Seoul is turning its dining scene into a weeklong celebration, with 124 restaurants, cafes and bars offering special menus, discounts and complimentary desserts as the city seeks to draw diners into neighborhood establishments and high-profile eateries alike. Seoul Restaurant Week begins Friday as part of Taste of Seoul 2026, a citywide program featuring food markets, culinary tours, cooking classes and awards recognizing contributors to the capital’s dining culture. This year’s participating venues include 23 Korean restaurants, 28 Western establishments, 11 Asian restaurants, seven grill restaurants, three vegetarian eateries, 35 cafes and dessert shops, two bars and pubs, and 15 establishments in other categories. The event runs through Oct. 29. Forty-one participants have been selected for Seoul’s 100 Taste of Seoul list or its 50 Best Cafes and Desserts list. For the first time, the city is partnering with Naver Pay to offer a payment promotion that gives customers points worth 50 percent of their bill, up to 10,000 won ($7.55), for one transaction per person at participating