Private Tour
Seoul Food: Banchan, Bibimbap, and Beyond
Overview
Available languages
5 hours
Mobile ticket
Welcome to Seoul, a city that thrives on reinvention, where influences from across the globe are transformed into something uniquely Korean and then shared with the world. Today, as we explore the streets of Dongdaemun and Jongno, we’ll uncover how Korea takes inspiration—whether from Chinese, Japanese, or Western traditions—and reimagines it in its own style, creating cultural and culinary phenomena that have captured global attention. Korea has a knack for taking the best of outside influences, adding its distinct flair, and exporting it back out as a cultural powerhouse. On this tour, we’ll taste how this process plays out in food. Each stop will reveal how resilience, creativity, and cultural pride fuel Seoul’s dynamic food scene.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Dongdaemun Gate (Heunginjimun)
One of the Eight Gates of Seoul, this historic gate was built in the late 14th century and served as the main entrance to the city. It stands as a reminder of Seoul's historical defense structures.
Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP)
A futuristic architectural marvel designed by Zaha Hadid. It hosts various exhibitions, fashion events, and cultural activities. The DDP’s unique shape and large open spaces make it a great spot for photography and exploration.
What‘s Included
Bottled water
Alcoholic Beverages
Snacks
Dinner
Licensed Guide
Private transportation
Options
Seoul Food: Banchan, Bibimbap, and Beyond
Reviews
21 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Fabulous adventure
279debg,Mar 31, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Super fun tour with a knowledgeable guide and interesting guests! The food was obviously delicious. Our guide was Korean but had lived other places so she had a great perspective on Korean food and culture. Culinary backstreets is always on point.
Great tour of the Seoul food scene
Trail51810805918,Mar 30, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a great time learning about (and eating) many types of traditional Seoul street food.
Book this on day one!
AkshayA608,Mar 23, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Where do I even begin? This tour completely blew us away. Our guide Yerica was an absolute gem, incredibly knowledgeable, warm, and so easy to have a conversation with. She brought the food and the culture to life in a way that felt totally natural, never like a rehearsed script. The range of food we tried was amazing. Boiled whole chicken, beef tartare, K-BBQ, and so much more in between. Every dish came with the kind of context and backstory that makes the experience genuinely educational and delicious. The group dynamic was excellent with great energy all around, which made the whole thing feel like a night out with friends rather than a tour. Before we knew it, six hours had completely flown by. We were leaving the next day and couldn’t stay longer but the rest of the group stayed together even after the tour! If you’re visiting Seoul and you only do one thing, make it this. We did it on our last day and definitely regret not having more time to go back to the spots from the tour over and over.
Great food and fantastic experience!
283chelseaa,Feb 21, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was a fantastic experience and one of the highlights of our time in Seoul. Yerica was an amazing guide and created an environment that felt like an afternoon out with friends while at the same time teaching us so much about Korean culture and food. I did the tour with my husband, mother-in-law, and 2 year old son. We brought a collapsible stroller, which worked great. We used it about half of the time and carried it collapsed through the tighter and busier areas for about half of the time. Everyone was so friendly to our son and he had a great time. It was a long tour and by the last few stops we set him up with an IPad in the stroller which worked great for allowing us to participate while keeping him entertained. There was a great variety of food and even the pickier eaters in our group found food they enjoyed. We found the tour to be extremely well thought out and provided a full, rich experience without being overwhelming. Would highly recommend this tour with Yerica!
Authentic food experience
C1485FXerinb,Feb 20, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had an amazing time with Yerica eating like a local on the streets of Seoul! We spent the afternoon walking through the back alleys and exploring the Korean food culture where it got it roots. Yerica was a friendly and engaging tour guide with much insight to offer. She took care of us well, including helping us navigating the subway to make our way back to our hotel at the end. Would definitely recommend this experience if you want to see the heart and seoul behind Korean cuisine.
An Authentic Heart-of-Seoul Experience
JodyC378,Jan 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00"If you want to see the real soul of Seoul, take this tour! We spent the day ducking into narrow lanes and visiting spots we never would have found on our own. It felt less like a formal tour and more like exploring the city with an old friend. Our guide, Eunice, was absolutely wonderful. She is so knowledgeable, but more importantly, she is incredibly easy to talk to. Conversation flowed naturally, and by the end of the night, it felt like we’d known her for years. The food was authentic and delicious, but the company and the 'hidden' atmosphere made it truly special. Highly recommend!"
A glimpse of Korean cuisine and culture.
lisahL1966RM,Dec 15, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Eunice is an amazing guide. In addition to introducing Korean cuisine, she explains how history has shaped Korean Culture (including how that’s affected the cuisine). The tour is well paced, with enough time between stops to let you digest and be ready for the next tasty dish! I highly recommend this tour.
What a wonderful tour!
3SarahW,Nov 6, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We reserved this at the last minute and they were very accommodating. Eunice created a fantastic tour of the various Korean markets and Korean cuisines. She also took us to a great record store and we ended the tour at a tent bar. Along the way we learned so much about Korean food and culture that we could not have gleaned from books. We ate far too much- because it was all so good-and really loved the tour.
A great start to my solo visit to Korea
BB8882018,Nov 4, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Eunice was a fantastic guide and shared a wealth of information about Seoul and Korea. The food was amazing with a chance to try so many different things. It was great to meet the people who cook the food and understand a little of their story. Thank you so much for a really memorable tour.
An excellent overview of typical cuisine.
Gormond,Nov 3, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Whilst not all of the Korean cuisine on display in these backstreets was visually spectacular, it was tasty and plentiful. The tour provided an excellent overview of typical cuisine and a drop of culture too. The steak tartare and “magic” sauce were highlights.
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