Seoul: Kimchi Making Class & Mangwon Market Food Tour

Summary

Learn Korean kimchi from scratch after exploring Mangwon Market and sharing lunch with new friends

You’ll meet your guide at Mangwon Station before wandering through Seoul’s lively Mangwon Market to sample street food and pick up fresh ingredients. In a small group class, you’ll make four types of kimchi from scratch at your own table, then sit down together for lunch with rice wine. You’ll leave with over 1kg of your own homemade kimchi—and maybe a new favorite memory.

What’s the experience like?

You step out at Mangwon Station, and there’s Jomin waving — she’s got this calm energy that makes you feel like you’re meeting a friend, not just a guide. The market’s only a few minutes away but I swear we stopped every ten steps because something caught my nose or eye: fried batter smells, bright piles of cabbage, vendors calling out prices I couldn’t catch. Jomin let us taste these chewy rice cakes (I still can’t pronounce “tteokbokki” right), and she laughed when I tried to say it in Korean — probably butchered it. But nobody seemed to mind.

The cooking studio was upstairs from a bakery that smelled like sweet bread. Each of us had our own little station — apron, knives, bowls of cabbage and radish so crisp they squeaked when you pressed them. Jomin explained the difference between the four types of kimchi we’d make (I didn’t even know cucumber kimchi was a thing). She showed us how to salt the cabbage just right — not too soft, not too crunchy — and kept checking our hands for chili paste stains. There was this moment where everyone went quiet except for the sound of mixing; it felt almost meditative. Maybe that’s why people say making kimchi is good for the soul?

Lunch after was simple: slices of boiled pork, fried tofu, our own kimchi lined up in mismatched bowls. We poured little cups of rice wine that tasted sharp at first but grew on me after a few sips. Someone asked if we could get the recipe book in English (yes), and Jomin packed up over a kilo of our homemade kimchi in plastic tubs for each of us to take home. I kept thinking about how this day trip in Seoul wasn’t just about food — it was about slowing down enough to notice what goes into it all. And the smell on my fingers? Still there when I got back to my hotel.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Kimchi making and market tour

• Meet at Mangwon Metro Station entrance 2
• Explore Mangwon Market and taste street foods
• Arrive at cooking studio
• Learn to make four types of Kimchi
• Enjoy Kimchi with boiled pork and fried tofu
• Take home over 1kg of Kimchi

Top questions

Where does the kimchi making class in Seoul start?

The class starts by meeting your guide at entrance 2 of Mangwon subway station (Line 6) in Seoul.

Is there street food tasting included during the tour?

Yes, you’ll taste various street foods while exploring Mangwon Market with your guide before the cooking class.

How many types of kimchi do we make in this class?

You’ll make four types: two cabbage kimchis, radish kimchi, and cucumber kimchi.

Do I get to take home the kimchi I make?

Yes, you’ll sample some during lunch and take home more than 1kg of your homemade kimchi in a provided container.

Are vegetarian or vegan options available?

Yes, vegetarian and vegan options are available upon request for this day trip in Seoul.

Is lunch included in the experience?

Yes, after cooking you’ll enjoy lunch with boiled pork, fried tofu, your own kimchi creations, and rice wine.

What happens if there aren’t enough guests booked?

The class may be rescheduled or canceled if it doesn’t meet the minimum number of four guests.

Can infants or small children join this activity?

Infants and small children can join; prams or strollers are allowed during the tour.

What’s included

Your day includes meeting at Mangwon subway station entrance 2 before exploring Mangwon Market with your local guide to taste street food and gather ingredients. At the cooking studio you’ll have your own table and equipment to prepare four kinds of fresh kimchi from scratch using local produce. Afterward enjoy lunch with boiled pork, fried tofu, rice wine and water—all included—plus an English recipe book and over one kilo of your homemade kimchi packed up to take home with you.