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Myeongdong street food prices
- Tteokbokki
- ₩5,000–7,000 a plate
- Skewers
- ₩5,000–10,000 a stick (chicken, pork, shrimp)
- Lobster / steak
- ₩15,000–20,000 for a grilled portion
- Pay
- Many stalls have card readers since 2024 · keep ₩10,000 in small notes
What Myeongdong's street food stalls charge in 2026, from a ₩5,000 plate of tteokbokki to a ₩20,000 lobster grill. Plus the price-tag rule, whether you can pay by card, why your favourite stall might be gone tomorrow, and the Korean lines to order.
Myeongdong food street at night, Aug 2024 · Photo: Sgroey (CC BY-SA 4.0), via Wikimedia Commons
2026 prices, item by item
- ₩5–7KTteokbokki: the value pick
A plate of spicy rice cakes runs ₩5,000–7,000 on Myeongdong's food street (Financial News, March 2026). It's the cheapest way to actually fill up here.
- ₩5–10KSkewers: ₩5,000 and up
Single skewers go for more than ₩5,000 each, and sweet fried chicken or pork skewers hit ₩10,000 at some stalls (Financial News; Sisa Journal, March 2026).
- ₩10K+Most bigger dishes: ₩10,000 or more
Sweet fried chicken bites, pancakes (₩10,000–17,000) and other 'photo' foods mostly start at ₩10,000 (Sisa Journal; Financial News, March 2026).
- ₩15–20KGrilled lobster or steak: the top of the menu
₩15,000–20,000 for a grilled lobster or steak portion (Sisa Journal, March 2026). That's the same money as three plates of tteokbokki.
Before you order
- TAGRead the posted price
Jung-gu made the Myeongdong area (Myeongdong Station to Euljiro 1-ga Station) a price-display zone in 2023, and most stalls now show their prices (Sisa Journal, March 2026). Pay the number on the board.
- NO TAGNo price? Ask before they cook
Our tip: if a stall shows no price, ask "Eolma-yeyo?" (How much?) before they start cooking, or walk on to the next stall.
- PERMITLicensed stalls show a permit
Since 2016 Jung-gu has licensed Myeongdong's street stalls under a real-name permit system; the permit has to be displayed on the stall, and inspectors check it.
Card or cash?
- CARDMany stalls take cards now
In 2024 Jung-gu brought card readers to Myeongdong's street stalls, a first in Korea. By December 2024, 278 of 350 stalls had registered as businesses.
- CASHKeep ₩10,000 in small notes
Our tip: not every stall has a reader, and small notes make quick snacks faster.
How it works
- EVENINGGo in the evening
Our tip: the food street is at its fullest after dark. Not every stall is out at once.
- ALT DAYSYour favourite stall may be off tomorrow
Licensed stalls work on alternate days, so a stall you liked might be back the day after next rather than tomorrow.
- CROWDSFewer stalls on the busiest nights
Jung-gu cuts the number of stalls on crowded dates like Halloween and the year-end holidays, for pedestrian safety.
Getting there
- LINE 4Myeongdong Station (Line 4)
The food street runs through Myeongdong's shopping streets between Myeongdong Station and Euljiro 1-ga Station. Use Naver Map for the walk.
명동역Google Maps - LINE 2Euljiro 1-ga Station (Line 2)
The other end of the Myeongdong area, next to Lotte Department Store.
을지로입구역Google Maps
Make it a half day (our route)
- 1Myeongdong food street
One splurge, then fill up on tteokbokki and skewers.
- 2Namdaemun Market
A short walk west: Seoul's big traditional market, with its own food alleys.
남대문시장Google Maps - 3Myeongdong Cathedral
The red-brick cathedral at the top of Myeongdong, lit up at night.
명동성당Google Maps
Say it in Korean (show this screen)
- How much is it?
Eolma-yeyo?
얼마예요? - Can I pay by card?
Kadeu dwaeyo?
카드 돼요? - One of this, please.
Igeo hana juseyo.
이거 하나 주세요.
Local tips
- Our tip: one lobster or steak grill costs about the same as three plates of tteokbokki. Pick one splurge and fill up on the cheap stuff.
- Our tip: check the posted price before you order; no tag, ask first.
- Prices vary by stall and change. These are the ranges reported in March 2026.
FAQ
How much is street food in Myeongdong in 2026?
Reported 2026 prices: tteokbokki ₩5,000–7,000 a plate, skewers ₩5,000–10,000, and grilled lobster or steak ₩15,000–20,000.
Do Myeongdong street food stalls take credit cards?
Many do: Jung-gu brought card readers to Myeongdong's street stalls in 2024, but not every stall has one, so keep some cash.
Do Myeongdong street stalls show prices?
Most do; Myeongdong is a price-display zone and most stalls post their prices, so ask before ordering if you don't see one.
Why is my Myeongdong street stall not there today?
Licensed Myeongdong stalls operate on alternate days, so try again the day after next.
Sources: Financial News: Myeongdong food street, tteokbokki ₩5,000–7,000 (Mar 24, 2026) · Sisa Journal: Myeongdong stall prices and price tags (Mar 29, 2026) · Jung-gu Office: Myeongdong price-display zone (Aug 31, 2023) · Jung-gu Office: street stall card payments, permits, 278 of 350 registered (Mar 20, 2025) · Kyunghyang Shinmun: card readers for Myeongdong stalls (Feb 5, 2024) · Sijung Ilbo: Myeongdong stall inspections, alternate-day rule, permits (Aug 1, 2025) · Edaily: Jung-gu real-name stall permits, alternate days (2016) · Dailian: Myeongdong stall prices, lobster ₩20,000, steak ₩15,000 (Jan 17, 2024)