Seoul

"Seoul is ranked fifth and offers a vibrant culture and opportunities for solo travelers looking to recover from heartbreak."

"Seoul Pho is a casual Vietnamese restaurant from Korea inside the third-floor food court above Koreatown’s California Marketplace, and its noodle soups are screamo covers of the gentle classics. The flavors are loud here, even in the classic pho that’s dark brown color from the charred green onions and beef shank simmering in the broth. There’s a sweet, delicious garlic pho that tastes like liquified garlic confit and, our favorite, the meaty Seoul pho with a giant, Flintstone-esque beef rib bobbing at the surface (call it an extra snack). If you’re a pho purist, maybe Seoul Pho isn’t for you, but if you want a solid bowl of soup that won’t lull you to sleep, check this place out." - Sylvio Martins

"The brothers who gave us Hanah Steakhouse last year in downtown’s Financial District are inviting Detroiters to get a taste of Korean Mexican cuisine with the opening next month of Nuevo Seoul. The fast-casual spot is supposed to open at 607 Shelby in early February, according to a release. Customers can expect options like tacos and burritos filled with bulgogi beef or chicken, birria made with Korean beef short rib, kimchi fries loaded with al pastor tofu, and Korean fried chicken and wings. To drink, there will be cocktails spiked with aguas frescas and “Mexican-inspired spiked slushies.” The space next to Hanah Steakhouse seats 125 diners." - Serena Maria Daniels

"Head to Yangban for a soul-warming night of contemporary Korean cooking from chefs Katianna and John Hong. The Arts District restaurant has been rebooted a few times since opening last year, and this latest iteration feels just right with its moody dining room and shareable plates. Order the sujebi dumplings with a white kimchi beurre blanc, poached ocean trout, trout roe, and dill, and all the banchan the table can handle. A slice of cheesecake to finish is a must. — Cathy Chaplin, senior editor" - Eater Staff

"Konban, a Japanese restaurant from Seoul, specializes in tonkatsu, fried pork cutlets that are marinated, dried, breaded, and deep-fried. Each cutlet takes over two days to prepare and cooks in as little as three minutes. The restaurant serves tonkatsu in the Japanese style, with pork cutlets that are thicker and cut into neat pieces, served with sauce on the side for dipping. Konban also offers a unique menchi katsu, a fried hamburger made with a mix of pork and chicken. The restaurant has expanded its menu to include sushi, sashimi, fried chicken, and hand-pulled noodles, and has become a popular dining spot." - Luke Fortney