Top 4 Korean Foods to Try in Myeongdong When It’s Cold Outside
When the temperature drops and the chilly Seoul wind rushes through the busy streets of Myeongdong, there’s only one thing on every local’s mind — warm, comforting food.
From bubbling stews and sizzling BBQ to chewy tteokbokki, Myeongdong turns into a food lover’s paradise in winter. Whether you’re a traveler searching for the perfect meal after shopping or a Seoul local looking for warmth after work, here are the Top 5 comfort foods you must try in Myeongdong when it’s cold, recommended by Team Mongvely!
Why Myeongdong Is Perfect for Winter Food
Myeongdong, located in the heart of Seoul, is not just a shopping district — it’s one of Korea’s most dynamic food destinations. When the temperature dips, the streets fill with steam from food stalls, grills, and noodle shops.
Every corner offers something warm and hearty: spicy tteokbokki, sizzling Korean BBQ, sweet hotteok, or a hot bowl of kimchi stew. What makes Myeongdong special is how these foods represent Korean comfort and culture — simple, soulful, and best enjoyed hot.
Let’s dig into the best five.
1. Korean BBQ (Sampgyupsal & Beef Cuts)
The Ultimate Seoul Comfort Food
When you think of Korean food in winter, the image of grilling juicy meat over fire immediately comes to mind. Korean BBQ (고기구이) isn’t just a meal — it’s a full experience. The sizzling sound, the smoky aroma, the warmth of the grill… it’s the perfect antidote to the cold.
Why It’s Comforting
The heat from the grill warms your hands and face — it’s like eating next to a campfire.
Each piece of meat is freshly grilled to perfection at your table and paired with side dishes, sauces, and rice.
The combination of textures — crisp lettuce, warm meat, cold kimchi, and spicy ssamjang — brings total satisfaction.
Where to Try
If you want to enjoy premium meat without worrying about the price, don’t forget to visit us at Myeongdong Korean BBQ Mongvely! We are located just 1 minute from Myeongdong Station Exit 8 or our second branch just 1 minute from Euljiro-1-ga Station.
We offer all-you-can-eat Korean BBQ in Seoul with premium cuts, from beef brisket ribeye to pork belly (samgyupsal) — all freshly prepared each morning!
What makes Mongvely stand our affordable pricing, for as low as ₩29,700, you can enjoy unlimited beef and pork. Not just that, but each bite is also customizable with our unlimited sauce bar, giving you a unique experience every time.
See also : Korean BBQ for First-Timers: How to Enjoy Mongvely Like a Local in Myeongdong
Pro Tip : Pair your BBQ with a bowl of cold noodles (naengmyeon) or a hot soybean stew (doenjang jjigae) to balance the rich flavors!
2. Kimchi Jjigae (김치찌개) — Kimchi Stew
Spicy, Tangy, and Perfectly Korean
Nothing says Korean comfort food like a boiling pot of kimchi jjigae.
This stew combines fermented kimchi, pork, tofu, and green onions — all simmered together until the flavors blend beautifully.
Why It’s Comforting
The spicy steam that hits your face when it’s served instantly warms you up.
It’s the perfect mix of tangy, spicy, and savory — ideal for cold weather.
Often served bubbling in a stone pot, it stays hot until your last spoonful.
Where to Try
Many local diners in Myeongdong serve kimchi jjigae, but look for ones that cook with aged kimchi, it gives the broth a deep, fermented richness. Try out our favorite kimchi-jjiage place in Myeongdong, located just a few minutes away from Mongvely!
Look up : “Kimsambo Myeongdong (명동 김삼보 김치찌개)” and enjoy cold winter nights with warm, soothing kimchi jjigae!
Pro Tip : Visit during non-peak meal hours as the store is relatively small in size so it may be filled pretty quick!
3. Tteokbokki (떡볶이) — Spicy Rice Cakes
Street Food That Fights the Cold
Walk through the neon-lit streets of Myeongdong and you’ll quickly find steaming pots of tteokbokki, Korea’s most iconic street snack. This dish features chewy rice cakes cooked in a spicy gochujang (red chili paste) sauce, often mixed with fish cakes, boiled eggs, and green onions.
Why It’s Comforting
The sauce is thick, spicy, and slightly sweet, giving warmth with every bite.
The chewy texture of the rice cakes is deeply satisfying, especially in cold weather.
It’s a communal food — best enjoyed standing by the stall with friends, laughing as steam rises in the night air.
Where to Try
You’ll find tteokbokki stalls along the Myeongdong streets for sure! Try them while shopping, make sure to leave some belly space to try out even more delicacies within the Myeongdong area!
4. Odeng (오뎅) & Hotteok (호떡)
Quick Street Comforts for Winter Nights
No trip to Myeongdong in winter is complete without a stop at the street food stalls. Two must-try items: odeng (fish cake skewers) and hotteok (Korean pancakes).
Odeng (Fish Cake Soup)
Served on skewers in a light soy broth, odeng is warm, salty, and satisfying. Locals often enjoy it while standing, dipping each fish cake into a cup of steaming broth. It’s light enough to snack on between shopping stops — but filling enough to take away the cold.
Hotteok (Sweet Pancake)
Hotteok is a crispy pancake stuffed with brown sugar, cinnamon, and nuts — fried until golden.
When you bite into it, the melted sugar oozes out — warm, sticky, and sweet.
Why They’re Comforting
Odeng warms your hands and stomach at the same time.
Hotteok gives you a burst of sweetness that feels like dessert and comfort rolled into one.
Where to Try
The Myeongdong Street Market (명동거리) has dozens of stalls selling both. Look along the main street and enjoy your hotteok and odeng near the stall and continue your shopping journey throughout Myeongdong!
Pro Tip : Eat hotteok while it’s fresh — but be careful! The sugar inside is molten-hot and can burn your tongue if you rush.
Wrapping Up: Comfort, Warmth, and Seoul Flavor
As the temperature drops, Myeongdong transforms into a city of steam and flavor — a place where every corner offers warmth through food. From sizzling Korean BBQ at Mongvely to spicy tteokbokki and sweet hotteok, these dishes tell the story of Seoul’s heart and hospitality. So next time you’re walking down Myeongdong Street with cold hands and a red nose, let the smell of grilled meat and simmering broth guide you to comfort, because in Seoul, winter isn’t something to escape — it’s something to taste.
Visit Us Now!
Mongvely Main Branch
Address: Myeongdong 8na-gil 9 3rd Floor
Opening Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 a.m.
➢ Link to Mongvely Main Branch
Mongvely 2nd Branch
Address: Myeongdong 3-gil 44 2nd Floor
Opening Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 a.m.
➢ Link to Mongvely Second Branch
Follow us on Instagram: @kbbqmongvely
