Myeongdong is most likely one of the most famous neighborhoods in Seoul for tourists! It is filled with tons of great shopping options, beauty treatments, and delicious restaurants. For some tourists, the amount of options in Myeongdong can be very overwhelming, so here are some of our favorite spots to eat in Myeongdong that you should check out!
Myeongdong Guides
13 Must-Eat Restaurants in Myeongdong
1) Myeongdong Kyoja | 명동교자
Myeongdong Kyoja is one of the most popular restaurants in Myeongdong and is a part of the Michelin guide recommendations! This restaurant is most known for their knife-cut noodles, or kalguksu, and juicy dumplings.
It's practically a tourist attraction in itself, so be prepared to wait a bit if you go during peak hours or on weekends! It's a bit hectic; once you get a spot, you'll need to order and pay right away.
We recommend getting Kalguksu noodles and a pan of steamed dumplings to share. Everything here is super hearty and delicious! Plus, it's very affordable! The dumplings are 12,000 KRW and the Kalguksu is 11,000 KRW.
Address: 서울 중구 명동 10길 10
10 Myeongdong 10-gil, Jung-gu, Myeongdong, Seoul
2) Eunhaeng Gol Myeongdong Branch | 은행골 명동점
If you're a sushi lover and also happen to be a Sanrio fan, you have to come to this sushi spot in Myeongdong! Eunhaeng Gol is a popular sushi chain in Korea where you can get pretty good quality sushi at an affordable price.
This location in Myeongdong is special because it's Sanrio-themed! Everything from the interior decoration to even the plates and utensils are decked out in Hello Kitty and her best friends.
Look how cute that is! You can get sushi sets on the cutest Hello Kitty plates for as low as 12,000 KRW. Definitely add this spot to your list!
Address: 서울 중구 명동10길 7 2층
2F, 7 Myeongdong 10-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
3) Odari Jip | 오다리집
Odari Jip is a favorite among tourists in Myeongdong for raw marinated soy crab, or Ganjang Gejang! This unique dish is one of the hottest Korean food trends on TikTok, which consists of fresh raw crab marinated in either a spicy, sweet sauce or seasoned soy sauce.
It's so popular that the walls are filled of Korean celebrities that have come to eat here!
We ordered their signature menu item, the raw marinated soy crabs! The set came with kimchi jjigae, rice with sardines, side dishes such as kimchi and seaweed, and soft drinks. The price varies, but is currently around 30,000~40,000 KRW per portion.
Address: 서울 중구 명동 8나길 28 2-3F
28 Myeongdong 8na-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
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4) Hamcho Ganjang Gejang | 함초간장게장
Another great place to try raw marinated crab is at Hamcho Ganjang Gejang. The crab here is exceptionally fresh, meaty, and abundant.
The crab is full of bright orange eggs, which indicates it's freshness. It's perfectly salty and even great when mixed with piping hot rice.
Though the crab is the star at Hamcho Ganjang Gejang, the side dishes are great as well! They're super fresh and taste like a Korean mom has handmade them in the morning. You can also get free raw marinated shrimp here if you get the Myeongdong Pass!
Address: B1F, 27 Myeongdong 8ga-gil, Myeong-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul
명동8가길 27 지하 1층
If you'd like to make a reservation at Hamcho Ganjang Gejang, use the link below!
5) BBQ Chicken & Beer Myeongdong Star Branch | BBQ치킨앤비어 명동스타점
If you are looking for a delicious chicken and beer shop in Myeongdong, this is the place to go. In the summer, you can sit on the terrace and enjoy chicken outside!
BBQ Chicken is most known for its famous golden olive fried chicken, which is super crispy and fresh!
You can also order half and half, so you can try both the golden olive chicken and marinated chicken. Both were delicious and crispy, and are a very irresistible combination. You can use the Creatrip coupon to get a free soft drink while you're here!
Address: 서울 중구 명동 4길 2F
2 Myeongdong 4-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
6) Baekje Samgyetang | 백제삼계탕
This place is famous for their nutritious and filling chicken stew! Samgyetang is a traditional chicken stew that is known by Koreans for it's nutritious properties and large amounts of vitamins.
The inside of the store is decorated in a vintage style Korean way with domestic and foreign newspapers as well as records! The clean and beautiful interior has a long-loved history.
Samgyetang contains many nutritional ingredients such as ginseng, so this is a great place to have a hearty, healthy meal. Samgyetang here is around 20,000 KRW!
Address: 서울 중구 명동 8길 8-10
8-10 Myeongdong 8-gil, Jung-gu, Myeongdong, Seoul
7) Mokmyeoksanbang | 목멱산방
Mokmyeoksanbang is a bibimbap restaurant that is Michelin-selected. There are two locations in Myeongdong; this one is located right at the foot of the N Seoul Tower, while the other branch is located within Namsan Park.
The interior is simple and has warm lighting. After ordering at the entrance, you can choose your seat and go to the counter when the food is served.
You can easily eat a lot of bibimbap here! The food here is very delicious and healthy. If you want to try a traditional and classic Korean meal, this is the place to go! There are a variety of bibimbap dishes to choose from, and the prices range from 9,000 KRW to 14,500 KRW.
Address: 서울 중구 명동 최계로 20길 71
71 Toegye-ro 20-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
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8) Lee Nam Jang | 이남장
Lee Nam Jang is a traditional seolleongtang restaurant in Seoul, located near Euljiro 1-ga station! If you want to taste Korea's unique savory beef bone soup, visit this restaurant.
The restaurant is very spacious, there are two floors. The store is decorated with picture frames and props that create a traditional Korean atmosphere. This restaurant was so popular that there was a bit of a crowd when we came on a weekday at 3PM!
Seolleongtang with this much brisket and meat is hard to find anywhere else. Seolleongtang is 12,000 KRW and the Special Seolleongtang is 20,000 KRW. Use the Creatrip coupon linked below for 10% off!
9) Golden Farm | 황금목장
Golden Farm is a Korean BBQ restaurant that is very close to Exit 6 of Myeongdong Station. It only takes about 2 minutes to walk there from the station!
The store is very spacious and there is plenty of seating. If you are going in a group, you can call ahead to make an appointment to book a room. One room can seat up to 20 people.
All the meat will be cooked by the staff. You don't need to know how to cook the meat yourself! The set menu costs around 159,000 KRW.
Address: 서울 중구 명동 8나길 6 3F
6 Myeongdong 8 na-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
10) Isaac Toast Myeongdong Cathedral Branch | 이삭토스트 명동성당점
Isaac Toast is a popular chain store that specializes in toasted sandwiches. It's known for its sandwiches that are deliciously toasted in butter and a house special sauce. You can enjoy an affordable and tasty meal here when you're on the-go!
Isaac Toast usually has a couple of seating areas inside and a big counter where you can order take-out. Since the Myeongdong Cathedral Branch is only a take-out store, many customers quickly order and eat freshly made toast while moving to their next destination.
Pictured above are the Bacon Potato Pizza (5,000 KRW) and the Grilled Bulgalbi (4,400 KRW). For a more in-depth review, read our blog on Isaac Toast here. You can even reserve your order ahead of time!
Address: 17-1, Myeongdong 10-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
서울 중구 명동 10길 17-1
11) Udaepo | 우대포
K-BBQ is a must-try experience in Korea, offering not only a superior dining experience but also the chance to savor Korean Hanwoo Beef, a type unique to Korea. This fatty beef is incredibly flavorful, tantalizing your taste buds as soon as it hits your mouth.
Udaepo, a relatively new K-BBQ restaurant in Myeongdong, has already established itself with other highly popular branches throughout Seoul. If you're in Myeongdong and looking for a place to enjoy high-quality Hanwoo beef, be sure to visit Udaepo. Don't forget to show the staff your Myeongdong Pass to receive a complimentary Oolong Tea!
Address: 3F, 2 Myeongdong 10-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
서울 중구 명동10길 40 2, 3층
12) Gunja Daehan Gopchang | 군자대한곱창
Another unexpected food trend in Korea is gopchang. Various parts of the world enjoy pork and beef intestines, and Korea is no exception. In fact, we excel at it. Who would have thought that beef intestines, grilled in their own fat, could be this delicious?
Located in the heart of Myeongdong, Gunja Daehan Gopchang is a gopchang restaurant that gained fame after being featured by Mamamoo's Hwasa in her episode of MBC's 'Living Alone.' This particular episode triggered such a craving for gopchang across Korea that it led to a nationwide shortage of the dish.
Make sure to stop by Gunja Daehan Gopchang with your Myeongdong Pass for free booze for orders over 50,000 KRW!
Address: 1F, 18-1 Myeongdong 7-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
서울 중구 명동7길 18-1 1층
Gunja Daehan Gopchang | Full Review
13) Furoa
Tucked away just off the bustling streets of Myeongdong, you'll find Furoa, a trendy cafe boasting a modern mid-century interior that feels more at home in hip neighborhoods like Seongsu or Hongdae. Not only does Furoa serve excellent coffee, but it also offers brunch options for those times you want a break from Korean cuisine.
At night, the cafe transforms. The lights dim, candles are lit, and the atmosphere shifts to a romantic setting. The cocktail menu features classic choices, enhanced by unique cocktails inspired by Korean ingredients. Additionally, Furoa occasionally hosts DJ nights, adding to the lively ambiance.
Whether you're sipping coffee or enjoying a cocktail, you'll be able to spend a great time here!
Address: 1F, 52 Myeongdong 8ga-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
서울 중구 명동8가길 52 1층
Myeongdong Guides
We hope that you can enjoy a delicious meal at one of these restaurants in Myeongdong! If you have any questions, leave a comment below or send us an email at help@creatrip.com! You can also follow us on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook to stay updated on all things Korea!