A Delicious Late Night Excursion in Seoul

Embarking on a delicious excursion is one of the many activities every traveler will come to encounter in Korea. The foods eaten will lead you to break into a reminiscent smile long after you return home. In particular, exploring Seoul late at night feels entirely different compared to traveling during daylight, as the city offers an interesting nightscape for all, bustling with interesting sights and things to experience.
Night owl or not, you're highly recommended to partake in this adventurous yet unique late night travel by hopping on one of Seoul's late night buses. These buses provide travelers with the best means of touring the city without having to worry about excessive cab fares for the return trip.
Thanks to the service, not only visitors from abroad but many local tourists arriving late in Seoul won't have to miss the chance to not only see the city's attractions but also to enjoy them at their fullest. These include places for entertainment, food, shopping, or activities only available after sunset. Read on to learn more about these late night tours to discover more fun and great eats by riding on a night bus!

What is a "Late Night Bus?"
Late night buses in Seoul refer to buses operating from midnight to early dawn. These buses are a great way of moving around town on public transportation during the hours when regular buses are not in service. Currently, eight late night bus routes are in operation including N26, N62, and more ('N' in the bus number stands for 'Night'). These late night buses cover the high traffic areas around popular tourist areas such as near Gangnam Station. As of November 2015, the fare is 2,250 won when paying with cash.

 

▶▷▶ N26 Bus Service (Gaehwa - Jungnang)

 

Hapjeong Station – Hapjeong-dong Café Street

Hapjeong-dong is often referred to as a hip and artistic zone, dotted with dozens of vintage coffee shops, dessert cafes, pubs, wine bars, and more establishments all gathered together in a melting pot-like theme. These businesses are not only popular spots to wine and dine with great eats, but also cultural spaces where visitors can witness the true aspects of modern Korea.
The mix of unique cultures has created a small international society within Seoul, comparatively quieter than that of Itaewon-dong's atmosphere. Shops in this area are more distinct from each other and each has a charming ambiance, therefore constantly drawing crowds of young people and foreign tourists looking for newer places to rest their minds and bodies.
☞ Address: Eoulmadang-ro 5-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul

 

Sinchon Station – Dak-galbi

Sinchon is becoming well known for delicious dak-galbi (spicy stir-fried chicken) through word of mouth among epicureanists. Dak-galbi is a dish made of chicken and a variety of vegetables including cabbage and onion that is covered in a spicy seasoning and stir-fried at the table in front of you.
In bustling Sinchon, restaurants specializing in this dish are thriving, selling everything from the original style to dak-galbi mixed with cheese or seafood combos. There are even some restaurants serving all-you-can-eat dak-galbi so be sure to come with a big appetite! With the many dak-galbi and fried chicken restaurants in the area, Sinchon is a must-visit place for lovers of chicken.
☞ Address: Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul


 

Jonggak Station - Cheonggyecheon Café Street

Cheonggyecheon Stream is full of visitors all year round. The stream is dotted with people dipping their feet in the cool waters to escape the unbearable heat of summer nights, and in fall, beautiful lanterns reflect off the stream during the Seoul Lantern Festival. The length of Cheonggyecheon Stream is lined with cafes, making it easy to stop for a cup of coffee while enjoying the relaxing view of the stream.
☞ Address: Cheonggyecheon-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

 

Dongdaemun Station – Alley full of the sound of fish on the grill

  In the vicinity of Dongdaemun Shopping Complex is a narrow alley, densely packed with small restaurants selling saengseon-gui (grilled fish). Your meal will pass quickly as bite after bite of freshly grilled saengseon-gui and warm rice sates your appetite. All the restaurants here get their fish fresh daily so you can be assured of the best taste. The fish are grilled in advance, and lightly grilled again after an order is placed. Thanks to the skilled servers, no matter how busy you are, you can still enjoy a warm meal in record time.
☞ Address: 5, Jong-ro 40ga-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul


 

Dongdaemun Station – Cheap but delicious eats for maximum indulgence

It’s easy to find pojangmacha (small tented eateries on wheels) on the streets of Dongdaemun at all hours, as the wholesale fashion market is open until the early hours of the morning. Among the variety of late-night snacks available, most foreigners prefer dak-kkochi (chicken skewers), tteok-bokki (stir-fried rice cakes), and gopchang-bokkeum (stir-fried tripe). Dak-kkochi are made by skewering pieces of chicken and spring onion onto a stick, which are then grilled and coated in either a sweet soy sauce or a spicy seasoning for a taste loved by all.
Another popular food is Gwangjang Market’s famous mayak gimbap (literally translated to “narcotic gimbap” because it is that delicious) dipped in spicy tteok-bokki sauce and eaten in one bite. A secret menu item of the many pojangmacha in the area is jechegi-guksu (literally meaning “sneeze noodles” in English). Noodles, squid, cabbage and other ingredients are mixed with a special sauce, fried on the grill, and then served with a spicy sauce or mayonnaise. The spiciness will make your nose tingle, as if just about to sneeze!
☞ Address: Jangchungdan-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul

 

▶▷▶ N37 Bus Service (Songpa - Jingwan)

 

Yeonsinnae Station – Kal-guksu Pojangmacha Alley

Those in the know match the image of Yeonsinnae with that of kal-guksu due to the heavy population of kal-guksu pojangmachas occupying the nooks and crannies of the area. Kal-guksu is a bowl-full of handmade noodles that substitutes for a single meal. While it used to be a very folksy dish, it has now come to take on a more formal role, a la carte.
Regardless of its transformation, people in Korea still love to enjoy the original form and taste of the noodle dish from Yeonsinnae Pojangmacha Alley. The thick noodles in eomuk (fish cake) broth and spicy seasoning make the perfect late-night meal to appease your appetite, especially during cold winter days.
☞ Address: Rodeo Shopping Street in Yeonsinnae, Galhyeon-ro, Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul


 

Jonggak Station – The street that never sleeps

Lit up as bright as day all through the night, the Avenue of Youth at Jonggak Station is the top spot for enjoying Korea’s night life. Many young Koreans get their first taste of the drinking culture at the pubs here. There are also many restaurants serving various foods from samgyeopsal (grilled pork belly), galbi (short ribs) and other barbecued meats to chicken, kimchi-jjigae (kimchi stew), jeon (pancake), hoe (sliced raw fish) and more. All you have to do is decide what delicious Korean food you want to eat!
☞ Address: Jong-ro 12-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul


 

Garak Market Station - Garak Hoe Center

Garak Market is the nation’s largest agriculture and marine products market. Fresh vegetables, fruits, seafood and other products are brought directly to the market from the countryside and sold in auctions from evening until dawn. If you’re looking for a unique experience, watch the products going so fast that it will leave even bystanders breathless trying to keep pace. For dinner, visit the marine products section, where you can pick the seafood you want to eat at prices cheaper than anywhere else in the city.
☞ Address: 932, Yangjae-daero, Songpa-gu, Seoul


 

▶▷▶ N62 Bus Service (Yangcheon Bus Depot - Myeonmok-dong)

 

Hongik University Station – Exotic bingus 

Bingsu was originally a summer-exclusive dish, but is now loved and enjoyed by people year round. Dessert cafes in the area around Hongdae (Hongik University Street) are especially popular among young people for offering unique bingsus that fill the senses. From cheesecake bingsu topped with real cheesecake to bingsu shaped like a snowman or sweet bingsu made from frozen fruits, the offer of charming and delicious bingus is non-stop!
☞ Address: Hongik-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul

 

Sindang Station – Sindang-dong Tteok-bokki Town

Sindang-dong is so well-known for tteok-bokki that the two words have become synonymous, starting in the late ‘70s. Many of the food vendors here remain open 24 hours so you can find people enjoy the sweet and spicy snack at all hours of the day. The shops all make their own sauce, making the taste unique to each vendor. They also sell sets with toppings to choose at will such as eggs, ramyeon noodles, mandu (dumplings), fish cakes and more. Choose your favorite toppings and chow down!
☞ Address: Toegye-ro 76-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul

 

Konkuk Univiversity Station - Kondae Food Street

All kinds of food are available at Kondae’s Food Street, from Korea’s beloved grilled samgyeopsal and galbi to western foods. Recently the area has seen a rise in popularity due to many trendy dessert cafes opening their doors here. The restaurants and cafes remain open late into the evening, drawing customers into their bright and warm interiors.
☞ Address: Dongil-ro 22-gil, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul


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