Some of my favorite days in Seoul don’t involve famous attractions or packed itineraries.
Sometimes, all it takes is a comforting meal, a good cup of coffee, and a leisurely walk through the city.
I hadn’t planned this walk in advance — it started as a craving for seolleongtang and turned into one of those unplanned afternoons that ends up being more memorable than the itinerary I’d originally mapped out.
This route begins in Myeong-dong with a bowl of traditional seolleongtang before continuing on foot to Euljiro for coffee and dessert.
Starting the Day at Miseongok
My first stop was Miseongok, a long-established seolleongtang restaurant that has been serving customers since 1966.
Located just off the busy streets of Myeong-dong, the restaurant feels like a reminder of an older Seoul that still exists beneath the neighborhood’s modern energy.
I ordered a bowl of seolleongtang, a traditional Korean beef bone soup known for its clear yet deeply comforting broth.
The soup was remarkably clean and mild in flavor, making it easy to enjoy without feeling heavy.
A bowl of seolleongtang here runs about 12,000–13,000 won, with suyuk priced a bit higher. It’s a solid value for the neighborhood, especially compared to the tourist-priced restaurants closer to Myeong-dong’s main shopping street. I visited around 1 PM on a weekday and got a table immediately, though I imagine the lunch rush just before noon gets busier.
After mixing in a bowl of rice, the meal felt satisfying and filling in the most comforting way.
The kimchi and kkakdugi served alongside the soup were slightly sweet and richly flavored, pairing perfectly with the mild broth.
As I looked around the dining room, I could sense the decades of history that had accumulated within the restaurant. Miseongok isn’t flashy or trendy, but its longevity speaks for itself.
seen decades of regulars.
[alt: Traditional Korean restaurant interior with wooden
tables at Miseongok, Myeong-dong]
Getting there: Miseongok is about a 5-minute walk from Myeongdong Station (Line 4), Exit 5. From there, it’s roughly a 15–20 minute walk to Euljiro, or you can hop on the subway one stop to Euljiro 3(sam)-ga Station (Line 2/3) if you’d rather save your legs for exploring the café district.
Walking from Myeong-dong to Euljiro
After lunch, I took a slow walk toward Euljiro.
One of the things I enjoy about central Seoul is how easily neighborhoods blend into one another. Within a short walk, the atmosphere gradually shifts from the busy shopping streets of Myeong-dong to the older buildings and hidden cafés of Euljiro.
Along the way, I passed Myeong-dong Cathedral and wandered through several side streets before arriving at my next destination.
Coffee and Dessert at Conway Coffee
Tucked away one block from Euljiro’s main streets, Conway Coffee offered exactly the kind of break I was looking for.
The café immediately felt more relaxed than the surrounding commercial areas. It was busy enough to feel lively, yet spacious enough to sit comfortably and enjoy a slower pace.
I had heard good things about the coffee, but the pastries caught my attention as well. Everything on display looked tempting.
I ordered an egg tart along with a coffee brewed from beans with a brighter, fruit-forward profile.
The coffee was priced around 6,500 won, and the egg tart about 5,000 won — reasonable for a specialty café in this part of town. Conway Coffee is a short walk from Euljiro 3-ga Station, tucked into one of the alleys where old hardware shops and new cafés now sit side by side.
The coffee had a clean acidity that made it easy to drink, while the egg tart turned out to be one of the highlights of the visit. Together, they felt like the perfect follow-up to a hearty bowl of seolleongtang.
[alt: Second floor window view with tree leaves at Conway Coffee Euljiro]
What I enjoyed most, however, was the atmosphere.
From the second floor, I could see green tree leaves outside the windows, adding a refreshing touch to the urban scenery. Sitting there with coffee and dessert while watching the leaves move in the breeze felt unexpectedly peaceful.
It was one of those moments when doing absolutely nothing feels completely satisfying.
A Blend of Old and New
Another detail that caught my attention was the café’s interior.
The ceiling appeared to preserve elements of the building’s original wooden structure, creating an interesting contrast between modern design and older architectural materials.
Like much of Euljiro, the space felt like a meeting point between Seoul’s past and present.
I also noticed quite a few international visitors during my visit. In fact, Myeong-dong these days often feels evenly split between Korean locals and travelers from around the world, which gives the area a unique energy.
Final Thoughts
Looking back, what I enjoyed most about this route was its simplicity.
A warm bowl of seolleongtang at Miseongok, a leisurely walk through central Seoul, and coffee with dessert at Conway Coffee were enough to create a memorable afternoon.
The experience reminded me that enjoyable travel doesn’t always require famous landmarks or elaborate plans.
Sometimes happiness is much closer than we think.
A comforting meal, a slow walk, and an hour spent enjoying coffee without rushing anywhere can be more than enough.
If you’re exploring central Seoul and want a route that combines good food, a pleasant walk, and a relaxing café stop, this is one I’d happily recommend.
Travel Accessibility Rating
• Language Barrier: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
• Public Transport: ⭐⭐⭐
• Overall Score: ⭐⭐⭐
Visitor Information
Miseongok
Miseongok
Address: 25-11 Myeongdong-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
Nearest Station: Myeongdong Station (Line 4), Exit 5 — 5 min walk
Signature Dishes: Seolleongtang (Beef Bone Soup), Suyuk (Boiled Beef Slices)
Price Range: ₩12,000–20,000
Opening Hours: Daily, 6:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Conway Coffee Euljiro
Address: 8-1 Mareunnae-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
Nearest Station: Euljiro 3(sam)-ga Station (Line 2/3) — short walk
Recommended: Specialty Coffee and House-Made Desserts
Price Range: ₩6,000–9,000
Opening Hours:
● Weekdays: 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM
● Weekends: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM