Namdaemun Market Gourmand Alley (Kalguksu Alley) (남대문시장 먹자골목(칼국수 골목)) - Area information - Korea travel information

Namdaemun Market Gourmand Alley (Kalguksu Alley) (남대문시장 먹자골목(칼국수 골목))

1.7Km    2023-11-06

42-1, Namdaemunsijang 4-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul

Namdaemun Market is a massive market in Seoul filled with history and traditions. In the market, there is a place where people can dine without worrying about time or money, in an unmistakably Korean atmosphere, and that is the Gourmand Alley (Kalguksu Alley). The alley is lined with stalls selling similar fare, and people sit down in front of them, shoulder to shoulder, to enjoy their meal. Namdaemun Market’s Gourmand Alley specializes in noodle soup and steamed barley rice sets. The latter is a mixture of rice and barley, which is then steamed together. Its call to popularity is the nutty flavor imparted by barley. It has a healthy taste like no other, so make sure to check it out. Each order often comes with two or three separate menus (noodle soup, steamed rice, cold buckwheat noodles, etc.), along with a sumptuous array of side dishes like kimchi. Because this spot is beloved by diners of all ages, one often has to wait to get one’s turn during meal hours or on weekends. Keep in mind that the alley’s age often manifests itself in its crowdedness and lower attention to hygiene.
Another thing to note is that first-time visitors often find it difficult to find the entrance to the alley. The entrance is the transparent plastic door right next to “Segye-ro Eyeglasses Shop,” which can be found right across from Exit 5 of Hoehyeon Station on Seoul Subway Line 4. The door is rather small and difficult to find, but once you enter the doorway, you will immediately see the stalls unfolding in front of your eyes. 

TV program “Life Masters (2005-)”
TV program “A Walk Around the Neighborhood (2018-2022)”

Jalppajin Memil Seochon Main Store (잘빠진메밀 서촌)

1.7Km    2024-03-18

4 Jahamun-ro 11-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-70-4142-1214

Jalppajin Memil is a traditional Korean restaurant in Seochon where you can enjoy buckwheat noodles, boiled pork slices, and unrefined rice wine. They use 100% buckwheat for their noodles, which are kneaded using a cold water machine and served either mixed with seasoning and sprouts or dipped in broth. Pairing "Jalppajin sulsang" with unrefined rice wine is recommended for a delightful dining experience.

Mangnae Hoejip (막내회집)

1.7Km    2021-04-09

34-11, Namdaemunsijang, 4-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-755-5115

It is a Hoejip (raw fish restaurant) with 26 years’ tradition. This Korean dishes restaurant is located in Jung-gu, Seoul. The representative menu is sliced raw flatfish.

Podam (포담)

1.7Km    2021-03-22

11, Jahamun-ro, 9-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-733-0831

A store featured in Korean gourmet programs. This Chinese (cuisine) restaurant is located in Jongno-gu, Seoul. The most famous menu is dim sum.

Hanaro Optics [Tax Refund Shop] (하나로안경원)

1.7Km    2024-04-19

48, Namdaemunsijang 4-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul

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Jangan Accessory Shopping Center (장안 액세서리상가)

1.7Km    2021-06-04

42-2, Namdaemunsijang 4-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-753-5600

Jangan Accessory Shopping Center has a history of offering visitors unique accessories with colorful designs. Each shop boasts its own items, different from other stores. Visitors can enjoy purchasing accessories at discounted prices.

Mary Jane [Tax Refund Shop] (메리제인)

1.7Km    2024-04-22

236-1, Eulji-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul

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Cheonggyecheon Stream (청계천)

1.7Km    2024-05-16

Changsin-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2290-7111

Cheonggye Plaza was built on Sejong-ro Street, where Cheonggyecheon Stream begins. It was built between Dong-A Ilbo, the starting point of the Cheonggyecheon Stream restoration, and Sindap Railroad Bridge, with a length of 160 meters, a x_width of 50 meters, and a total area of 6,962 meters squared. The plaza is decorated with fountains, waterfalls, and walking paths. It was created as a place for meetings, harmony, peace, and unification, to celebrate the significance of the restoration of Cheonggyecheon Stream. A miniaturized version of Cheonggyecheon Stream is displayed here, providing an overview of the restored stream. There are also interpretive panels about the 22 bridges that cross Cheonggyecheon stream. Fountains of various shapes create beautiful scenery. Cheonggyecheon Stream is accessible from the square through stairs on the left and Cheonggye Trail on the right. There is also an 18-meter tunnel on the Cheonggye Trail, providing a unique experience for citizens entering Cheonggyecheon Stream from the plaza. After constructing Cheonggyecheon Plaza, the Seoul Metropolitan Government made it a car-free street on public holidays so that the plaza, waterside area, and streets could be used as cultural spaces for citizens to relax. A spectacular sight is created by three-color lights illuminating the fountains and a two-tiered waterfall coming down from a x_height of four meters. Palseokdam, made of eight stones from eight provinces in Korea, was laid along the waterfall's sides.

Hojil (호질)

1.7Km    2021-03-20

15, Jahamun-ro, 9-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-764-6822

A good restaurant to visit before and after the tour, being located near Gyeongbokgung Palace, one of the tourist attractions. This restaurant's signature menu is spicy sea snail salad. This Korean dishes restaurant is located in Jongno-gu, Seoul.

Beautiful Life(뷰티풀 라이프)

1.7Km    2025-06-10

서울특별시 종로구 이화장길 26 (이화동)