Myeongdong, Seoul: What To Do, What To Eat, What To See, & More!

The Myeongdong area in Seoul, Korea is probably the most popular shopping district in the entire city with both international brands and local retail shops bursting from the seams. You can find everything you’re looking for from K-beauty to fashion and some awesomely delicious food in between.

Myeongdong is so popular with tourists that most vendors are able and very willing to speak multiple languages to get that sale made. You’ll hear English, Mandarin, Japanese, and Korean as you walk through the alleys of this Seoul hot spot.

Because Myeongdong is so popular, I decided to make a guide to some of the spots and surprises you might not know about in the area. Myeongdong can get pretty crazy busy so be prepared with a plan when you go and then just go with the crowded flow. If it’s your first time to Seoul, check out this guide to Seoul for the first-timer with EVERYTHING you’ve gotta check out. Hopefully you have time.

Get ready for an adventure into Myeongdong:

• Pro Tips To Know In Myeongdong
• How To Get To Myeongdong
• Where To Stay In Myeongdong
• Cafes To Visit In Myeongdong
• Where To Have Fun In Myeongdong
• Where To Eat In Myeongdong
• What To See Nearby

(This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a certain percentage of a sale if you purchase after clicking at no cost to you. Thank you for your support.)

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Pro Tips To Know In Myeongdong

• If you visit in the morning when the street cart vendors are still setting up, you’ll find there is more space on the side walk and it’s easier to get in and out quickly. This is ideal if you’re just looking to go shopping.
• Visit in the evening and you can take advantage of the numerous street food carts and stall hop between shopping bouts.
• A benefit to shopping in Myeongdong for tourists is that most of the shops are exempt from taxes. You can get your money back if you purchase more than W30,000 and less than W1,000,000 at the Duty Free or Tax Free Shops and they are all labeled and feature stickers in the windows if they are. You can show your receipts and forms at tax refund booths to get the refunds.
  • Necessary documents for refunds: receipt/VAT receipt and your passport.

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How To Get To Myeongdong

The Myeongdong district that people are commonly referring to when talking about the area is the neighborhood that has Myeongdong Subway Station on the south side, Sinsaegae Department Store & Lotte Department Store on the west side, Euljiro 1-ga Subway Station on the north side and Myeongdong Cathedral on the east side. If you stay within those boundaries, you’ll be able to see it all!

By Subway: Make sure to have your T-Money card and it’s topped up. Head to Myeongdong Subway Station and take exit 6 (stairs) or exit 7 (escalator) to get right onto the main shopping street. If you’re on the green line, get off at Euljiro 1-ga Subway Station and take exit 6 and walk straight and then turn in left when you see lots of shoppers. Can’t miss them.

Hop On/ Hop Off Bus: If you’ll be traveling via the Seoul City Hop On/Hop Off Bus, know that it also stops here. You can buy the ticket for this bus here. And to get more information about the bus, here is a guide to the Hop On/ Hop Off Bus In Seoul.

NOTE: If you’ll be going out to Nami island while you’re visiting Seoul, there’s a bus that picks up in the alley behind the Shinsegae Department Store.

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Where To Stay In Myeongdong

Myeongdong is one of the most popular areas for tourists to stay. Not only is it centrally located and near quite a few different subway lines, it’s also hopping from day into night which is perfect for travelers that might be working through jet lag and want to eat at odd times. From luxury to budget, there is something for everyone in Myeongdong. Here are some of the best spots to stay right in Myeongdong, if you want even more, check out this guide for where to stay in Myeongdong.

As a side note, even if you’re not a traveler, but are a local, look into staying in Myeongdong for a staycation. We did it once and it was more amazing than I imagined. I usually get super tired while shopping in the rush, but we were hopping in and out of the hotel at our whim and it made the Myeongdong experience even better!

L’Escape Hotel

I recently had to visit this hotel to do an article for Forbes Travel Guide and this hotel is amazing. It’s really different from other hotels you’ll find in Seoul in that it is meant to recreate French aristocrat life. It is lush, lavish, and super unique. This is also a pet friendly hotel unlike many in the area. The rooms feature gorgeous bathrooms with black and white tile and claw foot tubs and the beds are big and comfortable. It’s really a special place and you should definitely look into it if you’re coming for a special anniversary or want to just live that French life in Seoul.

You can book a room at L’Escape Hotel here on Booking.com or on Agoda.com

Small House Big Door

Another very unique place to stay in Myeongdong is Small House Big Door. You’ll feel like you’re walking into a gallery and inhabiting a museum. The rooms are kept very simple to go along with the minimalistic style of the hotel. The location is perfect and the aesthetic quiet and blissful. Stop into their bistro and cafe to eat and sip cafe and reminisce in the calm white surroundings. Want to take photos of all of the clothes you buy in Myeongdong in cool surroundings? This is a photographers dream.

Book a stay here now on Booking.com or on Agoda.com

The Cube Hotel

Looking for something more budget friendly and perfect for many a student budget? This is right up your alley and you can meet other travelers right around you. The Cube Hotel is a great hostel that features a bar, shared lounge, garden, free Wifi, and a terrace with a garden right in Myeongdong. The cubes are comfortable and guests will fall right asleep comfortably in a safe environment. It’s much more private than you’d expect from a hostel and is the perfect place to stay if you want something easy and nice for the budget for your trip to Seoul.

Book a cube here on Booking.com or on Agoda.com

Hotel28 Myeongdong

Designed with a cinematic concept, Hotel28 is Korea’s first hotel to be apart of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World Ltd. This boutique hotel is located in the center of Myeongdong and yet walking inside, you’d never know you’re surrounding by so much hustle and bustle. The location is super convenient but more than that, this is small luxury in the heart of the city. The staff will help with anything and the rooms are extremely comfortable and have all of the amenities you want and need while on vacation or maybe for a staycation.

Book a stay at Hotel28 here on Booking.com or here on Agoda.com

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Cafes To Visit In Myeongdong

There are some super cool cafes to see in Myeongdong and some are even serving up the hottest new menu item dalgona coffee. Make sure you look up while you’re walking because some of the coolest ones are on higher floors. Don’t miss them!

The Spot Fabulous (더 스팟 패뷸러스)

Right across the street from the Chinese Embassy, this cafe is very cool with a more rustic interior that feels a bit chic thanks to the mirrors and chandelier they’ve installed. Order drinks and some delicious pastries and baked goods on the first floor and then take your goods upstairs. This is a beautiful somewhat hidden cafe in a corner of Myeongdong that’s off the beaten path to most tourists.

• Address: 22 Myeongdong 2-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul (서울 중구 명동2길 22)
• Hours: Every day: 8:00am ~ 11:00pm

Style Nanda Pink Hotel (스타일난다핑크호텔)

The Style Nanda Hotel & Pink Pool Cafe is always a winner for anyone looking for something a little different, a little quirky and a lot cool. The Style Nanda store in Myeongdong has been decorated to pay homage to Wes Anderson’s movie The Grand Budapest Hotel.

The different themed areas showcase a 1950s vibe with velvet and gold and a rooftop that you can only dream of. The cafe is small, but the vibes all the way up are cool cool cool. I recommend taking the elevator all the way up to the top enjoying the roof and cafe and then taking the stairs down and stopping on all of the floors as you go.

• Address: 37-8 Myeongdong 8-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul (서울 중구 명동8길 37-8)
• Hours: Every day: 11:00am ~ 11:00pm

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Where To Have Fun In Myeongdong

Nanta Show Seoul

Nanta is Korea’s longest running theater show and showcases a talented troupe that performs both traditional folk pieces and modern numbers all based around an outrageous kitchen and group of chefs. Actors use real food, knives, cutting boards and more to produce cadences and rhythms you probably didn’t realize were possible in the kitchen.

Expect to laugh, be awed, and just have a ton of fun. This is one of the most popular things for tourists to do when they visit Seoul. Don’t be left out. Spend a day shopping and take a nice break by seeing a show in the evening.

• Address: Unesco Building 3F, 50-14 Myeong Dong 2 Ga, Jung Gu, Seoul (서울 중구 명동2가 50-14)
• Show Times: Monday – Thursday: 5:00pm & 8:00pm; Saturday: 11:00am, 2:00pm, 5:00pm & 8:00pm; Friday & Sunday: 2:00pm, 5:00pm & 8:00pm
• Admission: W44,000 ~ W66,000. Buy your tickets here online to take advantage of a great discount.

Bank of Korea Money Museum (한국은행 화폐박물관)

The Bank of Korea Money Museum is a great and FREE stop in Myeongdong where you can learn about currency culture in Korea and abroad, how currency is made, and check out some really interesting currency design from around the world. You can also make your own version of a Korean W50,000 with your serious face! It’s great for adults and kids.

• Address: 39 Namdaemun-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 중구 남대문로 39)
• Hours: Tuesday – Sunday: 10:00am ~ 5:00pm
• Admission: Free
• Website: https://www.bok.or.kr/

Butter Shop Myeongdong (버터샵)

Beyond its charming mascot, Butter Shop offers a treasure trove of Korean daily necessities, making it a one-stop destination for a diverse range of items. It’s not just your standard stationary store, but there are toys, household essentials like toothbrushes, 3C accessories, home appliances, kitchenware, travel supplies, suitcases, and even stylish T-shirts and pajamas. Basically, you can find all kinds of cute things inside.

• Address: 55 Myeongdong-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul (서울 중구 명동길 55)
• Hours: Every day: 10:00am ~ 11:00pm

Perfume Studio: Perfume Making Experience

Want to take home something unique that you made yourself? Definitely take advantage of this fun experience to make your own perfume using more than 150 perfume bases and 20 natural flavors to make a one of a kind experience. I’ve done this in France and in Korea and each experience has been so fun not to mention I have my very own unique perfume to take home with me.

Be guided through the process by a professional multilingual instructor. Pick your own perfume bottle and write your own inscription. It’s a great product to make for yourself or as a gift for someone nearby or far away. A great experience to enjoy in Myeongdong.

• Address: 2F, 53 Myeongdong 2-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul (서울 중구 명동2길 53)
• Hours: Tuesday – Sunday: 11:00am, 1:00pm, 2:30pm, 4:00pm, 5:30pm, & 7:00pm
• Class Fee Including Perfume to Take Home: W50,000. Book your class in advance on Klook to confirm your time.

Myeongdong Shooting Range

The space was actually designed by some K-pop stars that wanted to give visitors the opportunity to use firearms they’d seen in action movies and dramas. This shooting range has even trained some popular Hallyu stars including Kim Soo Hyun, Tiffany from Girls Generation, G-Dragon, Yoon Doo Joon and Lee Gi Kwang from Beast, and CL from 2NE1.

You can receive coaching from professionals on the Korean national shooting team and test your firearm skills. There are over 100 firearms to choose from to test out in an indoor live ammunition shooting range.

• Address: 3F, Sunshine Building, Chungmuro 2(i)-ga 11-1, Seoul
• Hours: Monday – Sunday: 10:00am ~ 8:00pm (Break Time: 12:00pm ~ 1:00pm)
• Admission: Book your experience here to take advantage of a good discount.
• Note: Children under 14 years of age are not permitted to enter and teenagers 14-18 must be accompanied by a parent.

Hanbok Experience

While most people probably head to Bukchon Hanok Village to try on a Hanbok and maybe visiti Changgyeonggung Palace or Changdeokgung Palace to take photos, there is the opportunity to have Hanbok fun in Myeongdong too! If you’ve only got a limited time in Seoul and you’ll be in the Myeongdong area, then definitely take the time to try on a Hanbok. It’s a must have experience and there are Hanboks for both adults and children. Try one on and then use their indoor backdrops to take photos with friends or family.

• Address: 30 Myeongdong 8na-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul (서울 중구 명동8나길 30)
• Hours: Every day: 9:00am ~ 10:00pm
• Admission: W25,000; Rent with Klook to get a discount on the price.

Find Some Installations

This fun balloon installation is just outside of Euljiro 1-ga Station, exit 2. There are a ton of installations in and around the Myeongdong area that people walk right by as their noses are buried in their phones looking for the next spot to stop into. Don’t be one of those people.

Take a look around, maybe take some whimsical photos with said statues and have a flying good time. Pretty much every corner near the subway stations features some sort of installation, so check them out.

Korea Postage Stamp Museum (우표박물관)

It might sound really random if you’re a tourist headed to the shopping district of Seoul. But, the Korea Postage Stamp Museum is a great little hidden gem in the Korea Post Office that is right in Myeongdong. It’s not huge, but has some beautiful historic stamps and it’s fun if you have kids and are looking for something to do with them for a bit.

• Address: 70 Sogong-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 중구 소공로 70)
• Hours: Tuesday – Sunday: 9:00am ~ 6:00pm
• Admission: Free

Line Friends Myeongdong (라인프렌즈 명동 플래그십스토어)

Walk into this quirky store to find all of your favorite Line Friends characters in gigantic size perfect for photo-ops and then purchase all of the cartoony goods from stuffed animals to bandaids. It’s free to take photos in the shop so even if you don’t want to buy anything but just want to have some fun, you totally can!

• Address: 9 Myeongdong 8-nagil, Jung-gu, Seoul (서울 중구 명동8나길 9 1층)
• Hours: Every day: 10:00am ~ 11:00pm

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Where To Eat In Myeongdong

I couldn’t possibly list all of the amazing restaurants, but more importantly street food in Myeongdong. These are my two favorites, but for more, check out this list of the best restaurants and street food to eat in Myeongdong.

Hadongkwan (하동관)

Hadongkwan was opened in the 1930s and smack dab in the middle of Myeongdong makes it one of the oldest spots in the area. While many things in Myeongdong are bright, shiny, and new, Hadongkwan is a bit more lived in and loved. The restaurant only serves two dishes: gomtang, a beef bone soup, and suyuk, a boiled beef soup. Gomtang is a traditional Korean soup made by boiling beef and radish for a number of hours. The soup is said to help replenish you if you’re feeling mentally or physically exhausted, which you definitely will if you’re in Myeongdong shopping it up.

• Address: 12 Myeongdong 9-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul (서울 중구 명동9길 12)
• Hours: Every day: 7:00am ~ 4:00pm

Myeongdong Kyoja (명동교자)

This is one of the most popular restaurants in Myeongdong so do expect a wait. Popular with both locals and tourists, Myeongdong Kyoja has been serving dishes to hungry visitors for over forty years. The most popular dish is kalguksu, a noodle soup with hand-cut noodles. This is also one of the most popular soups at Gwangjang Traditional Market where Netflix made it super famous. Stop over there too if you’re into soups and good Korean cuisine.

At Myeongdong Kyoja, some other popular dishes include bibimguksu (a spicier noodle dish), kongguksu (a cold soybean noodle soup available in the warmer months), and mandu (dumplings). The dishes are refreshing and filling and perfect for lunch or dinner in Myeongdong.

• Address: 29 Myeongdong 10-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul (서울 중구 명동10길 29)
• Hours: Every day: 10:30am ~ 9:30pm

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What To See Nearby

There’s a reason that Myeongdong is highly recommended as a place to stay because it’s within walking distance of a variety of things. It’s a great location in Seoul. Here are some places to see nearby.

Sungnyemun Gate (숭례문)

Sungnyemun Gate isn’t technically IN Myeongdong. But, it’s just down the road from Sinsaegae Department Store and is just beautiful. This is the south main gate, also known as Namdaemun. Originally built in 1395, it was rebuilt in 1448 and then 1479 and then most recently, after an arson attack, was rebuilt again in 2013. The restoration looks just beautiful though.

Definitely walk all the way up and check out the artwork inside the gate as well. If you’re ready for a good walk from Myeongdong, also look into walking up to N Seoul Tower on Namsan Mountain. It’s a must see and you’re not too far from it when you’re in Myeongdong.

Deoksugung Palace

Though Deoksugung isn’t as large as the other palaces, it is definitely the most unique architecturally and what’s better is you can just walk right over from Myeongdong. There is a changing of the guard ceremony which is very fun to watch and then you can walk in to find some gorgeous architecture that spans from the Joseon Dynasty as well as much more present styles and then you can learn why that is. It’s a great place to spend some time if you have the time. Here’s a guide to Deoksugung Palace and what to find there.

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