Seoul
Myeongdong & Jung-gu
Ethan Brooke / Unsplash
Seoul's commercial and tourist centre — K-beauty, street food, and the easiest base for first-timers.
Myeongdong is the shopping and tourism engine of central Seoul: Korea's most famous K-beauty shopping street, Namdaemun Market adjacent, and some of the densest street food in the city. It's heavily touristic but genuinely convenient, with the city's main subway interchange nearby and Gyeongbokgung Palace a short metro ride away. The area also has some of the most competitively priced mid-range hotels in the city.
Scores
Walkability
Transit
Price
Local feel
Nightlife
Family-friendly
Centrality
What you gain
- ↑Myeongdong shopping: the largest concentration of K-beauty and skincare shops in Korea — competitive pricing due to volume
- ↑Myeongdong street food alley: some of Seoul's best quick food; hotteok, tteokbokki, and tornado potato
- ↑Best metro connectivity in Seoul — virtually every line passes through the central Jung-gu area
What you sacrifice
- ↓The most touristic district in Seoul; authenticity is almost entirely absent
- ↓Noisy and very crowded on weekends — Myeongdong fills to capacity
- ↓Accommodation quality varies considerably; many properties are dated despite reasonable prices
Best for
Avoid if
Other Seoul neighbourhoods
Seoul's university and arts district — the K-pop buskers, the club scene, and the most energetic neighbourhood in the city.
Seoul's international neighbourhood — the best bar scene, global food, and the most diverse crowd in the city.
Traditional Seoul — hanok villages, tea houses, and the finest Korean craft shops.
Know where to stay — now find when to go.
Best time to visit Seoul →