A Window Seat in Haebangchon — Areum Yoo

Seoul snack bar with adjustable spice powder tteokbokki: Hyeonseoni-ne

Hyeonseoni-ne Cheonggye Instant Branch is a tent-style instant tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes cooked at the table) snack bar on Namdaemun-ro, on the Cheonggyecheon side of Euljiro 1-ga Station in Jung-gu, Seoul. The takeout order was made a little spicy, with the broth sauce and the spicy powdered sauce packed separately so the heat could be adjusted at home, and it came with jjolmyeon (chewy noodles), fish cake soup, and rice mixed into the leftover sauce at the end. Hyeonseoni-ne Cheonggye Instant Branch had no wait at all, which makes it an easy pick for takeout.

Written Sep 16, 2026Sponsored

PlaceYongsan, SeoulRestaurants

Yongsan bunsik spot a 15-minute walk from the station: Hyeonseonine

Hyeonseonine Yongsan Main Branch is an instant tteokbokki (spicy rice cake) and bunsik (Korean street food) restaurant tucked into an alley about 15 minutes on foot from Yongsan Station in Seoul. A 4-5pm visit found the large hall about half full, and one combo set brought tteokbokki, gimbap (seaweed rice rolls), fritters, fish cake and organ-mixed sundae (blood sausage) to the table at once. Food arrived fast at Hyeonseonine and the leftovers were packed to go, still good reheated at home.

Written Sep 16, 2026Sponsored

PlaceJongno, SeoulCafés

Jongno 3-ga tile-roof takeout bakery: mugwort rice cake bread, Munhwa

Munhwa Bakery is a takeout-only bakery on Donhwamun-ro in Jongno, Seoul, near Jongno 3-ga station and Ikseon-dong. Drawn in by its tiled hanok-style exterior, the writer bagged up three breads — walnut, sweet potato and mugwort rice cake — and the chewy rice cake and mugwort aroma of the mugwort rice cake bread made it the clear top pick. Munhwa Bakery has no seating inside, so it suits anyone who wants an unusual mix of breads to carry away.

Written Sep 16, 2026Sponsored