Korea - If you could only eat one meal in Seoul...where?

I am transiting Seoul for perhaps 22-23 hours as a "connection" on an award flight from JFK-ICN-NRT. I get into Seoul around 3:30 and leave the next day at 3:20. I will be staying at the W if the neighborhood matters. The way I see it I will get 1, maybe 2 meals in Seoul (dinner then lunch before flight to NRT). If you could pick only one place to eat in Seoul, where would it be? I prefer the suggestions be Korean cuisine (and at the spicier end of that). Doesn't have to be fancy, can be a cheap hole in the wall as long as the food is good. Thanks!

Woah, will be in Seoul in a couple of days with almost the identical question!!!

Would love some suggestions... will be staying at the JW Marriott, so something preferably walking distance from there.

Am a big fan of Korean food here in Toronto, so can't wait to try the real thing!

Woah, will be in Seoul in a couple of days with almost the identical question!!!

Would love some suggestions... will be staying at the JW Marriott, so something preferably walking distance from there.

Am a big fan of Korean food here in Toronto, so can't wait to try the real thing!

Unfortunately, there is not a whole lot within walking distance from the JW. It is on top of one of the ubiquitous underground shopping malls and a large bus/subway terminal, so there are a number of restaurants/foodstalls there, but none memorable.

If you cross the overpass outside the JW and walk towards the Supreme Court complex, there are quite a few local restaurants in the back streets around there. Again, nothing that jumped out at me as being a "must return to" restaurant, but I have never had a bad meal either by popping into whatever caught my fancy. Good variety - Korean BBQ, simple kimbop, etc.

Like the previous person said, if you see a group of people, it means the food is good. Just pop into to one of those restaurants and try whatever others are eating.

I am transiting Seoul for perhaps 22-23 hours as a "connection" on an award flight from JFK-ICN-NRT. I get into Seoul around 3:30 and leave the next day at 3:20. I will be staying at the W if the neighborhood matters. The way I see it I will get 1, maybe 2 meals in Seoul (dinner then lunch before flight to NRT). If you could pick only one place to eat in Seoul, where would it be? I prefer the suggestions be Korean cuisine (and at the spicier end of that). Doesn't have to be fancy, can be a cheap hole in the wall as long as the food is good. Thanks!

Kind of like asking for the best place to get Japanese food in Tokyo. I suggest wandering around Samcheong-dong / Insa-dong and choosing a restaurant in a hanok with a set menu you like...

If you'd rather select before you go, check out Dan Gray's (Nov 2010) recommendations on his Seoul Eats blog:
http://www.seouleats.com/2010/11/restaurant-recommendations-for-the-g20-summit/
Or go to the ZenKimchi reviews for Korean food:
http://www.zenkimchi.com/dining/category/cuisine/korean/

Dan runs Korean food tours including a night dining + drinking tour which might work well for a jetlagged North American.

Unfortunately the W aka Sheraton Walker Hill is far from the city center(s), atop a hill isolated from anything nearby. Expect to spend a lot of time travelling back and forth by taxi. On your way to the airport you could stop by the Noryangjin fish market for a Korean version of Tsukiji, if you don't have much luggage on you.

The seouleats blog has very good pictures and reviews of multiple places in Seoul, find something that looks tasty for you and ask the hotel to help you get a taxi to the location

As always, I am available for free tours of Seoul, the only days which aren't good are Monday 12-5, and Wednesday 11-6, as I have class during these times. The rest of the week I am completely free to show around any FT'er making their way through Seoul.

The seouleats blog has very good pictures and reviews of multiple places in Seoul, find something that looks tasty for you and ask the hotel to help you get a taxi to the location

Very good reviews on limited area, mostly covering central and Gangnam seoul.
I wish it was covering all areas of Seoul.

Woah, will be in Seoul in a couple of days with almost the identical question!!!

Would love some suggestions... will be staying at the JW Marriott, so something preferably walking distance from there.

Am a big fan of Korean food here in Toronto, so can't wait to try the real thing!

We just stayed at the JW Marriott and enjoyed a restaurant serving duck. It is a whole roasted duck stuffed with rice studded with nuts & fruits. It was very different and delicious and served with a lot of banchan - their side dishes. One duck is enough for about 4 people - this is all they serve. The meal was about $65 US total. If you face the front of the Marriott, it is located in the strip of shops on the right - above the Express Bus Station. They are very busy and may be best to have the Marriott Concierge call to make a reservation. There were no tables the first night we tried and we returned the next day earlier.