Seoul travel guide
Best Street Food in Seoul: Where & What to Eat
Seoul is famous for samgyeopsal pork-belly BBQ, tteokbokki spicy rice cakes, Korean fried chicken with beer (chimaek), and market food at Gwangjang — bindaetteok pancakes and mayak gimbap. Street stalls fill Myeongdong nightly from around ₩3,000–6,000 per snack.
Eating in Seoul: what you need to know
Seoul eats communally and late: BBQ grills built into tables, fried chicken with beer (chimaek), and street stalls (pojangmacha) under orange tents. Spice tolerance is assumed — say “an maewo” for less heat.
Must-try dishes in Seoul
| Dish | What it is | Where to try it | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Samgyeopsal | Thick pork belly grilled at the table, wrapped in lettuce with garlic and ssamjang | BBQ alleys of Mapo and Jongno | ₩15,000–20,000 pp |
| Tteokbokki | Chewy rice cakes in sweet-fiery gochujang sauce | Gwangjang Market or Myeongdong stalls | ₩4,000–6,000 |
| Korean fried chicken | Double-fried, crackling, glazed yangnyeom style — with beer, obviously | Chimaek joints of Hongdae | ₩18,000–24,000 (feeds 2–3) |
The best food spots in Seoul
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Gwangjang Market · Jongno
Cuisine: Market food · Expect to pay: ₩10,000
Must order: Bindaetteok (mung-bean pancake) and mayak gimbap
88 Changgyeonggung-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
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Myeongdong Kyoja · Myeongdong
Cuisine: Noodles · Expect to pay: ₩12,000
Must order: Kalguksu knife-cut noodle soup
29 Myeongdong 10-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
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Tosokchon Samgyetang · Near Gyeongbokgung
Cuisine: Ginseng chicken soup · Expect to pay: ₩20,000
Must order: Samgyetang — the post-palace classic
5 Jahamun-ro 5-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Also in south korea
best street food in Seoul — FAQs
What food is Seoul famous for?
Seoul is famous for samgyeopsal pork-belly BBQ, tteokbokki spicy rice cakes, Korean fried chicken with beer (chimaek), and market food at Gwangjang — bindaetteok pancakes and mayak gimbap. Street stalls fill Myeongdong nightly from around ₩3,000–6,000 per snack.
How much does it cost to eat out in Seoul?
A Seoul meal costs ₩8,000–12,000 at casual noodle shops, ₩15,000–25,000 per person for BBQ with drinks, and ₩40,000+ at upscale restaurants. Street snacks run ₩3,000–6,000. Budget travellers eat very well on ₩35,000–45,000 ($26–34) per day.
Last reviewed and updated: by the AmazingAsia editorial team. See our editorial policy.