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Gwanaksan's Secret Trails?
if you're up for a bit of a scramble, try the ridge that connects doonji-san to the small peak called yaksu-bong. most people turn back at doonji's summit but if you keep going east along the spine there's this exposed section with cables bolted into the rock, not dangerous just fun. the payoff is this flat granite slab about 5 minutes past the cables where you can sit and look straight down at the seoul national university campus, really quiet and the light in late afternoon is perfect for photos. just bring water, that ridge has zero shade and the nearest convenience store is back down by the main path
honestly skip the main trailhead near the school entrance and park at the lot by the Seoul National University Cemetery instead. there's a narrow path that cuts up from behind the tennis courts, locals call it the "sansoo-gil" (mountain water path) because there's a tiny spring about 15 minutes in. the view from the small ridge just past the spring faces northwest, you can see bucheon and even a sliver of the han river on clear days. just go early, like before 7am, or the spring spot gets taken over by ajumma groups doing yoga stretches
Check out the trails branching off near the Yongin-dae temple area on Doonji-san. It's less crowded than the main paths and offers some pretty killer views, especially if you go early in the morning or on a weekday. You might stumble upon some smaller, less-documented viewpoints. Don't expect super well-maintained signage, though; a bit of exploring is part of the fun! Bring a map or download offline maps beforehand, just to be safe. And, hey, those off-the-beaten-path spots usually offer the best photo opportunities. Good luck and have an awesome hike!
That's awesome, thanks! Doonji-san sounds perfect, I love a bit of a challenge and the idea of less crowded trails is really appealing. Definitely downloading offline maps, I've gotten seriously lost before, haha. Early morning it is then! Killer views and fewer people sounds like a winning combo.
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