Short answer: if you only eat one meal in Myeongdong, make it kalguksu and dumplings at Myeongdong Kyoja. For something heartier, go for the dakhanmari (whole-chicken hot pot) at Hyodam, or the beef bone soup at Hadonggwan, which closes at 4 p.m. All ten places below are among the most-reviewed restaurants in Myeongdong on Naver Map, the map app Koreans actually use.
Most Myeongdong lists you’ll find in English mix in cafés, chains and places that paid for exposure. I built this one differently. I sorted Naver Map by number of reviews, then removed ads, cafés, national franchises and places whose reviews come mostly from sponsored blog posts. What’s left is where Koreans and visitors actually line up.
Last checked: 2026-10-28. Prices and hours are from each restaurant’s Naver Map page. Menus change, so check the Naver Map link before you go. US dollar amounts use Naver’s base exchange rate on 2026-10-28 (₩1,332.80 = US$1), rounded.
Best Restaurants in Myeongdong at a Glance
| Restaurant | What to eat | Price | Naver visitor reviews | Booking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Myeongdong Kyoja | Kalguksu, dumplings | ₩12,000–13,000 (~US$9–10) | 21,837 | Walk in |
| 101 Namsan Donkatsu | Pork cutlet | ₩13,000–23,000 (~US$10–17) | 19,524 | Walk in |
| Namsan Sanchaejip | Pork cutlet, bibimbap | ₩14,000–16,000 (~US$11–12) | 10,220 | Naver booking |
| Hyodam Kalguksu Dakhanmari | Whole-chicken hot pot | ₩13,000–15,000 (~US$10–11) | 9,795 | Walk in |
| Onjeom Euljiro | Korean BBQ, galbi | ₩20,000–58,000 (~US$15–44) | 5,203 | Naver booking |
| Huoguo Meokgo | Chinese hot pot | From ₩19,900 (~US$15) | 4,494 | Walk in |
| Bobae Banjeom | Jjamppong (spicy seafood noodles) | ₩11,000–16,000 (~US$8–12) | 4,069 | Naver booking |
| Bantianyao Kaoyu | Chinese grilled fish | From ₩43,000 to share (~US$32) | 3,252 | Naver booking |
| Hadonggwan | Gomtang (beef bone soup) | ₩19,000–25,000 (~US$14–19) | 2,251 | Walk in |
| Myeonghwadang | Bunsik (Korean snack food) | ₩4,800–8,500 (~US$4–6) | 1,643 | Walk in |
1. Myeongdong Kyoja (명동교자 본점) — Local Pick
Why go: It’s the restaurant every Myeongdong list agrees on, and the review numbers back it up. The menu is short: knife-cut noodles, dumplings, bibim-guksu, and cold soybean noodles from April to October.
- What to order: Kalguksu (₩12,000) and a plate of mandu dumplings (₩13,000) to share
- Price: ₩12,000–13,000 per person (about US$9–10)
- Naver rating: 4.37 (21,837 visitor reviews)
- Getting there: Myeongdong Station (Line 4), right outside Exit 8
- Hours: Daily 10:30–21:00 (last order 20:30)
- Wait & booking: No reservations for small groups. Expect a line at lunch.
- Parking: None. The alley is closed to cars until 22:00.
- Good to know: There’s a second branch, Myeongdong Kyoja 1st Branch (명동교자 1호점), about 300 m away with the same menu. If one line is long, try the other.
- Naver Map: Myeongdong Kyoja main branch · 1st branch
2. 101 Namsan Donkatsu (101번지남산돈까스 남산본점) — Local Pick
Why go: Giant Korean-style pork cutlets on the walk up to the Namsan cable car. It works well as lunch before N Seoul Tower.
- What to order: Namsan Wang Donkatsu, the classic big cutlet (₩13,900), or the spicy version (₩13,900)
- Price: ₩13,000–23,000 per person (about US$10–17)
- Naver rating: 4.47 (19,524 visitor reviews)
- Getting there: Myeongdong Station Exit 3, about 7 minutes on foot. It’s 3 minutes from the Namsan cable car entrance.
- Hours: Daily 10:30–22:00 (last order 21:00)
- Wait & booking: Walk in
- Parking: Free for customers
- Naver Map: 101 Namsan Donkatsu
3. Namsan Sanchaejip (남산산채집) — Local Pick
Why go: A few doors from 101 Namsan Donkatsu, this one pairs pork cutlet with sanchae (wild mountain greens) bibimbap, so you get two Korean classics on one tray. Its Naver page is written partly in English, and plenty of overseas visitors eat here.
- What to order: The Namsan donkatsu and bibimbap set (₩15,500), or the beef tartare bibimbap (₩16,000)
- Price: ₩14,000–16,000 per person (about US$11–12)
- Naver rating: 4.57 (10,220 visitor reviews)
- Getting there: Myeongdong Station Exit 3, turn right at the Pacific Hotel and walk about 200 m uphill toward the cable car. First floor of the Chotbul Building.
- Hours: Daily 10:30–20:50 (last order 20:00)
- Wait & booking: Bookable on Naver
- Parking: Two free lots; valet ₩3,000
- Naver Map: Namsan Sanchaejip
4. Hyodam Kalguksu Dakhanmari (효담칼국수 닭한마리 명동본점) — Local Pick
Why go: Dakhanmari means “one whole chicken.” It’s boiled at your table in a light broth, and you finish by adding noodles to the pot. If you’re on your own, order the half-chicken kalguksu instead.
- What to order: Dakhanmari for two (₩30,000), or half-chicken kalguksu (₩13,000) for one. The potato pancake (₩18,000) is a popular side.
- Price: about ₩13,000–15,000 per person (about US$10–11)
- Naver rating: not shown (9,795 visitor reviews)
- Getting there: Euljiro 1-ga Station (Line 2) Exit 6, about 2 minutes on foot
- Hours: Daily 10:30–22:15 (last order 21:30)
- Wait & booking: Walk in
- Parking: None. Use a public lot nearby.
- Naver Map: Hyodam Kalguksu Dakhanmari
5. Onjeom Euljiro (온점 을지로점) — Local Pick
Why go: The best-rated place on this list (4.95), and the one to choose if you want Korean BBQ near Myeongdong. Weekday lunch sets are much cheaper than dinner.
- What to order: Signature galbi, 250 g (₩38,000). At lunch, the Gwangyang bulgogi set (₩23,000) or spicy pork set (₩20,000).
- Price: ₩20,000–23,000 at lunch (about US$15–17); ₩28,000–58,000 per portion at dinner (about US$21–44)
- Naver rating: 4.95 (5,203 visitor reviews)
- Getting there: Euljiro 1-ga Station Exit 1-1, right at the exit. Basement 1 of The Zone Euljiro Tower (더존을지타워).
- Hours: Mon–Fri 11:00–22:00, Sat 12:00–22:00 (last order 21:20). Closed Sundays.
- Wait & booking: Private rooms bookable on Naver
- Parking: In the building, first 2 hours free
- Naver Map: Onjeom Euljiro
6. Huoguo Meokgo (훠궈먹고 명동점) — Local Pick
Why go: Chinese hot pot has become a big part of eating out in Seoul. You pick a broth, then cook meat and vegetables at the table.
- What to order: Mala red broth or tomato broth (₩19,900)
- Price: ₩19,900 per person (about US$15), ₩23,000 (about US$17) on weekends, holidays and weekdays after 15:00
- Naver rating: not shown (4,494 visitor reviews)
- Getting there: Euljiro 1-ga Station Exit 5, about 250 m. Second floor.
- Hours: Daily 11:00–23:00 (last order 21:20)
- Wait & booking: Expect a wait at lunch and dinner
- Parking: Free
- Naver Map: Huoguo Meokgo
7. Bobae Banjeom (보배반점 명동점) — Local Pick
Why go: Korean-Chinese food is its own cuisine, and jjamppong, a spicy seafood noodle soup, is the dish to try. Bobae Banjeom has several versions.
- What to order: Whole-squid jjamppong, the house signature (₩16,000), or the seafood tray jjajang for 2–3 people (₩24,000)
- Price: ₩11,000–16,000 per person (about US$8–12)
- Naver rating: not shown (4,069 visitor reviews)
- Getting there: Euljiro 1-ga Station Exit 5, turn right at the Eulji Hanguk Building and walk about 200 m
- Hours: Daily 10:30–23:00 (last order 22:20)
- Wait & booking: Bookable on Naver for 1–12 people
- Naver Map: Bobae Banjeom
8. Bantianyao Kaoyu (반티엔야오 카오위 명동점) — Local Pick
Why go: Kaoyu is a whole grilled fish served in a pan of spicy broth, Sichuan-style. It’s a sharing meal, so come with friends.
- What to order: Mala kaoyu or tomato kaoyu (₩43,000 each)
- Price: One fish (₩43,000–55,000, about US$32–41) usually feeds 2–3 people
- Naver rating: 4.76 (3,252 visitor reviews)
- Getting there: Euljiro 1-ga Station Exit 5, turn right at Cheonggiwa Town, then left at Olive Young
- Hours: Daily 12:00–23:00 (last order 21:30)
- Wait & booking: Request a booking on Naver; the restaurant confirms it
- Parking: Paid lot nearby; 2-hour coupon ₩3,000 from the restaurant
- Naver Map: Bantianyao Kaoyu
9. Hadonggwan (하동관 명동본점) — Local Pick
Why go: A clear beef bone soup with sliced brisket and rice, a classic Korean breakfast. It opens at 7 a.m. and closes at 4 p.m., so this is a morning or lunch stop.
- What to order: Gomtang, regular (₩19,000)
- Price: ₩19,000–25,000 per person (about US$14–19)
- Naver rating: 4.04 (2,251 visitor reviews)
- Getting there: Euljiro 1-ga Station Exit 5, about 50 m up the one-way street on the right
- Hours: Mon–Sat 07:00–16:00. Closed Sundays.
- Wait & booking: Walk in
- Parking: None
- Naver Map: Hadonggwan
10. Myeonghwadang (명화당 명동1호점) — Local Pick
Why go: The cheapest proper meal on this list. Bunsik is Korean snack food: gimbap, spicy rice cakes and noodles, the things Koreans eat after school or on a busy workday.
- What to order: Jjolbokki, spicy chewy noodles with rice cakes (₩6,500), plus a roll of Myeonghwadang gimbap (₩4,800)
- Price: ₩4,800–8,500 per dish (about US$4–6)
- Naver rating: not shown (1,643 visitor reviews)
- Getting there: Myeongdong Station Exit 6, about 250 m. Second floor.
- Hours: Daily 09:00–22:30
- Wait & booking: Walk in
- Naver Map: Myeonghwadang
Tips for Eating in Myeongdong
- Use Naver Map, not Google Maps. Search the Korean name in brackets above. Naver shows today’s hours and whether a place is booking online.
- Myeongdong costs more. Prices here run higher than in neighborhoods where mostly locals eat. The street food stalls on the main street are fun, but a sit-down meal at one of the places above is often better value.
- Eat early or late. Lunchtime is the busiest. Arriving before noon or after 1:30 p.m. usually means a shorter wait.
- Hot pot and BBQ are built for groups. Many grill and hot pot menus are priced for two or more. If you’re alone, Myeongdong Kyoja, Hadonggwan and Myeonghwadang are easy picks.
Myeongdong Restaurants FAQ
What is Myeongdong famous for food-wise?
Myeongdong Kyoja’s kalguksu and dumplings are the best-known meal, and the main street is lined with street food stalls in the evening.
Which Myeongdong restaurants are open late?
Bobae Banjeom and Huoguo Meokgo both stay open until 23:00, and Myeonghwadang until 22:30. Check the last-order times above.
Do I need a reservation?
Not for most of these. Onjeom, Namsan Sanchaejip, Bobae Banjeom and Bantianyao Kaoyu take bookings on Naver, which helps for groups.
Is Myeongdong expensive for food?
It’s pricier than neighborhoods that cater mainly to locals, but you can still eat well for ₩5,000–15,000 (about US$4–11) at places like Myeonghwadang and Myeongdong Kyoja.
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