【Korea Travel】Complete Guide to Myeongdong Sightseeing
Enjoy Myeongdong from Morning to Night with Confidence, Even on Your First Trip to Seoul! A Classic One-Day Itinerary
Myeongdong—one of the must-visit classic areas on any trip to Seoul.
It has everything from Korean cosmetics and gourmet food to cafés and shopping,
making it the perfect place for your first trip to Korea✨
But with so many shops, it can be hard to decide where to go…
That’s why, for you,
we’re introducing a one-day itinerary to enjoy all that Myeongdong has to offer from morning to night!
🏙 What Is Myeongdong Like?
Myeongdong is one of Korea’s leading downtown shopping and entertainment districts, located in the heart of Seoul.
It is accessible via two subway stations: Myeongdong Station on Line 4 and Euljiro 1-ga Station on Line 2,
There are also direct buses from Incheon Airport,
making it a very convenient area for tourists🚇
Korean cosmetics shops, cafes, restaurants, and food stalls line the streets,
with so many things to see that you’ll never get bored even after spending the whole day there!
Many shops also have staff who speak Japanese,
so being able to enjoy Myeongdong with peace of mind even if you don’t speak Korean is another one of its charms💕
Basic Information on Myeongdong
Access
- Subway Line 4 “Myeongdong Station”
- Subway Line 2 “Euljiro 1-ga Station”
- Approximately 70 minutes by limousine bus from Incheon Airport
Recommended Times to Visit
- Morning: Enjoy shopping at a leisurely pace
- Afternoon: Perfect for cafe hopping and exploring gourmet spots
- Evening onward: Food stalls come alive, and you can also enjoy the night views
Safety
It is relatively safe, as there are many tourists and people continue to come and go until late at night.
However, be sure to keep a close eye on your valuables!
🕘 One-Day Model Itinerary for Myeongdong
Now, we’ll introduce a classic itinerary that lets you fully enjoy Myeongdong from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.!
9:00｜Start your breakfast at Coffee Libre Myeongdong Cathedral🥐
Start your day at
“Coffee Libre Myeongdong Cathedral,” right by Myeongdong Cathedral.
Enjoy an elegant breakfast in the relaxing interior while savoring aromatic coffee and freshly baked pastries,
✨
With its beautiful architecture in view,
it’s also the perfect place to leisurely plan your travels for the day.
Recommended Menu
- Croissant: The perfect flaky texture
- Americano: Deep-roasted and richly aromatic
- Café latte: Mild and packed with milk
📍 Location & Access
74 Myeongdong-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul (inside Myeongdong Cathedral)
Hours: Tue–Fri 10:00–19:00, Sat–Sun 9:00–18:00, Mon 10:00–19:00
Coffee Libre · ７４ Myeongdong-gil, Jung District, Seoul, South Korea
Since this is a café located inside the historic Myeongdong Cathedral,
you can enjoy sightseeing and café time all at once, which is another appealing feature🌅
10:00｜Shopping time begins🛍️
Once breakfast is over, set off to look for your favorite Korean cosmetics and fashion items!
① Olive Young Myeongdong Main Store
When it comes to the holy grail of Korean cosmetics, this is definitely the place!
MEDIHEAL, CNP, トリコ, ラウンドラボ, and more
popular brands are all available,
so you’re almost certain to find the items you want
Tax-free shopping is also available, so don’t forget your passport💳
There are several Olive Young stores in Myeongdong,
so it’s definitely a spot where you’ll want to stop by at least one location.
Going first thing in the morning is also a great option, as it’s less crowded and you can take your time choosing.
📍 Location・Access
Right by Exit 6 of Myeongdong Station
Business hours: 9:00〜23:00 (varies by store)
Olive Young Flagship Store · 53 Myeongdong-gil, Jung District, Seoul, Korea
② DAISO Myeongdong Store
You can get character goods, stationery, and small beauty items exclusive to Korea at incredibly low prices💕
The product selection is completely different from DAISO in Japan, making it perfect for souvenir shopping.
📍 Location & Access
2 minutes on foot from Myeongdong Station Exit 8
Business hours: 10:00–22:00
Daiso Myeongdong Station Store · １３４−１ 퇴계로 Jung District, Seoul, South Korea
③ ロッテマート明洞店
For buying snacks, ramen, kimchi, seaweed, and other food souvenirs in bulk, this is the place.
This supermarket is located on the basement level 1,
and it’s also fun to catch a glimpse of everyday life in Korea🛒
📍 Location & Access
Just outside Exit 7 of Myeongdong Station (B1)
Hours: 10:00–24:00
ロッテ免税店 明洞本店 · ３０ Eulji-ro, Jung District, Seoul, Korea
12:30｜Enjoy authentic Korean cuisine for lunch 🍜
When you start feeling hungry, it’s time for lunch at a popular restaurant loved by locals!
① イェジ粉食
A renowned restaurant for sundubu jjigae (soft tofu stew).
The piping-hot sundubu has a rich depth of flavor beneath its spiciness and is absolutely delicious🔥
In true Korean style, crack an egg into it for a milder finish.
It’s also great that the kimchi and namul side dishes are available for unlimited refills.
📍 Location & Access
A 5-minute walk from Exit 6 of Myeongdong Station
Hours: 10:30–22:00
イェジ粉食 · １７−３ Myeongdong 9-gil, Jung District, Seoul, 韓国
② 郷味
A Chinese restaurant popular for jjajangmyeon (炸醤麺) and tangsuyuk (sweet and sour pork).
The Korean-style jjajangmyeon has a deliciously addictive sweet sauce💕
The portions are generous, so sharing with friends is just right.
📍 Location・Access
A 3-minute walk from Exit 8 of Myeongdong Station
Hours: 11:00〜21:30
郷味 · ５２−５ Namdaemun-ro, Jung District, Seoul, Korea
14:30｜Enjoy street food along the food stall street🌭
The main street in Myeongdong is lined with food stalls.
Enjoy the rest of your shopping while sampling street food unique to Korea🚶♀️
Recommended street food menu.
Tteokbokki (떡볶이)
A classic Korean street food made with sweet and spicy rice cakes.
The spiciness varies by shop, so if you don't like spicy food,
「안 맵게 (an maepge) = Please make it not spicy」
is a useful phrase to know.
Hotteok (호떡)
A Korean-style stuffed pancake that is crispy on the outside and gooey on the inside.
The sweet combination of honey and nuts is amazing, and it's especially popular in winter! There may even be a line 🥞
Cheese Korean Corn Dog (치즈 핫도그)
The stretchy cheese corn dog that became hugely popular in Korea.
The crispy fried coating and cheese that stretches way out are guaranteed to look great in photos 📸
Gyeran-ppang (계란빵)
A Korean-style steamed bread with a whole egg inside.
Slightly sweet and fluffy. It's the perfect size for eating while strolling.
Tips for using street stalls 💡
- Many street stalls accept cash only
- The average price is 3,000–5,000 won
- Trash cans are placed nearby, so be sure to throw away your trash when you're finished eating
15:30｜Take a break at a stylish café ☕
If you're tired from walking around and snacking, take a relaxing break at a café.
Myeongdong is home to many stylish, Instagram-worthy cafés✨
① Café Coin(카페 코인)
A long-established café founded in 1994.
The retro, European-style interior feels just like a scene from a Korean drama💕
Recommended menu items
- Belgian waffle: crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside
- Bingsu (Korean-style shaved ice): available only in summer
- Americano: richly aromatic with a dark roast
The window seats on the second floor are especially popular.
You can relax while enjoying views of the streets of Myeongdong.
📍 Location・Access
2-minute walk from Exit 10 of Myeongdong Station
Opening hours: 9:00–23:00
Café coin(Myeongdong Branch 1) · １０ Myeongdong 6-gil, Jung District, Seoul, South Korea
② 珈琲島(가배도)明洞店
A retro-style café famous for its tiramisu.
It is a long-established café that has helped lead Korea’s café culture and continues to be loved by local customers.
Recommended Menu
Tiramisu
The rich mascarpone cream is exquisite, making this a hugely popular signature menu item.
Einspänner
A Wiener coffee topped with plenty of whipped cream, offering the perfect balance of sweetness and pleasant bitterness.
📍 Location & Access
1st Floor, 10 Toegye-ro 18-gil, Myeongdong, Jung-gu, Seoul
Hours: 11:00–21:00 (Open year-round)
珈琲島 明洞店 · Seoul, Jung District, Myeong-dong, Toegye-ro 18-gil, １０ 1st floor, South Korea
③ FUROA(후로아)
A cultural complex space that operates as a cafe during the day and a bar at night.
The modern, chic interior is its main attraction, making it perfect for those who want to enjoy a relaxed, sophisticated atmosphere🍷
📍 Location & Access
3-minute walk from Exit 4 of Myeongdong Station
Business hours: 12:00〜24:00
Furoa Seoul · ５２ 1층, Myeongdong 8ga-gil, Jung District, Seoul, Korea
16:30｜Get the best exchange rate in front of the Chinese Embassy 💰
If you run out of cash while shopping or enjoying delicious food,
head to the “currency exchange office in front of the Chinese Embassy,” said to offer the best rates in Myeongdong!
There are many currency exchange offices in the Myeongdong area,
but this one is particularly good value and is also a famous spot among tourists.
The location is easy to find, so you’ll spot it right away.
Currency Exchange Information
- Address: 105, Myeongdong 2-ga, Jung-gu
- Hours: 9:00–21:50 (Open year-round)
- Passport required
- Japanese support available
📍 Location & Access
5-minute walk from Exit 5 of Myeongdong Station (in front of the Chinese Embassy)
Currency Exchange Tips
- Exchange only the ‘minimum’ amount at the airport, and exchange money in Myeongdong for a much better deal
- Currency exchange is available starting from 10,000 yen
- Exchange rates fluctuate daily, so it’s recommended to check them in advance using an app
18:00｜Dinner: Enjoy the Best of Korean Cuisine🥩
Finish the day by filling up on hearty Korean food!
① Samgyeopsal Specialty Restaurant
The classic Korean barbecue experience: sizzling pork belly grilled to perfection, wrapped in lettuce leaves and enjoyed.
At some restaurants, the staff will grill the meat for you, making it perfect for your first Korean barbecue experience🥬
There are many samgyeopsal specialty restaurants in Myeongdong, so try choosing one with an atmosphere that suits your taste.
📍 Location & Access
Throughout the Myeongdong area (around Myeongdong Station)
② Dakgalbi Specialty Restaurant
Stir-fried chicken, vegetables, and tteokbokki in a sweet and spicy sauce—an unbeatable combination.
We also recommend adding cheese or rice at the end to make cheese dakgalbi or bokkeumbap (fried rice) 🧀
📍 Location・Access
Throughout the Myeongdong area (around Myeongdong Station)
③ Haidilao Hot Pot (Haidilao) Myeongdong Branch
A popular Chinese-style hot pot chain restaurant.
You can choose two types of soup and enjoy as many vegetables, meat, and seafood as you like.
The Myeongdong branch is also famous for its highly entertaining services, such as hand-pulled noodle performances!
📍 Location・Access
A 3-minute walk from Exit 6 of Myeongdong Station
Opening hours: 11:00〜23:00
20:00｜Enjoy the Night View at Namsan Seoul Tower🌃
End your Myeongdong sightseeing with a visit to Namsan Seoul Tower, where you can enjoy a panoramic view of Seoul’s nightscape!
How to Get There
It’s about a 10-minute walk from Myeongdong Station to the cable car boarding area.
There are some slopes along the way, so comfortable shoes are recommended👟
料金
- Cable car round trip: 15,000 won for adults／11,500 won for children
- Observation deck admission: 26,000 won for adults
From the observation deck, you can enjoy panoramic views of the Han River, Lotte Tower, and the streets of Myeongdong,
You’ll surely be impressed by Seoul’s glittering night view✨
If you’re going as a couple, don’t forget to visit the spot where you can attach a love padlock💕
📍 Location & Access
10-minute walk from Myeongdong Station Exit 4 to the Namsan Cable Car boarding area
Hours: Weekdays 10:00–23:00, weekends 10:00–24:00
Tips for Photographing the Night View📸
- Arrive 30 minutes before sunset to enjoy both daytime and nighttime views
- Use your smartphone’s night mode to take beautiful photos
- Weekends can be crowded, so weekdays are recommended
Summary
Gourmet food, cafés, shopping, and night views.
Myeongdong has everything, making it a charming neighborhood where you’ll discover something new no matter how many times you visit💕
You can enjoy it to the fullest from morning to night, so it’s an area you’ll definitely want to check out during your trip to Seoul.
Whether it’s your first visit or you’re a repeat visitor,
use this sample itinerary as a guide and enjoy Myeongdong to the fullest✨
For more in-depth ways to enjoy Myeongdong and the latest gourmet and café information,
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