Myeongdong is Seoul’s most famous shopping and street food neighbourhood, a dense grid of lanes between Euljiro and the lower slopes of Namsan. Korean beauty shops, fashion chains and department stores compete for attention alongside restaurants and street stalls. It can be crowded and unabashedly commercial, but the spectacle is part of the appeal.
The area became a major commercial centre during the 20th century, and its department stores remain landmarks of modern Seoul. Above the shopping streets, Myeongdong Cathedral offers a quieter counterpoint: completed in 1898, the Gothic-style church became an important gathering place for South Korea’s democracy movement.
Come in the late afternoon or evening, when street food stalls are generally at their busiest, and look out for skewers, hotteok and other snacks. Prices vary, so check before ordering and carry some cash as a backup. Myeong-dong Station on subway Line 4 and Euljiro 1(il)-ga Station on Line 2 both serve the area; visit on a weekday if you prefer more room to wander.