01
Myeongdong Kyoja
명동교자 · Myeongdong
Start with: kalguksu, Korean knife-cut noodle soup. A straightforward first order if you want to begin with a bowl of noodles.
29 Myeongdong 10-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
Source: Visit SeoulThe KOR MEET pocket guide · 01
Seoul food stops.
Korean you can use.
A first bite of Seoul, with a little less pointing at the menu. Explore five food stops and take five polite Korean phrases to your next meal — wherever you live.
덜 맵게 해 주세요.Less spicy, please. You’ve got this.
01 / Pick your first bite
Five places to start.
Three restaurants and two markets, selected for an introduction to different Korean dishes. Each has an address, map links and an official tourism source.
02
Gwangjang Market
광장시장 · Jongno
Start with: bindaetteok, a mung-bean pancake, or a small gimbap order. This is a market with individual vendors, rather than one restaurant.
88 Changgyeonggung-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Source: Visit Seoul03
Tongin Market
통인시장 · Seochon
Start with: a mix of small dishes. Its lunchbox café uses tokens at participating stalls, so you can build a varied meal. Check the café’s operating day before planning around it.
18 Jahamun-ro 15-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Source: Visit Seoul04
Tosokchon Samgyetang
토속촌삼계탕 · Near Gyeongbokgung
Start with: samgyetang, ginseng chicken soup. This restaurant near Gyeongbokgung offers a different introduction to Korean food from red-sauce street snacks.
5 Jahamun-ro 5-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Source: Visit Seoul05
Myeongdong Busanjib
명동부산집 · Myeongdong
Start with: bibimbap, mixed rice with toppings, or a jjigae stew. For a bowl with sauce, ask about the spice level before ordering.
11-6 Myeongdong 8-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
Source: Visit SeoulSource-checked on November 5, 2026. This is a research-based starter list, rather than a ranking or a record of our own visits. Check current menus, opening hours and the exact branch before you go.
Download the address list (.csv)Five places, Korean names and map links to keep with your travel notes.
02 / Your menu-side companion
Five phrases. One real meal.
Polite requests for everyday restaurant situations. Try the Korean, or show the phrase on your phone. Use them at a Korean-speaking restaurant anywhere.
이거 하나 주세요.
One of these, please.
Point to one item on the menu. For a specific dish, replace 이거 with its name: 비빔밥 하나 주세요. — One bibimbap, please.
덜 맵게 해 주세요.
Please make it less spicy.
Ask before ordering. 덜 means “less,” so this does not mean “not spicy at all.” A dish prepared in one batch may not be adjustable.
물 좀 주세요.
Some water, please.
좀 can soften a request here. If you see a self-service water station, you may be expected to help yourself instead.
포장해 주세요.
To go, please.
Say this while ordering takeaway. You can point and say 이거 포장해 주세요. — Please pack this to go. Availability depends on the shop and dish.
계산해 주세요.
I’d like to pay, please.
Use this when you are ready to settle the bill. Some restaurants take payment when you order, or expect you to pay at the counter.
Word reference: National Institute of Korean Language, 덜 — less. Example sentences and explanations are original KOR MEET teaching material.
03 / Try one small exchange
You don’t need
the whole menu.
Start with the dish you want, then add a request. Here is one possible exchange at a restaurant that can adjust the spice.
You떡볶이 하나 주세요. 덜 맵게 해 주세요.One tteokbokki, please. Please make it less spicy.
Staff네, 덜 맵게 해 드릴게요.Of course. I’ll make it less spicy.
You감사합니다.Thank you.
Make the next conversation yours.
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