5-Day Seoul Foodie Itinerary 2026: Eat Your Way Through the City

Morning: Arrive at Incheon Airport, take the AREX express to Seoul Station (about $8, 43 min). Check into your hotel in Myeongdong or nearby.

Lunch: Head straight to Myeongdong Kyoja for their legendary kalguksu (hand-cut noodle soup) and mandu (dumplings). Budget: $8–$10.

Afternoon: Explore Myeongdong shopping street. Grab tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes) from a street cart, and try hotteok (sweet pancake) from a vendor near the cathedral. Spend about $5 on snacks.

Dinner: Walk to Jangin Dakgalbi for spicy stir-fried chicken with cheese. Share a portion for two—around $12 per person.

Evening: End with a cup of sikhye (sweet rice drink) from a convenience store. Total day food budget: ~$25–$30.

Breakfast: Start at Tosokchon Samgyetang near Gyeongbokgung Palace. Their ginseng chicken soup is a classic—$15 per bowl, worth every won.

Late Morning: Visit Gyeongbokgung Palace (entrance $3). Afterwards, wander through Insadong for tea and traditional snacks. Stop at O'sulloc Tea House for a green tea latte and a slice of their famous green tea roll cake ($8).

Lunch: Try Jogyesa Temple's nearby Sanchon for a vegetarian temple lunch set. Fixed menu around $20.

Afternoon: Explore Bukchon Hanok Village. Grab a ppopgi (honeycomb toffee) from a street vendor ($1).

Dinner: Head to Gwangjang Market for bindae-tteok (mung bean pancake) and yukhoe (Korean beef tartare). Budget: $10–$12 for a feast.

Brunch: Go to Thanks Nature Cafe in Hongdae for a sheep-themed cafe experience. Their waffles and coffee are around $8.

Lunch: Walk to Mapo Galmaegi for grilled pork skirt meat. All-you-can-eat option for $15 per person. Perfect for sharing.

Afternoon: Stroll through Hongdae's indie streets. Try fried chicken from Kyochon Chicken — a half chicken is $10.

Dinner: Visit Sinjeon Tteokbokki in Hongdae for their signature cheese tteokbokki. Add a fried dumpling and seaweed roll. Total: $7.

Night: Grab a makgeolli (rice wine) at Makgeolli Salon near Hongik University Station. A bottle costs $6.

Brunch: Start at Terarosa Coffee in Garosu-gil for excellent coffee and a croissant ($6).

Lunch: Book a table at Jungsik (2 Michelin stars) for a modern Korean tasting menu. Lunch set starts at $60. Reserve weeks ahead.

Afternoon: Walk off the meal along the Han River at Banpo Bridge. Rent a bike for $2 per hour.

Dinner: Head to Mapo Jeong Daepo in Gangnam for Korean BBQ. Order samgyeopsal (pork belly) and beef brisket. Expect $25–$30 per person.

Night: End with a bingsu (shaved ice) at Mango Six. Mango bingsu is $8.

Breakfast: Visit Ikseon-dong for a traditional Korean breakfast at Ikseon-dong Jjajang. Their black bean noodles are $6.

Late Morning: Explore Namdaemun Market. Try kkwabaegi (twisted donut) and hoddeok (sweet pancake). Spend $4 on snacks.

Lunch: Have a hearty sundae-guk (blood sausage soup) at Bukchang-dong Sundae. $8.

Afternoon: Pick up last-minute snacks at Lotte Mart in Seoul Station. Grab kim (seaweed snacks) and honey butter chips for gifts.

Dinner before flight: A quick kimbap and ramyeon at the airport. Budget $10.

Accommodation: Guesthouse dorm: $25/night. Mid-range hotel double: $100/night. 5 nights total: $125–$500.

Food: Average $15–$20 per meal, plus snacks. 5 days: $200–$250 for generous eating.

Transport: T-money card: $3. Subway rides: $1.20 each. Taxi from airport to city: $35. Total transport: $50–$70.

Activities: Palace entries, bike rental, etc.: $20. Total estimated budget per person (excluding flights): $395–$840.

Airport to City: AREX express train from Incheon to Seoul Station: $8 (43 min). Airport Limousine bus: $12 (60–90 min). Taxi: $35–$50.

Subway: The Seoul Metro is clean, fast, and cheap. Buy a T-money card at any convenience store (refillable). Single ride: $1.20. Day pass: $6 (unlimited rides).

Buses: Blue buses cover longer distances. Fare: $1.20. Use the same T-money card.

Taxis: Start at $3.50. Uber works but KakaoTaxi app is more reliable. Avoid rush hour.

Walking: Many areas (Myeongdong, Insadong, Hongdae) are walkable. Wear comfortable shoes.

Spring (April–May): Cherry blossoms, mild weather. Best for outdoor food markets. Average temp: 15–20°C.

Autumn (September–November): Clear skies, cool air. Perfect for walking tours. Temp: 10–18°C.

Summer (June–August): Hot and humid (30°C+). Monsoon season in July. Still good for indoor food halls and bingsu.

Winter (December–February): Cold (0–5°C). Great for hot soups and street food. Fewer crowds.

For foodies, spring and autumn are ideal—comfortable weather for market hopping.