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8 guests
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4:00 PM
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12+ Tastings
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From $88

Seoul food tour

SEOUL FOOD TOUR - Beyond the global reach of K-Pop and Squid Game, Seoul harbours a deep-rooted culinary heritage that long predates its modern fame. It’s a metropolis of stark contrasts, where the same hands that apply high-end cosmetics are just as likely to be found cracking eomuk fish cakes at a street food stall.

Navigating the sprawling markets and decoding the menus of everyday Seoulites requires an insider’s perspective. Fear not, you've come to the right place. Start at Gwangjang Market, a 120-year-old landmark that serves as the city’s beating heart. We’re heading to the stall of 'Netflix Auntie' for a bowl of kalguksu hand-cut noodles. Witness how they rapidly slice through hand-kneaded dough, a masterclass in Korean son-mat (the "taste of the hand"), ensuring every strand of noodle offers a different texture.

While we keep some surprises under wraps, our 12+ tasting menu has some firm favourites. Savour the crunch of golden nokdu bindaetteok fritters and the heat of velvet-glazed tteokbokki.bNext up is the dangerously addictive gimbap seaweed rice rolls - Korea’s punchy answer to Japanese sushi. Grab a cinnamon-laced hotteok pancake dripping with molten brown sugar and nuts, and weave our way towards the atmospheric narrow lanes of Ikseon-dong village.

Explore a district where century-old Hanok architecture has been reimagined as avant-garde boutiques and cafes. No evening in the city is complete without the ultimate Seoul staple: Korean fried chicken and cold beer. Sink your teeth into the shatteringly crisp skin, alongside pickled radishes to cleanse the palate. We crown our food expedition with a plate of Gaeseong Juak, honey-glazed rice doughnuts, served with traditional omija tea. This medicinal five-flavour beverage perfectly sums up the depth of flavours of South Korea's unique food culture.

Whilst it's possible to attempt such a culinary marathon alone, you’d be hard-pressed to find these legendary food heroes without joining our nightly moveable feast. Come hungry.

Time or date not available? Check out our other tour by clicking on this link>> Korean Kitchens lunchtime tour

Why this tour is awesome

Step away from the predictable tourist trail and discover the hidden culinary giants of South Korea's capital city. Our evening edition introduces Seoul's food heroes from the steam-filled stalls of the city's oldest markets to the lantern-lit corridors of Ikseon-dong. We're seeking the generational kitchens where families have spent decades mastering the art of hand-pulled kalguksu, to the honey-kissed crunch of Gaeseong Juak.

During 12+ tastings, form a deeper understanding of how modern Seoul trends harmonise with the ancient flavours of the Korean peninsula. Discover why Seoul consistently ranks as one of the world's great food cities.

Your guide

Meet Veronica: food expert, and your ultimate Seoul insider. Veronica is a powerhouse in the world of Korean gastronomy. When she isn’t leading guests through Seoul’s hidden alleyways, she is shaping the next generation of foodies as a university professor of "Culture & Cuisine in Korea". She brings a decade-plus of professional culinary instruction to the streets of Seoul. Expect more than just a food crawl; expect a deep-dive into the history and heart of Korea, led by one of the city's most respected food authorities.

Veronica - Seoul Tastemaker
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Discover the local chefs that have passed down recipes over generations

Discover the local chefs that have passed down recipes over generations

Hand-cut kalguksu noodles from Auntie, as featured on Netflix

Hand-cut kalguksu noodles from Auntie, as featured on Netflix

Noodle dough expertly cut for each strand

Noodle dough expertly cut for each strand

Crispy nokdu bindaetteok mung bean fritters

Crispy nokdu bindaetteok mung bean fritters

Iconic tteokbokki in a velvet-red glaze

Iconic tteokbokki in a velvet-red glaze

Witness the sights and sounds of the Korean night market

Witness the sights and sounds of the Korean night market

Food heroes of Seoul

Food heroes of Seoul

Sample street food you were always curious to try

Sample street food you were always curious to try

Taste the dangerously addictive gimbap rolls

Taste the dangerously addictive gimbap rolls

Your foodie guide will help navigate the array of stalls

Your foodie guide will help navigate the array of stalls

Sit like a local in Gwangjang market

Sit like a local in Gwangjang market

Bite into sugar dusted hotteok pancakes en-route to Ikseon-dong

Bite into sugar dusted hotteok pancakes en-route to Ikseon-dong

You can't leave Korea without trying crispy fried chicken and beer

You can't leave Korea without trying crispy fried chicken and beer

Visit a traditional Hanok tea house in Ikseon-dong village

Visit a traditional Hanok tea house in Ikseon-dong village

Includes

  • Price US $88 per person
  • Food Tastings 12+ food tastings included, more than any other Seoul food tour
  • Drinks Bottled water included
  • Start Time 4:00 PM
  • Duration 3.5 to 4 hours depending on the pace of the group
  • Days Open / Closed Open Every Day
  • Transport / Walking Walking tour with 7-8 stops
  • Guide Led by one of our superb Seoul food hosts
  • Small group tour Maximum of 8 guests (private tours or groups of 9+, please contact us)
  • Child Policy Children aged 3-12 years: 50% discount. Infants 0-2 years: free
  • Instant Confirmation Book instantly on our live calendar. If your date is unavailable, please contact us
  • Cancellation policy Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
  • Language English
  • Pick up / Drop off Not included. Easy to find meeting point for all guests

Dietary information

  • General Advice Many streetside vendors specialise in signature menus, and may not have alternatives. It is not always possible to cater for all dietary requests at every stop
  • Severe Allergies Due to the nature of street food cooking, we can never guarantee any dish to be 100% free from allergens, as there is always the risk of traces and cross-contamination. It is unsuitable for severe allergies. Contact us: info@achefstour.com
  • Vegetarian Possible, though meat and seafood are used in 3-4 tastings with limited or no alternatives available
  • Vegan Unsuitable as meat, seafood and eggs are used in over half the tastings
  • Pescatarian Possible, though meat is used in 3-4 tastings, with limited alternatives available
  • Pork Possible, though pork is used in 1-2 tastings with limited alternatives available. Unsuitable for halal diets.
  • Halal Non-halal meats are used in 3-4 tastings. Unsuitable as few vendors hold halal certification.
  • Gluten Intolerance / Celiac Disease Gluten is used in 4-5 tastings with limited alternatives. Soy sauce is used in more tastings. Unsuitable for celiacs.
  • Lactose Intolerance Lactose is not typically used in any of the tastings
  • Peanuts / Tree Nut Allergies Nuts are used in 1-2 tastings with no alternatives available. Possible for mild allergies only, as always a risk of traces.
  • Seafood / Shellfish Allergy Possible for mild allergies, though seafood is used in 2-3 tastings with limited alternatives available
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How to book

To join our Seoul evening food tour, use the live booking calendar to select your date and secure your tour. If the date is unavailable, or for special requests and private bookings, please contact us. Safety and comfort of guests is our first priority, so if you have any questions on dietary information or food allergies, please contact us before booking.

What to expect

This tour is designed for adventurous eaters with an interest in discovering the food locals eat. It’s a walking tour where the pace is gentle, the terrain flat and there are plenty of rest (eating) stops along the way. Join us on the best Seoul food tour in the city, you won't regret it.

Meeting point

This Seoul food tour starts fromΒ Exit 7 at Jongno-3-ga subway station. It's easily reachable by metro, or taxi. At the end of the experience, your guide can help you find transport back if you wish. More details will be sent upon booking confirmation.

Cancellation Policy

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

Why you should book with us

  • 99% 5 star reviews across our tours
  • Secure payments through provider Peek
  • No hidden charges - all food tastings included in the price
  • Authentic food experience, escape the tourist traps