Hello, my friends! It’s Your K-Friend! 👋
Is there anything more romantic than Seoul in winter? The crisp air, the glowing lights, and—most importantly—the steaming hot food! ❄️
If you are visiting Seoul this winter, the 2025 Seoul Lantern Festival & Gwanghwamun Market is the absolute must-visit event. Imagine giant, colorful lanterns lighting up Gwanghwamun Square and Cheonggyecheon Stream, paired with a charming market full of cute crafts. It is truly magical! ✨
But let’s be real. After walking around in the cold for an hour, you are going to be hungry. Not just hungry, but “I need hot soup NOW” hungry.
In this guide, I’ll share a special list of 8 restaurants near Jongno and Gwanghwamun that are loved by locals—selected based on real mobility data from Kakao T Taxi and Kakao Navi! These are the places where Koreans actually travel to warm up their bodies and souls. Let’s dig in! 🥢
Must-Eat Stops: The Local Favorites 😋
I’ve gathered these spots based on where Koreans actually take taxis to go eat! Some are right next to the festival, and some are hidden gems in the hills that offer amazing views.
1. The Comfort Classics (Close to the Festival)
📍 Samcheong-dong Sujebi (삼청동수제비)
- What to Expect: This place is legendary. Sujebi is a hand-pulled dough soup with a rich anchovy broth. It’s simple, humble, and incredibly warming. It has been Michelin-recognized for years!
- Location:
101-1 Samcheong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul - Traveler Tip: The line can be long, but it moves fast. Order the Gamja-jeon (potato pancake) on the side. You won’t regret it! 🥔
📍 Gwanghwamun Mijin (광화문미진)
- What to Expect: Famous for its buckwheat noodles (Memil-guksu) and bossam (boiled pork wraps). Even in winter, Koreans love these noodles! The savory sauce is addictive.
- Location:
19 Jong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul (Le Meilleur Jongno Town, 1F) - Traveler Tip: This place has been around since 1954. It’s perfect for a quick, history-filled meal before hitting the Lantern Festival.
📍 Jinokhwa Halmae Wonjo Dakhanmari (진옥화할매원조닭한마리)
- What to Expect: “Dakhanmari” literally means “One Whole Chicken.” You get a whole chicken boiling in a pot right in front of you. You dip the meat in a spicy sauce you mix yourself.
- Location:
18 Jong-ro 40ga-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul - Traveler Tip: Finish the meal by adding Kalguksu (knife-cut noodles) into the leftover rich broth. It is the ultimate winter comfort food. 🐔
2. The Hidden Gems with a View (Worth the Ride 🚖)
These spots are a bit further up the hills or in quieter neighborhoods. They are hard to find on foot, but the atmosphere is unbeatable.
📍 The Soop Choso Bookstore (더숲초소책방)
- What to Expect: This used to be a police guard post, now renovated into a stunning eco-friendly bookstore and cafe. The night view of Seoul from here is breathtaking.
- Location:
172 Inwangsan-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul - Traveler Tip: It’s high up! Don’t try to walk; take a taxi. Grab a hot latte and enjoy the city lights from above. ☕🌃
📍 Jaha Son Mandu (자하손만두)
- What to Expect: Elegant, mild, and healthy homemade dumplings (Mandu). The restaurant is located in a beautiful house with a view of the mountains.
- Location:
12 Baekseokdong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul - Traveler Tip: Try the colorful dumpling soup. It’s very photogenic and tastes clean and healthy.
📍 Pyeongchang-dong Bukakjeong (평창동북악정)
- What to Expect: If you want premium Korean BBQ (Galbi) in a classy, architectural setting, this is it. It is famous for its high-quality beef and spacious atmosphere.
- Location:
6 Pyeongchang 36-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul - Traveler Tip: It’s a bit pricey, but the service and meat quality are top-tier. Great for a special dinner.
3. Old School Legends
📍 Daeseong House (대성집)
- What to Expect: This is a true local institution famous for Doganitang (Ox knee soup). It sounds adventurous, but the texture is amazing (chewy and soft) and the broth is full of collagen. It is deeply savory and energizing for winter.
- Location:
5 Sajik-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul - Traveler Tip: It opens early and closes early! It’s a “Bib Gourmand” spot, meaning it offers great food at a reasonable price.
📍 Harimgak (하림각)
- What to Expect: A massive, historic Chinese-Korean restaurant that feels like a grand banquet hall. It is famous for being a meeting place for Korean politicians and celebrities in the past.
- Location:
255 Jahamun-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul - Traveler Tip: It’s great for large groups. Try their Jajangmyeon (black bean noodles) or Tangsuyuk (sweet and sour pork)—they do the classics perfectly.
🚕 Don’t Let the Cold Freeze Your Fun!
Here is a common traveler problem: You’ve just finished a delicious dinner at The Soop Choso Bookstore or Bukakjeong. You are happy and full, but now you are on a dark, winding road on a hillside. It’s -10°C (14°F), and there are zero taxis passing by. 🥶
Panic? No need!
This is exactly when you need K.RIDE. Don’t stand in the freezing wind trying to wave down a car that isn’t coming.
I highly recommend downloading K.RIDE before you head out. It is the ultimate solution for moving between these hidden local spots and the Lantern Festival.
Why K.RIDE is your best winter travel buddy:
- ✅ Multi-language app support: No Korean? No problem. The app speaks your language (English, Japanese, Chinese).
- ✅ Foreign card-friendly: No need to fumble for cash with frozen fingers. Pay seamlessly with your home credit card.
- ✅ Automatic destination translation: Just type “The Soop Choso Bookstore” in English, and the driver gets the location in Korean.
- ✅ Fair pricing: No haggling, no “foreigner tax.” You pay exactly what the meter says.
Stay Warm and Enjoy the Lights! 💖
The 2025 Seoul Lantern Festival is going to be spectacular, and pairing it with these authentic local restaurants will make your trip unforgettable. Whether you are slurping hot noodles or enjoying a mountain view, I hope you feel the warmth of Korean hospitality (“Jeong”).
Remember, with K.RIDE, getting back to your hotel safely is the easiest part of your night.
Thanks for reading!
— Your K-Friend at K.RIDE ✨
See you on the road!
Explore Korea Like a Local 
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