4 Best Restaurants in Myeongdong, Seoul

Although bibimbap (rice with mixed vegetables) is sometimes disregarded as an introductory Korean dish, the iteration served at Mokmyeonsanbang proves that there is an art to crafting it. There are six different types of bibimbap on the menu, each made with meticulously sourced ingredients like sesame oil, fresh vegetables, and local rice. While all the restaurant’s dishes are well-executed, the signature bibimbap is a vegetarian classic and the beef tartare bibimbap is likely one of the best in the country. It can take more than two hours to get into this restaurant, so avoid peak lunch times or have your meal to-go. Those willing to go a bit off the beaten path can also try their Namsan Tower location, which is housed in a hanok (traditional Korean house). 

Just a short walk from the main Myeongdong neighborhood, Cafe Guhalgu is a charming four-story café at the foot of Namsan Mountain. The café serves coffees, teas, and ice cream-topped waffles. Some seats have a bit of greenery and blue skies, but climb up the narrow stairs to the rooftop and you will be rewarded with panoramic views of Namsan Tower. 

A beloved Seoul institution since 1939, Hadongkwan is known around the country for their gomtang (bone broth soup). While the dish is simple and paired only with a humble bowl of rice and kkakdugi (radish kimchi), it has a cult following. In fact, the restaurant became even more famous in the 1970s because it was supposedly a favorite of former President Park Chung-hee. The restaurant says their secret lies in the fact that they refuse to add any artificial seasonings and they’ve used the same beef supplier for more than 60 years. Hadongkwan closes once their last dish of the day has been made and their hours, from 7 am to 4 pm, are strange by Seoul standards, so try to go as early as possible.

Established in 1966, Myeongdong Gyoja is one of the most recognized restaurants in Seoul. While many in the older generations complain that their signature kalguksu (knife-cut noodles) have become increasingly more expensive and saltier over the years, the dish is still a Myeongdong must-try. Served in a beef broth with pork dumplings, the hearty dish comes with a side of super-garlicky, fresh kimchi. Those concerned with portions and sodium content can ask for a bowl of rice, which is free with any meal. The dumplings and bibimguksu (spicy, cold buckwheat noodles topped with cucumber) are also great alternatives to the signature item. The restaurant itself is no-frills and the bustling crowds mean that its staff don't welcome lingering after your meal is finished. The space rests on the laurels of its good food.