It was a spontaneous decision to go to Seoul. We decided like 1 week before departure, stroll all the reliable airlines because I do not want to go long haul flight with Airasia my backbone will suffer if flying long haul with airasia. China Eastern Airlines and Cathay Pacific. I absolutely love Cathay but the timing is a bit off so we took CEA instead. BIG REGRET! Please read here. So yea, we flew with CEA using code sharing plane with Shanghai Airlines.

Oh bonus! Met Jacky Wu at the KLIA buying pretzel together 😀

So we stopped by Shanghai Airport for a transit. 

do you even understand what they are trying to say?

and finally HELLO SEOUL!!!

Not doubt there’s a lot more places with cheaper korea street food all over Seoul and significantly Myeongdong is one of the most overpriced place to have all of these. They are more like cater for tourists market. However, if you have limited time in Seoul or you just wanna cut short the hassle and settle both shopping and food at Myeongdong, you can always read the must try street food here; or you can settle down for some of the worth trying restaurant in Myeongdong! Lets get started! P/S : My hand drawn map will be attached at the end of the post for easy hunting

So whats the must try restaurant in Myeongdong? Just in case you cant find the restaurant as they are mostly in Korean words, you can show the restaurant images and ask around. Somehow someone will be nice enough to show you the way. At least this works for me! 🙂

1. Myeongdong Kyoja

images from google

This is probably the most common restaurant to visit in Myeongdong! They have a lot of branches there and do not be frightened by the queue, its very fast! 

Myeongdong Kyoja has been around for more than 40 years, serving their authentic knife cut homemade noodles, Kalguksu. Their Kalguksu is served with a deep and flavourful broth with meat and vegetables, a very hearty and satisfying meal especially in the winter. Apart from their Kalguksu, i like their Mandu even more! They are so firm and packed with flavours! 

You can try out their bibim guksu (spicy noodles) and kongguksu (noodles in cold soybean broth) too in the summer time! 

2. Sinseon Seolleongtang 

images from Danielfooddiary

A 24-hours popular ox-bone soup in Myeongdong. This is highly recommended by me. The restaurant started their operations since 1981, serving ox bone soup with a heart. In order to get a perfect bowl of seolleongtang, ox bone need to be simmer for hours before it turned milky white. It was not salty at all, just a pot of natural goodness topped with sliced brisket and green onion. I can only say, simplicity is the best. I am overwhelmed by the soup, it is thick and flavorful, but smooth enough to make you keep drinking until the last drop. And the most incredible part is, the seolleongtang actually conquer my brother, who hate soup stuff his whole life. Powerful enough.

Apart from that, we order mandu. I am guessing they are addicted to mandu ever since we had our mandu from Myeongdong Kyoja! They are delicious as well

Kimchijeon aka kimchi pancake is our next order. Not too bad, its crispy on the outter part and still moist and plump at the middle. 

AND lets put our hands together for the sides! They sides are incredibly addictive especially the kimchi! I think we had like around 7 or 8 rounds of hand cut kimchi. Soo good just soooo good!

And this conclude our happy meal in Sinseon Seolleongtang! Just in case you cant find the shop like i do, simple show this image to them and they will somehow lead you there! HAHAHAHA.

3. Yoogane (Dak Galbi)

image from Icosnap

Yoogane is a restaurant specialized in spicy stir fried chicken. Sad to say that as we don’t really take spicy stuff, we opt for the non spicy one. Still as good

cold noodles

Another dish that I sincerely love is the Naengmyeon (cold noodles). Naengmyeon is a very thin and chewy noodles made with buckwheat and other ingredients; served icy cold to give it a extra el Dante texture. The soup is somewhat refreshing and a bit sourish. Very good dish i must say! Oh, they gave you scissors to cut up the noodles for easy munching! Love it!

But.. be prepared to smell like BBQ or spicy chicken if you dine in Yoogane! Your bedroom definitely hate it!

4. Gaehwa Jajangmyeon

image from 12myfood

Hidden somewhere across the china embassy at Myeongdong for over 50 years, this chinese restaurant served Jajangmyeon (black bean sauce noodles) and Tangsuyuk (sweet and sour pork).

I had very very very good Jajangmyeon and Tangsuyuk at Busan back in the 2014 and it really took my heart. I think jajangmyeon and tangsuyuk are one of the most lovely pairs in the whole universe. Ever since then, I have been craving for them.

However, they did not fulfill my craving. They are good enough but I still think Busan had the best Jajangmyeon. But those who have not tried your best bowl of Jajangmyeon, this one is good enough to make a place in your heart.

Jajangmyeon!

sweet and sour pork

Tangsuyuk!! OMG these are really good. The sweet and sour pork is just tender. The thin layer of batter is very crispy and the amount of the sauce is just good enough to cover the meat. Very good proportion.

Meat patty. Meh!

5.  Organic Farming Ice Cream and Yogurt

This is probably the best soft serve i had in Seoul. Tips; if you see any soft serve with this shape, its gotta be good! We were so addicted by this soft serve we had it almost everyday ever since we discovered it!

They have one at the underground shopping street of Myeongdong Station and they have one just outside the main gate of the China Embassy!

What we love about the soft serve, it is so milky! Its like eating frozen creamy milk! I don’t know how to express my addiction to this but, ya! you must try!

Oh, if you get it at the one opposite China Embassy, its very instagram friendly! hahahahah! OK stop talking, go eat <3

And so I’ve attached my hand drawn map for your reference. I hope it helps you to get to the place you want 😀

Click and right click open in other tab for better viewing 😀

Happy Eating Peeps!