First time in Seoul? In this 5-day itinerary, I’ll guide you through must-see spots, key neighbourhoods, incredible food markets, and even a day trip outside the city to round off your experience.

Annyeong! My trip to Seoul, South Korea came together at the very last minute—confirmed just a week before departure, right in the middle of another work trip abroad. Beyond booking a place to stay for the personal leg of my visit, I barely did any planning or research, which is quite unlike me. But I figured, “It’s a city, right? How hard can it be to just dive in?”

Then I arrived, and wow—Seoul is packed with endless things to see and do! It’s easily one of the most vibrant and dynamic cities I’ve ever visited. Thankfully, I had a few days to explore with local friends and colleagues who helped take some of the planning pressure off and guide me to the highlights.

While I enjoyed my trip, I felt like I missed out on certain things on the trip. If this is your first time in Seoul, I’m not letting you make the same mistake I did! I compiled all of the must-sees and must-dos in Seoul, in this neat 5-day itinerary. The itinerary is easily customisable as well, so you pick and mix according to what you like.

Editor’s Note: I visited Seoul recently in October 2024, and padded this blogpost even more information for you, including an itinerary and some food recommendations!

Getting to Seoul/Getting Around

Seoul is incredibly well-connected and easy to navigate, which makes arriving and exploring a breeze.

Getting to Seoul

• Incheon International Airport (ICN): Most international travelers will arrive at Incheon International Airport, located about 50 kilometers (31 miles) from downtown Seoul.

• Gimpo Airport (GMP): If you’re flying domestically or from nearby countries, you may land at Gimpo Airport, closer to the city center and a good alternative for shorter flights.

Airport to City

• Airport Buses: Limousine buses run regularly from both Incheon and Gimpo airports to various parts of Seoul, including major hotels and districts. This is my recommendation, because the buses are frequent, efficient and have large, comfortable seats! They’re also affordable, at KRW17,000 per way. Upon arrival, head over to the airport bus counter and let them know where you’re staying. They will let you which bus to take, and the nearest stop to your hotel.

• Taxis: While taxis are slightly pricier, they’re an option if you have a lot of luggage or are traveling in a group. From Incheon, expect a 50-70 minute ride depending on traffic. The taxi option is good if your hotel is not near any airport bus stops. Personally, I prefer the bus option, because it’s far more comfortable… especially if you’re going to be stuck in Seoul’s notorious traffic!

• Airport Railroad Express (AREX): The AREX train service connects Incheon Airport directly to Seoul Station, with an Express Train (45 minutes, non-stop) and an All-Stop Train (slightly longer, with more stops along the way). Even though it’s relatively quick and super cheap, I do not recommend it especially if you have lots of luggage, or coming from a long flight. I took the All-Stop Train before, and it was a public train, meaning seats were scarce! If you don’t mind standing for an hour, by all means this is an affordable, quick option.

Getting Around Seoul

• Taxis and Rideshares: We took taxis frequently in Seoul; they’re convenient, reasonably priced and everywhere! Alternatively, use Uber or Kakao T app for easy rideshare access. We mostly used Uber or simply flagged down the taxis. Not all taxi drivers are well-versed in English, it’s best to have the location saved on your map to show.

• Subway: Seoul’s subway system is extensive and efficient – you can easily reach most attractions by subway. We mostly purchased tickets on the spot, but you can grab a T-money card (rechargeable) for seamless subway rides.

• Buses: Seoul has a bus system with routes that cover even hard-to-reach spots. Blue buses travel long distances, green buses connect to subway stations, and yellow buses serve neighbourhoods. Buses also accept T-money cards, making transfers easy.

• Walking: You’ll need to take public transport to get to a neighbourhood, but once you’ve arrived, everywhere is very walkable! We walked SO MUCH in Seoul.

Where to Stay in Seoul

Seoul has neighbourhoods to suit every traveler’s style, whether you’re here for food, culture, shopping, or nightlife. If it’s your first time in Seoul, these are my recommended neighbourhoods:

Myeongdong

Both times I visited, I stayed in Myeongdong! It’s great for first-time visitors, since it’s extremely well-connected, accessible and perhaps most importantly, LOTS of food options! I loved that I could get hungry at 10pm, and have food options right outside my hotel.

This area is known for its buzzing shopping streets and street food scene. Hotels range from budget to luxury, and you’ll be right in the heart of some of the city’s best shopping and eating spots.

As a touristy area, it’s crowded at all times of the day, so if you hate crowds – Myeongdong is perhaps not for you. I love it though. The airport bus stop is also conveniently located at Myeongdong.

Accommodation: Grand Hotel Myeongdong location is perfection – it’s right by where all the Myeongdong action is, yet calm.

Hongdae

Another good option is Hongdae. This is a very lively, ‘young’ neighbourhood, with plenty of good shopping and food options. It’s crowded as well, although definitely not as crowded as Myeongdong. The one con to Hongdae is that it’s located quite far from the city centre, but it’s well connected by public transport!

Other locations that you can consider staying at include Gangnam, Insadong and Itaewon. Each neighborhood has its own flavor and unique offerings, so no matter what your travel style is, Seoul has a spot that’ll feel like home.

The Perfect 5-Day Itinerary

5 Days in Seoul At-A-Glance

• Day 1: Tongin Market, Gyeongbokgung Palace, Bukchon Hanok Village
• Day 2: Gwangjang Market, Cheonggyecheon Stream, Dongdaemun
• Day 3: Insadong and Myeongdong
• Day 4: Namdaemun Market, N Seoul Tower, Namsan Park, Hongdae
• Day 5: Leeum Museum, Seongsu, Gangnam, Han River

Quick Notes About This Seoul Itinerary

• This itinerary offers a bit of everything to give you a well-rounded taste of Seoul’s highlights, but feel free to adapt it to your own style and interests! I’d call this a “girly” itinerary, packed with shopping, cafe-hopping, delicious food, aesthetic clinic visits, and plenty of time for people-watching.

• The itinerary is based on having five full days in Seoul, meaning you’ve arrived the evening before and are ready to explore first thing the next day.

• Need to cut back on time? This itinerary is comfortably paced, but you can easily cut down on days and squeeze in more activities in a day.

Visit a traditional market at Tongin

If your flight arrived in the early morning (like mine did!), then you will likely not be able to check into your hotel yet. Start your Seoul adventure with some food!

Tongin Market is a traditional marketplace located in Seochon-dong, close to the Gyeongbokgung Palace. The marketplace mostly consist of grocery stores and restaurant, and worth a nice walk through. I had a traditional Korean rice cake dessert and it was delicious.

The marketplace offers up a unique and interactive meal experience.

First, head to the Dosirak Café to purchase brass coins. They cost 500 won each, but 5,000 won or 10 brass coins, would be the minimum amount. You will then receive an empty tray to carry around with you. Exchange the brass coins for dishes around Tongin Market at participating outlets! SUPER FUN! If this is too much logistics for you, no worries – you can also pay in cash.

Samgyetang / Korean Ginseng Chicken

If you want a less interactive experience, visit the well-established Tosokchon Samgyetang for Samgyetang or Ginseng Chicken. Some might argue this is a ‘touristy’ restaurant, but I had a good meal nonetheless, especially after arriving from a long flight!

Ordering is extremely easy and fuss-free. There are instructions in English on how to properly enjoy your ginseng chicken. The ginseng flavour in the samgyetang is not very pronounced, but it’s a good, hearty, nourishing meal.

Gyeongbokgung Palace

Once your bellies are happy and full, head over to Gyeongbokgung Palace.

There are a few palaces located within Seoul City and if you have the time, it’s very easy to visit them all in a day. If you only have time for one, head to Gyeongbokgung Palace, undoubtedly the more famous of the lot.

The palace is complex is huge, and has a park within itself. Most of the original palace from the Joseon era has been destroyed during the war, so what you see is a beautifully reconstructed version of the palace. I spent about 1.5 hours here roaming the palace grounds.

Entrance fee to the palace costs 3,000 Won. If you’re wearing a hanbok, entrance is free! There are plenty of hanbok rental shops located around the palace, if you want to live out your Korean palace fantasy.

Time your visit such that you can catch the guard changing ceremony. Unfortunately, the day of my visit it was cancelled due to bad weather. I did however, see the guards standing at attention later on at the front entrance.

The palace also provides an hour-long free group guided tour in English, which I chose to miss out for the sake of time. Another free service provided by the palace is a try-on of the hanboks.

Bukchon Hanok Village

Located about 20 minutes by foot from Gyeongbokgung Palace is Bukchon Hanok Village. This is a quaint little town with tradition Korean houses, or hanok, dating back from the Joseon era.

Very charming and a must-visit, and is also on everyone’s list to visit so expect it to be crowded with people. The upside to this is that a lot of tourists will be decked out in hanboks, so you can at the very least feel transported.

For a less-crowded experience, you can always head down earlier in the day before the city wakes up.

Note: In reality, I squeezed in Insadong on this day as well, because they’re located so close to each other. Honestly, other than taking in the sights, there’s really not much else to do. But yes, this would have been a lot of walking in a day – so I broke the activities over a few days.

Day 2: Gwanjang Markets and Dongdaemun

Gwangjang Market

Start your day at Gwangjang Market for brunch, one of Seoul’s oldest and most famous food markets. Snack on bindaetteok (mung bean pancakes), mayak kimbap (“addictive” mini seaweed rice rolls), yukhoe (korean beef tartare) and for the adventurous, sannakji (raw live octopus sashimi).

This market has been featured extensively so it is very touristy – some might say it’s a major tourist trap. For the most part, this is true – although I found the pricing fair, I thought the quality was not on par. That said, there were gems at the market.

• Radish Tteobokki: If you must eat anything at Gwanjang Market, let it be the radish tteokbokki. This is tteokbokki served with fresh radish on the side- truly unique! I love the fresh crunch of the radish with the rich and punch tteokbokki sauce. The sauce itself is also deliciously distinct.

• Ilho: If you’re a coffee lover, you MUST have a cup at Ilho. The coffee is probably the best I had in Seoul – and that’s saying a lot because Seoul is coffee-haven!

I also highly recommend purchasing some banchans. You can sample before buying, and they’ll be packaged well enough to withstand the flight home.

There is also a Cafe Onion outlet at Gwanjang Market, with special pastries available only at this outlet if you’re a fan.

Cheonggyecheon Stream

A good way to walk off everything we ate at Gwangjang Market is to stroll along Cheonggyecheon Stream.

This is a more urbanised, fancier large drain that would eventually flow into the Han River. You can find a lot of locals chilling here, having a picnic by the river.

Dongdaemun

Once you’re well-rested at Cheonggyecheon Stream, make your way to the nearby Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP), known for its unique architecture and LED rose garden. We didn’t visit the museum while we’re there, but there was an art fair/market of sorts. We ended spending a lot of time there and went home with curated, unique pieces.

If you’re up for some late-night shopping, Dongdaemun’s malls are open until the early hours, perfect for those looking to do some serious shopping! Don’t bother trying to go earlier than 8pm, most of the shops are closed! I recommend Hello apM Mall.

Day 3: Insa-dong and Myeongdong

Insadong

Insadong is probably one of my favourite street markets to walk through. You’ll find a lot of traditional souvenirs here, such as ceramics, calligraphy, stamps, fans, chopsticks, bookmarks and fun magnets here.

The traditional souvenir shops are interestingly set alongside modern ones like K-beauty brands and random accessories shops.

There’s a mini shopping mall called Ssamziegil at Insadong which housed unique handcraft and jewellery shops that’s worth a visit.

Hanbok Hack!

I wanted to have a Korean hanbok experience, but I didn’t want to spend the whole day in it. So I cheated my way at a photo sticker shop in Ssamziegil! They rent it for “free” for you to take your photo booth stickers in the shop, which was 8,000 Korean Won – but the lady happily took some photos of me in the hanbok with my own camera.

I can’t find any official information on this store online, but the shop was on the third floor of Ssamziegil, towards the café. You can’t miss it.

Jogyesa Temple

Within walking distance from Insadong is Jogyesa Temple, considered one of the main temples of Buddhism in Seoul city. When I visited, brightly coloured paper streamers were strung up all over the temple compound.

This juxtaposed against the huge golden Buddha within the temple and the worshippers – it was a sight to behold. I think it might have been a special day in Buddhism. My favourite part might be chancing upon this smiley little dude.

Soak in Myeongdong

If you didn’t stay in Myeongdong like I did, head to Myeongdong next, Seoul’s bustling shopping mecca. Myeongdong was one of my favourite neighbourhoods to explore. If you don’t have a lot of time, but want to experience the concentration of Seoul city, come to Myeongdong.

Myeongdong epitomizes the two things that Seoul is most known for – eating and shopping. That, coupled with the general buzzing energy of the area made this area a must-visit. Is it touristy? Yes. Did I have fun here as a tourist? Heck YES!

The street food market use to start up only as night falls, but these days they start to open up at around 11am. If you want to switch this itinerary around, it’s easy to do so! You’re going to find everything from street food, to all your favourite skincare brands and fashion here.

Some street snacks to try

• Tteokbokki (Spicy Rice Cakes) & Eomuk (Fish Cake Skewers): You must order tteokbokki with a side of eomuk when in Seoul! Chewy, slightly spicy, sweet sauce and the best snack to fuel your shopping adventures.
• Gyeranppang (Egg Bread): If you love sweet and savoury combo, grab a gyeranppang! This little bread with a baked egg on top is simple but comforting.
• Croissant Bungeoppang (fish pancakes): Fish-shaped pastries filled with your filling of choice such as sweet red bean paste or custard – but with a croissant twist! Flaky, sweet croissant instead of the typical pancake batter and it was DELICIOUS!
• Grilled Cheese: Cheese and tteokbokki on a stick – sounds simple but so good! Make sure to get extra drizzles of the condensed milk.
• Grilled Lobster Tails: Myeongdong has become famous for these luxurious street food options, where whole lobsters are grilled and topped with cheese. I notice other variations now include prawns and scallops. Definitely one of the pricier options here.
• Mandu (Korean Dumplings): Steamed or fried dumpling filled with pork, kimchi, or vegetables.
• Korean Fried Chicken (on a Stick!): If you need Halal food, there are a lot more options here, such as the KFC stalls here. Fried chicken in Myeongdong is glazed with spicy, sweet sauces and served on a stick. Discuss the crunch and flavors that make it irresistible.
• Lamb Skewers: Grilled lamb chunks on a stick which also tend to be Halal.

Snacking may seem like an affordable option, but if you’re not careful you can rack up a hefty bill as you hop stall to stall.

Shopping in Myeongdong

Since we stayed in Myeongdong, we did the bulk of our shopping here – specifically skincare. My favourite shops to visit include:

• Olive Young: I love doing my beauty shopping here since they have the widest range of brands under one roof. As a bonus, they offer instant tax refund. Olive Young is EVERYWHERE though, so get your beauty shopping done near wherever you’re staying instead so you can haul back your goods.
• 3CE Concept Store: Unlike Olive Young, the concept store stocks the entire range of products. I love 3CE blushes and stocked up here!
• emis: A super popular Korean brand known for its well-fitting caps.
• Marithe Francois Girbaud
• SAPPUN: A footwear shop that I like.
• BLUE ELEPHANT: A much more affordable alternative to Gentle Monster.
• LOTTE Young: A departmental store

You can also purchase foodie souvenirs here. There’s plenty of Korean marts in Myeongdong. HBAF Honey Butter almonds remain one of my fave snacks and I like perusing the instant noodle shelves to try a flavour that’s not available in my country yet.

Day 4: Namdaemun Market, N Seoul Tower, Hongdae

Namdaemun Market

If there’s a market that I regretted NOT visiting, it’s Namdaemun Market! After my Gwanjang visit, I received a lot of responses that told me I should have just gone to Namdaemun. The general feedback is that Namdaemun has much more tastier food than Gwanjang. While it’s also touristy, it’s not as intense as Gwanjang.

Some of the recommended eats at Namdaemun include: hoddeok (sweet pancakes with cinnamon and nuts) and japchae hotteok (pancakes with japchae noodles)!

Namsan Seoul Tower (N Seoul Tower)

You can get panaromic views of Seoul from a lot of places, thanks to the city’s mountainous nature and soaring skyscrapers. However, going up Namsan Mountain to the iconic N Seoul Tower will get you the added bonus of ultra fresh air from the surrounding Namsan Park.

No cars are allowed in – only eco-friendly electric busses. You can hike up to the mountain, ride a cable car, or take the electric public busses up. There are a lot of food establishments at the tower as well.

If you’re up for some cheesy action, you can lock a padlock as a love forever thing. Didn’t bring a padlock or you literally just met your forever person at the tower itself? They sell padlocks there.

Stroll through Namsan Park

As a continuation to the last activity, please have a walk through Namsan Park. While we took the bus up, we left N Seoul Tower through the park.

After days of concrete view, it was a nice reset to see refreshing greens. You can also definitely tell the difference in air quality up there.

If you happen to visit Seoul in Autumn, Namsan Park is one of the best places in Seoul to catch autumn foliage! It’s a huge park as well, so there’s no fighting for autumn pics.

Pulse of Youth at Hongdae

Head to Hongdae, which stirs later in the day next. Hongdae is located slightly away from central Seoul, but definitely worth a visit.

The first time I visited Hongdae I was expecting it to be like Myeongdong, but it’s a totally different atmosphere. Hongdae definitely felt ‘younger’, and has a more diverse mix of clothing and beauty stores, restaurants, bars and cafes. I never expected to – but somehow I did quite a lot of shopping here! Since the area caters to students, you can find more affordable stuff here.

Though I took part in none, the nightlife is renowned with night clubs, bars and noraebangs or karaoke places. In the weekend, there’s an open street market with students from the nearby art university selling unique items.

There are SO MANY good food in Hongdae, if not for its location, we would have preferred to stay in Hongdae. These are some of the top Hongdae picks:

• Myeonghyeon Manganjang Crab AYCE Hapjeong: This spot serves raw marinated crabs, and quite affordably too.
• New York Bagel Land: Before our beauty appointment, we popped by here for breakfast. The bagels are freshly made, and were available in so many different flavours! The additional cream cheese was delicious.
• Malic Coffee: For a good cup of coffee, head right across New York Bagel Land to Malic Coffee. The cafe itself is very charming; it would be nice to chill here as well!

Day 5: Leeum Museum, Seongsu-dong, Gangnam

Leeum Museum of Art

Let’s switch up the pace of the itinerary and start the day at the Leeum Museum of Art in Itaewon. This museum, a fusion of traditional and contemporary Korean art, is a perfect starting point for art lovers. With collections spanning centuries, it’s known for stunning displays of ancient Korean ceramics, calligraphy, as well as modern and contemporary installations, which are switched up often. It’s an inspiring, beautiful space to explore for a couple of hours.

There’s a free section, and paid exhibitions too – I recommend purchasing the additional tickets to make full use of your visit. Either way, you will need to book timeslots for your visit. This process makes sure the museum is never crowded, making for a very pleasant visit.

Right beside Leeum, is Borntostandout, a concept store for perfumes. When we first stepped in we thought it was a modern art museum! Definitely worth a quick visit, and maybe take home a fragrance or two.

You can explore Itaewon, but we were more interested to explore the next stop!

Seongsu-dong

Next, make your way to Seongsu-dong, an up-and-coming neighbourhood in Seoul with its industrial-chic vibe. This area was once filled with factories, but it’s now a hot spot for trendy cafes and unique boutiques. Stroll through the streets, check out unique pop-up shops, and visit some of the neighborhood’s famed cafes. There’s also an artsy vibe to Seongsu-dong – plenty of street art and murals everywhere!

• Amore Seongsu: We visited the Tiktok-viral beauty hub Amore Seongsu here. What was meant to be a quick visit turned into a 2-hour long visit! You can get custom foundation shades here, which we thought would be fun. All of Amore’s brands are located here, and there are special deals as well. We ended doing most of our beauty shopping here (and went home with so much samples!).

• Cafe Onion: To rest, make sure to visit the famous Cafe Onion, housed in a converted factory space. The coffee was good and strong, and we loved the pastries.

Gangnam Style

It’s hard not to include Gangnam in this post, as everyone and their mothers would know this town thanks to Psy. Gangnam has true city vibes with its skyscrapers, modern architecture and designer malls.

The massive COEX Mall, an underground shopping complex home to the stunning Starfield Library with its towering bookshelves is worth a quick visit. Browse the shops, grab lunch, or check out the COEX Aquarium for a fun family-friendly activity. Personally I preferred the underground malls surrounding! Rows and rows of clothing stores at affordable pricing! Above ground, you can find concept stores of all your favourite K-Beauty brands too!

Garosugil

Located close to Gangnam is Garosugil, a popular street in Sinsa-dong. If Gangnam reminds me of Ginza, Garosugil is reminisce of Omotesando.

It literally translates to “tree-lined street”, and as its name implies, has a row of gingko trees flanking the road alongside boutiques and cafes. Garosugil continued the upscale feel of Gangnam, except with a more boutique feel.

The stores here tend to be more conceptual too, offering a bit more experience than any other of the same shop in Myeongdong, for example. A new area has recently emerged, called Serosugil, a smaller street that cuts vertically from the main Garosugil.

Banpo Hangang Park

Finish your day by the Han River at Banpo Hangang Park. Rent a bike, take a riverside stroll, or enjoy instant noodles and snacks from the convenience store. For a more classic Korean experience, try ordering “chimaek” (chicken and beer) picnic while enjoying Seoul’s skyline. If you’re visiting during the warmer months, stick around for the Banpo Bridge Rainbow Fountain show—a beautiful display of lights and music over the water that happens in the evening.

You can also visit the more popular Yeouido Hangang Park for your Han river experience, but with this itinerary, Banpo Hangang Park is the more convenient location.

BONUS DAY: Day Trip Adventure Outside of Seoul

A day trip is the perfect way to wrap up your Seoul experience! A quick disclaimer that I never went on these day trips because I didn’t really have a ‘free’ day. Instead I made a trip out to Busan.

Here are three great options:

Option 1: Nami Island and Petite France

Take a scenic journey to Nami Island, known for its picturesque tree-lined paths, especially in autumn and spring. You can pair it with a visit to nearby Petite France, a whimsical French-inspired village.

Option 2: Suwon Hwaseong Fortress

Head to Suwon, a UNESCO World Heritage site just outside of Seoul. Walk along the fortress walls and explore Hwaseong Haenggung Palace for a fascinating glimpse into Korean history and architecture.

Option 3: DMZ Tour

For a unique experience, take a DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) tour. You’ll visit sites like the Third Tunnel and Dora Observatory, gaining a rare perspective on Korean history and the ongoing significance of the Korean Peninsula.

Tip: Book your day trip in advance, especially for the DMZ tour, as spots can fill up fast.

Other Fun Korean Things To Do

I never got the chance to, but if you’re up for it,  these are a couple extra things I would have loved to go for:

Visit a Noraebang, or Karaoke Joint

Noraebangs are fun, private karaoke rooms to spend a couple of hours with friends. I’ve heard these noraebangs are a class of their own – with disco lights, props, musical instruments and the latest songs on rotation. Not too sure if these latest songs include Billboard hits in English, and not just K-pop.

Visit a Jjimjilbang or Korean Spa

A jjimjjilbang is the most local thing you can do in South Korea; it is greatly integrated into local culture. At a Korean spa, you can detox at the sauna, get a nice body scrub, or just chill at the common area and even sleep.

We did want to try a jjimjjilbang upon arrival since we can’t check into our hotels yet, but we were too intimidated by the process.

What to Eat in Korea

Korea is a food paradise, offering some of my favourite dishes! Meals in a Korean restaurant are usually served with about three to five banchan, or side dishes. These are FREE and sometimes I look forward to them more than the dish I ordered. These banchan can be different types of kimchi, vegetables, fish cakes, even anchovies.

Here’s a list of what to eat in Korea, for a well-rounded food experience:

• Korean BBQ: There are so many kbbq restaurants around Seoul! There is a minimum order of 2 servings at most places. If you’re by yourself, unfortunately some places would even turn you away, though fortunately most places would accept you as long as you order the minimum 2 pax serving.
• Chimaek (Chicken & Beer): Korean fried chicken, known for its crispy exterior and delicious flavours like yangnyeom (spicy-sweet) or soy garlic. It’s commonly paired with beer, but of course, you can order other non-alcoholic drinks.
• Bibimbap
• Samgyetang (Ginseng Chicken Soup): A nourishing whole chicken stuffed with rice and ginseng, simmered to create a comforting broth. Often eaten in summer to boost energy but enjoyed year-round.
• Seollongtang (Ox Bone Soup): A rich, milky broth made by simmering ox bones for hours. This soothing soup is usually served with rice and seasoned with salt, pepper, and green onions.
• Abalone Porridge (Jeonbokjuk): A silky rice porridge known for its delicate taste and health benefits, it’s often enjoyed as a breakfast or light meal.
• Ganjang Gejang (Korean raw marinated crabs)
• Kimchi Jjigae
• Budae Jjigae (Army Stew)
• Kalguksu: Handmade, knife-cut noodles served in a savoury broth.
• Naengmyeon: Chewy buckwheat noodles in an icy broth (mul naengmyeon) or with spicy sauce (bibim naengmyeon).
• Soondubu Jjigae (Soft Tofu Stew): A silky and flavourful stew made with soft tofu, often served spicy.
• Jjukkumi: Stir-fried baby octopus in a spicy sauce—a must for spice lovers.
• Sikhye: Sweet rice punch! I tried this at Gwanjang Market and was pleasantly surprised at the flavour, very similar to barley.
• Bingsu: Powdery shaved ice dessert!

Unlike some of my other travel guides, I didn’t include much restaurant recommendations here. The sad truth is that most of the food I had in Seoul, were not memorable at all. In my next trip over, I would definitely want to pay better attention at the places I go for food (and most definitely getting YOUR recommendations!).

I didn’t include any snacks in this list, but make sure to scroll up for the list! This list brings together both well-loved staples and traditional dishes, creating a thorough overview for a memorable Korean culinary adventure.

Best Coffee in Seoul

I felt like I HAD to include a section dedicated to all the best coffee I had in Seoul. I don’t think I had a bad cup of coffee while in Seoul!

Myeongdong

• Coffee & Ni: This place served up one of the best coffee I had in Seoul. That’s saying a lot, because in general, Seoul has some really good coffees.
• Toast9: This was a surprise discovery! A very small stall in a quiet back alley in Myeongdong that turned out to have AMAZING coffee, at affordable prices. Just a takeaway stand, but I definitely highly recommend.
• UPND: Also good coffee, with a selection of beans to suit your tastes.
• Luft Coffee: Good coffee, but it was a little too expensive.
• Blue Bottle: This is a Japanese import that is well-loved. The first morning we landed in Seoul, we knew we need reliably good coffee so we headed straight to Blue Bottle!

Other Locations

• Ilho at Gwanjang Market: The BEST coffee I had in Seoul would be here at Ilho. Make sure to grab a cup while you’re here! The baristas are some sort of coffee champions.
• Cafe Onion
• Malic Coffee

Coffee Chains

• Mega Coffee: I know it’s strange to include coffee chains, but it was my morning routine in Seoul! Mega Coffee was right across my hotel, so I quickly popped in for a hot cappuccino. Cheap and good, though I always request for double shot. The lines are always long with local office people getting their fix before work, so this is local-approved!
• Paik’s Coffee: I tried the ice cream coffee slushy

In any case, try the coffees in Seoul. There are so many good coffee places, that competition is stiff. If you don’t serve a good cup, you can’t survive, simple as that.

Tips and Tricks

Language

The most important app you can download would be translation apps like Google Translate. These will help not only for menus and signs, but for casual conversations. While many young Koreans in Seoul speak some English, especially in popular tourist areas, Korean is still the main language.

In general, the locals can get frustrated when there’s a communication breakdown – but don’t get too offended by it. Best to pull out your translation app once they don’t understand what you’re asking. All hotels will have a direction card in Korean, make sure to grab this on your way out!

Have you been to the city of Seoul? If you have any other tips and tricks for tackling this city, let me know!