CuisineCafe
Price₩₩
NeighborhoodSeongsu and Dongdaemun
Last verified

Why locals love it: The two-block area immediately adjacent to Seoul Forest park has a cluster of quality independent cafes and small restaurants that most visitors to Seoul Forest miss because they.

Tip: Exit Seongsu station Exit 4 and walk toward Seoul Forest along Seoulsup-gil. Mesh Coffee and Weirdough Bakery are both within 300m.

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Location

Address: Seoulsup-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul

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More hidden gems in Seoul

Bukchon Son Mandu ★ 4.7

Korean₩₩Bukchon and SamcheongDaily 11:00-21:00, closed Tuesdays

Bukchon Son Mandu hides in the residential lanes above Bukchon-ro; jjin-mandu and gukbap mandu soup are the order, kitchen closes when dumplings run out.

Why locals love it: Sits in the residential lanes above the main Bukchon-ro tourist strip; the absence of English signage means most visitors walk past on the way to the hanok viewpoints.

Tip: Order the steamed pork dumplings (jjin-mandu) and the gukbap (mandu soup). The kitchen closes when dumplings run out -- arrive before noon.

84-1 Gyedong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Euljiro Pocha Alley ★ 4.4

Korean₩₩Jung-gu and Myeongdong

Euljiro Pocha Alley in Seoul: the tented pojangmacha alley between euljiro 3-ga and the industrial backstreets is off every major tourist map.

Why locals love it: The tented pojangmacha alley between Euljiro 3-ga and the industrial backstreets is off every major tourist map.

Tip: Arrive after 21:00. Order through pointing. The somaek (soju-beer bomb) is ₩4,000 and the tteokbokki comes in a dedicated stone pot.

Euljiro 3-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul (behind the fire station)

Miro Sikdang ★ 4.5

Korean₩₩Hongdae and YeonnamTue-Sat 18:00-23:00; closed Sun-Mon

Miro Sikdang is a five-table Korean drinking-food room near Hongik University, often filled by off-duty chefs; go early before the evening service fills it.

Why locals love it: This tiny Korean drinking-food restaurant near Hongik University has only five tables, often filled by off-duty chefs from Seoul's top kitchens.

Tip: Go early; with only five tables it fills fast in the evening.

80 Wausan-ro 30-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul

Usadan-ro Hillside Cafes ★ 4.1

Cafe₩₩Itaewon and Hannam

Usadan-ro Hillside Cafes form a corridor of indie cafes and bakeries above Itaewon station; walk uphill from Exit 3, the higher the quieter and cheaper.

Why locals love it: The steep residential hill above Itaewon station (Usadan-ro) has a corridor of indie cafes, bakeries.

Tip: Walk uphill from Itaewon station, Exit 3. The further up the hill, the quieter and cheaper.

Usadan-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

Mangwon Market Banchan Counters ★ 4.0

Korean₩₩Hongdae and YeonnamMon-Sun 10:00-21:00

Mangwon Market Banchan Counters sell pre-made kimchi, japchae and braised vegetables to locals; visit before 10:00 weekday morning for freshest containers.

Why locals love it: Mangwon is a residential neighbourhood market with no tourist infrastructure; the banchan (side dish) counters selling pre-made kimchi, japchae.

Tip: Visit on a weekday morning, before 10:00, when the banchan counters are freshest.

2 Mangwon-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul

Noryangjin Pre-Dawn Fish Auction ★ 4.8

Seafood₩₩Dongjak-guMon-Sun 00:00-24:00

Noryangjin Pre-Dawn Fish Auction in Seoul: seafood room. Noryangjin Fish Market is well-known in travel articles but almost no visitors actually go at 02:00.

Why locals love it: Noryangjin Fish Market is well-known in travel articles but almost no visitors actually go at 02:00 -- which is the only time when the wholesale auction floor is running and the market is at its most extraordinary.

Tip: Take the subway to Noryangjin at 01:30 (night buses run until 03:00).

674 Nodeul-ro, Dongjak-gu, Seoul

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