Myeongdong street food is one of the easiest ways to eat your way through Seoul. Every evening the shopping streets of Myeongdong turn into a night market, and a few steps away you will find a MICHELIN Bib Gourmand noodle house and Korean BBQ restaurants that stay busy with travelers. This guide covers what to eat at the Myeongdong night market and what it costs, Myeongdong Kyoja, the best Korean BBQ in Myeongdong, and cheap and late-night food.
Searching in your own language? Japanese visitors look for 明洞 グルメ and 明洞 焼肉, and Chinese-speaking visitors for 明洞美食. They all lead to the same streets.
Myeongdong Night Market: Street Food, Hours & Prices
The street food stalls line Myeongdong-gil and Myeongdong 8-gil, the main pedestrian streets between Myeongdong Station (Line 4) and Euljiro 1-ga Station (Line 2). The market runs every day of the year.
| When | Stalls set up in the afternoon and are fully running by about 18:00. Busiest 18:00–21:00, most close around 22:00–23:00. |
| Where | Myeongdong-gil and Myeongdong 8-gil, Jung-gu |
| Nearest station | Myeongdong Station (Line 4), Exits 5–8 |
| Budget | About ₩10,000–20,000 per person for 4–6 snacks |
| Payment | Many stalls take cards and mobile pay, but bring some cash for small items |
What to Eat at the Myeongdong Night Market
| Snack | Korean | Typical price |
|---|---|---|
| Egg bread | 계란빵 | About ₩2,000 |
| Fish cake skewers | 어묵 | ₩1,000–2,000 per skewer |
| Tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes) | 떡볶이 | About ₩5,000 |
| Chicken skewers | 닭꼬치 | About ₩5,000–6,000 |
| Twigim (Korean tempura) | 튀김 | ₩1,000–2,000 per piece |
- Shortest lines: go early in the evening, before the 18:00 rush.
- Tourist splurges like grilled lobster tails cost much more than the snacks above. Check the price board before you order.
- Prices at street stalls change often, so treat these as a guide.
Myeongdong Kyoja: Kalguksu (MICHELIN Bib Gourmand)
Open since 1966, Myeongdong Kyoja is the most famous restaurant in Myeongdong and a MICHELIN Bib Gourmand for ten years in a row (2017–2026). The menu has only four dishes. The kalguksu comes in a rich chicken broth with minced meat and tiny dumplings, and the very garlicky kimchi is famous on its own.
| Myeongdong Kyoja | 명동교자 본점 |
| Address | 129 Toegye-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul (서울 중구 퇴계로 129), in front of Myeongdong Station Exit 8. The main branch moved here in 2026, and some maps still show the old address, 29 Myeongdong 10-gil. |
| Nearest station | Myeongdong Station (Line 4), Exit 8 |
| Hours | Daily 10:30–21:00 (last order 20:30). Closed on Seollal and Chuseok. |
| Must order | Kalguksu ₩12,000 |
| Reservations | Walk-in only. Pay first at the kiosk (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese). |
| Map | Open in Naver Map |
| Dish | Korean | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Kalguksu (noodle soup) | 칼국수 | ₩12,000 |
| Mandu (steamed dumplings) | 만두 | ₩13,000 |
| Bibim-guksu (spicy mixed noodles) | 비빔국수 | ₩12,000 |
| Kong-guksu (cold soybean noodles, warmer months) | 콩국수 | ₩13,000 |
- Extra noodles are free, and you can ask for a small bowl of rice to finish the broth.
- Your group is seated only when everyone has arrived.
- There is almost always a line, but it moves fast. A good order for two is one kalguksu and one plate of mandu each, or two kalguksu plus one mandu to share.
Korean BBQ in Myeongdong
Myeongdong has many barbecue restaurants aimed at visitors. These two are well reviewed in 2026 and have staff or menus that make ordering easy. For more neighborhoods, see our full guide to the best Korean BBQ in Seoul.
Wangbijib Myeongdong (왕비집 명동본점)
A charcoal grill house on the second floor in the middle of Myeongdong, serving pork and Korean beef.
| Address | 2F, 26 Myeongdong 8ga-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul (서울 중구 명동8가길 26 2층) |
| Nearest station | Myeongdong Station (Line 4), Exit 9 |
| Hours | 11:30–22:00 (last order 21:15) |
| Must order | Charcoal pork belly ₩19,000 (150g), marinated Korean pork ₩24,000 (230g) |
| Lunch | Weekday lunch set (차돌박이솥밥정식) ₩17,000 |
| Map | Open in Naver Map |
Yuktongnyeong Myeongdong (육통령 명동본점)
A three-floor black pork barbecue restaurant where the staff grill and cut the meat at your table. It is very popular with foreign visitors.
| Location | Myeongdong 8na-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul |
| Nearest station | Myeongdong Station (Line 4), Exit 5, about 3 minutes |
| Must order | Aged pork belly (2 servings, 300g) ₩35,000. Soybean paste stew ₩8,000. |
| Waitlist | On-site CatchTable kiosk with instructions in English, Japanese and Chinese |
| Map | Open in Naver Map |
Tip: Most Korean BBQ restaurants ask for at least two servings per table. Check hours on Naver Map before you go.
Cheap Eats & Late-Night Food in Myeongdong
- Under ₩15,000: a bowl of kalguksu at Myeongdong Kyoja (₩12,000) is one of the best-value meals in central Seoul.
- Under ₩5,000: egg bread, fish cake skewers and twigim at the night market.
- Lunch deal: Wangbijib’s weekday lunch set is ₩17,000.
- Late night: the street stalls run until about 22:00–23:00. Gosire Myeongdong (고시레 명동본점), a charcoal BBQ house about 3 minutes from the station, opens daily from 11:00 until close to midnight, with pork belly at ₩18,000. Open in Naver Map
FAQ
What time does the Myeongdong night market open?
Stalls set up in the afternoon and are fully open by about 18:00. Most close around 22:00–23:00.
How much money do I need for Myeongdong street food?
About ₩10,000–20,000 per person is enough to try 4–6 snacks. Simple snacks like egg bread cost about ₩2,000.
Is Myeongdong Kyoja worth the line?
Yes, for most visitors. It is a MICHELIN Bib Gourmand, kalguksu costs ₩12,000, and the line moves quickly.
Can I pay by card at Myeongdong street food stalls?
Many stalls take cards and mobile pay, but some smaller stalls prefer cash, so bring a little.
Prices and hours were checked in November 2026 and can change. Check Naver Map before you go.
More Seoul guides: Best Korean Restaurants in Seoul, Gwangjang Market food guide, Tosokchon Samgyetang, or browse all Seoul restaurant guides.