If you’re attending a concert or large event in Gwanghwamun, planning your meal and coffee stops in advance can make a big difference.
Based on a recent visit, one important thing stood out:
👉 many cafés close earlier than expected, and restaurants get crowded quickly.
Here’s a practical guide to where to eat and drink before your event.
📍 Quick Overview
- Area: Gwanghwamun, Seoul
- Best Strategy: Eat early + have coffee before the event
- Main Challenge: Early café closing times + crowds
🍽 Where to Eat Before the Concert
Choosing a place with fast service or a reliable menu helps avoid stress before the event.
🍜 광화문 미진
A popular and efficient option near Gwanghwamun.
- Quick service even during busy hours
- Light but satisfying meal
- Good choice before standing for a long time
🍲 오양식관
A better option if you want something warm and filling.
- Rich and comforting kimchi stew
- Suitable if you have a bit more time
- Great for cooler weather
☕ Coffee Before the Event
Unlike other areas in Seoul, many cafés around Gwanghwamun close relatively early. Planning your coffee stop before the concert is key.
☕ 벌새
- Quiet and calm 분위기
- Ideal for a short, focused coffee break
- Closes around 6 PM
☕ 리사르 커피
- Espresso-focused café
- Quick and simple stop
- Good if you’re short on time
☕ 피어커피
- Slightly more relaxed atmosphere
- A good alternative if nearby cafés are crowded
⚠️ Important Tip
Most cafés in Gwanghwamun close before or around 9 PM.
👉 After the concert, it can be surprisingly difficult to find a place to sit and rest.
Planning your meal and coffee before the event is the best strategy.
👍 Why This Guide Works
- Based on real experience
- Focused on timing and practicality
- Helps avoid common mistakes (crowds, closures)
👥 Who This Helps
- Concert visitors
- First-time visitors to Gwanghwamun
- Anyone attending large events in Seoul
📝 Final Thoughts
Gwanghwamun is an exciting place for concerts, but without a plan, the experience can quickly become stressful.
👉 A simple approach — eat early and grab coffee before the event — can make your visit much smoother.
As a local long-time resident of Seoul, I’ve seen this city transform for many grand events, but the scale of this BTS concert is truly unprecedented.
🚇 Getting Around Gwanghwamun
During large events, transportation around Gwanghwamun can get crowded very quickly.
Based on experience, here are a few practical tips:
- Arrive at least 1–2 hours early to avoid peak congestion
- Expect delays at major subway exits
- Walking a few blocks away from the main area can make moving around much easier
👉 Planning extra time is the best way to avoid stress.
☕ Cafe Hummingbird / Beolsae (카페 벌새)
Cafe Beolsae, The name “Hummingbird” (Beolsae in Korean) perfectly matches this small, delicate, and vibrant space.
Info about Beolsae cafe
Address: 12, Saemunan-ro 3-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
Opening hours: 11:30am -7pm (Closed on Saturday and Sunday)
Price range: 6,500-11,000won
This place is so popular that there could be waiting.
This cafe is a hidden gem that reflects the artistic soul of the neighborhood.
The way the sunlight hits the vintage decor makes it a paradise for aesthetic Instagram shots. It’s the perfect place to edit your palace photos while sipping a cold brew.
Vibe
The interior is a beautiful mix of vintage wooden furniture and soft, warm lighting. It’s small, quiet, and incredibly intimate.
The taste of coffee
The ambient music and the smell of roasting beans create a meditative environment.
🍲 오양식관 (Oyang Sikgwan)
After tour, you need a meal that recharges your soul.
Info about oyangsikgwan
Address: 49, Sejong-daero 21-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
Opening hours: 10am - 10pm(Break time at 2pm-4pm, Closed on Sunday)
Price range: 10,000-13,000won (for 1person)
The taste of food
Their signature dish is Kimchi Duruchigi (spicy stir-fried pork with aged kimchi). The depth of flavor in their kimchi is remarkable, achieved through a long fermentation process. Unlike tourist-heavy restaurants, Oyang Sikgwan offers a raw, authentic taste of Korea.
Oyang Sikgwan (오양식관) – The Heart of Kimchi Stew, a place that captures the essence of “Seoulite comfort food.”
Side dishes are unlimited refills, so you can bring them from the self-bar.
Hidden in the basement of an office building, Oyang Sikgwan is a legendary spot among locals. It’s famous for its Kimchi Jjigae.
Authentic, bustling, and friendly. It feels like a hidden bunker where hungry locals gather for a real Korean meal.
Their Kimchi stew has a deep, rich flavor that only comes from well-fermented kimchi. One of the best parts? Add ramen noodles! You can add them to your stew to soak up all that delicious broth.
It’s a great way to experience “Gwanghwamun style” lunch culture. It’s hearty, affordable, and incredibly satisfying.
Recommendation
For those who aren’t used to spice, I recommend ordering a side of steamed egg (Gyeran-jjim) to balance the heat.
The egg rolls here are really savory and I can taste your mom’s hand.
It’s a bustling, lively basement restaurant where you can see the real daily lives of Gwanghwamun workers.
☕ Leesar coffee
The Italian Espresso Experience in Seoul
Info about Leesar coffee
Address: 7, Jong-ro 5-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
Opening hours: 7am -9pm (last order 8:30pm)
Price range: 2,800-5,500won
If you are looking for a quick but powerful caffeine boost near Gwanghwamun or Jongno, Leesar Coffee is an absolute must-visit. Known as the pioneer that ignited the “Espresso Bar” trend in South Korea, Leesar Coffee offers a standing-only experience that transports you straight to the streets of Rome or Milan. For those exploring the BTS concert sites or Gyeongbokgung Palace, this is the perfect spot for a high-quality, affordable pick-me-round.
Located in the bustling Jongno district, the Jongno branch of Leesar Coffee features a sophisticated wood-and-stone interior.
The taste of espresso
Leesar Coffee is famous for making espresso accessible and delicious, even for those who usually find it too bitter.
• Cafe Caffe (Espresso): The classic. It’s balanced, rich, and topped with just the right amount of sugar if you prefer.
• Cafe Pieno: An espresso topped with cocoa powder and cream. It’s thick, velvety, and a great entry point for espresso beginners.
• Cafe Onneroso: A fan favorite featuring espresso with cream and a dash of milk. It’s like a tiny, highly concentrated latte that melts in your mouth.
The sight of stacked espresso cups (a signature “proof of visit” photo on Instagram) against the dark wooden counter is incredibly aesthetic. The lighting is focused on the bar, making every shot look like a still from a classic European film.
Mood
Unlike traditional Korean cafes where people sit for hours, Leesar is a “Standing Bar.” You order, enjoy your small cup of liquid gold, and move on. It’s an efficient and stylish way to enjoy coffee, making it a favorite for busy office workers and savvy travelers alike.
peer coffee
info about peer coffee
address: 2F, 33, jongro, jongrosu, seoul
Opening hours: 8am - 9pm, weekday, last order 8:30pm
10am - 9pm, weekend & hoilyday
price range: 5,300-8,000won
mijin
info about mijin
address: 1F, 19, jongro, jongrogu, seoul
Opening hours: 10:30 am - 9pm, last order 8:30pm
price range: 12,000-20,000won (1 person)
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