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New Year's Plans in Korea After the Tragedy?
A lot of the smaller neighborhood bars and cafes are still doing their own quiet countdowns, just without the big crowds or fireworks. Places around Ikseon-dong or Gyeongnidan usually have a more subdued vibe anyway, so it won't feel off to just show up for a drink and some company. If you'd rather be out but not partying, head to a 24-hour jjimjilbang near Seoul Station - it's a pretty common way for locals to spend New Year's without the fuss, just soaking and relaxing through midnight.
The real move this year is just leaning into the quiet, honestly. A lot of the smaller churches and community centers in neighborhoods like Mangwon or Seongsu are keeping their doors open for anyone who wants to sit in a warm space and reflect, no ceremony, just candles and silence. You could also grab a late-night bowl of tteokguk from one of the older restaurants in Jongno that stays open all night, it's a symbolic New Year's dish and eating it feels more meaningful than fighting for a view of fireworks.
You could still do a quiet sunset thing at a spot like Naksan Park or along the Han River, it's not super flashy but feels right this year. A lot of people are just doing small gatherings with friends or hitting up a temple for a low-key prayer instead of the big party vibe.
Best Food in Seoul (2026)
Begin your food journey at Gwangjang Market, one of Seoul's oldest traditional markets. Try the iconic bindaetteok (mung bean pancake) at Suni's Bindaetteok for 4,000 won, or the… 🍜 Where to Start
Begin your food journey at Gwangjang Market, one of Seoul's oldest traditional markets. Try the iconic bindaetteok (mung bean pancake) at Suni's Bindaetteok for 4,000 won, or the spicy tteokbokki at the central food alley. The market is open daily from 9 AM to 10 PM and is a 5-minute walk from Jongno 5-ga Station (Line 1).
🥩 Must-Try Korean BBQ
For an unforgettable Korean BBQ experience, head to Mapo-gu's famous Meat Alley near Mapo Station. Visit Wangbijib Myeongdong (32-3 Myeongdong 2-gil) for premium hanwoo beef, with set meals starting at 40,000 won per person. They are open from 11:30 AM to 10 PM, and reservations are recommended for dinner.
🍲 Soul-Warming Soups
When the weather turns chilly, warm up with a bowl of samgyetang (ginseng chicken soup) at Tosokchon Samgyetang in Jongno-gu (5 Jahamun-ro 5-gil). Their signature dish costs 19,000 won and comes with a whole young chicken stuffed with rice and ginseng. Arrive before noon to avoid the long lines, as they open at 10 AM and close at 10 PM.
🌮 Street Food Hotspots
Myeongdong's street food stalls are a paradise for snack lovers, especially from late afternoon to evening. Try the cheese-filled hotteok (sweet pancake) at the main pedestrian street for 3,000 won, or the grilled skewers at the Myeongdong Kyoja corner. Most stalls operate from 11 AM to 10 PM, and prices range from 2,000 to 5,000 won per item.
🍜 Noodle Heaven
For a bowl of handmade kalguksu (knife-cut noodles), visit Myeongdong Kyoja (29 Myeongdong 10-gil), a legendary spot since 1966. Their kalguksu costs 9,000 won and comes in a rich chicken broth with dumplings. They are open from 10:30 AM to 9 PM, and expect a short wait during peak hours.
🍚 Bibimbap and Beyond
Experience a traditional dolsot bibimbap at Gogung in Insadong (30-1 Insadong-gil), where the hot stone bowl creates a crispy rice crust. The Jeonju-style bibimbap is 12,000 won, and the restaurant is open from 11 AM to 9 PM. Pair it with a bowl of their homemade doenjang jjigae for an extra 5,000 won.
🍰 Sweet Treats
Satisfy your sweet tooth with a visit to Cafe Onion in Seongsu-dong (8 Achasan-ro 15-gil), known for its trendy industrial vibe and pastries. Their signature pandoro (Italian sweet bread) costs 6,000 won, and the cafe opens at 8 AM. For a traditional dessert, try hotteok at the Seoul Folk Flea Market near Sinseol-dong Station.
🍺 Night Market Eats
After dark, head to the Bamdokkaebi Night Market at Banpo Hangang Park (open Fridays and Saturdays from 6 PM to 11 PM). Sample fusion dishes like kimchi fried rice balls (5,000 won) or grilled cheese skewers (4,000 won) from the food trucks. Take the subway to Express Bus Terminal Station (Lines 3, 7, 9) and walk 10 minutes to the park.
I think the guide's right to start at Gwangjang, but I'd also say don't sleep on the bindae-tteok at the stall run by the old couple near the back exit. It's a bit thinner and crispier than Suni's, and they've been there since the 70s. Pair it with a bowl of their mung bean soup for an extra 1,000 won, it's a combo that'll keep you full for hours.
For a late dinner, the pork cutlet at Donkkaseu in Hongdae is worth the trip. It's a tiny second-floor spot near the main street, and the owner does a mean cheese-filled tonkatsu for 9,000 won that comes with a mountain of shredded cabbage. Get there by 7pm or you'll be waiting in the stairwell with a dozen students.
honestly the guide nailed most of it but i gotta shout out the ssamgyeopsal at samwon garden in apgujeong. it's pricier than mapo alley but the pork belly is thick cut and they grill it over charcoal which makes a huge difference. also if you're at gwangjang market don't skip the mayak gimbap, it's those tiny seaweed rolls with carrot and spinach, three bucks for a tray and they're dangerously addictive
one thing the guide missed is sundae (korean blood sausage) at the gwangjang market stall near the main entrance. it's like 3,000 won and they serve it with salt and peppers, really underrated street food. also for the bamdokkaebi night market try to go on a friday when there's more food trucks, saturdays get packed with families and the lines get ridiculous
good call on gwangjang, that's where everyone should start. if you go early, like 9:30am right when it opens, you can watch the ajummas setting up and they're usually more chill about letting you try a sample before buying. the bindaetteok at suni's is worth the wait but honestly i prefer the one two stalls down, it's crispier and they use more bean sprouts
one spot i never see in these guides is the kalguksu alley in namdaemun market, it's tucked behind the main shopping street and all three stalls there have been around since the 70s. pick the one with the longest line of older locals, that's how you know it's good. also if you're at myeongdong kyoja and the line is out the door, walk two minutes to myeongdong kyoja 2 on the side street, same menu same quality but half the wait