Seoul is made of an immense network of stellar neighborhoods to celebrate a fun day out. Amongst those, Myeongdong is inarguably one of the most visited, with its shopping spree and mouth-watering street food making a statement.
Other than shopping, Myeongdong is also a mecca of banking and cultural activities sitting on a large footprint of nearly one square kilometer. In this article, I’ll be showing you my favorite things to do in Myeongdong to make the most of it.
But First, How Do You Get To Myeongdong?
By Subway From Seoul
Hail line 1 or 4 depending on which station you depart and get off at the Myeongdong Station.
By Bus From The Airport
There are three different buses starting from the Incheon Airport including buses #6001, #6015, and #6701. The bus ride is roughly 50 minutes but chances are you run into a traffic jam.
Airport Express (AREX) From The Airport
The AREX departs from both Incheon Airport and Gimpo Airport. Take line 4 and get off at the Myeongdong Station within an hour.
Take On Myeongdong’s Best Desserts And Coffee Shops
Korean desserts and coffee have been taking the world by storm for the past few years. Therefore, it’s a waste if you miss out on this impeccably tempting food scene, especially in Myeongdong.
Myeongdong is home to some of the best coffee across many cities I’ve been visiting. Household names such as Coffine Gurunaru, POEM, Cafe’ DROPTOP, Cafe de Paris, and Beesket Juice are some of the best spots to try at.
Conquer All The Best Myeongdong Street Food
Skewed sausages, fish cakes, fried chicken, pancakes – what else pops up in your mind when we talk about Korean street food?
It seems like the list goes on so instead of making a checklist here, you’ve gotta get out there and tick all the boxes yourself. Myeongdong Night Market and Namdaemun Market Food Street are the biggest hubs with hundreds of family vendors selling everything from fish cakes, spicy rice cakes, and dumplings to chicken skewers and green onion pancakes. Make sure you have an empty stomach before hitting those streets.
Visit Myeongdong Cathedral
Officially named the Virgin Mary of the Immaculate Conception, the Myeongdong Cathedral has been going strong since 1894. It was designed by French missionaries and bricked out by Chinese craftsmen under the rule of King Gojong, the final empress of the Joseon Dynasty.
For that reason, the cathedral reflects a strong typical Gothic architecture with gorgeous stained glasses on the windows and beautiful arched doors.
The Myeongdong Cathedral also lies a small graveyard of the Christian martyrs who were repressed in the 1860s. You can visit the cathedral either early in the morning when the dazzling sunlight pierces through the windows, creating a dramatic yet whimsical scene to marvel at. Alternatively, noon is another great time to visit when they play organ inside the cathedral.
Be In Awe At The Nanta Show
Undoubtedly one of the most talked-about cultural shows in Korea, Nanta show takes Korean traditional music to a whole new level by blending it with comedic acts and modern musical forms. The 90-minute show revolves around stunts with wacky utensils and acrobatics.
Shop ‘Til You Drop
Most of the main happenings in the Myeongdong shopping district center around Exits 5, 6, 7, and 8 of the Myeongdong Station. You can find large retail chains such as SPAO, H&M, Top Ten, and Zara as well as local boutiques offering everything from trendy clothing to cosmetics and accessories.
Since most stores offer a relatively similar range of goodies, you may wanna spend a good amount of time wandering around to check on different brands and compare prices to filter down the best buys.
There’s one thing that impressed me about shopping in Myeongdong: the tourist assistants. They are in red uniforms standing in different parts of Myeongdong. If you’re unsure where to go, reach them and they are comfortable guiding you in English.
Check out more things to do in Seoul here:
- 6 Best Things To Do In Hongdae: Indie Culture, Shopping, Urban Arts, And Nightlife
- A Visitors’ Guide To Ewha Womans University: Things To See & Ewha Shopping Street
- Bukchon Hanok Village: The 8 Scenic Views, Best Time To Visit, And More
Everything You Need to Know about Korea
Explore more of our adventures around Korea:
- Travel Guide: A Pocket South Korea Travel Guide
- Attractions: Nami Island, Gwangjang Market
- Food: Ultimate South Korea Food Guide
Simplify Your Korea Trip