From street food carts that offer classic and trendy Korean bites to sit-down restaurants frequented by locals and travelers, Myeongdong is one of the best places to eat in Seoul. Whenever friends and family visit me in South Korea, I usually take them to this restaurant in Myeongdong known for their flavorful and spicy chicken stir-fried rice with cheese fondue (I usually stay away from spicy food, but this one is just mild!). It’s a great introduction to Korean cuisine and one that would not disappoint. Promise.
In a Nutshell
- What’s a good K-BBQ restaurant in Myeongdong? You can have hanwoo or premium Korean beef in this grill or have samgyeopsal or pork belly in this restaurant.
- Where can I have breakfast in Myeongdong? For early risers, this toast shop that offers savory pick-me-ups will definitely perk you up.
- Is Myeongdong Kyoja worth it? Definitely. The unassuming Michelin-starred restaurant in Myeongdong definitely left us wanting more of their warm bowl of noodles (perfect when it’s cold out), soft steamed dumplings, and fresh kimchi.
- Booking your trip on Klook? Use our promo code TRAVLISTS here to get up to 8% discount.
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Best Restaurants in Myeongdong, Seoul
While Myeongdong is known as the place to shop for beauty, fashion, and K-pop items, it’s also home to some of the great places to eat in Seoul. From a casual pick-me-up and traditional lunch to Michelin-starred spots and K-BBQ restaurants, Myeongdong can cater to ultimate foodies and picky eaters.
Our following shortlist of where to eat in Myeongdong comes from the places we have tried and our friends’ recommendations.
1. Myth Jokbal Restaurant Myeongdong
Let’s begin with a pork dish many Koreans love — jokbal. First introduced to me by my colleagues at work, jokbal is a delicate pig’s trotter dish seasoned with soy sauce and various spices. It has a lot of protein and collagen, and I really like its soft texture and savory taste (It’s as if you’re eating your typical roasted or barbecued meat. If you’re down to try, make sure to visit Myth Jokbal, one of the best Myeongdong restaurants that are open late at night (until 2am the next day).
- PRICE: Book here starting at $29!
- MENU: Jokbal platters for 2-4 people, optional garlic flavor, & side dishes (vary according to packages)
- ADDRESS & HOURS: This jokbal restaurant in Myeongdong is located in 1F, 199-45, Euljiro 2(i)-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul. They are open from 11:30am-2am next day. (Hours may change depending on business conditions.)
- BEST REVIEWS: “Easy to locate. Good [to try]… This is the only restaurant [where] we went back twice for more [food] in our [weeklong] trip. Try their [seaweed] rice,” reads a review for this restaurant on Klook.
2. Hanu Bang K-BBQ & Restaurant in Myeongdong
Our next foodie spot is Hanu Bang, a BBQ restaurant in Myeongdong that offers high-quality proteins and an authentic grill experience. This restaurant’s menu features hanwoo, a top-class meat that many say is the equivalent of the Japanese wagyu. I would recommend this restaurant if you want to take your K-BBQ experience to the next level!
- PRICE: Book here starting at $30!
- MENU: Beef platters for sharing (assorted cuts, beef skirt, or tartare)
- ADDRESS & HOURS: This Korean barbeque grill and restaurant in Myeongdong is located at 2F, 37-5, Myeong-dong 9-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul. They are open from Monday-Saturday from 11:00am-10pm.
- BEST REVIEW: “They deserve a detailed [comment] here… Our original booking [was 6:30pm,] but we… arrived at [7:30pm]. We said [sorry, but] they told us it [doesn’t] matter… For the set, we have made a reservation for Set B on [Klook] which [included] [Korean] beef, pork, seafood pancake, [soup, two bowls of rice,] and two drinks!!! The [Korean] beef is [so] juicy 🤤 At the same time, the staff there would grill the meat for you… [As for] the environment, it’s clean and neat! [The staff is] friendly as well as helpful for your [inquiries]… Highly recommend [it for] those who wish to try real [Korean beef or 한우]… Would come again in the future if [I] visit [Seoul] again…”
3. Yoogane
One of the most visited restaurants in Myeongdong, Yoogane is known for their tasty chicken dish called dakgalbi. Whenever I get the chance to visit this part of Seoul, I notice that the restaurant always has a great mix of local and foreign customers. Yet this is no surprise since Yoogane’s mildly spicy chicken dish, which is enjoyed with stir-fried rice and cheese fondue, is something that would definitely make anyone’s mouth water.
- PRICE: Book here starting at $9 per person!
- MENU: Platters for 1 or 2 people with your choice of spicy stir-fried chicken (plain), spicy stir-fried chicken with corn and cheese, or spicy stir-fried chicken with cheese fondue (bestseller)
- ADDRESS & HOURS: This Myeongdong restaurant is located in 22, Myeongdong 8na-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul. They are open daily from 10am-11pm.
- BEST REVIEW: “Cheese fondue dakgalbi was very delicious. In addition to chicken, it also contained something that looked like tteokbokki, which I really liked. It felt very spicy without the cheese, but with the cheese, it tasted exquisite. Free kimchi, salad, and vinegar? There were drinks, and I could enjoy the cheese fondue and dakgalbi alone.”
4. Isaac Toast Myeongdong
Want to try the trending Korean street toast or egg drop during your trip to Seoul? Make sure to visit Isaac Toast, which I don’t mind queuing for for their affordable, high-quality, and filling sandwiches. Their branch near Myeongdong Cathedral offers sets with coffee, which I find perfect for breakfast or a snack in between the day.
- PRICE: Book here starting at $9 per person!
- MENU: Sets for 1-2 including a drink and your choice of ham & cheese toast, bacon best toast, ham special toast, or potato toast
- ADDRESS & HOURS: This all-day breakfast sandwich shop in Myeongdong is located in 3-11 Myeong-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul (near Myeongdong Cathedral). They are open daily from 10am-8pm.
- BEST REVIEW: “The ham and cheese toast was very delicious. I love the sweet sauce that they incorporated into it, which makes it taste very unique. The bacon toast was good too. Hot coffee was strong, so I loved it.”
5. Myeongdong Kyoja
This list of the best restaurants in Myeongdong would not be complete without Myeongdong Kyoja. Like many locals and foreigners, we frequent this Michelin-starred restaurant for their warming bowl of fresh Korean noodle soup with handmade dumplings. The light broth is especially perfect when it’s chilly out, and we like that they have seating for solo diners — perfect if you are a foodie who’s exploring Seoul alone.
- PRICE RANGE: $15-20 for a Korean noodle bowl with a dumpling platter
- ADDRESS & HOURS: This Michelin-starred restaurant in Seoul is located in 29 Myeongdong 10-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul. They are open from 10:30am-8:30pm daily.
6. Wangbijib Myeongdong Restaurant
Another K-BBQ spot to try is Wangbijib. This restaurant in Myeongdong not only has Korean beef on their menu but also some seasoned ribs and beef sashimi. Of the many K-BBQ grills in the area, we find that this one has the better ambiance and customer service. Their meats are also fresh, so you can expect to have a delicious lunch or dinner.
- PRICE: Book here starting at $22 per person!
- MENU: Korean beef sirloin, pork belly (samgyeopsal), marinated ribs (galbi), and beef sashimi
- ADDRESS & HOURS: This Korean BBQ restaurant in Seoul is located in 26, Myeongdong 8ga-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul. They are open daily for lunch and dinner from 11:30am-10pm.
- BEST REVIEW: “It was a tasty and delicious [Korean BBQ] beef restaurant…the environment looks great too,” reads a review for this Myeongdong BBQ restaurant.
7. Toh Lim in Lotte Hotel Seoul
If you are celebrating a special occasion like an anniversary or birthday or want to splurge on some seriously good Chinese food, I would recommend Toh Lim. This is one of Myeongdong’s top fine-dining restaurants that serve Cantonese dishes. Their dim sums are made fresh daily, and we enjoyed our dinner course meal as we looked out onto the nice views of Myeongdong market and N Seoul Tower.
- PRICE: Lunch and dinner courses start at $115. Book a table here.
- MENU: Course selections for lunch, dinner, and menu are seasonal and typically include crabmeat soup, braised abalone with sea cucumber, steamed lobsters, Korean beef with white pepper sauce, fried rice or noodles, and dessert
- ADDRESS & HOURS: This Chinese restaurant in Myeongdong is located in 30, Eulji-ro, Jung-gu 37F, Main Wing, Lotte Hotel Seoul, Seoul 04533 South Korea. They are open daily for lunch from 11:30am-2:30pm and dinner from 6pm-10pm.
- BEST REVIEW:
The restaurant on the 37th floor has a stunning view, and the service is friendly and professional. The seafood and Cantonese dishes are top-notch, especially the crab meat soup and dim sum. The elegant interior adds to the remarkable experience. A truly satisfying spot for great Chinese food.
Book a table in the best restaurants in Myeongdong, Seoul
Aside from booking restaurant vouchers on Klook, Saku and I also research the best restaurants in South Korea and reserve tables through AutoReserve. This table booking platform from Japan is connected directly to tens of thousands of restaurants across the world, and their vouchers are easily recognized by different establishments.
- Sign up or log in here.
- Browse the list of all Myeongdong restaurants here.
- Select the date, menu, and quantity.
- Show your voucher at the restaurant.
Browse more cafes and restaurants in Myeongdong
Looking for more Myeongdong restaurant and cafe recommendations? Check out these options that are worth visiting!
- Gomkuksizib Restaurant (Myeongdong Branch)
- Bongchu Braised Chicken
- Cafe Coin Myeongdong
