As a Seoul native editor who takes the Line 2 subway every morning, I believe the key to traveling in Seoul is 'optimizing your route' and 'timing'. Seoul is so vast and crowded that you can easily waste time on the streets if you move around aimlessly. If you book your accommodation around subway Lines 2 and 5, and plan your course around subway-adjacent restaurants within an 8-minute walk from the station, you can enjoy a fulfilling trip to Korea while saving energy. I've compiled a list of local-recommended restaurants and Seoul attractions that tourists don't know about, from a local's perspective, that I've personally verified after work or on weekends.
Starting Your Seoul Trip: Efficient Route Planning
The most efficient way to plan your Seoul travel route is to focus on the major subway lines, Lines 2 and 5. When choosing a location for your Seoul accommodation, selecting an area near Euljiro 3-ga Station or Jongno 3-ga Station will make a difference in the quality of your trip, as you can travel to major attractions within 20 minutes.
Targeting Subway-Adjacent Restaurants
Subway-adjacent restaurants are a welcome presence that helps travelers conserve their energy with their excellent accessibility. In particular, around Seongsu Station on Line 2 or Anguk Station on Line 3, there are plenty of great restaurants just a 6-minute walk from the station, making travel very efficient.
When sightseeing in Seoul, I don't recommend traveling too far for restaurants. It's better to find a highly-rated place near your accommodation or next destination. These days, there are many places that are good for solo dining, so you don't have to worry even if you're traveling alone. However, it's good to know in advance that the restrooms in the Euljiro area can be inconvenient because there are many old buildings.
Exploring Neighborhoods Full of Local Vibes
The true charm of Seoul comes from the local vibes that blend old, worn-out buildings with modern sensibilities. If you combine Euljiro's rustic alleys and Seongsu-dong's trendy cafes into a one-day course, you can experience both faces of Seoul.
Euljiro Old-School Restaurant Tour and Jongno Street Food Alley
The Euljiro old-school restaurant tour is a course where you can enjoy Seoul nights with rustic dishes in restaurants that are over 30 years old. The Jongno Street Food Alley comes alive with its unique, vibrant atmosphere after 7 PM, and it's also a great date spot recommendation.
The Jongno area is also close to Ikseon-dong Hanok Village, so it's good to go together. However, more than 80% of the street food stalls don't accept card payments, so you have to prepare a bank transfer or cash, which is a hassle. But I keep coming back because of the atmosphere. The fastest way to get news about hidden local restaurants in Seoul is to use the Google News service. If you read the latest trends while looking at the logo with colorful cards overlapping, you can quickly find information that others don't know.
Seongsu-dong Hotspots and Yeonnam-dong Cafe Street
Seongsu-dong Hotspots and Yeonnam-dong Cafe Street are the most trendy and energetic places in Seoul. On weekends, there are so many people that you can get drained, so the key to avoiding weekend crowds is to aim for an ambiguous time between 2 PM and 4 PM on weekdays if possible.
Seongsu-dong has many cafes renovated from red brick buildings, so it's really good for taking pictures. Yeonnam-dong has many cute accessory shops, so it's fun to look around. Both places have considerable waiting times, but you can reduce the waiting time by about 30 minutes by using a remote queuing app. Parking is really difficult, so I definitely recommend using public transportation.
A Fail-Proof Guide to Seoul Restaurants
The most important thing to be aware of when exploring Seoul restaurants is to check the break time, which varies from restaurant to restaurant. Most popular restaurants have break times from 3 PM to 5 PM, so you must check the opening hours before visiting to avoid a wasted trip.
Waiting Tips and Market Tours
The waiting tip for popular Seoul restaurants is to arrive about 40 minutes earlier than the peak meal time or visit later. If you're planning a Gwangjang Market food tour or a Mangwon Market tour, the most relaxing time is around 1:30 PM, right after lunch.
The Yukhoe (beef tartare) and Bindaetteok (mung bean pancake) at Gwangjang Market are really delicious, but it's so crowded on weekend afternoons that you'll be pushed around by people. Mangwon Market is relatively more frequented by locals for grocery shopping, so it's more suitable for feeling the local atmosphere. Market food is plentiful, so I recommend going with several people and tasting a variety of dishes little by little.
How to Properly Enjoy Seoul's Day and Night
Seoul's night view spots and Han River picnic spots are must-see courses that you can't miss on your Seoul trip. The most perfect route is to enjoy the tranquil scenery in Bukchon Hanok Village during the day and admire the dazzling city lights at night.
Namsan Tower Observatory and Han River Picnic
The most cost-effective way to enjoy the Namsan Tower Observatory is to go up right before sunset and enjoy Seoul's day and night at the same time. I recommend Banpo or Yeouido as Han River picnic spots, and the feeling of riding while feeling the river breeze using the Ttareungi (Seoul Bike) tips is really the best.
Ttareungi is very cheap at around ₩1,000 ($0.75) per hour, so it's a means of transportation that Seoul citizens also use a lot. Ordering delivery food at Han River Park is also a unique culture in Seoul. If you have time, taking a Seoul City Tour Bus and taking a tour around the city center, or finding a free Seoul exhibition and enjoying cultural life would be a good choice. If you have a knack for crafts, it would be meaningful to participate in a Seoul one-day class and make your own souvenirs.
Checklist for a Fail-Proof Seoul Trip
- List up restaurants within a 10-minute walk from the subway station
- Check the break time on Naver Map or Google Maps before visiting
- Target weekdays between 2 PM and 4 PM rather than weekends
- Install the Ttareungi app in advance and run along the Han River
- Check the location of restrooms in advance when visiting Euljiro
Seoul is a city full of charm the more you know it, but it's also a place where you can easily get tired if you don't prepare in advance. I hope you enjoy Seoul at your own pace by referring to the tips I've given you. The glamorous landmarks are good, but sometimes, how about feeling the real life of Seoul people in a small restaurant in the alley? I hope your Seoul trip is filled with delicious memories.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some recommended subway-adjacent restaurants in Seoul?
I recommend the areas around Seongsu Station on Line 2 and Euljiro 3-ga Station on Line 5. These areas are the most efficient places to optimize your route when traveling in Seoul, as they are densely populated with local-recommended restaurants and old-school restaurants within a 10-minute walk from the station.
What are some tips for reducing the waiting time at Seoul restaurants?
It is essential to use remote queuing using the 'Catch Table' or 'Tableing' app. If you make a reservation in advance with the app before visiting, you can dramatically reduce the waiting time and enjoy Seongsu-dong hotspots or Euljiro tours more fully.
How much is the cost of a meal in Seoul restaurants?
For lunch, the average restaurant is between ₩10,000 ($7.50) and ₩15,000 ($11). Euljiro old-school restaurants may be cheaper than this, but it is more relaxing to budget more than ₩20,000 ($15) per menu at popular restaurants in hotspots such as Seongsu-dong when sightseeing in Seoul.
What is the difference between Seongsu-dong and Euljiro restaurants?
Seongsu-dong has many trendy cafes and fusion cuisine, while Euljiro is optimized for old-school restaurant tours with a long tradition. If you want a sophisticated sensibility, I recommend Seongsu-dong, and if you want to experience the taste of Seoul locals with years of history, I recommend Euljiro.
Are there any disadvantages to eating alone in Seoul restaurants?
Recently, the culture of eating alone has become established in Seoul, and most subway-adjacent restaurants allow one person to eat. However, some meat restaurants or old-school restaurants in Euljiro may require a minimum order of 2 servings, so it is recommended to check the reviews in advance before visiting.
