Wangbijib

Why go?

From Korean Tourism Organization:
Wangbijib is a Korean restaurant specializing in grilled meat

How to go?

Branches:

• Myeongdong branch (63-3 Chungmuro 2(i)-ga)
• Myeongdong No. 2 branch (2F. 34-1 Myeongdong 1-ga)
• Jongno branch (Gwancheol-dong, Jongno-gu)

When to go?
11:30 to 23:00

Cuisine
Korean - Grilled meat

Tips

Website
http://www.wangbijib.com (Korean, Japanese only)

Wonjo Namsan Wang Donkatsu

Why go?

Namsam specialty

How to go?

By subway

• Myeongdong station (Line 4) Exit 3. Walk toward Pacific Hotel and continue uphill for 10min. After a long flight of stairs, it is on the right 

When to go?
08:00 to 22:00

Cuisine
Korean - Fried pork cutlet

Tips

• The spicy pork cutlet is really spicy!
• Have lunch or dinner at this place when visiting N Seoul Tower

Websites
http://nsdon.iw2000.com/

Myeongdong Kyoja

Why go?

From Korea Tourism Organization:
Myeongdong Kyoja (명동교자) is a noodle restaurant located near Myeongdong Cathedral that has been in business for about 40 years. The restaurant is known for their knife-cut, handmade kalguksu noodles, which is its main menu item. These lovingly prepared noodles are served in a deep and flavorful broth with meat and vegetables, making for a delicious meal. Also popular are the mandu (dumplings), bibim guksu (noodles with vegetables and red hot pepper paste), and kongguksu (noodles in cold soy milk broth).

Also mentioned in

• Tripadvisor Certificate of Excellence

How to go?

By subway

• Myeongdong Station (Seoul Subway Line 4) Exit 8. Upon exiting the station, turn left onto Myeongdong 10-gil Road.Go straight about 150m to arrive at Myeongdong Kyoja (명동교자) on the right.

When to go?
Open every day

10:30 to 21:30

Cuisine
Korean - Kalguksu (hand-rolled noodle soup)

Tips

• Another branch is just a few shops, opposite the street
• Only a few selection on the menu, but all are very yummy!

Websites
http://www.mdkj.co.kr/en/
Tripadvisor
KTO

Gwangjang Market

Why go?

From Korea Tourism Organization:
The Gwanjang Market is the nation's first market and continues to thrive as a popular tourist destination today. The second floor if the market provides silk satin, and linen bed-sheet stores, which are the largest and most famous in Seoul. Many of the stores in the area even have their own factories supplying fabrics to the Namdaemun Market, Pyoung Hwa Market, and even to some department sotres. Even though the goods are not brand-name products, the wide selection of thigh-quality goods at inexpensive prices makes it an enjoyable shopping experience.

It is also Seoul's largest food alley, with 200 stalls

How to go?

By subway

• Jongno 5-ga Station (Line 1) Exit 8
• Euljiro 4-ga Station (Line 2, 5) Exit 4

When to go?
07:00 to 22:00
Operating hours differ for each shop and food store. Most shops will close by dinner time

Duration required
2-4 hrs

Tips
Street food to try

• Bindaetteok 

• Mayak Kimbap

• Sundae

Websites
http://www.kwangjangmarket.co.kr/ (Korean only)
Tripadvisor
KTO

Maple Tree House

Why go?
Also mentioned in

• CNN Travel

When to go?
11:30 to 22:00

How to go?
Branches:

• Itaewon branch (Hamilton Hotel 2F, 116-1 Itaewon dong)
• Samcheong branch (31-1, Samcheong dong) 
• Myeongdong branch (8-1 B1, Myeong dong 1ga)

Cuisine
Korean - Galbi (Grilled dish made of marinated beef or pork)

Tips

• Make reservation to avoid disappointment

Websites
http://www.mapletreehouse.co.kr (Korean only)

JinOkHwa Halmae Dakanmari

Why go?

From Korea Tourism Organization:
Jinokhwa Halmae Wonjo Dakhanmari first opened its doors in 1978 and has continued to be a much-loved restaurant on Jongno 5-ga for the past 30 years. The restaurant only uses fresh young chickens, which are about 35 days old, and minimal seasoning to allow diners to fully enjoy the tenderness of the meat. Dip your chicken in the special marinade sauce and couple it with a helping of Kalguksu (a noodle dish) for a perfect meal combination.
Also mentioned in

• South Korea Green Guide Michelin

How to go?

By subway

• Dongdaemun Station (Subway Line 1, 4) Exit 9. Go straight 160m and turn left at the Industrial Bank of Korea (기업은행). Go straight 50m and turn onto the first side street to the right. Continue 100m straight until you see the restaurant, or
• Jongno 5-ga Station (Subway Line 1) Exit 6.Turn left onto the first side street and walk 300m.

When to go?
Open every day

10:00 to 23:00

Cuisine
Korean - "One Chicken" (Dakhanmari)

Tips

Websites
Tripadvisor
KTO

Tosokchon

Why go?

From Korea Tourism Organisation:
Tosokchon is a Korean restaurant known for its signature samgyetang (chicken ginseng soup) made with glutinous rice, gingko nuts, ginseng, garlic and jujube, as well as 30 different types of medicinal herbs and grains. The restaurant, located near Gyeongbokgung Station, was also frequented by Late President Roh Moo-hyun.

Also mentioned in:

• Tripadvisor Certificate of Excellence

How to go?

By subway

• Gyeongbokgung Station (Seoul Subway Line 3) Exit 2. Go straight about 170m and turn left onto Jahamun-ro 5-gil Road. Tosokchon (토속촌) is located 10m ahead on the left.

When to go?
Open every day

10:00 to 22:00

Cuisine
Korean - Ginseng Chicken (Samgyetang)

Tips

Websites
Tripadvisor