Seoul food alley tour

There are long-standing food alleys scattered throughout Seoul. These alleys are teeming with specialty restaurants, each with its own menu. Let us savor the rich flavors of these historic eateries.

Dak Hanmari (whole chicken soup) Alley is located a 5-minute walk from Exits 8 and 9 of Dongdaemun station. Each restaurant in this alley offers a dish with a whole chicken boiled with different broth and sauces. After you've finished the chicken and side dishes, add Kalguksu (knife-cut noodle soup) noodles to the leftover broth and enjoy.

On one side of Gwangjang Market, you'll find a row of restaurants serving Yukhoe (beef tartare), a dish that is popular among tourists. The two most popular dishes are Yukhoe and Yukhoe Tangtangi. Yukhoe Tangtangi is chopped live octopus and beef tartare. Yukhoe tastes even better when paired with the sliced pear that is served on the side.

Sindang-dong Tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes) Town is about a 5-minute walk from Sindang Station's Exit 7. People have adored it since it first appeared in the 1950s and peaked in the 1970s. The alley's main draw is Jeukseok Tteokbokki (instant Tteokbokki), which is cooked to order.

Gopchang Alley, just a 10-minute walk from Wangsimni Station, is always bustling with people, thanks to its proximity to nearby universities. The main attractions on the menu are Beef Gopchang (small intestines) and Dwaeji Yachaegopchang (stir-fried vegetables and pork small intestines). When you order assorted beef Gopchang, you'll also receive raw beef liver and Cheonyeop (omasum) as a bonus.

When you come out of Exit 5 of Gongdeok Station, you'll notice a distinct old Jokbal alley nestled between tall, high-rise buildings. The main dishes here are the regular Jokbal (braised pigs' trotters) and spicy Jokbal. When you order Jokbal, many restaurants will also give you free Tteokbokki and Sundae (Korean blood sausage).

Exit 15 of Jongno 3-ga Station leads to Bossam Alley, which is located in the back alley heading towards Jongno 2-ga. Gul Bossam (napa wraps with pork and oyster) is the main dish here. When you order Bossam (pork napa wraps), each restaurant will give you a different free extra food, such as Gamjatang (pork backbone stew), Dakbokkeumtang (spicy braised chicken), Dongtaejeon (pan-fried battered pollack fillet), and Dubujeon (pan-fried battered bean curd).

Galchi Jorim Alley is located in a winding alley opposite Sungnyemun Imported Goods Shopping Center. Galchi Jorim, a delectable dish made by layering radish and cutlassfish and braising it in a spicy sauce, is famous in this alley. When served with steamed rice, the well-marinated cutlassfish and radish make a harmonious and delectable combination.

The lamb skewer alley is a 5-minute walk from Konkuk University Station's Exit 6. The neighborhood, which is located in the heart of the Chinese food alley, has a vibrant multicultural vibe. The seasoning for the lamb skewers is made with Chinese spices, giving it a distinct flavor and aroma that is highly addictive.

The Grilled Fish Alley is located on the road connecting Gwangjang Market and Dongdaemun Fashion Town. All of the fish served here is cooked on briquettes to enhance the delicate flavor of the fish. Grilled fish options include mackerel, spotted mackerel, yellow croaker, and cutlassfish.