Seoul: Downtown Food & Market Tour with 8+ Tastings

Summary

Seoul flavors, old palaces, bustling markets and hidden alleys

You’ll taste your way through Seoul’s markets and palace backstreets with a local guide—think spicy tteokbokki, fresh kimbap rolls, sweet cream bread, and a surprise “secret dish.” Expect laughter over mispronounced words, real stories from your guide, and those little moments you’ll remember long after you leave.

What’s the experience like?

"Try this—just don’t ask what’s inside yet," our guide Min grinned as she handed me a still-warm dumpling outside Namdaemun Market. I bit in (too fast), nearly burning my tongue, but the mix of garlic and something sweet was worth it. The whole group laughed when I tried to say ‘mandu’ properly—apparently my accent turned it into something else entirely. You can smell fried batter and sweet bread everywhere here, mixed with that chilly morning air that makes you hungrier somehow.

We zigzagged through narrow alleys behind Gwanghwamun Gate, where old men played janggi under gingko trees and a woman sold honey snacks from a tiny cart. Min pointed out Changdeokgung Palace just beyond the rooftops—she said her grandmother used to bring her there to see the lotus ponds in summer. I liked how she’d pause sometimes to let us listen: temple bells from somewhere far off, or just the shuffle of people at Bukchon Hanok Village. It made the city feel softer than I expected.

The tteokbokki was spicier than I thought (my lips tingled for ages), but dipping grilled rice cake into hot tea balanced it out. We tried kimbap rolls stuffed with pickled radish—nothing like sushi, really—and then that “secret dish” Min teased us about all morning. I won’t spoil it, but it’s still stuck in my head for some reason—maybe because of the way she told its story. The day trip around Seoul felt less like a tour and more like wandering with someone who knows all the shortcuts.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Seoul's landmarks and markets

• Pass by N Seoul Tower
• Pass by Gyeongbokgung Palace
• Pass by Gwanghwamun Gate
• Pass by Bukchon Hanok Village
• Pass by Changdeokgung Palace
• Pass by Namdaemun Market

Top questions

How many tastings are included on the Seoul food tour?

The tour includes 8+ local tastings plus a secret dish.

Does this day trip include entry to Seoul’s palaces?

The tour visits palace areas like Changdeokgung Palace and Gyeongbokgung Palace but does not specify entry tickets; check with your guide on the day.

Where does the Seoul food tour go?

You’ll visit Namsan Tower, Gyeongbokgung Palace area, Namdaemun Market, Bukchon Hanok Village, Gwanghwamun Gate, and Changdeokgung Palace surroundings.

Is hotel pickup included?

No hotel pickup is mentioned; public transportation options are available nearby.

Can dietary restrictions be accommodated?

Some dietary restrictions may not be possible; contact before booking to check if your needs can be met.

Are children allowed on this Seoul market food tour?

Yes, infants and small children can join; strollers are welcome but infants must sit on an adult’s lap.

Is this walking tour suitable for all fitness levels?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels but comfortable walking shoes are strongly advised.

What’s included

Your day includes guided walks through central Seoul’s markets and palace neighborhoods with 8+ street food tastings: mandu dumplings paired with fish soup, freshly made kimbap rolls, sweet-and-salty cream bread, mung bean pancakes with onions, honey snacks or grilled rice cake with tea, spicy tteokbokki—and a special secret dish along the way.