Donghwa Sikdang
동화식당
Nearest station: Hoehyeon Station (회현역) Exit 5 · ≈243 m≈ approximate, from map data (Kakao Map, Naver Map or map coordinates)
A grilled and braised fish restaurant in Namdaemun Market, open 07:00–21:00 daily and closed every other Sunday. The signature braised hairtail is ₩14,000 per person with a two-serving minimum, so solo diners should look at grilled mackerel (₩12,000) or a stew (₩9,000), though single servings of those were not explicitly confirmed. A queue forms after 11:00.
Last checked: 2026-10-03·Desk-researched — not yet verified on site
Payment
Hours
07:00–21:00 daily (closed every other Sunday) · Closed: Every other Sunday (which Sundays is not stated)
Reservation
Walk in. A queue forms after 11:00 (blog, 27 September 2026).
Address
서울특별시 중구 남대문시장길 18-8 1층
1F, 18-8 Namdaemunsijang-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
Tips
- Kakao Map (updated 2 October 2026) and a September blog post both say closed every other Sunday, but neither says which Sundays; a post dated 16 September records a visit on a Sunday when it was open. For a Sunday breakfast, check a map app for the day before going.
- Grilled hairtail is ₩16,000, grilled flounder ₩14,000, and cheonggukjang, doenjang or soft-tofu stew ₩9,000. Steamed egg has been charged separately at ₩3,000 since 1 June 2026 (blog, 16 September 2026).
Myeongdong · Places
Embassy-front Exchange
대사관앞환전An exchange office on the ground floor of 26 Myeongdong 2-gil. Its official site, which carries the company's business details and counter rates but is built and run by a third party (Trip Onda), gives 09:00–21:30 on weekdays, weekends and public holidays alike. Two Japanese travel guides both describe it as a popular exchange within walking distance of Myeongdong Station Exit 5, and one says there is always a queue. The official site posts its counter rates.
Gamasot Sundae Gukbap Euljiro 1-ga Station
가마솥순대국밥 을지로입구역점A branch of a sundae gukbap (Korean blood-sausage soup with rice) chain at 114-1 Namdaemun-ro, toward Exit 3 of Euljiro 1-ga Station. It runs 08:00–23:00 on weekdays (Kakao Map, Naver and DiningCode agree), but Saturday hours differ between sources and a Naver note contradicts the listed Sunday closure, so check a map app before a weekend visit. A September 2026 blog says you order and pay at a kiosk.
Gimbap Cheonguk Myeongdong
김밥천국 명동본점A branch of the gimbap and snack-food chain at 114-3 Toegye-ro, near Myeongdong Station Exit 4, open 24 hours every day. It is the fallback before anything else opens. DiningCode and a visitor blog both give these 24-hour, every-day hours. A May 2026 visitor post gives ramyeon at 4,500 won and omelette rice or spicy pork rice at 8,500 won; DiningCode's menu shows lower, apparently older, prices.
Hadongkwan (Main Branch)
하동관 명동본점A gomtang (clear beef soup) institution founded in 1939 and listed by the Michelin Guide. Opens at 7am and closes whenever the broth runs out — going early is the whole strategy.