Child Friendly Restaurants in Seoul

Many restaurants in Seoul have kids' playrooms to keep the little ones occupied while you dine in peace. The playrooms usually don't have an attendant, but it is often possible to get a table within view of the playroom. You'll generally get the best chance of a good table and less-crowded restaurant by going around 5 p.m. As Angela, the person who prepared the following list, lives in the Mok-dong/Yeouido area of the city, these are the ones she's checked out. To update the list or find out about more kid-friendly restaurants, you can post your question or additional information on the EAS forum.

MacDonald

In Mok-dong, just across the Seongsan Bridge, then take the cutoff to the right under the sign for Mok-dong Apartments, cross another bridge over a creek and stay in left lane and you'll see the Golden Arches on the left.

Park on the street and an attendant will put a ticket on your car. If you keep your receipt, parking is free. If you accidentally throw it away with the ketchup like I have done, parking is 3000KW an hour. A Happy Meal costs about 3000KW and the playroom is upstairs. It also has a room for birthday parties. Go on Saturday nights at your own risk (very crowded) but fun most of the time.

ChiChiecemi

In the backside of the CBS building in Mok-dong, near Hyundai Department Store

The playroom is behind a glass wall with about eight tables nearby so you have a good chance at a good view if you go early.

Toni Roma's

In Yeouido

It has a giant ball pit for its playroom and a kid-friendly staff.

TGI Fridays

In Yeouido in the Lotte Castle Ivy building

Always gives kids a free balloon. The playroom is small but fun, and a video is always playing.

Big Kahuna

It's near the Express Bus Terminal in Seocho-gu

A fun place for bigger kids too.

USO Canteen

In the USO building near the entrance to Camp Kim near War Memorial (pass memorial on your right, turn right at next big intersection, see big USO sign on your left, go past, make U-turn, then turn right at Camp Kim entrance, then right around wall into USO parking lot, park for free, limited spaces).

Open to everyone despite the guards standing out front. You can get a great greasy American breakfast for about $2.00 or hamburger and French fries lunch for about $4.00. You also can hang out in the lounge with your little one and rock in a recliner and watch American TV, surf the internet, buy an American magazine for just a little bit over American newsstand prices (ex: most home decorating magazines at Hanamm Supermarket cost about 17,000KW; at the USO they are about 5,000KW) and buy a REAL Diet Coke.

The canteen is open only on weekdays, 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

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Some restaurants even give the kids their own plastic bowls, cups, mini forks, spoons and chopsticks. Lots of Korean restaurants have highchairs, too, but not all.