The City Hall and Gwangwhamun area is one of the most dynamic and touristic areas of Seoul, with many popular sites like Cheonggyecheon Stream, Deoksu Palace and King Sejeong Memorial, located here.
As part of the newly launched Seoullo 7017 Tasting Seoul Tours, Gastro Tour Seoul invites you to join us on a quest to discover the hidden culinary gems of the City Hall & Gwanghwamun area!
The meet up spot of the “Seoullo 7017 Tasting Seoul Tour: City Hall & Gwanghwamun” is at the City Hall Station, exit 5. Here, guests begin by finding out a little about the area and the history of the old and new city halls.
1. Bulgogi, Glass Noodles(Japchae) and Apricot Tea – K-Food Culture Centre
The K-Food Culture Centre is a Korean Food Promotional Venue that consists of a Story Telling floor, Experimental floor, and Buying floor. In the Story Telling section, Gastro Tour Seoul Attendees learn about the fascinating 24 traditional seasons of agriculture in Korea. After the introduction to Korean food it’s time to start eating! Bulgogi(불고기), or marinated beef, is one of the most well-known dishes in Korea, and dates back to the Goguryeo era – a really, really long time ago!
Japchae (잡채), or Korean glass noodles, is another popular Korean dish, often eaten during Korean holidays like Chuseok and Lunar New Year. This is usually served as a small dish, but can often be found in soups or Bulgogi.
2. Buckwheat Noodles – Mijin
From the K-Food Culture Centre to the next restaurant ‘Mijin’, the tour passes through the ‘Pimatgol Alley’, which literally translates to ‘Horse-Avoiding alley’. This is a street traditionally used as a path for merchants to ship their wares and avoid the crowds of the main roads. This backstreet preserves an unknown side of Seoul, and is home to many fantastic restaurants and rustic cafes. The local restaurant Mijin has been running since 1954. Their signature dish is ‘buckwheat noodles’, which is similar to Japanese Soba noodles. This is a healthy comfort food that is also gluten-free!
3. Chicken and Almond Sandwich – Le Pul
Along the beautiful stone wall of the Deoksu palace lays Le Pul, which sells the most delicious sandwiches! Korea is not known for its baking culture, but this sandwich bread is absolutely perfect. The cafe’s small garden with a view on the stone wall makes the whole experience complete. The cafe owner learnt to bake in France – so you can be sure that the taste is authentic!
The tour continues around the palace, along the Seoul Anglican Cathedral, British Embassy, Deoksu Palace and past the Seoul Museum of Art.
4. Chilli Sauce Shrimp and Black Bean Noodles – Luii
There isn’t a Seoullo 7017 Tasting Tour without a proper Korean/Chinese restaurant! Luii Chinese Restaurant is an underground fine dining restaurant. The chef of the restaurant was born from a Korean father and Chinese mother, who taught him how to cook proper Chinese-fusion food.
Here guests can sample Chilli Sauce Shrimps (깐쇼새우) with Black Bean Noodles (짜장면). The Chilli sauce shrimp is a deep-fried shrimp dish glazed in a sweet and spicy sauce. Like the black bean noodles, this dish was also imported by the Chinese Immigrants that came to Korea in the beginning of the 1900s.
5. Macarons – Hôtel Douce
The owner of Hôtel Douce has quite a remarkable history. He used to be one of Korea’s representative national cyclists, but had to end his career due to an injury. He made a massive career switch and became one Korea’s best pastry chefs! The Korean chef is famous for his chocolate version of the musical score for Mozart’s Turkish March which was covered in diamonds. The chocolate piece, worth $4.25 million, was made to commemorate the 250th anniversary of Mozart’s birth.
In Seoul he opened his own pastry school “L’Ecole Douce’ and a small cafe “Hôtel Douce’ located under the Seoul City Hall, famous for it’s different flavoured macarons.
Sound delicious? Experience these unique dishes – and more! – on our ”Seoullo 7017 Tasting Seoul Tour: City Hall & Gwanghwamun.”