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A Myeongdong street on a snowy winter night. From mid-November the streets and store fronts light up.

Seoul · Myeongdong after dark

Where Koreans eat in Myeongdong when the lights go on

15 places. We counted them from 285 Korean blog posts about dinner and drinks. This is a count, not a ranking.

  • 2,962blog posts found
  • 300posts we read
  • 285posts with a real meal
  • 15places listed

A Myeongdong street on a snowy winter night. From mid-November the streets and store fronts light up. · Photo: noo jang / Unsplash

01
okonomiyaki (savory Japanese pancake) with shrimp and tomato sauce

Japanese

Uwa 우와 명동점 no complaints · recommended

Japanese savoury pancake · near Myeongdong Stn

About 2 min walk from Myeongdong Cathedral

6 bloggers ate here at night · 11 posts in this search named it · we read 7

recommended by 7 (1 sponsored, not used for the order) · complaints 0 · came back 3

  • Open late
  • Night view
  • Book ahead

Why they liked it

  • The okonomiyaki (Japanese savory pancake) is made with yam, not flour, so it is soft and light. · 6 bloggers
  • Food sits on a hot plate at your table, so it stays warm to the end. · 4 bloggers
  • The room is clean and calm, good for a slow dinner and easy talk. · 3 bloggers
  • The yakisoba (fried noodles) goes well with beer and other drinks. · 2 bloggers

short walk 3 · expect a line 1 · got in without waiting 1

They ordered okonomiyaki (savory Japanese pancake) with shrimp and tomato sauce

More about Uwa (30 posts read) →
Sources (7)

These are Korean blog posts. They are written in Korean.

02
hwangje jokbal (braised pig's trotters with many side dishes)

Korean

MYTH JOKBAL 미쓰족발 서울명동점 no complaints · recommended

Braised pig's trotter / boiled pork · near Euljiro 1-ga Stn Exit 6, 3 min walk

About 4 min walk from Lotte Department Store main store

4 bloggers ate here at night · 11 posts in this search named it · we read 4

recommended by 4 · complaints 0 · came back 1

  • Open late 4
  • Night view
  • Book ahead

Why they liked it

  • The jokbal (braised pork trotters) has chewy skin and very soft meat. · 4 bloggers
  • A kimchi noodle soup comes free with the jokbal. · 4 bloggers
  • Lots of side dishes fill the table. · 4 bloggers
  • It is a good meal to have with soju or other drinks. · 2 bloggers

English menu / foreign guests 4 · short walk 3 · expect a line 1

They ordered hwangje jokbal (braised pig's trotters with many side dishes)

More about MYTH JOKBAL (30 posts read) →
Sources (4)

These are Korean blog posts. They are written in Korean.

03
set for two: Korean beef gopchang (grilled intestines), yukhoe (raw beef), spicy baby octopus and cheese fried rice

Grill houseKorean

Cheonsa Gopchang Myeongdong-jeom 천사곱창 명동점 no complaints · recommended

Grilled offal · near Euljiro 1-ga Stn

About 4 min walk from Lotte Department Store main store

3 bloggers ate here at night · 4 posts in this search named it · we read 3

recommended by 3 · complaints 0 · came back 0

  • Open late
  • Night view 1
  • Book ahead 1

Why they liked it

  • The beef gopchang (grilled intestines) is full of rich marrow. · 2 bloggers
  • Staff cook everything for you, from the gopchang to the fried rice. · 2 bloggers
  • The cheese fried rice at the end is tasty and well seasoned. · 2 bloggers
  • You can sit at outdoor tables in the middle of Myeongdong and drink under the street lights. · 1 blogger

good value 3 · English menu / foreign guests 2 · short walk 1

They ordered set for two: Korean beef gopchang (grilled intestines), yukhoe (raw beef), spicy baby octopus and cheese fried rice

More about Cheonsa Gopchang Myeongdong-jeom (20 posts read) →
Sources (3)

These are Korean blog posts. They are written in Korean.

04
guobaorou (crispy sweet and sour pork)

Noodle houseChinese

Lanju Kalmyeon 란주칼면 no complaints · recommended

Sweet-and-sour fried pork · near 충무로1가

About 2 min walk from Shinsegae main store (media façade)

2 bloggers ate here at night · 6 posts in this search named it · we read 2

recommended by 2 · complaints 0 · came back 2

  • Open late
  • Night view
  • Book ahead

Why they liked it

  • The guobaorou (sweet and sour fried pork) is thin and crispy, with a garlic sauce. · 2 bloggers
  • The knife-cut noodles are chewy. · 2 bloggers
  • The noodles come with lots of seafood. · 2 bloggers
  • The seafood fried rice has a smoky taste. · 1 blogger

expect a line 2 · fast 1

They ordered guobaorou (crispy sweet and sour pork)

More about Lanju Kalmyeon (30 posts read) →
Sources (2)

These are Korean blog posts. They are written in Korean.

05
half-and-half hot pot (bone broth and tomato)

Chinese

Hwogwo Meokgo Myeongdong-jeom 훠궈먹고 명동점 no complaints · recommended

Chinese hotpot · near Euljiro 1-ga Stn

About 4 min walk from Lotte Department Store main store

2 bloggers ate here at night · 4 posts in this search named it · we read 2

recommended by 2 · complaints 0 · came back 1

  • Open late
  • Night view
  • Book ahead

Why they liked it

  • It is hot pot for one, and you pick food from a conveyor belt. · 2 bloggers
  • Staff keep the meat coming. · 2 bloggers
  • Unlimited draft beer is only 3,500 won. · 1 blogger
  • The guobaorou (sweet and sour fried pork) at the self bar is the best part. · 1 blogger

expect a line 2

They ordered half-and-half hot pot (bone broth and tomato)

More about Hwogwo Meokgo Myeongdong-jeom (5 posts read) →
Sources (2)

These are Korean blog posts. They are written in Korean.

06
tangsuyuk set (sweet and sour pork, jjajangmyeon, jjamppong)

Chinese

Haenghwachon 행화촌 no complaints · recommended

Grilled eel · near Myeongdong Stn Exit 5, 6 min walk

About 3 min walk from Shinsegae main store (media façade)

1 blogger ate here at night · 5 posts in this search named it · we read 1

Only one blogger wrote about eating here.

recommended by 1 · complaints 0 · came back 1

  • Open late
  • Night view 1
  • Book ahead

Why they liked it

  • The old-style sweet and sour pork is crispy.
  • The jjamppong (seafood noodle soup) has plenty of seafood and a clean broth.
  • Prices are fair; jjajangmyeon (black bean noodles) is only 6,000 won.

short walk 1 · good value 1

They ordered tangsuyuk set (sweet and sour pork, jjajangmyeon, jjamppong)

More about Haenghwachon (30 posts read) →
Sources (1)

These are Korean blog posts. They are written in Korean.

07
hanu mixed gopchang (grilled Korean beef intestines)

Grill houseKorean

Gunja Daehan Gopchang Myeongdong 군자대한곱창 명동점 no complaints · recommended

Grilled offal · near Euljiro 1-ga Stn

About 5 min walk from Myeongdong Cathedral

1 blogger ate here at night · 1 posts in this search named it · we read 1

Only one blogger wrote about eating here.

recommended by 1 · complaints 0 · came back 0

  • Open late
  • Night view
  • Book ahead

Why they liked it

  • Staff fire the gopchang with a torch at your table, so it tastes smoky.
  • The gopchang is rich and has no gamey smell.
  • Finish with fried rice made in the same pan.

short walk 1 · English menu / foreign guests 1

They ordered hanu mixed gopchang (grilled Korean beef intestines)

More about Gunja Daehan Gopchang Myeongdong (21 posts read) →
Sources (1)

These are Korean blog posts. They are written in Korean.

08
tudoufen (Chinese potato noodles) in mild broth

Noodle houseChinese

Gamjamyeonga 감자면가 명동본점 no complaints · recommended

Near 충무로1가

About 4 min walk from Shinsegae main store (media façade)

1 blogger ate here at night · 1 posts in this search named it · we read 1

Only one blogger wrote about eating here.

recommended by 1 · complaints 0 · came back 0

  • Open late
  • Night view
  • Book ahead

Why they liked it

  • The potato noodles are soft and chewy and do not go soggy.
  • First time? Try the mild broth before the mala one; it is clean and tasty.

expect a line 1

They ordered tudoufen (Chinese potato noodles) in mild broth

More about Gamjamyeonga (1 posts read) →
Sources (1)

These are Korean blog posts. They are written in Korean.

09
kaoyu (Chinese grilled fish in spicy broth) with sea bass, green Sichuan pepper flavor

Chinese

Bantienyao Kaowi 반티엔야오 카오위 명동점 no complaints · recommended

Noodle soup · near Euljiro 1-ga Stn

About 4 min walk from Lotte Department Store main store

1 blogger ate here at night · 3 posts in this search named it · we read 1

Only one blogger wrote about eating here.

recommended by 1 · complaints 0 · came back 1

  • Open late
  • Night view
  • Book ahead

Why they liked it

  • The sea bass is soft and the sauce is very tasty.
  • Add the knife-cut noodles; they soak up the sauce well.

got in without waiting 1

They ordered kaoyu (Chinese grilled fish in spicy broth) with sea bass, green Sichuan pepper flavor

More about Bantienyao Kaowi (30 posts read) →
Sources (1)

These are Korean blog posts. They are written in Korean.

10
fried shrimp wrapped in tofu skin

Chinese

Crystal Jade 크리스탈제이드 신세계백화점 본점 no complaints · recommended

Steamed dumplings · near 충무로1가

About 1 min walk from Shinsegae main store (media façade)

1 blogger ate here at night · 1 posts in this search named it · we read 1

Only one blogger wrote about eating here.

recommended by 1 · complaints 0 · came back 1

  • Open late
  • Night view
  • Book ahead

Why they liked it

  • The jjamppong (spicy seafood noodle soup) has a rich broth and tender seafood.
  • The shrimp in tofu skin is crispy and well filled.

They ordered fried shrimp wrapped in tofu skin

More about Crystal Jade (14 posts read) →
Sources (1)

These are Korean blog posts. They are written in Korean.

11
beef tantan nabe (Japanese hot pot with sesame broth)

BarJapanese

Mangecheu 만게츠 no complaints · recommended

Stew · near Myeongdong Stn Exit 3, 1 min walk

About 6 min walk from Myeongdong Cathedral

1 blogger ate here at night · 2 posts in this search named it · we read 1

Only one blogger wrote about eating here.

recommended by 1 · complaints 0 · came back 0

  • Open late
  • Night view
  • Book ahead

Why they liked it

  • The beef tantan hot pot comes piled high with beef.
  • The free tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes) and the mixed skewers are good too.
  • It feels like a cozy Japanese pub, good for a drink.

short walk 1

They ordered beef tantan nabe (Japanese hot pot with sesame broth)

More about Mangecheu (30 posts read) →
Sources (1)

These are Korean blog posts. They are written in Korean.

12
golbaengi muchim (spicy sea snail salad)

BarKorean

Sopung Golbaengi 소풍골뱅이 no complaints · recommended

Plain fried chicken · near Euljiro 3-ga Stn Exit 12

About 5 min walk from Myeongdong Cathedral

1 blogger ate here at night · 1 posts in this search named it · we read 1

Only one blogger wrote about eating here.

recommended by 1 · complaints 0 · came back 1

  • Open late
  • Night view
  • Book ahead

Why they liked it

  • The sea snails are big, tasty and served whole.
  • Rolled omelet and fish cake soup come free with the sea snails.

English menu / foreign guests 1

They ordered golbaengi muchim (spicy sea snail salad)

More about Sopung Golbaengi (25 posts read) →
Sources (1)

These are Korean blog posts. They are written in Korean.

13
samseon ganjjajang (black bean noodles with seafood)

Chinese

Hong Bok 홍복 no complaints · recommended

Sweet-and-sour fried pork · near Hoehyeon-dong 1-ga

About 2 min walk from Shinsegae main store (media façade)

1 blogger ate here at night · 3 posts in this search named it · we read 1

Only one blogger wrote about eating here.

recommended by 1 · complaints 0 · came back 0

  • Open late
  • Night view
  • Book ahead

Why they liked it

  • It is an old, long-running Chinese restaurant.
  • The seafood fried rice, black bean noodles and spicy noodle soup are all tasty.
  • The handmade fried dumplings are good too.

They ordered samseon ganjjajang (black bean noodles with seafood)

More about Hong Bok (30 posts read) →
Sources (1)

These are Korean blog posts. They are written in Korean.

14
dinner buffet

Buffet

La Palette Paris 르메르디앙 서울 명동 라팔레트 파리 no complaints · recommended

Braised spicy seafood or monkfish · near 충무로1가

About 3 min walk from Shinsegae main store (media façade)

1 blogger ate here at night · 1 posts in this search named it · we read 1

Only one blogger wrote about eating here.

recommended by 1 · complaints 0 · came back 0

  • Open late
  • Night view
  • Book ahead

Why they liked it

  • Dinner includes free-flow wine and draft beer.
  • It is good value for a hotel buffet.
  • Ask the staff and they will warm up the snow crab for you.

good value 1

They ordered dinner buffet

More about La Palette Paris (23 posts read) →
Sources (1)

These are Korean blog posts. They are written in Korean.

15
classic burger with a Korean beef (hanwoo) patty

Western

DAILY FIX 데일리픽스 을지로 no complaints · recommended

Burgers · near Euljiro 1-ga Stn

About 5 min walk from Lotte Department Store main store

1 blogger ate here at night · 4 posts in this search named it · we read 1

Only one blogger wrote about eating here.

recommended by 1 · complaints 0 · came back 1

  • Open late
  • Night view
  • Book ahead

Why they liked it

  • The Korean beef patty is thick and juicy.
  • The thick-cut fries are crispy outside and soft inside.
  • The chicken burger with spicy coleslaw is fine for kids too.

expect a line 1 · English menu / foreign guests 1

They ordered classic burger with a Korean beef (hanwoo) patty

More about DAILY FIX (30 posts read) →
Sources (1)

These are Korean blog posts. They are written in Korean.

The Myeongdong night market

Skewers cooking at a Myeongdong street food stall
Skewers at a Myeongdong street stall. Photo: Ian Valerio / Unsplash

In the evening, food stalls line both sides of Myeongdong's main street. We read 35 Korean blog posts by people who went. Most of the 13 posts that gave a time said the stalls open around 5 pm. Some said they open earlier on weekends, around 2 pm. Most of the 11 posts that gave a closing time said around 11 pm.

The foods people bought most were the buldak omelet (14 posts, 10,000 won), chicken skewers (11 posts, 5,000–6,000 won), gyeranppang egg bread (10 posts, 2,000–2,500 won) and hotteok, a sweet filled pancake (8 posts, 3,000 won). Grilled lobster with cheese was the most expensive, at 20,000 won.

Some stalls take cards and some do not, so bring a little cash. All 22 posts that talked about crowds said it was busy. A weekday early evening is easier than a weekend night.

How we counted

Naver and Daum are Korea’s big web portals. Koreans use them the way much of the world uses Google, and many people post restaurant reviews on blogs there. Those posts are in Korean, so most visitors never see them. We searched there for “Myeongdong dinner”, “Myeongdong bars” and similar words in Korean, and used AI to read and analyze 300 of the posts. We count a post only if the writer really ate there in the evening or at night. Lunch visits do not count. One blogger counts once for a place, even with many posts. For posts that say they were sponsored, we keep only the facts. We mark their praise and do not use it for the order. The list puts places with no complaints first, then places more bloggers went to. There is no score.

The dish pictures are drawings made by Gilpost from the posts. They are not photos of the real food.

More in Myeongdong →