Seoul is a city where culinary tradition meets modern creativity, making it a perfect destination for food lovers visiting for the first time. If this is your first trip, you’ll want to experience places that highlight both the vibrant street food culture and the city’s unique neighborhood charm.
This guide will take you through the perfect Seoul food tour route for first-time visitors, featuring essential stops from the legendary Gwangjang Market street food to Myeongdong’s lively snack scene, trendy cafés in Mangwon-dong, and the atmospheric dining alleys of Ikseon-dong. Let’s dive into Seoul’s rich flavors and vibrant food spots that make the city a food lover’s paradise.
1. Gwangjang Market(광장시장) – The Heart of Seoul’s Street Food Culture
Start your journey at Gwangjang Market, one of Korea’s oldest and most famous traditional markets. Here, you’ll find an incredible variety of authentic Korean street foods that have delighted locals and visitors for generations.
- What to Try:
- Kkwabegi (twisted Korean donuts) – While the lines can be long, they’re surprisingly delicious for the price. What donuts are to other countries, kkwabegi is to Korea!
- Bindaetteok (mung bean pancakes) – crispy and savory, a true market classic.
- Yukhoe (Korean-style raw beef) – fresh and finely seasoned, a delicacy not to miss.
- Recommended Spot: Buchon Yukhoe – a Michelin-listed stall loved for its fresh yukhoe since 1965.
Travel Tip: Arrive early to avoid the lunch rush and grab a seat at one of the market’s narrow food stalls for the most authentic experience.
* As Gwangjang Market becomes more popular as a destination for foreigners, its increasing commercialization is an inevitable reality. Recently, popular Korean YouTubers and broadcasting stations have raised concerns about refusing credit card payments or creating ambiguous menus to entice customers to buy more. However, this doesn’t mean they’re engaging in egregious deception.
It’s certainly a worthwhile destination for tourists.
2. Myeongdong Street Food(명동길거리음식) – Shop and Snack in Korea’s Famous Shopping District
Next, explore Myeongdong, Seoul’s bustling shopping mecca that also boasts an amazing street food scene. Here, you can enjoy a variety of quick bites that perfectly complement your shopping spree.
- Must-Try Snacks:
- Giant chicken skewers glazed with sweet soy or spicy sauce.
- Cheese-filled tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes).
- Hotteok (sweet pancakes) dripping with melted brown sugar and nuts.
- Grilled jumbo scallops with butter and garlic.
The street comes alive after sunset with vibrant lights and bustling crowds—making it the perfect evening food stop.
* Like Gwangjang Market, this is a tourist destination catering to foreigners, so locals don’t really shop there. The reason is that the food is overpriced and un-Korean, like grilled lobster, which doesn’t look particularly appetizing. So, they often avoid it, wondering if it’s worth the effort. Wouldn’t things like bindaetteok (mung bean pancake) or yukhoe (raw beef) at Gwangjang Market be more Korean?
3. Mangwon-dong (망원동) – Trend Meets Tradition
Mangwon Market and its surrounding streets attract young locals with a mix of budget-friendly bites and Instagram-famous cafés.
- Recommended Eatery: Kyuseu Chicken Dakgangjeong – Known for sweet and sticky Korean fried chicken served in generous portions.
- Other Favorites:
- Handmade gimbap with unique fillings like cream cheese or bulgogi.
- Ice cream mochi and artisanal hotteok.
4. Ikseon-dong Pub Street (익선동 포차골목) – Nightlife with Pocha(포장마차)
Ikseon-dong is a place of stark contrast between day and night. While an ordinary Jongno alley during the day, at night it transforms into a street of street food stalls. It’s become even more popular thanks to the recent trend among young Koreans towards “yajang,” or “street restaurants” that offer outdoor tables and food and drinks. These tented food stalls are a familiar sight to fans of Korean dramas. A must-visit for anyone visiting Korea.
5. Ikseon-dong Samgyeopsal Alley (익선동 삼겹살 골목) – Korean BBQ with a Twist
Ikseon-dong first became famous for its pork belly alley. It was a hidden gem, a shabby restaurant that seemed completely out of place in the heart of Seoul, akin to a “secret alley of delicious restaurants.” However, a good restaurant naturally becomes famous.
Now, it’s one of the favorite spots for the Korean millennial generation. Foreigners have also joined the fray, making it a constantly bustling destination.
- Top Pick: No matter which restaurant you go to, you can always find fresh, high-quality pork belly. That’s because the meat sells out so quickly due to the high volume of customers.
To be continued in Part 2~!