Skip to content

Top Navigation

Food & Wine Food & Wine
  • Recipes & Cooking
  • Drinks
  • Travel
  • Holidays & Events
  • News
  • F&W Classic
  • Video
  • Kitchen & Home
  • F&W Pro

Profile Menu

Your Profile

Your Profile

  • Join Now
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Give a Gift Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Wine Club
  • Podcast
  • Logout
Login
Subscribe Subscribe
Pin FB

Explore Food & Wine

Food & Wine Food & Wine
  • Explore

    Explore

    • F&W Cooks

      Food and Wine presents a new network of food pros delivering the most cookable recipes and delicious ideas online. Read More Next
    • Our 22 Best Crock Pot and Slow-Cooker Recipes

      Looking to amp up your beef stew but unsure where to start? A slow cooker can can take your comfort food to the next level. Read More Next
    • 50 Affordable Wines You Can Always Trust

      We’ve assembled a list of 50 of the world’s most reliable, inexpensive wines – bottles that offer amazing quality for their price year in and year out. Read More Next
  • Recipes & Cooking

    Recipes & Cooking

    See All Recipes & Cooking
    • Chicken Recipes
    • Comfort Food Recipes
    • Breakfast & Brunch Recipes
    • Salad Recipes
    • Dessert Recipes
    • Vegetable Recipes
    • Pasta & Noodle Recipes
    • Chefs
    • Meat & Poultry Recipes
    • Soup Recipes
    • Appetizer Recipes
    • Side Dishes
    • Fruit Recipes
    • Seafood Recipes
    • Special Diets
    • Cooking Techniques
    • Steal This Trick
  • Drinks

    Drinks

    See All Drinks
    • Wine
    • Cocktails & Spirits
    • Coffee Drinks & Recipes
    • Juices
    • Beer & Brews
    • Champagne & Sparkling Wine
    • Tea Recipes & Ideas
  • Travel

    Travel

    See All Travel
    • Wine Regions
    • Restaurants
  • Holidays & Events

    Holidays & Events

    See All Holidays & Events
    • Valentine's Day
    • Halloween
    • Passover
    • Hanukkah
    • Christmas
    • Gifts
    • Super Bowl
    • Easter
    • Thanksgiving
    • New Year's Eve
    • Holiday Entertaining
  • News
  • F&W Classic
  • Video
  • Kitchen & Home
  • F&W Pro

Profile Menu

Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
Your Profile

Your Profile

  • Join Now
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Give a Gift Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Wine Club
  • Podcast
  • Logout
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. Home Chevron Right
  2. Travel Chevron Right
  3. What to Do in Seoul, South Korea

What to Do in Seoul, South Korea

By Food & Wine
Updated March 08, 2017
Skip gallery slides
Save FB Tweet
Credit: © Ken Lee
Take a tour with Ken Lee of the best food and sites to experience in Seoul, from tasty street food to secret villages and stunning park views.
Start Slideshow

1 of 22

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Hongdae

Credit: © Ken Lee

Hongdae is where all the new food and fashion trends are born. Being a campus area, there are tons of cafés and restaurants to choose from, as well street food vendors scattered across the area.

1 of 22

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 22

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Ddeokggochi

Credit: © Ken Lee

Similar to ddeokbokki, these rice cakes are fried and coated beforehand, then served on skewers. You can add different flavorings to spice things up.

2 of 22

3 of 22

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Tornado Potato

Credit: © Ken Lee

The Tornado Potato is made using a spiral slicer. It’s often eaten by students and coated in flavors like chile, barbecue, cheese and sweet onion. These are hard to find, so when you come across one you should definitely give it a try.

3 of 22

Advertisement

4 of 22

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Myeong-dong

Credit: © Ken Lee

Myeong-dong is a popular shopping district, bustling every day until late at night. With bright lights and dynamic music, it’s vibrant and active throughout the year and it's alleys are full of restaurants to try.

4 of 22

5 of 22

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Gyeran-Bbang (Egg Bread)

Credit: © Ken Lee

This fresh steamed bread–based snack with a boiled egg inside is a popular Korean snack that can be found in most neighborhoods.

5 of 22

6 of 22

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Korean Squid Lollipops

Credit: © Ken Lee

The latest craze in Korea is deep-fried squid coated in various savory powders, including chile, paprika and sweet onion. Despite looking pretty unappetizing, it’s a national success—even making news headlines.

6 of 22

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 22

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art

Credit: © Ken Lee

The Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art is a multi-purpose facility that seeks to accommodate every type of artistic endeavor. Every few months, the exhibitions change on a large scale, creating a fresh look and perspective all year round.

7 of 22

8 of 22

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Korean Hot Dog

Credit: © Ken Lee

The equivalent of the American corndog, some vendors like to coat them in sugar and ketchup, or even add cubes of fried potato into the batter mix to give them a plumper look.

8 of 22

9 of 22

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Insa-dong

Credit: © Ken Lee

Insa-dong is known as the cultural hub of the city, with many restaurants that serve traditional Korean food. When you finish lunch or dinner, take a look at the spiral mall called Ssamziegil and immerse yourself in the unique arts and crafts boutiques.

9 of 22

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 22

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Grilled Squid

Credit: © Ken Lee

Yes, more squid, but this version—which you shred with your fingers—is a bit easier on the eyes. You can buy this at the movies instead of popcorn.

10 of 22

11 of 22

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Hodugwaja (Walnut Snack)

Credit: © Ken Lee

The walnuts are hidden inside these toasted breads, which are usually filled with sweet red bean paste. It is so popular that the snack has its very own store.

11 of 22

12 of 22

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Eomuk (Fish Cake)

Credit: © Ken Lee

A mixture of grounded fish, starch and sugar that is usually served on skewers in a cup of hot broth. It’s cheap, delicious, filling and can be found in any Korean supermarket.

12 of 22

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 22

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Bukchon Hanok Village

Credit: © Ken Lee

This village has preserved its traditional houses and attracts tons of visitors. It provides an amazing view, showing how the modern and traditional clash in Seoul’s cityscape.

13 of 22

14 of 22

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Assorted Twigim

Credit: © Ken Lee

Twigim means anything deep-fried, ranging from squid to sweet potatoes to rice cakes and more. An alternative to potato chips, perhaps? These are often bought to be shared or brought home as a side dish.

14 of 22

15 of 22

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Samcheong-dong

Credit: © Ken Lee

Samcheong-dong is another hip area full of unique restaurants, themed cafés and small boutiques. It is also where traditional and modern styles meet, making it one of the most unique places to visit in Seoul.

15 of 22

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 22

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Hotteok

Credit: © Ken Lee

Hotteok is a popular pancake filled with melted brown sugar and cinnamon (but it’s not available during the summer).

16 of 22

17 of 22

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Ddeokbokki

Credit: © Ken Lee

Ddeokbokki is one of the most iconic street foods in Korea. They are rice cakes in a hot broth of devilishly red spicy sauce and can be found in almost every neighborhood. Although cheap, it's also delicious and so filling it can serve as a meal by itself.

17 of 22

18 of 22

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Bungeoppang (Fish Bread)

Credit: © Ken Lee

This is probably one of the most iconic Korean street foods, largely inpart due to its cute fish shape and sweet aroma. These adored fish breads are filled with sweet red bean paste or custard, but are only available during fall and winter, so make sure you buy them while you can.

18 of 22

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

19 of 22

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Churros

Credit: © Ken Lee

Churros are long, thin doughnuts coated with sugar. These are just as popular as the squid lollipops and are often served with dips of different flavors, such as chocolate, cream cheese, apple and more.

19 of 22

20 of 22

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Cuttlefish Pancake

Credit: © Ken Lee

This grilled cuttlefish pancake has an incredible crunch. It’s so popular that it’s being sold in supermarkets alongside potato chips.

20 of 22

21 of 22

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Naksan Park

Credit: © Ken Lee

This romantic park located on a hill off Hyehwa shows the top half of Seoul’s cityscape. You can walk along the fortress wall and see the stunning night view if you take a stroll here in the evening.

21 of 22

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

22 of 22

Save FB Tweet
Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Ewha Womans University

Credit: © Ken Lee

The main roads that connect to the university from the station are lined with street food vendors, so you can literally hop from one stall to another and grab your dinner on the go. Added bonus: the architecture of this university is also quite stunning.

22 of 22

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

By Food & Wine

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook
Trending Videos
Advertisement
Skip slide summaries

Everything in This Slideshow

Advertisement

View All

1 of 22 Hongdae
2 of 22 Ddeokggochi
3 of 22 Tornado Potato
4 of 22 Myeong-dong
5 of 22 Gyeran-Bbang (Egg Bread)
6 of 22 Korean Squid Lollipops
7 of 22 Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art
8 of 22 Korean Hot Dog
9 of 22 Insa-dong
10 of 22 Grilled Squid
11 of 22 Hodugwaja (Walnut Snack)
12 of 22 Eomuk (Fish Cake)
13 of 22 Bukchon Hanok Village
14 of 22 Assorted Twigim
15 of 22 Samcheong-dong
16 of 22 Hotteok
17 of 22 Ddeokbokki
18 of 22 Bungeoppang (Fish Bread)
19 of 22 Churros
20 of 22 Cuttlefish Pancake
21 of 22 Naksan Park
22 of 22 Ewha Womans University

Share options

Pinterest Mail Email iphone Send Text Message Print

Login

Food & Wine

Magazines & More

Learn More

  • Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
  • Books from Food & Wine
  • Contact Us
  • Media Kit
  • Content Licensing

Connect

Follow Us
Subscribe to Our Newsletter
Other Meredith Sites

Other Meredith Sites

  • 4 Your Health this link opens in a new tab
  • Allrecipes this link opens in a new tab
  • All People Quilt this link opens in a new tab
  • Better Homes & Gardens this link opens in a new tab
  • Bizrate Insights this link opens in a new tab
  • Bizrate Surveys this link opens in a new tab
  • Cooking Light this link opens in a new tab
  • Daily Paws this link opens in a new tab
  • EatingWell this link opens in a new tab
  • Eat This, Not That this link opens in a new tab
  • Entertainment Weekly this link opens in a new tab
  • Health this link opens in a new tab
  • Hello Giggles this link opens in a new tab
  • Instyle this link opens in a new tab
  • Martha Stewart this link opens in a new tab
  • Midwest Living this link opens in a new tab
  • More this link opens in a new tab
  • MyRecipes this link opens in a new tab
  • MyWedding this link opens in a new tab
  • My Food and Family this link opens in a new tab
  • MyLife this link opens in a new tab
  • Parenting this link opens in a new tab
  • Parents this link opens in a new tab
  • People this link opens in a new tab
  • People en EspaƱol this link opens in a new tab
  • Rachael Ray Magazine this link opens in a new tab
  • Real Simple this link opens in a new tab
  • Ser Padres this link opens in a new tab
  • Shape this link opens in a new tab
  • Siempre Mujer this link opens in a new tab
  • Southern Living this link opens in a new tab
  • SwearBy this link opens in a new tab
  • Travel & Leisure this link opens in a new tab
Food & Wine is part of the Meredith Corporation Allrecipes Food Group. © Copyright 2021 Meredith Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
© Copyright . All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.foodandwine.com

View image

What to Do in Seoul, South Korea
this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.