able to pay by card in 2025 is disgusting and not modern, sorry.

Only a few tables, nice atmosphere, we also had to wait a while for a table, but it was totally worth it

It is unfortunately cash only. No one really carries cash nowadays and was a super inconvenient experience after a long day of travel, craving Korean food.

I was really looking forward to trying this Korean restaurant, but unfortunately, my experience was quite disappointing. From the moment I walked in, the service felt indifferent and cold—there was no greeting, and the staff seemed to treat customers quite differently based on who they were. It made the atmosphere feel uncomfortable. What concerned me the most was that I found a piece of plastic packaging in my food. This really affected my trust in the kitchen’s hygiene and attention to detail.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 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.

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?

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!

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.

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

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. 😍

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.

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

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.

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!

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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!

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

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

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 :)