Seoul

Drinking and Eating through the Alleys of Seoul

Seoul, South Korea

From USD 85.00

Select Date and Travellers

Free cancellation
Up to 24 hours in advance.
  • 5 hours (approx.)
  • Mobile ticket
  • Offered in: English

Overview

  • A half-day, small-group food and drink tour through Seoul
  • Get off the beaten track and learn where Seoul locals eat and drink
  • Explore tiny alleys off the main drag—home to hidden culinary gems

What's Included

  • All Fees and Taxes
  • Alcoholic Beverages
  • Dinner

Meeting And Pickup

Meeting point

  • 407
    407 Dongho-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea

    We will meet outside of exit 8 (it is NOT the elevator) of Jongno 5-ga station (dark blue line, line 1). Keep walking until you see the staircase to go outside of exit 8.

End point

  • 103-4
    103-4 Nagwon-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea

    We will end very close to this subway station. We will be near Insadong. I can show you to the subway station, but most people want to keep walking around.

What To Expect

Kwangjang Market

2 hours Admission Ticket Free

Jongro Gallery

2 hours Admission Ticket Free

Sewoon Arcade (Makercity Sewoon) (Pass By)

Euljiro-dong

40 minutesAdmission Ticket Free

Additional Info

  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Stroller accessible
  • Near public transportation
  • Infants must sit on laps
  • Transportation is wheelchair accessible
  • Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
  • Most travellers can participate
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 11 travellers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
  • This experience requires good weather. If it’s cancelled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
  • This experience requires a minimum number of travellers. If it’s cancelled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

Traveller Photos

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Traveller Tips


If you want the best culinary experience in Seoul, take this tour.

Reviews

5.0
154 reviews
Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews
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Reviews by Viator travellers.
Showing 1-10 of 154 reviews
Tried things we wouldn’t have otherwise
Jessica_C, May 2023
Interesting tour through markets and nearby streets. Pricey but Mike was knowledgeable. We tried things we otherwise would not have. You need about another 30,000 on top of tour cost.
Thanks Mike.
Jordan_R, May 2023
Awesome food tour that drops you right in the middle of a bustling packed traditional market. Sensory overload with sights, sounds, smells and tastes that were so different from anything I had ever experienced. We got to try some of the coolest street food and makgeolli that I would have never known about on my own. Definitely a highlight of my trip to Seoul. Thanks to Mike for being an all around great guide. He was able to introduce us to new things, give us a little culture behind each dish, and just a fun person to hang out with. I cannot recommend enough, whether you are a foodie or simply looking for something new and exciting to try. This is a must do.
Response from Host, May 2023
Thanks so much Jordan! It was really great to meet and hang out with you. I hope you enjoyed the rest of your time in Korea!
Food tour in Seoul
evansamandak, May 2023
Mike was a wonderful tour guide. Having someone to introduce us to the best food options in the market was invaluable. My wife is a vegetarian and, while we knew that she would not be able to partake in all options, Mike was really great about finding options for her and explaining what was in each food we tried. The tour was filled with great people and good times.
Response from Host, May 2023
It was really great meeting you guys! I had a great time with you guys!
Excellent tour with wide range of choices
Mark_L, May 2023
I enjoyed this tour from the wide array of choices in the market to other dishes in select areas of downtown Seoul. The tour guide Mike showed a lot of experience and a passion for this tour. A+ -Mark
Response from Host, May 2023
Thanks so much Mark! I'm glad you had a good time!
Food Tour Best Tour
Jose_N, May 2023
Woo woo Mike’s food tour is great. Hes been in Seoul for a while so knows his stuff and the vendors. Will recommend a place for anything you want to try. Good times! - Jose
Unnerving but Totally Delicious
Melissa_W, May 2023
If you’re ready to be a little adventurous, get on Mike’s tour. Say yes to foods you didn’t even know you wanted to eat and you’ll be so glad you did.
Perfect introduction to Korean food and drinks
Dave_M, Apr 2023
This is a must do tour for anyone visiting Seoul for the first time. Our guide mike was extremely knowledgeable about every dish and drink we had and the cultural significance of it . It’s hands down one of the best food tours I’ve ever been on ! I’d honestly do the tour again it was that great! Our guide also helped everyone with recommendations for after our tour
Dont miss this tour
Anthony_K, Apr 2023
What a great night. We read the description and knew food was extra. We met Mike and he took us through the markets and told us about the different foods available. We had traditional pancakes, octopus, Korean raw beef to name a few and plenty of local drinks. It cost about $35 Australian dollars for everything we had. Mike was fantastic and we tried food we wouldn’t normally have eaten. This was a really great experience and we would highly recommend this tour for anyone coming to Seoul.
Shelley
shelley_t, Apr 2023
An absolutely fantastic evening. Full of fun facts, interesting food, great company and lots of laughs. 100% recommend taking this food tour- Mike has certainly done his research and has loads of info!
Great food tour!
rachel_s, Apr 2023
I would highly recommend this tour! Navigating the market alone would have been very difficult and I wouldn’t have tried half of the cool things we did on this tour! The live octopus, beef tartar, chicken hearts, etc were such an experience I wouldn’t have even thought about if we hadn’t been guided through it. The alcohol tasting was amazing too! We all loved it! <3 Do note that you will have to pay 30,000-40,000 won depending on what you decide you want to partake in/ how much of it. Totally understandable. Also note Netflix noodle lady is not there on Mondays. Go a different day if that would disappoint you.
Interesting, but extra costs & no recognition of dietary requirements
Chloe_G, Apr 2023
We were really looking forward to this food tour but, while there were some interesing parts, I'm afraid overall it didn't live up to expectations. We messaged twice in advance to inform them that one of our group did not eat fish or shellfish & asked if alternatives could be provided. Despite confirming this at the beginning of the tour, unfortunately five of the dishes / samples contained fish, but sadly nothing was offered instead (not even an extra portion of the non-fish dishes.) We have been on many food tours before and never had to contribute as much additional money for the food as on this tour - with no reduction for the fact my partner wasn't able to eat many of the dishes. Please be aware, the cost of this tour only pays for Mike's time- all food and drink costs extra. We enjoyed the wine tasting & visiting the market & street tents.
Response from Host, Apr 2023
There is only one dish that contained fish in it and it's the noodles at the first stop. The last stop has many options that don't have fish/shellfish. The group tried to accommodate you by not ordering fish/shellfish dishes so you still has dishes then. The food and drinks are not included in the price and that is written on my description. I feel that half of this group just didn't understand anything that was written in the description. Next time, make sure to read through everything thoroughly before booking another experience. I delivered everything that was provided.
Good but cost doesn’t include food/drinks
Mark_S, Apr 2023
Overall a good tour. 12 in the group and people were fun. Was good to not have to wait in line for the famous Netflix dumpling lady. Problem is Mike keeps asking for money along the way to pay for food. 35000 won in total. It was just awkward and uncomfortable and people were annoyed. So the price you pay to book is just his time and with 12 in the group that’s over USD $1000 for Milke’s “expertise”. Would be better to include cost of food in booking price. Book through Viator is cheaper than the website. Mike also needs to speak slower as his delivery is very fast.
Response from Host, Apr 2023
Hi Mark. Thanks for taking my experience. I'm sorry that you didn't read through my descriptions properly. Everything proceeded the way things were described. Also, I don't make anywhere near that much because the platform takes a HUGE chunk of money for commission fees. I hope you understand how these platforms work before making judgments.
Worst Food Tour I’ve Experienced
Corey_b, Apr 2023
Requires an extra 40,000 won per person read details. The money is collected slowly during tour and gives off a slimy sales tactic. Besides that the tour is mostly him telling you food preferences vs informative processes and culture. Walking is done within a 1/2 kilometer area. Experience a small portion of the city. He talks about his problems. I believe he is using past reviews to switch up tour. I wasn’t even full after tour. Done a lot of tours on Viator and this was worst one.
Response from Host, Apr 2023
Thanks for taking my experience Corey. You guys came in tired from the beginning because you just landed that day. You were quiet the entire tour and didn't participate with the rest of the group. You both barely said two words the entire tour. I checked in with you throughout the tour and said you were just tired. I'm sorry you felt the way you did. What I don't understand is your whole explanation of the tour. Slimy sales tactic? What was I trying to sell you? Food preferences? Talk about my problems? Past reviews? Haha how and why would I do these things?
Skip this one, guys.
Stacey_K, Apr 2023
I’m not sure why the reviews for this tour are so outstanding. Maybe he had more people in his group than planned? He zigzags you through some areas for nibbles and continuously asks for more money. An extra 30000 won per person, plus more if you want something extra. Everyone in the group was confused by the collection on money. He orders something from you, comes back and says “guys I’m a little short. I need 10000 won per person”. This tour felt like such a cash-grab scam and I wish I never would have gone.
Response from Host, Apr 2023
I'm sorry you felt this way. Everything was written on the description and it went as described. I'm sorry to see that you decided to leave a bad review after your refund request got rejected because you didn't read the description. Everybody in this group understood the experience and they personally told me that they enjoyed the experience. You could have left the experience at any time but you stayed until the very last minute with a smile on your face the whole time.
Super nice!
atteparonen, Apr 2023
If you want to do one thing in Seoul do this. We loved the vibe of the tour. You get to taste a lot of great foods.
Bring an appetite!
Rebecca_T, Apr 2023
The market is huge and crowded, so it was great to have a knowledgeable, experienced and enthusiastic guide to take us to the best producers. An excellent introduction to Seoul, we tried a good range of typical Korean food and drink and had a great afternoon.
Fun and informative
Dee_E, Apr 2023
A great introduction to Korean food, history and culture. The ability to find experiences as a tourist you'd not be able to find on yourself.
Not to be missed
rob_k, Apr 2023
Absolutely awesome afternoon out exploring eating and drinking with Mike. Go to the best places in the bustling market and off the beaten track. Mike knows his stuff! Loved it 👍
Fun, informative, and delicious!!
Nicole_L, Mar 2023
We had a blast with Mike. Great group of people and even better food. Would 100% recommend if you’re in Seoul.
Awesome Experience
Bruce_J, Mar 2023
Mike really knows his stuff. He’s not just some random guy who’s just picking out places to bring foreigners, but a legitimate expert who’s put in the time and effort to research the best way to provide an experience that not even most locals could hold a candle to. Would absolutely recommend this to anyone visiting Seoul for any length of time.
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