Food tours in Seoul
A food tour is the quickest way to eat your way around Seoul. The most comfortable months are April–May and October, with highs around 69°F (21°C) and about 6 rainy days a month.
Photo: 라성민, CC BY-SA 3.0
Top food tours in Seoul
Seoul Street Food Market TourFrom $75View 
Downtown Seoul Guided Food & Market Tour with 8+ Local TastingsFrom $98View 
Small-Group Night Food Tour in Seoul with Korean BBQFrom $110View
Tours from Viator. Good Outing may earn a commission when you book, at no cost to you.
What to eat and drink in Seoul
Expect to taste the local staples. Ones to look for:
- Bibimbap
- Rice topped with seasoned vegetables, meat, an egg and chilli paste, mixed at the table.
- Bulgogi
- Thin slices of beef marinated in soy, sugar, garlic and sesame, then grilled.
- Kimchi
- Fermented cabbage with chilli and garlic, served with almost every Korean meal.
- Tteokbokki
- Chewy rice cakes in a sweet, spicy red chilli sauce, a street-food favourite.
- Samgyeopsal
- Thick slices of pork belly grilled at your table and wrapped in lettuce.
- Korean barbecue
- Meat grilled at your table and wrapped in lettuce with garlic, sauce and side dishes.
- Naengmyeon
- Thin buckwheat noodles in an icy broth, a summer favourite.
- Makgeolli
- A milky, lightly sparkling Korean rice wine, often drunk with savoury pancakes.
How to pick a good food tour
- Skip a big meal beforehand: most tours serve the equivalent of lunch or dinner across six to ten stops.
- Small groups of 12 or fewer get served faster and fit into tiny counters and bars.
- Check what's included. Some tours count drinks as stops, others charge for them on the day.
- Ask about dietary swaps before you book. Many tours can replace meat or gluten dishes if they know ahead.
Seoul month by month
Averages for Seoul, 1991–2020.
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F (°C) | 36 (2) | 41 (5) | 52 (11) | 64 (18) | 74 (24) | 82 (28) | 84 (29) | 86 (30) | 79 (26) | 68 (20) | 53 (12) | 40 (4) |
| Low °F (°C) | 22 (-5) | 26 (-3) | 35 (2) | 46 (8) | 56 (14) | 66 (19) | 72 (22) | 73 (23) | 64 (18) | 51 (11) | 38 (4) | 26 (-3) |
| Rainy days | 3 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 13 | 12 | 7 | 5 | 6 | 4 |
| Sunset (15th) | 5:37 pm | 6:11 pm | 6:39 pm | 7:07 pm | 7:34 pm | 7:55 pm | 7:53 pm | 7:25 pm | 6:41 pm | 5:56 pm | 5:21 pm | 5:15 pm |
Questions
When is the best time for food tours in Seoul?
April–May and October. Expect highs around 69°F (21°C) and about 6 rainy days a month. The least comfortable months are January and February.
What food is Seoul known for?
Bibimbap: rice topped with seasoned vegetables, meat, an egg and chilli paste, mixed at the table. Bulgogi: thin slices of beef marinated in soy, sugar, garlic and sesame, then grilled. Kimchi: fermented cabbage with chilli and garlic, served with almost every Korean meal.
Where can I book food tours in Seoul?
The tours above book on Viator. Compare group size, duration, what is included and the cancellation terms before you pick one.
