How to eat solo in Korea (Seoul, to be precised)
Eating in Seoul solo was said to be a difficult task. Traditionally, Koreans acts collectively. They always eat in groups. A lot of restaurants only offers meals for 2, large portions for (at least) 2, etc. Fortunately, as the change of society, there are more lonely diners. This is a good news for lonely planet like me.
As a lonely planet residence, this is a huge problem to me. I would like to try anything on the menu in a new place.
Fortunately, nowadays, eating solo in Seoul is no more a issue. I did some research and this is what I had in a 3 days Seoul trip recently in May.
Convenient stores is always a good choice. They are everywhere in Seoul. The number of convenient stores are comparable to Japan and more Koreans cannot live without them. This is my breakfast.
I had an overnight flight so I can go after work on Friday and arrived on early morning Saturday. Yes since this was a cheap flight, meals were not included. I was starved to death. I ran into the convenient store in Incheon International Airport to get my breakfast.
Corn Silk Tea (upper right)
Banana Milk (a very popular drink in Korea. Personally I found it too sweet.)(upper left)
Gimbap (Rice roll, like sushi. I love this.)(down)
Since this was very early, the hotel I booked did not allow me to get the room. I could only leave my luggage there. I went to try the Korean bathhouse (Jimjillbang) suggested by my colleague.
Korean bathhouse is part of Korean’s daily life. It is a large area where you soak yourself, bake yourself (heated sauna), and relax. Some people even stay overnight.
I went one of the largest Jimjillbang, Dragon Hill Spa. I was not looking for bath or clean myself, but I desperately need a nap. Overnight flight is not fun.
Get locker key, take off your shoes, and find the female area. Where, I stripped myself and change for the bath clothes they provided. I had a very nice bath there and attempted to have a nap in the ladies area.
If you are a solo female traveler like me, no worry about the security. This bathhouse has a segregated female rest area on the female only floor where you can sleep like a pig.
I did not sleep for long, but I had this lovely must-have food. Sauna eggs and sikhye rice drink are very delicious. Sikhye rice drink is sweet and iced. I found that this drink is the best after all those spicy Korean food
Dragon Hill Spa (드래곤힐스파) (Open 24 hours)
Address: 40-712 Hangangno 3(sam)-ga, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea
(Yongsan Station)
Next, I went to Myeongdong to exchange money and have my early lunch/2nd breakfast – Sinseon Seolnongtang (white beef broth).
The beef broth is made of Korean beef bone and cooked long hours, so the best part of bones made the soup in white. The set also comes with a bowl of rice and kimchi. You can have unlimited of rice and kimchi. I could only have one bowl, but I almost cleaned the kimchi jar on the table side.
Sinseon Seolnongtang (there are quite a few branches. I went to the Myeongdong one.)
Address: 2-2 Myeongdong 2(i)-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea (Myeongdong station exit 8, or Euljiro-1ga station exit 5)
Phone: +82 2-777-4531
It was a weekend. There were lots of stalls on the streets in Myeongdong shopping area. All delicious street food seems all in this street. But I was too full with Seolnongtang
Actually the underground cannot be missed! There are a lot of shops. And it is time for me to have coffee!
My first dinner in Seoul was on the street. There is a food stall right in front of the hotel I stayed in Dongdaemun. I always see this kind of food stalls in Korean dramas, and I want to try how it is like sitting in these stalls.
I had a plate of spicy rice cake. It was a bit pricey. It is a tent and people usually go there after work to drink and relax.
No, I did not have any alcohol. I got up quite early to start the next day, keep eating…
The hotel price does not include breakfast. But you should not worry about this at all. This sandwich stall ISSAC, is everywhere. Some of them even open 24 hours.
How they made sandwiches? They fry both sides of bread with butter (so evil), and put on cheese, ham, vegetables, etc.
And for lunch, ok, this cannot be missed in Seoul. This is ginseng chicken soup, Samgyetang!
The restaurant is actually a hanok, a traditional korean house. Since i am solo, they served me in the traditional part. They also have an area with tables and chairs to serve people who cannot sit on the floor. I guess if I go with my parents I will have to tell them to take us to tables and chairs.
There were a lot of people. But the staff there act very fast. I did not wait long to be seated and served although it was a long queue at 2 in the afternoon.
Flip the menu, they have instruction telling you how to enjoy the samgyetang.
Tosokchon Samgyetang
Address: 5 Jahamun-ro 5-gil, Sajik-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea (Gyeongbokgung Station, exit 2)
Phone: +82 2-737-744
Ok, it is coffee time again! I was looking for a very nice girly coffee shop recommended in the internet. However, when I reached the area, there was another message that that girly coffee shop has been moved. It will take another few stations, but my coffee addiction could not wait.
This cafe is hidding in the basement of a small building. However, finding a seat still not an easy job in the afternoon. Obviously everyone in the area know this place.
Get Some Coffee
Address: 46-6 Nonhyeon-ro 159-gil, Sinsa-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea
(somewhere between Sinsa station and Apgujung station)
Phone: +82 70-4223-3619
Walking the whole time made me a bit tired. But I found a very good Korean Barbecue closed to my hotel in Dongdaemum which serves solo meal.
The kimchi is actually eat with the Galbi, beef ribs. Always ask how large the portion is in Koeran barbecue.
Dongdae Galbi Wang (literally, King of galbi)
Address: 187-9 Gwanghuidong 1(il)-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea (Dongdaemum History & Cultural Park station, exit 8, 9, 11 or 12)
Phone: +82 2-2265-6933
Well, since I was too hungry, I forgot to take pictures of the barbecue ribs. Also, the single portion was too small (for them) and the waitress did not turn the BBQ for me. The boss grilled it for me. Guess what, charcoal!
After breakfast (right, ISSAC again. I was hooked), I went to Itewon to have a walk since I did not have any plan for the day. When I went out of Itewon Station, I saw a snow white coffee shop right in front of my eye. There was a piece of rainbow cake waving at me.
Without saying, I ordered this piece of colourful cake together with iced americano (which is one of the Korean most loved coffee). Well, this was my 2nd breakfast. :p
Inside the coffee shop, all tables and chairs are snow white. It feels like a wedding going on.
The best for Seoul’s cafe is that most of them are spacious and not a lot of people. Indeed, a lot of indie cafes in Seoul are spacious and empty. Here, they have wifi, food, and washroom. Basically I can stay here for the whole day.
White Veil Cake Boutique
Address: Itewon Station, exit 4 (look up, and you can see)
In anywhere, the best place to eat solo is in the market! I went to two markets (in one day).
To see how locals live, the best place is market. Mangwon Market is located in, little bit far from the central Seoul. But with the convenient subway, it is not a problem to me.
According to Google Maps, Mangwon Market is located 5 minutes walk from the station exit. But I am always puzzling when reading maps. It took me, 20 minutes, to walk there.
Mangwon Market
Address: 486-8 Mangwon-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea
(Mangwon Station exit 2)
After the spicy rice cake in Mangwon Market, I wanted to have some sweet drink. I missed the Syegye rice drink I had in the first day in Dragon Hill Spa. I guess, it will be available in some traditional market, but I just could not find it in Mangwon Market. So, I went to Gwangjang Market, a very large market which is very popular for locals and tourists.
Korean’s portion is large. Although I had so much during the day, plus, I had just finished a large cup of sikgye, I still want to eat. But my stomach said I could only afford one order of kimbab.
Besides street food, this market also sells grocery. Basically this is a real market that locals come to buy vegetables, seafood, meat, etc. You can virtually find everything you need living in Seoul. You can even find traditional Korean clothing here.
Guangjang Market
Address: 88 Changgyeonggung-ro, Jongno 1(il).2(i).3(sam).4(sa), Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea
(Jong-no 5ga Station, exit 8)
From Gwangjang Market, I walked toward Dongdaemum. On the way, I found a Pyeongyang noodle shop on the map. Pyeongyang is not easy to go, but here at least I can have a taste of Pyeongyang cold noodle. Pyeongyang Naengmyeon (cold buckwheat noodle) was served in the North-South Korea Summit.
According to introduction written on the entrance, this Pyeongyang noodle shop is now being operated by the 3rd generation! It is very popular. When I arrived by 6, people were already queuing in the entrance.
The entrance is hiding next to a car park building. It is quite difficult to find. But if you can read Korean, there is a large signage right on the street.
Pyeongyang Noodle House
Address: 207 Jangchungdan-ro, Jangchung-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea
(Dongdaemum History and Culture Park Station, exit 5)
In my last day in Seoul, breakfast is still ISSAC sandwich. My last day of any trip is supposed to be shopping day, so, I went to Myeongdong the best place for Korean cosmetics. Then, I remember I had not have Bibimbap (Korean stir-mixed rice bowl). Yes bibimbap is not a Korean “cuisine” but this is my favourite Korean food.
According to the internet, this is the best bibimbap shop in Seoul. And it is in Myeondong! I wonder if good Korean restaurants like to hide in alleys. I was holding the phone, searching with Google Maps, and walking back and forth like an idiot. And Finally, here you go.
Jeonju Jungang Hoegwan
Address: 21 Myeongdong 8na-gil, Chungmuro 1(il)-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea
(Myeongdong Station exit 8)
This 4-days Seoul-lo trip was ending, but it was not time to leave yet. I went to Seoul’s most beautiful Starbucks. This Starbucks is located in a shopping mall called Famille Park, next to the long-haul bus station. And this is a 15-anniversary shop of Starbucks.
There was nothing special really when going in, just there is a huge wall of mugs. When I went inside in the centre of the shop, I saw a flock of white birds. Looking up and ray of nature light makes this a famous place for instagram check-in.
Seoul’s most beautiful Starbucks
Address: Famille Park
(Express Bus Station)
Packed, and ready to back home? Never but I needed to. However, I must pay a visit to Lotte Market and Outlet in Seoul Station. I am not a shopaholic, but this huge supermarket is on my list.
I was with low-cost flight, that means I must fill my stomach before I rode on the plane. Usually restaurants and eateries in airports are costly and not tasting good. When I passed this shop between Lotte Market and Lotte Outlet, I went here.
Che Il Je Myun So (First Noodle Maker) (Chain store and this is the one in Seoul Station)
Address: Seoul Station (The shop is inside 3/F of the parking lot)
Well, this was the last meal I had in this trip – Lotteria Deep Fried Chicken. Safest choice in Incheon Airport.
You must now realize that I do not plan a lot for a trip. I found all the ideas online, on the way. More, I did not feel hungry at all in this trip. I gotta lose some weight when I back. Of course, I also went to places other than restaurants and eateries like Bukchon Hanok Village.
But seriously, eating solo in Korea needs some skills, but it is not difficult at all. There is no need to have instant noodle in convenient stores by your own.