Myeongdong: Top 3 Restaurants Koreans Actually Visit - Honest Review

Finally Visited! Authentic Restaurants in Myeongdong Approved by Locals

A colleague kept telling me there are real good restaurants in Myeongdong, so I went on a Myeongdong food tour with a friend this weekend! I thought it would just be tourist traps, but surprisingly, there are hidden gems that many Koreans actually visit. Today, I'll give you an honest review of the top 3 restaurants in Myeongdong that I personally visited and tried!

1st Place. Myeongdong Kyoja - The Legend of Michelin-Selected Kalguksu

The first place I went to was the main branch of Myeongdong Kyoja. It has over 50 years of history, starting in 1966. It has been selected by the Michelin Guide for seven consecutive years, so my expectations were high!

Location & Basic Information

Address

29 Myeongdong 10-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul (2-minute walk from Myeongdong Station Exit 8)

Phone Number

0507-1366-5348

Business Hours

Daily 10:30-21:00 (Last order 20:30)

Waiting Time

About 20-30 minutes during weekday lunch

First Impressions and Waiting Experience

I arrived around 1 PM on Saturday, and as expected, there was a long line. But the turnover was faster than I thought, so I only waited about 30 minutes. During the wait, the staff gave us the menu in advance and were thorough with hygiene management, which was impressive.

Ordered Menu and Taste Evaluation

I ordered Kalguksu (9,000 KRW) and Mandu (8,000 KRW). It came out in less than 5 minutes! That's why the turnover is fast.

Kalguksu: The broth is really rich! You can definitely taste the long-simmered chicken bones, and the noodles are chewy and delicious. The kimchi was especially tasty. It has a strong garlic flavor but is addictive.

Mandu: The skin is thin and the filling is packed, which was nice. Personally, the Kalguksu was more impressive.

Value for Money and Tips

If you order one serving, you get an extra serving of noodles for free, and a bowl of rice is also provided. The portions are larger than expected, so you can eat to your heart's content. If you go on a weekday morning or late afternoon, you might be able to eat without waiting!

2nd Place. Hadongkwan - The Essence of 80 Years of Gomtang Tradition

The second place I visited was Hadongkwan's main branch in Myeongdong. I was very curious because it's a Gomtang restaurant with 80 years of tradition, starting in 1939. It's also been selected by the Michelin Guide!

Location & Basic Information

Address

12 Myeongdong 9-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul (3-minute walk from Euljiro 1-ga Station Exit 5)

Phone Number

02-776-5656

Business Hours

Daily 07:00-16:00 (Closed on Sundays)

Note

Closes early if ingredients run out

Store Atmosphere and Feel

It's amazing to see such a traditional Hanok-style building in the middle of Myeongdong. The interior also retains its old feel, making it feel like visiting grandma's house. The customer age range is diverse, and there are many regulars who come early in the morning.

Experiencing the Essence of Gomtang

I ordered the regular Gomtang (18,000 KRW). It's a bit pricey, but the taste is really clean and deep!

Broth: It's really clear and clean. There's no gamey smell, and you can definitely taste the deep flavor of long-simmered beef bones. Adding a bit of kimchi juice made it even tastier (a tip from the owner!).

Meat: It includes various parts like brisket and innards, offering a variety of textures. You can really feel the quality of the meat.

The Charm of Kimchi and Radish Kimchi

The kimchi and radish kimchi here are real delicacies! The radish kimchi is sweet and sour, and the kimchi is perfectly fermented to pair well with the Gomtang. The owner said, "Radish kimchi juice is a digestive aid," as he poured it from a kettle, haha.

3rd Place. The Restaurant Myeongdong Main Branch - The Ultimate Value Korean Restaurant

The last place I visited was The Restaurant's main branch in Myeongdong. I heard Song Ga-in visited, and it's famous for its value-for-money set menus, so I was excited to try it!

Location & Basic Information

Address

2nd Floor, 36 Myeongdong 10-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul (2-minute walk from Myeongdong Station)

Phone Number

02-777-9292 (Estimated)

Business Hours

Daily 11:00-22:00

Feature

Self-wait registration system

Store Atmosphere and System

There was a self-wait registration machine at the entrance, which was interesting. The walls were filled with photos from TV appearances, indicating its popularity. The interior was clean and spacious, which was nice.

Satisfaction with the 2-Person Set Menu

We ordered the 2-person set menu (27,900 KRW). It included clam Kalguksu, spicy stir-fried octopus, rice, and side dishes, and it was really plentiful!

Clam Kalguksu: It had a lot of clams, making the broth refreshing. The noodles were chewy and delicious.

Spicy Stir-Fried Octopus: It was spicy with a definite smoky flavor. It was really tasty with rice.

Side Dishes: There were so many varieties. Kimchi, bean sprouts, spinach, etc., were enough to fill you up just with the side dishes.

Amazing Value for Money

Honestly, with this price and this composition, it's the ultimate value. Two people ate until they were full, and it cost less than 30,000 KRW. It's amazing to find a place in Myeongdong where you can eat so abundantly at this price!

Summary of the Myeongdong Food Tour

Recommended Points for Each Restaurant

Transportation and Visit Tips

Transportation: All three places are within a 5-minute walk from Myeongdong Station, so you can visit all in one day.

Visit Order: I recommend going to Hadongkwan (morning) → Myeongdong Kyoja (lunch) → The Restaurant (dinner).

Parking: Parking is difficult in Myeongdong, so using the subway is much more convenient.

Honest Overall Impression

I thought Myeongdong would only have tourist traps, but there are really good restaurants. Especially since these places are frequented by locals, the food is good, and the service is friendly.

I'll definitely visit again next time I'm in Myeongdong! If you go to Myeongdong, make sure to visit these three places. You won't regret it, haha.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask in the comments~ I'll try to answer as detailed as possible!