Myeongdong 18+ Best Cafes & Restaurants (Seoul)

For Korean BBQ, check out the famous Wangbijib. It is so popular that there are 5 other branches just within Myeongdong's pedestrian-friendly zone, and all with equally good reviews. The attentive staff will handle all the BBQ over hot charcoal for you and it is a great place to learn how to enjoy BBQ, the Korean way.

The 5 other Wangbijib's branches in Myeongdong with listing order from Myeongdong Station towards Euljiro 1(il)-ga Station are:
1. Wangbijib Myeongdong Central - opposite end of the street from the main store towards Shinsegae Department Store direction.
2. Hansik Wangbijib Myeongdong Branch - Go straight from Myeongdong Station (exit 6), turn left on the 3rd cross street. Next to Hello Kitty Apple Cafe.
3. Wangbijib Myeongdong Yukho Branch - near China Embassy
4. Wangbijib Myeongdong 2nd Branch - walk along the street next to Myeongdong Station (exit 8), few blocks away from Olive Young Myeongdong Town
5. Hansik Wangbijib Euljiro Branch - B1, same street as BHC Chicken/Hotel 28 Myeongdong. Entrance to restaurant (B1) at the exterior corner of the building.

🤳You can make reservation on your preferred date & time on selective restaurants on Catch Table app.

Finally, you can have a hearty and satisfying Korean BBQ dining experience right in Myeongdong without breaking the bank! Check out Monyvely Myeongdong located on the 3F above Olive Young, 2 mins walk from Myeongdong Station (exit 6).

You can help yourself to a good selection of pork (e.g. pork belly, pork neck, pork jowl, sliced pork belly), beef (e.g. rib eye, top blade, spleen meat, rib meat - galbi, beef bulgogi, marinated beef short ribs), salad bar (lettuce, perilla leaves, mushrooms, pumpkin) and a good variety of sauces and dips.

The multi-language menu offers 2 buffet options: Full Set (Beef + Pork) or Mongvely Set (Beef + Pork + Beef Intestines) where you can have unlimited self-service refill of meat and salad bar. For a small additional charge, you can also have unlimited soybean stew, ramen, cold noodles, rice and soft drinks. Alternatively, you can order these sides individually too.

💡The restaurant has another branch near Euljiro 1(il)-ga Station (exit 5).

Located 3 mins walk from Myeongdong Station (exit 5), Yuk Tongryong Myeongdong has been selected for the Blue Ribbon Survey (the 'Michelin Guide of South Korea') yearly since 2021. It is considered as one of the top 3 grilled pork belly BBQ restaurants in Seoul. It was also featured on tvN's Wednesday Food Talk and SBS's Live Today.

There are 3 floors and you can make your order via the tablet (menu with pictures & in English) on each table. Though this is a pork speciality restaurant, there are also beef ribs, sirloin and Korean beef tartare too. The staff will take care of all the grilling over hot charcoal, allowing you to enjoy your BBQ comfortably.

🤳You can do an online waitlist queue for the restaurant on Catch Table app.

This restaurant offers an interesting and unique BBQ experience as you will be grilling on the pot lid (/cover)! Cheonha Jeil Pot Lid specialises in pork belly and there are Korean-styled steamed eggs, cold noodles in chilled clear/soybean broth, etc. Also, don't missed out the fried rice on the pot lit too!

With just 4 items on their menu, Myeongdong Kyoja is one of the most popular restaurants in Myeongdong. The restaurant is listed as Michelin Bib Gourmand yearly since 2017. It is famous for its knife-cut, handmade kalguksu (noodle soup). Also popular are their mandu (dumplings), bibim guksu (spicy noodles) and kongguksu (noodles in cold soybean soup).​

💡If there is a queue at the main store, you can check out their latest, biggest & brighter branch located just next to Myeongdong Station (exit 8).

For fans of Naengmyeon (Korean cold noodles), there is an old established restaurant located at the back alley (behind Myeongdong Kyoja - main store).

BHC Chicken ("Better & Happier Choice") is the most popular fried chicken and beer restaurant along the same street with several other fried chicken restaurants. A highly recommended must-eat in Seoul but do go early as the restaurant is often packed with people.

Jangin Dakgalbi Myeongdong Branch is a dakgalbi (Korean spicy stir-fried chicken) speciality restaurant using only fresh domestic antibiotic-free chicken and pure mozzarella cheese (as featured on the restaurant wall). The restaurant is located opposite Hotel Skypark Central, 3 mins walk from Euljiro 1(il)-ga Station (exit 5) or 5 mins walk straight from Myeongdong Station (exit 8).

When you made your order for the boneless dakgalbi, you can specify your preferred spiciness level (mild, medium, spicy), top with optional mozzarella cheese, rice cakes, ramen, glass noodles, udon, sausages or assorted (mozzarella cheese, rice cake, glass noodles/ramen).

After finishing your dakgalbi (or anytime you wish for different style of eating), you can order fried rice (kimchi + fish roe), fish roe fried rice or kimchi fried rice with optional toppings (egg, corn, mozzarella cheese, rice) and they will prepare the fried rice right in front of you on your remaining dakgalbi. A must-eat for many even when they are full.

There is a self-service salad bar (lettuce, perilla leaves, shredded cabbage radish, pickled Korean radish slices & black sesame dressing) and disposable apron are provided next to the salad bar.

THE SIC DDANGIS Myeongdong is a famous restaurant featured on several local variety shows with many reviews. The restaurant is located on the 2F but the signboards on the ground floor will certainly catch your attention on its whereabout.

The restaurant offers different customisable set menu based on your preferences. A basic set for 2-4 pax includes: Bulgogi/Cockle/Webfoot Octopus (select 1) + Clam Kalguksu Knife-cut Noodle Soup/Yeolmu Naeng Guksu cold spicy noodle soup (select 1) + Self-service bar (lettuce, bean sprouts, kimchi, garlic, seaweed) + unlimited refills of rice & Kalguksu noodles (where applicable).

Other sets include additional Gorgonzola wood fired pizza and/or Butter-Grilled Whole Lobster which are very well received too.

Gunja Daehan Gopchang is a popular restaurant known for its grilled beef intestines (i.e gopchang). Besides gopchang, the multi-language menu includes beef ribs (short, prime, intercostal) and Gopchang hot pot stew. Sides include kimchi fried rice with optional cheese/fish roe add-on, assorted vegetables/mushrooms, kimchi noodles (cold), kimchi bibim noodles cold), spicy small intestine hot pot, bean paste stew, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.

The restaurant is located 3 mins walk from Euljiro 1(il)-ga Station (exit 5) or 5 mins walk straight from Myeongdong Station (exit 6).

💡Gopchang and beef ribs pricing are based on per portion with a minimum order of 2 portions.

🤳You can make a reservation (Gunjadaehan Gopchang Myeongdong) on your preferred date and time on Catch Table app.

This is the 2nd Bonjuk branch in Myeongdong. This store is recommended instead of its 1st store as it has bibimbap (mixed rice with vegetables) on top of its popular porridge menu. Popular porridge include abalone porridge, red snow crab porridge, beef & vegetable porridge, octopus & kimchi porridge and lastly, pumpkin porridge.

💡Takeaway is a good option too as they are neatly packed.

If you have been wanting to try Ganjang Gejang (Korean raw crabs marinated in soy sauce), you don't have to travel far. There is one famous restaurant, Odarijip in Myeongdong that is conveniently located within 2 mins walk from Myeongdong Station (line 4, exit 6).

If you enjoy brunch with a nice and spacious atmosphere, check out 37.5 Signature Myeongdong Branch. The restaurant is located on the 2nd floor of Days Hotel, 2 mins walk straight from Myeongdong Station (exit 5).

Order can be made easily using the tablet at each table. The multi-language and picture menu includes brunch & omelette, pasta & risotto, stead & fried rice, pizza, salad & sides, coffee, drink, beer and wine.

The Spot Fabulous is a well-known large cafe located at the 2-storey historic building opposite Embassy of China in Myeongdong. There is a wide selection of desserts such as financiers, macarons, tarts, cheesecakes and signature cookies.

For dessert lovers, check out Cafe Poem, the dessert heaven in Myeongdong! Though the cafe is famous for its waffles, it also has an extensive menu of bingsu (Korean shaved ice dessert), ice cream shakes and parfaits. Alcoholic cocktails and beers are also on the menu!

Hello Kitty Apple Cafe is located 3 mins walk from Myeongdong Station (exit 6, turn left at the 3rd cross street after adidas). The 3-storey cafe has an eye-catching bright-red and big storefront, a must-visit for Hello Kitty fans.

1F - Service Counter, Kiosk, Cafe, Mini Gift Shop
2F - Cafe, Photo Zones
3F - Gift Shop

The interior is beautifully decorated with Hello Kitty theme and you can spend healing time in store at the cafe or browsing around.

For those who missed their food back home or if you do who do not have this restaurant in your city, check out Din Tai Fung in Myeongdong, Seoul.

​Din Tai Fung is a Michelin-starred Taiwanese restaurant chain, renowned for its Xiao Long Bao (soup dumplings) and egg fried rice. Menu includes a good selection of xiaolongbao, dumplings, wonton, noodle, rice, qiancai (vegetable), side dishes, cuisine, dessert and seasonal menu/sets.

You can enter the restaurant via the 2nd floor of Hotel 28 Myeongdong or from the exterior side of the building, 3 mins walk from Euljiro 1(il)-ga Station (exit 5/6).

Dim Dim Sum is a restaurant chain from Hong Kong where you can get authentic Chinese Cantonese dim sum, right in Seoul, Korea... for those who miss their Chinese food back home. Dim Dim Sum is selected for the Blue Ribbon Survey in 2025.

The menu includes dimsum, Cantonese BBQ, rice/noodles, rice flour rolls, baked/fried, vegetables, sets, classic tea and beverages.

Dim Dim Sum is located at the basement level of Noon Square (ZARA, NIKE), 3 mins walk from Euljiro 1(il)-ga Station (exit 6). You can come down directly via the external stairs next to ZARA or from inside Noon Square.

🤳You can make a reservation (DimdimSum) on your preferred date and time on Catch Table app.