Heading to the BTS concert in Gwanghwamun? Discover the best nearby restaurants—from traditional Korean naengmyeon and haejangguk to trendy pizza and izakaya spots—perfect before or after the show.
Photo source: NetflixPhoto source: NetflixGwanghwamun Food Guide: Top Local Eats to Visit Before and After the BTS Concert
by Travie
Photo source: NetflixA Night of Music, A City of Flavor: Gwanghwamun After BTS
March in Seoul still carries a lingering chill, but in Gwanghwamun, the atmosphere is anything but cold.
On March 21, a global sensation—BTS—turns the historic heart of the city into a vast open-air stage. Fans gather from across the world, and for one night, Gwanghwamun becomes more than a landmark—it becomes an experience.
But the story doesn’t end when the music fades.
Between anticipation and afterglow, there is another ritual that defines the night: finding something unforgettable to eat.
From decades-old Korean institutions to modern dining spaces and casual cafés, the streets around Gwanghwamun offer a culinary journey that completes the day.
A Taste That Lingers
Yurimmyeon
If you’re looking for a comforting yet refined meal near Deoksugung and Seoul City Hall, Yurimmyeon is the place to start.
Founded in 1960 under a different name and reborn in its current form in 1986, the restaurant specializes in memil-guksu (buckwheat noodles)—a dish that feels equally satisfying at lunch or dinner.
The menu includes:
Memil-guksuBibim-memil
Naengmyeon-style cold noodles
On-memil (seasonal hot buckwheat noodles, November–April)
Nabe-guksu
The standout is bibim-memil, where nutty buckwheat noodles meet a deeply savory sauce made from gochujang, soy sauce, and honey, aged to soften the spice and deepen the flavor.
Pair it with a warm broth on colder days, and the balance is perfect.
Address: 139-1 Seosomun-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
Hours: 11:00–21:00 (Sat until 20:30, closed Sun)Tel: +82 2-755-0659
Seoul’s Timeless Comfort Food
Cheongjinok
Few places in Seoul carry as much history as Cheongjinok.
Established in 1937, this restaurant has served haejangguk (Korean hangover soup) for nearly a century. It began as a humble street tent in Jongno’s Pimatgol alley before evolving into one of Korea’s most iconic eateries.
Its signature dish, made with Korean beef, napa cabbage, soybean sprouts, and beef broth simmered for hours, delivers a deep, clean flavor that feels restorative.
The modeum suyuk (assorted boiled beef cuts) is another highlight—rich, tender, and perfect for sharing.
This is the kind of place where generations overlap: office workers at lunch, families on weekends, and history embedded in every bowl.
Address: 32 Jong-ro 3-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Hours: 06:00–21:30Tel: +82 2-735-1690
A Picnic Mood in the CityPizzeria Hokey Pokey Gwanghwamun
For something more casual and contemporary, Pizzeria Hokey Pokey brings an American-style twist to the Gwanghwamun area.
Originally opened in Seocho, the restaurant has built a strong following among office workers and visitors alike.
The pizzas are generous in size, perfect for sharing among two or three people.
Popular options include:PepperoniItalian Bomb (chorizo, bacon, mushrooms, jalapeño pickles)
Shiitake & blue cheese
One standout is the Chodang-ok-susu pizza, inspired by Mexican street corn (elote), combining sweet corn, cilantro, lime crema, and chili powder for a bold, unexpected flavor.
Pair it with craft beer, and you have a relaxed meal that feels almost like a picnic in the city.
Address: 87 Saemunan-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Tel: +82 507-1438-5756
A Favorite Among Office Workers
Dongari
Near Euljiro, Dongari offers a relaxed izakaya atmosphere that feels both familiar and lively.
The menu leans approachable rather than experimental, making it an easy choice for groups or casual evening visits.
Signature drinks include:
Asahi draft beerKaku highball
Jim Beam highball
Hibiki highball
Recommended dishes:
Dote-yaki (braised beef tendon and konjac)
Buchu gyeran-bokkeum (garlic chive egg stir-fry)
Myeongran gyeran-mari (pollock roe omelet)
Ika geso (fried squid legs)
It’s the kind of place where the night naturally stretches a little longer than planned.
Address: 40 Namdaemun-ro 9-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
Tel: +82 507-1403-8995
Where the Night Continues
Gwanghwamun is where history, culture, and modern life intersect. On the night of a BTS concert, it becomes something even more: a shared memory for thousands of people.
And like all memorable nights, it isn’t defined by a single moment. It’s the anticipation before the show, the music echoing afterward—and the meals that quietly connect those moments.
In Seoul, even a concert night ends at the table. And sometimes, that’s where the story truly begins.
Reference
Provided by Travie
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