Where should I eat in Seoul to avoid tourist traps? Where should I eat in Seoul to avoid tourist traps? Picture standing in the middle of Myeongdong on a chilly Tuesday evening, surrounded by glowing neon signs and the overwhelming smell of buttered street lobster. You are hungry, tired from walking ten miles, and every restaurant you look at has a line wrapped around the corner with tourists holding selfie sticks. You walk into the nearest brightly lit BBQ place, only to pay triple the local price for frozen meat served with a side of indifferent service. This is the classic rookie mistake in Seoul. When searching for the absolute Best Seoul food spots for 2026, the secret is knowing where the local office workers actually go when they clock out at six. Tourist districts cater to fleeting visitors who will never return, whereas neighborhood back alleys rely entirely on repeat local customers who know the exact taste of traditional broth or perfectly aged pork belly. If the menu onl...