If You’re Having Lunch in Seoul’s Gourmet Battleground, Myeong-dong, This is the Place! 3 Recommended Spots

Myeong-dong, Seoul’s most bustling downtown area, is lined with more restaurants than you can count. As a fierce gourmet battleground, the turnover of shops is rapid and surprising. Especially if your stay is short, you definitely don’t want to waste even a single meal. For those who want to grab a quick lunch while shopping in Myeong-dong—without sacrificing taste—here are some recommended spots. Please use this as a reference.

1. Myeongdong Kyoja Main Store

For those who want a quick and easy lunch, but still want to dine at a famous restaurant, the signature dishes at Myeongdong Kyoja—kalguksu and mandu—are highly recommended. This well-known restaurant appears in almost every guidebook, so be prepared to wait in line during mealtimes. Kalguksu is Korean handmade knife-cut noodles. The comforting taste of thick noodles in a rich, milky-white chicken broth simmered for hours is perfect for those who don’t like spicy food or want something gentle on the stomach.

Many people order the dumplings (mandu), which are also the restaurant’s namesake, alongside the kalguksu. These small dumplings are generously filled with minced meat and vegetables, making them juicy and satisfying. Since both the kalguksu and mandu have light flavors, it’s fun to adjust the taste using the condiments provided on the table.

2. Hadongkwan Main Store

Many visitors are surprised by how much colder Korean winters are than expected. One perfect dish for the cold winter season is gomtang, a beef soup simmered slowly for a rich flavor. Gomtang is made by simmering beef brisket bones, knees, breast meat, ribs, tail, offal, and shank with radish until tender, then serving the beef slices with the soup. Unlike most gomtang, which are milky in color, Hadongkwan’s gomtang has a clear broth. You can season it to your taste with chopped green onions and salt.

At Hadongkwan, the shop closes once the soup prepared for the day is sold out—they never add to leftover soup to serve the next day. In fact, in their 70 years of operation, they have never had leftover soup at the end of the day. With its reputation for authentic gomtang—even frequented by former presidents—you’re sure to feel energized for the rest of the day after a bowl here.

3. Gimgane Myeong-dong Branch No. 2

For an affordable, quick, and tasty lunch in Myeong-dong, the gimbap specialty chain “Gimgane” is a great choice. While you can find Gimgane branches all over Seoul, the Myeong-dong location is always bustling with customers. The standout feature of Gimgane is the variety and generous fillings of its gimbap! The Gimgane gimbap, with 9 different ingredients, is hearty and satisfying. They roll it fresh after you order, so it’s always served fresh.

Take-out is also available, and the shop is open 24 hours—perfect for those busy shopping and sightseeing who want to bring food back to their hotel to enjoy later.

◎ Summary

Myeong-dong, the city that never sleeps, is filled with countless lunch spots. As a competitive area, restaurants move or close frequently, so it’s a good idea to have a list of backup options in addition to your target restaurants. Popular spots can have long lines, even with locals, during peak meal times, so visiting during off-hours will help you enjoy delicious Korean food without a long wait.

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If You’re Having Lunch in Seoul’s Gourmet Battleground, Myeong-dong, This is the Place! 3 Recommended Spots