Seoul: Food Market Tour & 12 Tastings with Local Guide

Summary

Seoul street food tasting walk through local markets & hanok cafes

You’ll taste your way through Seoul’s busiest markets with a local guide who knows every shortcut and snack stand. Expect 12 different Korean street foods (from spicy rice cakes to sweet pancakes), ramen at an all-night spot, and tea or coffee inside a traditional hanok cafe. It’s noisy, messy fun — come hungry and ready to try new flavors you might dream about later.

What’s the experience like?

I almost missed the meeting spot because I got distracted by the smell of frying batter from some tiny stall — turns out that was our first stop anyway. Our guide, Jisoo, waved me over with a paper cup of something hot (fish cake broth, salty and weirdly comforting). There were maybe seven of us, all a bit awkward at first, but food has this way of making people relax. The market was loud — vendors shouting, metal tongs clanking, steam everywhere. Jisoo pointed out things I’d never have noticed: little hand gestures between sellers, or how to say thank you without sounding stiff. I tried to copy her accent; she laughed and said it wasn’t bad for a foreigner.

We ate so much — twelve different things, apparently, but honestly I lost count after the sixth. There was chewy tteokbokki that left my lips tingling and some kind of pancake stuffed with brown sugar that oozed onto my fingers. At one point we ducked into this ramen shop that’s open all night (Jisoo said it’s where students go after exams), and you get to pick your own toppings from a wall of packets. The noodles were nothing like what I’ve had at home — springy and slurpy, with chili oil that hit the back of my throat. Someone in our group tried to order in Korean and totally butchered it; even the cook grinned.

Afterwards we wandered along Cheonggyecheon Stream for a bit — just enough time for my stomach to settle before heading into a hanok village. The old wooden houses are now mostly cute cafes and dessert shops. We squeezed into one for tea (I picked something floral by accident but ended up liking it). The sun was setting through the paper windows, turning everything gold for a minute or two. I still think about that light sometimes when I’m back home in my kitchen.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Taste traditional foods and explore Seoul

• Try foods at traditional market
• Walk along Cheonggyecheon Stream
• Try ramen at 24/7 ramen store
• Explore hanok village cafes
• Drink tea or coffee at cafe

Top questions

How many foods do you try on this Seoul food tour?

The tour includes 12 different Korean food tastings.

Is this Seoul food tour suitable for people with gluten allergies?

No, this tour is not suitable for those with gluten allergies.

Are drinks included on the Seoul food tasting tour?

Yes, bottled water and drinks at a cafe are included.

Does the tour include Cheonggyecheon Stream?

Yes, there is a walk along Cheonggyecheon Stream as part of the itinerary.

How big is the group on this Seoul food market tour?

The small group size is up to 10 people per tour.

Is there hotel pickup included?

No hotel pickup is mentioned; guests meet at the starting point.

Can vegetarians join this Seoul food tasting tour?

You can inform them about dietary restrictions or allergies when booking.

What’s included

This three-hour small group walk includes all twelve Korean street food tastings (yes, snacks too), bottled water throughout, ramen at a 24/7 shop, tea or coffee in a hanok cafe near Cheonggyecheon Stream, plus stories and tips from your friendly English-speaking local guide before you head off on your own again.