What is the best time to visit Myeongdong and Namdaemun Market?

The best time to visit is on weekday mornings. Myeongdong and Namdaemun Market can get very crowded on weekends and in the afternoons, so a weekday morning visit allows for a more relaxed experience.

Do I need cash for Namdaemun Market?

Yes, it is highly recommended to carry cash. While many places accept cards, cash is much more convenient for purchasing street food or shopping at small stalls.

What are the must-eat foods in Myeongdong and Namdaemun?

In Myeongdong, try Myeongdong Kyoja's Kalguksu and street foods like 10-won bread. In Namdaemun, don't miss the Galchi-jorim (Braised Cutlassfish), Kalguksu Alley, and Vegetable Hotteok.

How long is the walking course?

The course covers Myeongdong, Namdaemun Market, and Seoullo 7017. It typically takes a few hours depending on how much time you spend shopping and eating. Comfortable walking shoes are essential.

Where does the walking tour end?

The tour ends at the Old Seoul Station (Culture Station Seoul 284), a beautiful Renaissance-style building located at the end of the Seoullo 7017 walkway.

Walking Tour Guide: From Myeongdong to Namdaemun Market & Seoul Station

Myeongdong, the representative shopping street of Seoul, and the vibrant Namdaemun Market are essential stops on any Seoul itinerary. In this guide, we introduce a walking tour course that starts in Myeongdong, passes through Namdaemun Market and the Seoullo 7017 walking path, and finishes at Seoul Station. Plan a fruitful trip to Seoul with our recommendations for local restaurants and shopping tips.

Before You Go: Course Overview & Travel Tips

Before starting the tour, let's check the overall route and some useful information. A little planning can make your trip much more comfortable.

Walking Tour Route

Recommended Walking Course at a Glance

Start: Myeongdong Station (Subway Line 4)
Stop 1: Myeongdong (Food & Shopping Street)
Stop 2: Namdaemun Market (Traditional Market & Street Food)
Stop 3: Seoullo 7017 (Sky Garden Walkway)
Finish: Old Seoul Station (Culture Station Seoul 284)

Travel Tips

Comfortable shoes are essential. Since most of the course involves walking, wearing comfortable sneakers is highly recommended.
Cash is King at Namdaemun Market. While credit cards and bank transfers are widely accepted, having cash is much more convenient for buying street snacks or shopping at small stalls.
Visit on weekday mornings for a relaxed trip. Myeongdong and Namdaemun Market are very crowded on weekends and afternoons, so try to use weekday mornings if possible.

Enjoy Myeongdong, the Bustling Center of Shopping

The course begins at Myeongdong Station. Recharge your energy here, where Korea's shopping and street food culture come together.

Signboards in Myeongdong

A Hearty Start: Myeongdong Kyoja

If you want to start your trip with a satisfying meal, we recommend Myeongdong Kyoja. Having kept its place since 1966 and selected by the Michelin Guide, this restaurant is famous for its rich chicken broth Kalguksu (knife-cut noodle soup) and soft noodles. The signature garlic-heavy kimchi served together completes the flavor of the noodles.

Myeongdong Kyoja Main Store: Michelin Guide Kalguksu & Mandu Review (Menu, Location, Waiting Tips) - GybeLife

Discover Myeongdong Kyoja Main Store, an 8-year Michelin Bib Gourmand winner in Seoul. Honest review of Kalguksu, Mandu, menu prices, and waiting tips

en.gybelife.com

K-Beauty Shopping & Street Food

The main street of Myeongdong is the holy land of K-Beauty. Large stores like Olive Young and Chicor are great for comparing and purchasing various Korean cosmetic brands in one place.

Enjoying street food while shopping is another highlight of the Myeongdong trip. Crispy tornado potatoes, cheese-filled coin-shaped pastries (10-won bread), and chicken skewers are perfect snacks to enjoy lightly.

People waiting for street food in Myeongdong

Myeongdong Street Food

Into the Charm of Traditional Markets: Exploring Namdaemun Market

After enjoying the atmosphere of Myeongdong, move to Namdaemun Market, which is a 10-minute walk away.

Walking from Myeongdong to Namdaemun Market

Walk towards the Shinsegae Department Store Main Branch from Myeongdong main street to find a large road. Crossing this road leads directly to the entrance of Namdaemun Market, making it easy to find even for first-time visitors.

Namdaemun Market

Must-Eat: Namdaemun Market Restaurants & Street Food

Namdaemun Market is famous for its delicious food. The Galchi-jorim (Spicy Braised Cutlassfish) Alley, known for its spicy seasoning, and the Kalguksu Alley, where you get free cold noodles when ordering knife-cut noodle soup, are food zones always bustling with people.

Vegetable Hotteok (Glass Noodle Filled Pancakes), proven by long lines, is the market's representative snack, and warm steamed buns and dumplings are also great for a quick bite.

Vegetable Hotteok (Glass Noodle Pancake) at Namdaemun Market

Vegetable Hotteok at Namdaemun Market

Joy of Bargaining! Namdaemun Market Shopping List

Namdaemun Market sells almost everything. It offers everything needed for daily life, including high-quality and affordable children's clothing, unique accessories, glasses, tableware, bedding, and Hanbok.

If you are looking for souvenirs, it is good to browse shops selling seaweed, ginseng products, traditional Korean fans, and lucky pouches (Bokjumeoni).

Namdaemun Market Souvenir Shop

Course Finale: Seoullo 7017 and Seoul Station

Leaving the bustling market, head towards Seoul Station along Seoullo 7017, the final leg of the journey. Here you can see a different scenery of downtown Seoul.

Seoullo 7017

Getting to Seoullo 7017 from Namdaemun Market

To fully enjoy Seoullo 7017 from the beginning, it is better to use the entrance near Hoehyeon Station (Subway Line 4, Namdaemun Market) rather than the Sungnyemun Gate direction. Starting here allows you to walk along the entire section of the path.

Walking in the Sky Garden, 'Seoullo 7017'

Seoullo 7017 is an overpass built in 1970 that was reborn as a park in 2017. Walking along the path, you can enjoy various plants and the scenery around Seoul Station. Especially after sunset, the path is illuminated, making it a great place to enjoy the beautiful night view.

Night view of Seoullo 7017

Destination of the Journey: 'Old Seoul Station (Culture Station Seoul 284)'

The end of the walking path connects to Seoul Station. Here, you can see the red brick Old Seoul Station building, which is currently used as a complex cultural space. Operated under the name 'Culture Station Seoul 284', this building features a beautiful Renaissance-style exterior, making it a perfect spot for your final commemorative photo.

Old Seoul Station (Culture Station Seoul 284)

From Myeongdong to Namdaemun Market and Seoullo 7017, this guide introduced a walking course to explore various places in Seoul. We hope this helps you spend a fruitful day in Seoul by following this route.