Namdaemun Market Gourmand Alley (Kalguksu Alley) (남대문시장 먹자골목(칼국수 골목))

9.8Km 2023-11-06

42-1, Namdaemunsijang 4-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul

Namdaemun Market is a massive market in Seoul filled with history and traditions. In the market, there is a place where people can dine without worrying about time or money, in an unmistakably Korean atmosphere, and that is the Gourmand Alley (Kalguksu Alley). The alley is lined with stalls selling similar fare, and people sit down in front of them, shoulder to shoulder, to enjoy their meal. Namdaemun Market’s Gourmand Alley specializes in noodle soup and steamed barley rice sets. The latter is a mixture of rice and barley, which is then steamed together. Its call to popularity is the nutty flavor imparted by barley. It has a healthy taste like no other, so make sure to check it out. Each order often comes with two or three separate menus (noodle soup, steamed rice, cold buckwheat noodles, etc.), along with a sumptuous array of side dishes like kimchi. Because this spot is beloved by diners of all ages, one often has to wait to get one’s turn during meal hours or on weekends. Keep in mind that the alley’s age often manifests itself in its crowdedness and lower attention to hygiene.
Another thing to note is that first-time visitors often find it difficult to find the entrance to the alley. The entrance is the transparent plastic door right next to “Segye-ro Eyeglasses Shop,” which can be found right across from Exit 5 of Hoehyeon Station on Seoul Subway Line 4. The door is rather small and difficult to find, but once you enter the doorway, you will immediately see the stalls unfolding in front of your eyes.

TV program “Life Masters (2005-)”
TV program “A Walk Around the Neighborhood (2018-2022)”

Wondang Gamjatang Myeongdong (원당감자탕 명동)

9.8Km 2024-03-11

1F, 35, Myeongdong 8na-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-776-7612

Located in Myeongdong, a central and tourist area of Seoul, Wondang Gamjatang offers gamja tang (pork backbone stew) as their signature dish. Patrons have the option to other delectable menu such as bulgogi, jokbal bossam (kimchi cabbage wraps with braised pigs' feet). It's popular with both Koreans and foreigners. As it's open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, one can visit anytime.

BBQ CHICKEN Myeong-dong Star(BBQ치킨 명동스타)

9.8Km 2024-03-07

2F, 2 Myeongdong 4-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-507-1363-8810

BBQ CHICKEN Myeong-dong Star's signature dish is the Golden Olive Fried Chicken, which is fried in savory olive oil. The crispy batter and tender, savory meat are excellent. Patrons have other option to yangnyeom chicken (seasoned fried chicken), basak garlic chicken, or half and half. Ordering chicken legs and wings by cut is also a favorite. The best combination is with a cold beer.

Seosulla-gil Road (서순라길)

9.8Km 2024-10-14

150-3 Jong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Seosulla-gil Road is a road that was used by the nightguards during the Joseon dynasty. The road is on the west of Jongmyo Shrine with various attractions nearby including Ikseon-dong, Insa-dong, Bukchon, and Samcheong-dong, as well as restaurants, cafes, and handicraft workshops. The road is also a beautiful date course with flowers in spring and fall foliage in autumn..

Cha Fertility Ceter - Seoul Station ((의)성광의료재단 차여성의원)

9.8Km 2025-07-07

(2nd Floor, Seoul Square), 416 Hangang-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul

Since opening in 2015, CHA Fertility Center - Seoul Station has served as Korea's leading fertility treatment center. Based on the know-how of CHA University Gangnam Medical Center, the first private hospital to deliver a test-tube baby in 1986, CHA Fertility Center - Seoul Station is conveniently located near the center of Seoul, making it convenient for domestic and international fertility clients. Foreign fertility patients who arrive in Korea via Incheon Airport not only have easy access to the clinic via the direct rail linking Seoul and the airport but also benefit from the capital city's excellent infrastructure (transportation, tours, accommodations, restaurants, etc.) for a safe and comfortable fertility treatment during their stay. In particular, many international residents in Korea, embassy officials, U.S. soldiers, and Koreans living abroad visit CHA Fertility Center for fertility treatment.

Korea Beauty Festival (코리아뷰티페스티벌)

9.8Km 2024-05-23

35 Myeongdong-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-6000-4356

The Korea Beauty Festival is a full-on K-beauty festival geared towards international visitors, with participation of many tourism and beauty organizations. Visitors can enjoy K-beauty experiences and discounts ranging from hair and make-up to fashion and even medical and wellbeing themes.

Jangan Accessory Shopping Center (장안 액세서리상가)

9.8Km 2021-06-04

42-2, Namdaemunsijang 4-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-753-5600

Jangan Accessory Shopping Center has a history of offering visitors unique accessories with colorful designs. Each shop boasts its own items, different from other stores. Visitors can enjoy purchasing accessories at discounted prices.

Samick Fashion Town (삼익패션타운)

9.8Km 2021-06-04

7, Namdaemunsijang 8-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-1566-4578

Located in the heart of the Namdaemun Market, the largest wholesale market in Korea and a popular tourist attraction, Samick Fashion Town is home to over 1,500 shops, spread among 15 floors. Opened in 1985, this giant, one-stop shopping destination offers shoppers virtually everything: from clothing (women’s, men’s, and children’s) and shoes to accessories for wholesale merchants and individual shoppers. The Samick Fashion Town is particularly known for its large children's section on the first floor and its giant shoe mall on the sixth that is unlike any other shoe store in Namdaemun Market. On the ninth floor is the food court and on the first basement level at MBIC Mall, visitors can find character products related to some of their favorite Hallyu stars. Character items include cushions, notebooks, mugs, t-shirts, postcards, stickers, mobile phone screen cleaners, and mechanical pencils featuring the comedians from Muhan Dojeon (Infinity Challenge) and other popular stars.

Cheongja Imported Goods Shopping Center (청자 수입상가)

9.8Km 2022-12-21

29, Namdaemunsijang 4-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul

Cheongja Imported Goods Shopping Center offers imported utensils, household items, clothing and accessories not readily available elsewhere. Its main customers tend to be women. Its first underground floor boasts diverse utensils, women's clothing and accessories while the first floor offers children's clothing and household items. After shopping around in the center, visitors may want to visit the second and third floors, which house customer lounges and coffee shops.

Jongmyo Shrine [UNESCO World Heritage] (종묘 [유네스코 세계유산])

9.8Km 2024-07-05

157 Jong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-765-0195

Jongmyo Shrine was the primary place of worship for kings and their queens throughout the Joseon dynasty. The shrine was built at the same time as Gyeongbokgung Palace, under the orders of King Taejo, the first king of the Joseon dynasty. The shrine is the site of the royal memorial service, called Jongmyo Jaerye, a national event that has been passed down since the Three Kingdoms period. During the Joseon dynasty, the ritual was held on the first month of a seasonal change and the twelfth month of the lunar year.

Namdaemun Market Gourmand Alley (Kalguksu Alley) (남대문시장 먹자골목(칼국수 골목)) - Area information - Korea travel information