Seoul: Kimchi Cooking Class & Gyeongdong Market Tour

Summary

Seoul food adventure with kimchi chef Minseon and bustling market strolls

You’ll wander Seoul’s Gyeongdong Market with Chef Minseon, tasting ingredients and learning local secrets before heading to her kitchen for a hands-on kimchi cooking class. Expect laughter, real stories behind each dish, plus lunch or dessert shared around the table. It’s not just about recipes—it’s about feeling connected to Seoul’s food culture for real.

What’s the experience like?

I was honestly a little nervous when we met Chef Minseon near the entrance of Gyeongdong Market — she smiled right away and handed us tiny cups of something herbal (I still don’t know what it was, but it tasted like spring). The market was already humming at 10am, all these aunties in patterned vests bargaining over roots and greens I’d never seen. Minseon pointed out perilla leaves and dried jujubes, letting us touch and smell everything. She joked that you can tell how good a kimchi will be just by sniffing the cabbage — I tried, but mostly just got a tickle in my nose.

We zigzagged through narrow aisles for maybe an hour (heads up: if you’re not used to walking a lot, it’s a bit of a trek), stopping every so often so Minseon could chat with vendors or explain why one soybean paste is better than another. My favorite part was when she taught us how to say “thank you” properly — I butchered it and one vendor laughed so hard she gave me an extra rice cracker. The smells kept changing: sharp fish sauce here, sweet cinnamon tea there. It felt like every sense was switched on.

The cooking part happened upstairs in her lab — bright kitchen, windows cracked open to let in city noise. We made three dishes; for us it was bibimbap, kimchi jeon (the pancake), and some kind of seaweed soup that tasted way better than it looked. Chopping vegetables together felt less like a class and more like helping out at someone’s home. Minseon told stories about her grandmother’s recipes while correcting my very clumsy knife skills (gently). Lunch was loud with everyone sharing bites and asking questions about the sauces — I still think about that homemade gochujang.

I left full but also sort of lighter? Maybe from laughing or maybe just from being around people who care so much about food. If you want to really get what Seoul tastes like, this kimchi cooking class is probably the best place to start — even if your pancakes come out lopsided like mine did.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Korean cooking and market tour

• Meet Kimchi chef Min Seon
• Tour Gyeongdong food market
• Learn about seasonal Kimchi
• Cook Korean home dishes
• Enjoy Korean dessert and tea

Top questions

How long does the Seoul kimchi cooking class last?

The experience includes about 1 hour at Gyeongdong Market plus time in the kitchen—expect several hours total.

Is lunch included in the kimchi cooking class?

Yes, lunch or dessert is included depending on your booking time.

Are vegan or halal options available?

Yes, both vegan and halal options are available—just mention your preference when booking.

Is this day trip suitable for children?

Children over 6 can join; under 6 isn’t allowed for safety reasons. One child per class may participate.

Do I need prior cooking experience?

No experience needed—Chef Minseon guides everyone step by step.

Where does the tour start?

The tour begins near Gyeongdong Market in Seoul; details are provided after booking.

How many people are in each group?

The maximum group size is 10 people per booking.

Does this tour include pickup?

No hotel pickup is included; you’ll meet at the designated spot near the market.

What’s included

Your day includes a guided walk through Gyeongdong Market with Chef Minseon, hands-on cooking instruction for three Korean dishes in her kitchen lab, all necessary ingredients, plus lunch or dessert depending on your session time—shared with fellow travelers before heading out into Seoul again.