How to Spend a Day in Myeongdong

There’s a reason Myeongdong is one of the most popular places to visit in Seoul. It is one of the city's best-known shopping districts, packed with K-beauty stores, fashion, food stalls and enough brightly lit storefronts to keep you wandering much longer than you originally planned.

But shopping is only part of what you can actually do here. Within the same walkable streets, you can make your own jewellery, try some of Myeongdong's best-known food, visit one of Seoul's historic landmarks or swap the crowds outside for a live performance. You don't need to follow a strict itinerary either. Whether you have a few hours to spare or want to spend most of the day exploring, here are some of the experiences worth adding to your time in Myeongdong.
 

1. Make Your Own Ring in Myeongdong

One of the more creative things you can do in Myeongdong is make a piece of jewellery of your own. At Ring University, you can create a silver ring from scratch, working through the shaping, sizing, filing and polishing with guidance from an instructor. There are also ways to personalise your design further, including engraving and stones, so you can come away with something completely personal to you.

The whole experience takes around two hours, giving you plenty of time to actually enjoy the process rather than simply watching someone else make it. Go with friends and make rings together, turn it into a couples activity, or make one entirely for yourself. I especially like the idea of having something you made with your own hands in Seoul that you can still be wearing years after the trip is over.

Good to know: Ring University is only a short walk from Myeongdong Station and can be booked through WAUG. Some additional customisation options come at an extra cost.


2. Take a Look Around Myeongdong Cathedral

Myeongdong isn't short on things to look at, and its architecture is most definitely part of the fun. Sitting along Myeongdong-gil is Myeongdong Cathedral, a beautiful red-brick Gothic cathedral that has been here since 1898. With its pointed arches, tall windows and distinctive tower, it's worth wandering up for a look while you're in the area. It's also one of Korea's most significant Catholic landmarks, so there is quite a bit of history behind the building too.

There's more around the site than just the cathedral. 1898 Myeongdong Cathedral sits beneath the grounds and brings together cafés, shops, galleries and cultural spaces that you can wander through afterwards. The cathedral itself is free to visit, so it’s well worth stopping by while you’re in the area.
 

3. Try One of Myeongdong’s Most Famous Restaurants

Image credit: Korea Tourism Organization

With all the street food Myeongdong is known for, it would be very easy to spend the whole day snacking your way through the area. However, one meal recommendation you can’t miss out on is Myeongdong Kyoja. Open since 1966, the restaurant is best known for its kalguksu, with soft knife-cut noodles served in a warm, rich broth. Pair them with their steamed mandu and famously garlicky kimchi, and you have the dishes that have kept people coming back for generations.

Good to know: Myeongdong Kyoja has multiple locations in the area. It is Michelin-recognized, so expect queues, but the turnover is fast. Payment is typically made when ordering.
 

4. Dive into Myeongdong’s K-Beauty Scene

If K-beauty is anywhere on your Seoul shopping list, Myeongdong is one of those places where you could easily lose track of time. Entire streets are lined with skincare and makeup stores, from individual Korean brands to huge multi-storey beauty shops where you can browse everything from viral products and sheet masks to haircare, fragrances and beauty tools. Olive Young is probably the name most visitors will recognise, and its enormous Myeongdong stores take the usual experience to another level with floors of Korean beauty, wellness and lifestyle products all in one place.

The fun is really in exploring. You can test products you may have only ever seen online, discover Korean brands you've never heard of, compare what's trending locally and find sets or products that aren't as easy to come across back home. And beauty is only part of Myeongdong's shopping scene. Fashion flagships, K-pop stores, character shops, underground shopping and department stores are all packed into the same area, so don't be surprised if a quick browse somehow turns into several shopping bags.

Good to know: Bring your passport with you while shopping in Myeongdong, as many stores offer immediate tax refunds at the counter for international visitors.


5. Eat Your Way Through Myeongdong’s Street Food

Food. Food. Food. If there is one thing you definitely won't struggle to find in Myeongdong, it's something to eat. As the street-food stalls fill the pedestrian streets, you can follow the smell of food being grilled, fried and cooked right in front of you. There’s tteokbokki bubbling in spicy sauce, freshly grilled skewers, crispy potato spirals, pancakes and towering soft serves, alongside some slightly more extravagant creations like cheese-covered grilled lobster tails. Come hungry.

And honestly, half the fun is not knowing what you'll end up eating. You can wander between the carts, grab whatever catches your eye and build your own little food crawl as you go. Some stalls serve Korean street-food favourites, others clearly enjoy getting a little experimental, and there is always something else cooking a few steps away.

Good to know: Street food stalls typically begin to appear in the late afternoon, around 4:00 PM. While many vendors accept card, it is always a good idea to keep some cash handy for smaller stalls.
 

6. Catch the Myeongdong NANTA Show

For something completely different, grab a seat at the Myeongdong NANTA Show. This long-running performance throws cooking, comedy, acrobatics and percussion together in one seriously energetic show, with performers turning pots, pans, chopping boards and even knives into instruments along the way. There’s plenty of chaos, physical comedy and even a little audience participation, so sitting in the crowd doesn’t necessarily mean you’re completely out of the action. The best part? It’s completely non-verbal. The story is told through movement, expressions, music and visual comedy rather than dialogue, so you don’t need to speak a word of Korean to follow along. It’s fun, loud and a little ridiculous. A perfect change of pace, especially if you want to cap off your day with some live entertainment.

Good to know: The show is located in the UNESCO Building right in Myeongdong and tickets are available through WAUG. Check the available performance times when booking and give yourself a little time to arrive before the show begins.