Guide to Myeongdong (SEOUL): Shop, Eat, Stay & Unwind

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.

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).

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.

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).

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.