Seoul City Walk: A Local Experience
Every time I visit Seoul, I feel that strolling through the city offers a more authentic local experience than checking off popular tourist spots. This time, I followed a city walk theme and discovered that Myeongdong is especially lively at night. The pedestrian streets are packed with local food stalls and shops, making it impossible to resist snacking along the way. It felt like stepping into the everyday life depicted in Korean dramas! I also tried a few popular restaurants: Golden Farm Myeongdong Cathedral for barbecue and Baeknyeon Tojong Samgyetang in Hongdae for ginseng chicken soup. These are absolute foodie paradises, highly recommended for first-time visitors to Seoul or anyone looking to immerse themselves in the local atmosphere.
Highlights of Seoul City Walk Route
This city walk route spans Hongdae and Myeongdong, showcasing a confident blend of modern architecture and everyday life in Seoul, whether under sunny skies or light rain. The bustling crowds, neon lights, and street food aromas in Myeongdong at night are truly worth savoring. You can snack on kimchi beef soup, bread, street-side barbecue, or explore hidden alleys to find quirky bookstores and retro cafes. Even rainy street scenes have their charm, paired with the aroma of food, making even gloomy days feel warm and delightful.
Recommended Attractions & Restaurants
1. Myeongdong Walking Street
A landmark area for shopping and food in Korea, bustling all year round regardless of the weather! Street stalls offer spicy rice cakes, grilled squid, spicy chicken skewers, honeycomb ice cream, and more—it's hard not to stop every few steps. You'll also find many cosmetics and trendy fashion brands featured in Korean dramas, making it a must-visit for souvenirs.
Address: Myeong-dong, Jung District, Seoul, South Korea
2. Golden Farm Myeongdong Cathedral
Specializing in Korean beef and pork barbecue sets, featuring fresh local meat. The beef soup is served with kimchi and soy sauce, and there are plenty of set options. Highly recommend the premium "소고기모듬 (한우1++, 500g)." Located on the 3rd floor in the bustling Myeongdong area, the modern and cozy environment is especially popular in the evenings.
Address: 23, Myeongdong 10-gil, Jung-gu 3F, Seoul, South Korea
3. Baeknyeon Tojong Samgyetang (Hongdae Main Branch)
For a taste of traditional Korean health food, this century-old shop is a must-visit. The black garlic ginseng chicken soup has a rich broth and tender chicken. They also offer creative Korean flavors like abalone ginseng chicken soup and perilla ginseng chicken soup, paired with fried chicken for a surprising twist! Whether it's sunny or rainy, this steaming bowl of ginseng chicken soup warms both the stomach and the heart.
Address: 118, Yanghwa-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Practical Travel Tips
1. Many street food stalls in Seoul accept cards, but carrying some cash is convenient for small purchases.
2. City walks are best done in sneakers. Myeongdong is crowded, and while the shopping streets are easy to navigate, walking the entire area requires good stamina.
3. Rainy days are also great for strolling; many street food stalls have simple shelters, so you won't get wet.
4. Golden Farm is best visited after 6 PM for dinner. It's busy but has quick table turnover. To avoid peak hours, visit on a weekday afternoon.
5. There are many duty-free and trendy shops near Myeongdong and Hongdae, so you can shop for beauty and fashion items while enjoying local food.
Transportation Guide
Between Myeongdong and Hongdae, hostels often recommend taking subway lines 4 and 2 for easy transfers. Myeongdong's pedestrian area is extensive, so using Google Maps or a local map app for navigation is recommended.
Foodie Notes
For beef soup and Korean barbecue lovers, Golden Farm is a must-visit. For ginseng chicken soup, the century-old shop is the top choice. Both places offer a taste of Seoul's local flavors, especially comforting during autumn, winter, or rainy spring days.