Old Seoul corners where locals still eat raw beef at 2PM and nobody's performing cool.
Why JONGNO5, why now
Jongno 5-ga anchors the Gwangjang Market zone, surging on Korean social media in mid-2026 as a new-wave food and bar corridor with indie wine bars and craft cafes converting the market's fringe alleys.
1. Kyoho Coffee
- Seoul, Jongno District, Jong-ro, 217 교호커피
- 3.9 · 59 reviews · 카페
Kyoho Coffee opens the course on the second floor, a small space overlooking Jongno 5-ga Intersection. Starting here gives you a perch above the neighborhood before you walk into it, and the morning slot keeps the route light before the heavier second stop. The cafe's position makes it an anchor, not just a warm-up.
Crew's note
I ordered before you sat down. You'll like the left one.
What visitors say
This is the first time I've seen a cafe owner tell customers to leave after two hours when there are no customers. LOL The first thing they…
I haven't seen a really friendly cafe lately, but I had a great time here because you were so kind!! It's a cafe with a really pretty attic-…
2. Buchon Yukhoe Annex
- 200 Jong-ro, Jongno District, Seoul
- 4.4 · 177 reviews · 맛집
Buchon Yukhoe Annex closes the course because it's the kind of meal you don't rush out of. An annex of the original, this is where the route settles into old Seoul's rhythm, beef tartare and octopus served without ceremony. Ending here lets the walk land somewhere real, not polite.
Crew's note
Tourists don't walk this deep. That's why we're here.
What visitors say
If you can stand the gooey-ness, the restaurant serves fresh chopped octopus and beef tartare. Beef in the tartare was coarsely chopped so e…
This is a Michelin-registered restaurant located in Seoul, Korea (period: 2017~2024). The flavor of the raw beef in the Yukhoe Bibimbap (Yuk…
The walk between
The stretch between them runs through the market's edge alleys, the ones being converted by the new-wave corridor the scout research mentions. You'll pass storefronts mid-shift, old and new still sorting themselves out.
- Take the second floor seat at Kyoho if it's open. The intersection view gives context before you're in the thick of it.
- The annex has shorter waits than the original during peak hours, and takeout is an option if the line feels long.
FAQ
- How long are the waits at the second stop?
- One visitor expected an hour but was seated in ten minutes because turnover is quick. Peak lunch hours will be busier, but the annex generally moves faster than the main location.
- Is there space for luggage at either stop?
- The second stop can accommodate luggage according to a visitor review. The first stop is small, so travel light if you're stopping by with bags.
Ask Jiny
Seoul
