Quick answer
- Top luxury seafood AYCE: Crab52 (52F city view, ~KRW 250,000+), Vikings Wharf (COEX), Noryangjin 101 (fish-market king crab)
- Skyline premium: Makino Chaya Black31 (Lotte Tower 31F), the just-reopened 63 Buffet Pavilion The Premium (July 2026)
- Most wallet-friendly premium pick: Modern Shabu House (upscale shabu-shabu, from KRW 58,000) and Sushi 101 (premium conveyor sushi)
- Hotel buffets locals actually book: La Seine, The Parkview, Aria (the "big three"), plus Grand Kitchen and Walkerhill The Buffet — all comfortable with English
In Seoul, “all-you-can-eat” no longer means a cheap barbecue joint with sticky tables. The spectrum now runs from premium seafood buffets piling on lobster, king crab, and caviar to high-floor rooms where the city skyline fills the glass to the grand hotel buffets Koreans have trusted for decades — the ones where anniversaries are celebrated and in-laws are impressed. Below is a single table comparing Seoul’s name-brand premium buffets, followed by booking tips and a closer look at each. (Prices and hours are based on each venue’s published information and can shift by season, exchange rate, and branch.)
How much do Seoul’s premium buffets cost?
Weekday adult prices span nearly four-fold — from Modern Shabu House in the KRW 50,000s to Crab52 in the KRW 200,000s. Compare them at a glance below.
🍽️ Seoul's premium buffets — 2026 prices at a glance
| Buffet | Location | Concept | Weekday lunch (adult) | Weekday dinner / weekend |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Modern Shabu House (모던샤브하우스) | Gwanghwamun & multiple branches | Premium shabu-shabu | From KRW 58,000 | Sets 78,000 / 98,000 |
| Sushi 101 (스시101) | Noryangjin Fish Market | Premium conveyor sushi | approx. KRW 58,000–68,000 | same (1-hour seating) |
| Makino Chaya Black31 (마키노차야 블랙31) | Lotte World Tower 31F | Premium seafood | KRW 109,000 | 149,000 / 159,000 |
| La Seine (라세느) | Jamsil | Hotel buffet | KRW 95,000 | 115,000 / 115,000 |
| Vikings Wharf (바이킹스워프) | COEX | Seafood buffet | approx. USD 110 (~KRW 150,000s) | weekend lunch & dinner |
| 63 Buffet Pavilion (63뷔페 파빌리온) | 63 Square, Yeouido | Hybrid premium | KRW 155,000 | 175,000 |
| Aria (아리아) | Sogong-dong | Hotel buffet | KRW 160,000 | 182,000 / 182,000 |
| The Parkview (더 파크뷰) | Jangchung-dong | Hotel buffet | KRW 173,000 | 198,000 / 198,000 |
| Grand Kitchen (그랜드 키친) | Samseong-dong (COEX) | Hotel buffet | KRW 173,000 | 198,000 / 198,000 |
| Walkerhill The Buffet (워커힐 더 뷔페) | Gwangjin-gu | Hotel buffet (Han River view) | KRW 176,000 | 198,000 / 198,000 |
| Noryangjin 101 (노량진101) | Noryangjin Fish Market | Seafood buffet | approx. USD 101 (~KRW 150,000–200,000) | same |
| Crab52 (크랩52) | Trade Tower 52F | Ultra-luxury seafood | approx. USD 200 (~KRW 250,000+) | same |
Which Seoul buffets are the priciest seafood splurge? — Crab52 & Vikings Wharf
Crab52 (크랩52) is one of the most expensive seafood buffets in the country. Perched on the 52nd floor of Trade Tower by Samseong Station, it pairs a sweeping Seoul skyline with unlimited lobster, king crab, Russian snow crab, sea urchin (uni), caviar, and even hanwoo beef ribs. Expect roughly USD 200 per person (high KRW 200,000s and up, depending on the exchange rate). The menu list isn’t long — this is quality over quantity, a “luxury tasting” concept. Valet parking and three hours of parking are supported, and reservations are essentially required. This is the one you book for a milestone.
Vikings Wharf (바이킹스워프) has been COEX’s byword for seafood buffets for over 20 years. Themed on San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharf, it serves lobster flown in from Canada and the US, seasonal wild-caught sashimi, live hot-food stations, and premium desserts. About USD 110 per adult, USD 55 for children 13 and under, and free for under-36-months. Weekdays center on lunch (12:00–15:00); weekends and holidays add dinner. Reservations: 1644-4446.
Where can I eat all-you-can-eat crab and sushi at Noryangjin Fish Market? — Noryangjin 101 & Sushi 101
Noryangjin 101 (노량진101) lets you eat king crab and lobster all-you-can-eat right inside the fish market building. It sits on the 2nd floor of Noryangjin Fish Market (674 Nodeul-ro, Dongjak-gu), and its cavern-like interior with media-art walls feels nothing like a market stall — it’s a full-on experience. Cuttlefish steamed, seafood platters, king crab, lobster, a shabu-shabu course, sashimi, and kaisendon — all unlimited. About USD 101 per person (roughly KRW 150,000–200,000 by exchange rate). Corkage is allowed at KRW 10,000 per person, so many guests bring their own wine or soju — a nice touch if you’re celebrating. Weekdays 12:00–21:30, weekends from 11:30, with a 15:00–17:30 break. Reservations: 1644-7811 (Naver / CatchTable).
In the same Noryangjin building, Sushi 101 (스시101) sets itself apart as “premium conveyor-belt sushi” all-you-can-eat. Rather than the usual budget sushi buffet, it actually raises the quality of the pieces riding the belt — noticeable on the first bite. About KRW 58,000–68,000 per adult with a 1-hour seating. Open 11:00–21:00 (break 15:00–17:00), with reservations via CatchTable, Naver, or phone. Paying with Onnuri gift certificates can net around 10% off — a nice little hack if you’ve got them.
Which Seoul buffets come with a skyline view? — Makino Chaya Black31 & 63 Buffet Pavilion
Makino Chaya Black31 (마키노차야 블랙31) serves premium seafood with a view from the 31st floor of Lotte World Tower. Its 130-odd items lean seafood-forward: carved Peking duck, a French rack of lamb, Russian snow crab, salmon, tuna and flatfish sashimi, plus abalone and sea-squirt. Adult pricing is KRW 109,000 weekday lunch / 149,000 dinner / 159,000 weekends and holidays. Weekdays 11:30–21:00 (break 14:30–18:00), weekends 11:00–21:00. The Jamsil tower night view draws plenty of anniversary diners — and honestly, at night, the view might outshine the food. (Other branches like Mapo differ in price and lineup.)
63 Buffet Pavilion (63뷔페 파빌리온) reopened in July 2026 as “The Premium.” Set inside 63 Square in Yeouido (50 63-ro), it relaunched as a hybrid concept — the polish of a course meal meets the fun of a pick-your-own buffet. Every guest receives a lobster tail as a welcome main dish (a 63 Buffet first), and live stations expanded from four to fourteen, turning out aged jamón and fresh-tuna carving, hanwoo striploin yukhoe-style sashimi, volcanic-stone udae-galbi barbecue, and around 160 items in all. Adult weekday lunch: KRW 155,000; dinner: KRW 175,000. Same-day visitors to the neighboring Centre Pompidou Hanwha get 10% off — a clever pairing. The view over the Han River and downtown is a real draw, especially at dusk.
Is there a premium AYCE that won’t break the bank? — Modern Shabu House
Modern Shabu House (모던샤브하우스) is the go-to for upscale shabu-shabu all-you-can-eat — and the price makes it one of the best premium-value plays in Seoul. With branches including one on the 5th floor of D-Tower in Gwanghwamun (17 Jongno 3-gil), it offers nine signature broths — mushroom, yuzu-chili, coconut green curry, tomato, sukiyaki, and more — with unlimited beef and pork and a fresh-vegetable self-bar. Adult courses: Signature KRW 58,000 / Special 78,000 / Excellent 98,000. Each broth finishes with a different dish — truffle risotto, ramen, or pasta — which makes the end of the meal its own little event. Open daily 11:30–22:00 (last order 21:00), with three hours of free parking. If you want premium without the nosebleed price tag, this is it.
Which hotel buffets do Seoul locals actually book?
For anniversaries, in-law meetings, and family gatherings, Koreans still turn to five-star hotel buffets. Among them, La Seine at Lotte Hotel World, The Parkview at The Shilla, and Aria at The Westin Josun are known as Seoul’s “big three.” Add COEX’s Grand Kitchen and the Han-River-view Walkerhill The Buffet, and you have the classic Seoul hotel-buffet lineup — the places people dress up for.
Because these large five-star buffets host international guests every day, they are comfortable serving in English and other languages. You can typically reserve in English on the official website, and email or phone inquiries are often handled in a foreign language — so limited Korean won’t get in your way. Pass along allergies or seating requests when you reserve; they’re used to it.
La Seine (Lotte Hotel World, Jamsil) is the most accessible of the three. Its “food train” open kitchen runs 150-plus Korean, Chinese, Japanese and Western dishes across nine stations, with sushi, lamb chops, and lobster among the favorites. Weekday lunch KRW 95,000 / dinner 115,000 / weekend 115,000. If you’re staying near Jamsil, this is the easiest premium buffet to slot into your itinerary.
The Parkview (The Shilla, Jangchung-dong) has a devoted following for its broad spread — snow crab, sashimi, sushi, Chinese dishes, and dim sum. Weekday lunch runs about KRW 173,000, weekends and dinner around 198,000. It’s popular enough that next-month reservations open at 9 a.m. on the 1st and weekends sell out quickly. If you want a weekend slot, set an alarm.
Aria (The Westin Josun, Sogong-dong) is a downtown hotel buffet whose live sushi and lamb chops are highlights. Weekday lunch KRW 160,000 / dinner 182,000 / weekend 182,000. Open 11:30–21:30 (break 14:30–17:30); reservations required. The downtown location makes it the most central of the big three.
Grand Kitchen (Grand InterContinental Parnas, Samseong-dong) sits right by COEX for easy access, with strong live-station cooking and seafood. Weekday lunch KRW 173,000 / dinner 198,000 / weekend 198,000. Convenient if you’re already in the COEX area for shopping or meetings.
Walkerhill The Buffet (Vista Walkerhill, Gwangjin-gu) leads with a wide-open Han River view. Beyond Korean, Chinese, and Japanese dishes, you can add items like oxtail soup and naengmyeon via QR order. Weekday lunch KRW 176,000 / dinner and weekend 198,000. A breakfast buffet (adult KRW 85,000) is also offered — a rare and underrated move if you’re staying nearby.
Premium buffet booking & dining tips
- Always reserve ahead. Hotel buffets and popular premium spots like Crab52 and Makino Chaya sell out weekends days in advance. The Shilla’s The Parkview opens next-month booking at 9 a.m. on the 1st — mark your calendar.
- Lunch runs KRW 20,000–40,000 cheaper than dinner. The spread is often the same, so weekday lunch is the value play — and the crowd is thinner.
- Request a window seat for the view spots. At Crab52 (52F), Makino Chaya (31F), 63 (63 Square), and Walkerhill (river view), the window makes the meal. Ask when you book.
- Check your card perks. Five-star hotel buffets often bundle free valet with premium or corporate cards, plus membership discounts — your real cost can shift meaningfully.
- USD-quoted venues shift with the exchange rate. Places priced in dollars — Noryangjin 101, Vikings Wharf, Crab52 — convert to different won totals depending on the day. Check the rate before you commit.
Sources
- 63 Buffet Pavilion The Premium reopening (Hotel & Restaurant): https://www.hotelrestaurant.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=21997
- 63 Buffet Pavilion (Namuwiki): https://namu.wiki/w/63뷔페%20파빌리온
- Vikings Wharf COEX (official): https://business.coex.co.kr/venu-service/fb-services/vikings-wharf/
- Crab52 (DiningCode): https://www.diningcode.com/profile.php?rid=RmLnUkNvHbPD
- Noryangjin 101 (DiningCode): https://www.diningcode.com/profile.php?rid=UwtGf6MOt3Mz
- Sushi 101 (DiningCode): https://www.diningcode.com/profile.php?rid=TUJ5KBGzJ0z6
- Modern Shabu House Gwanghwamun (DiningCode): https://www.diningcode.com/profile.php?rid=E3auZWq6OSx0
- Makino Chaya Black31 Jamsil (DiningCode): https://www.diningcode.com/profile.php?rid=KihPhgsyaZ60
- The Parkview price roundup (a4b4): https://www.a4b4.co.kr/78254
- La Seine, Lotte Hotel (KKday): https://www.kkday.com/ko/blog/16044/asia-korea-seoul-lottehotel-la-seine
- Aria, The Westin Josun (DiningCode): https://www.diningcode.com/profile.php?rid=b92cR4eMYr3q
- Grand Kitchen, Parnas (DiningCode): https://www.diningcode.com/profile.php?rid=iO3r4IaSde11
- Vista Walkerhill The Buffet (DiningCode): https://www.diningcode.com/profile.php?rid=zMlj5F2TvRQW