Myeongdong shopping street(food map, how to go, shopping tip)

Myeongdong is the most famous tourist destination in Korea, with an average of 5 million foreign tourists visiting each year. Myeongdong’s shopping malls and street food stalls are open even on Sundays, and the most dynamic street in Korea is waiting for you as you visit Seoul. Check out information about Myeongdong Street and travel tips, and get ready to create wonderful travel memories with people coming from all over the world.

The lowest-priced hotels in Myeongdong, Korea.

How to Get to Myeongdong Street:

If you search for “Myeongdong Station” on Google Maps, you’ll find the largest shopping street in South Korea, located just north of Seoul Subway Line 2’s Myeongdong Station. Exit from Myeongdong Station through Exit 6 and walk in the direction you see above. As you walk, you’ll come across a row of street food stalls. Myeongdong Street stretches for about 500 meters towards the north, leading to Euljiro Entrance. If you continue up this street, you’ll reach the central location of the “Myeongdong Art Theater.”

Around the Myeongdong Art Theater, there is also about 500 meters of Myeongdong Street extending horizontally and vertically, forming a cross shape. Imagine Myeongdong Street as a bustling shopping paradise where over 100,000 foreign visitors come every day, offering delicious street food in one hand and the company of diverse tourists from around the world. Enjoy your shopping adventure!

Introduction to Myeongdong Shopping Street:

Centered around Myeongdong Station on the subway, a massive shopping street extends northward along with Lotte Department Store up to Euljiro Entrance. To the south, you can think of it as an accommodation district where guesthouses and hotels are located, with Namsan Tower being the prominent landmark. Many tourists choose to stay in the southern accommodation areas, visit Namsan Tower during the day, and then transition to the shopping district for an evening of shopping as part of their sightseeing itinerary.

Myeongdong Shopping Street is nothing short of a shopping paradise, boasting an impressive array of all the fashion brand shops you can find in South Korea. From shoes, hats, jackets, clothing, to handbags, you can personally explore and shop in stores from various brands. Additionally, Myeongdong Shopping Street houses some of the largest cosmetic shops in South Korea, featuring renowned brands such as Olive Young, Skinfood, Innisfree, Banila Co, Laneige, and more. You can experience and purchase their products directly from these flagship stores.

Operating Hours of Myeongdong Shopping Street: Most shops open around 10 AM and close around 10 PM. Moreover, they operate 365 days a year, including Sundays and public holidays, providing you with an unparalleled shopping haven that is not constrained by time or holidays. Enjoy the best of shopping without any time limitations!

Shopping Tips for Myeongdong

Myeongdong, located around 500 meters north of Euljiro 1-ga Station, Exit 6, stretching east and west from the Myeongdong Theater, is a bustling shopping district spanning over 1 kilometer, with food stalls interspersed along its main street. Amidst these food stalls, you’ll find sprawling shopping zones. For those seeking to explore Myeongdong, here are some convenient shopping tips.

Myeongdong Shopping Tip 1 – Eat Street Food First, Then Shop

The street food in Myeongdong is more abundant than you might think. Especially for women, it can take a significant amount of time to enjoy these treats, making it less suitable for snacking while shopping. Additionally, due to the nature of street food, sauces can easily spill, and many clothing stores do not allow food inside. Instead of snacking during your shopping spree, it’s advisable to indulge in delicious street food first to satisfy your appetite before enjoying a delightful shopping experience.

Myeongdong Shopping Tip 2 – Buy Cosmetics First, Then Clothes/Shoes

Myeongdong boasts a plethora of renowned Korean cosmetics brands like Olive Young, Innisfree, The Face Shop, Skin Food, and more. It’s safe to say that this area represents the largest cosmetics shopping district in South Korea. These cosmetics stores are conveniently located close to both Myeongdong Station and the main shopping street. Since cosmetics are usually lightweight, it’s recommended to start your shopping spree by exploring the cosmetics shops first, and then venture a bit further to clothing and shoe stores located away from the main street.

Myeongdong Shopping Tip 3 – Don’t Buy Too Much at Once

Most tourists visiting Myeongdong tend to stay in accommodations located to the south of Myeongdong Station. If your shopping area and accommodation are close by, I recommend dividing your shopping over multiple days. South Korea has excellent safety standards, so the risk of theft or pickpocketing in crowded shopping districts is very low. However, the sheer volume of people can make it challenging to navigate while carrying a lot of bags, and you might inadvertently lose your precious purchases in the bustling crowds.

Myeongdong Street – Top 7 Street Foods

Myeongdong Street has long been a leader in South Korea’s street food culture. It’s a place where you can find trendy and youthful street foods that cater to the tastes of the younger generation. Many popular Korean street foods, such as chicken skewers, egg bread, castella (sponge cake), and macarons, had their origins in Myeongdong. Recently, tanghulu, a Chinese candied fruit skewer, has also gained tremendous popularity. With over 200 street vendors lining the streets of Myeongdong, let’s introduce some of the must-try street foods that represent Korean street food culture.

1.Tteokbokki & Odeng (Fish Cake Skewers)

Tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes) and odeng (fish cake skewers) are perhaps the most beloved street foods among Koreans. Tteokbokki consists of chewy rice cakes simmered in a spicy and sweet sauce with green onions and fish cakes. Odeng is made of fish paste and is served on skewers in a savory soy-based broth. They are a perfect combination when enjoyed together. Be sure to order some fried goodies, like tempura, to dip into the spicy tteokbokki sauce for an extra kick. Prices are typically quite affordable, with around 10,000 won for a portion that can serve two people.

2.Homemade Chicken Skewers

Homemade chicken skewers are a Korean-style barbecue where marinated chicken pieces are skewered and grilled over charcoal. The skewer presentation adds to the fun of eating, and you can choose the level of spiciness for the seasoning. Depending on your preference, you can select various sauces like soy sauce, mustard, cheese, or barbecue to accompany your skewers. The price per skewer typically ranges around 5,000 won.

3.Grilled Lobster

Grilled lobster involves barbecuing lobster tails, resulting in a savory and sweet delicacy. The lobster’s natural flavor combines perfectly with the rich sauce. In Korean currency, it’s typically priced around 20,000 won, roughly equivalent to 15 to 17 dollars.

4.Myeongdong Hot Bar

While hot Bar originated in Japan, the Korean version, known as Myeongdong hot bar, features a twist. It’s made by deep-frying a variety of ingredients, including sausages, vegetables, and glass noodles, in a skewer style. Enjoy it with different sauces like barbecue, hot, or mustard, with prices ranging from 3,500 to 5,000 won per skewer.

5.Cheese Kimchi Rolled Pork Belly

Cheese Kimchi Rolled Pork Belly is one of the most popular barbecues in Korea. It involves rolling slices of pork belly with cheese and kimchi, grilling them to perfection. The combination of the savory pork belly, melted cheese, and tangy kimchi creates a delightful flavor. It’s typically priced at 10,000 won per serving and makes for a hearty and satisfying snack.

6.Tanghulu

Tanghulu is a sweet and fruity treat made by skewering various fruits such as kiwi, mandarin oranges, grapes, cherries, and strawberries, then coating them with melted sugar. This delightful combination of sugary candy-like coating and tangy fruit inside has gained tremendous popularity in Korea recently. If you’re feeling tired during your travels, I recommend recharging with the sweet energy of Tanghulu skewers.

7.Baked Cheese

Baked Cheese are a highly popular street food among foreign tourists. They feature chewy and savory cheese, grilled to perfection on a hot plate and served in skewer form. The joy of eating these skewers lies in the satisfying stretch of cheese when you take a bite. They make for a delightful and fun snack option. The price typically ranges around 5,000 Korean won.