If you are visiting Seoul during autumn and want to experience royal palace foliage alongside a beloved local comfort meal, head straight to the Anguk and Bukchon neighborhood!
1. Changdeokgung Secret Garden (์ฐฝ๋๊ถ ํ์)
Located a 5-minute walk (364m) from Anguk Subway Station (Line 3, Exit 3) at 99 Yulgok-ro, Jongno-gu, Changdeokgung Palace (https://www.google.com/url?q=https://royal.khs.go.kr/ROYAL/contents/menuInfo-cdg.do?grpCode%3Dcdg&source=gmail&ust=1792197514457000&sa=E) is a UNESCO World Heritage site famous for its Secret Garden (Huwon, https://www.google.com/url?q=https://korean.visitseoul.net/area/2024-cdggarden/KOPl8f5md&source=gmail&ust=1792197514458000&sa=E). Once a private retreat for Joseon kings, its serene ponds like Buyongji and Aeryeonji are framed by vibrant maple leaves in autumn.
Hours & Closed Days: Open Tue-Sun (closed Mondays). English guided tours run at 10:30, 11:30, 14:30, and 15:30 (Mar-Nov) or 10:30, 11:30, and 14:30 (Dec-Feb).
Admission & Tip: Secret Garden entry costs 5,000 KRW for adults (plus 3,000 KRW for main palace admission). Entry is strictly by guided tour and capped at 100 visitors per session (50 online, 50 on-site), so book ahead online!
2. Kkangtong Mandu (๊นกํต๋ง๋)
After your palace stroll, walk over to Kkangtong Mandu (https://www.google.com/url?q=https://fatcityer.tistory.com/entry/%25EB%25B6%2581%25EC%25B4%258C%25EB%25A7%259B%25EC%25A7%2591-40%25EB%2585%2584-%25EB%2585%25B8%25ED%258F%25AC-%25EA%25B9%25A1%25ED%2586%25B5%25EB%25A7%258C%25EB%2591%2590%25EC%259D%2598-%25EB%25AA%25A8%25EB%2593%25A0-%25EA%25B2%2583-%25EC%2598%2588%25EC%2595%25BD%25EB%25B0%25A9%25EB%25B2%2595-%25EC%259B%25A8%25EC%259D%25B4%25ED%258C%2585%25EC%258B%259C%25EA%25B0%2584-%25EC%25B6%2594%25EC%25B2%259C%25EB%25A9%2594%25EB%2589%25B4-%25ED%2598%25BC%25EB%25B0%25A5%25EA%25B0%2580%25EB%258A%25A5&source=gmail&ust=1792197514458000&sa=E) at 5-6 Bukchon-ro 2-gil, Jongno-gu. Operating since 1988, this local favorite serves handmade Korean dumplings (mandu) stuffed with whole shrimp, meat, and vegetables.
Hours: Mon-Fri 11:30-21:00 (Break 15:30-17:00), Sat 11:30-20:00 (Closed Sundays).
Must-Try Menu: Kalmandu (noodle soup with dumplings, 11,000 KRW), Hand-made Mandu Soup (13,000 KRW), and the Bibim-guksu Set (spicy mixed knife-cut noodles topped with savory beef pancakes + 3 dumplings, 14,000 KRW).
Insider Tip: Use the CatchTable app to join the waitlist remotely. You must place your entire food order when registering at the kiosk, as additional orders aren't accepted once seated!
1. Changdeokgung Secret Garden (์ฐฝ๋๊ถ ํ์)
Located a 5-minute walk (364m) from Anguk Subway Station (Line 3, Exit 3) at 99 Yulgok-ro, Jongno-gu, Changdeokgung Palace (https://www.google.com/url?q=https://royal.khs.go.kr/ROYAL/contents/menuInfo-cdg.do?grpCode%3Dcdg&source=gmail&ust=1792197514457000&sa=E) is a UNESCO World Heritage site famous for its Secret Garden (Huwon, https://www.google.com/url?q=https://korean.visitseoul.net/area/2024-cdggarden/KOPl8f5md&source=gmail&ust=1792197514458000&sa=E). Once a private retreat for Joseon kings, its serene ponds like Buyongji and Aeryeonji are framed by vibrant maple leaves in autumn.
Hours & Closed Days: Open Tue-Sun (closed Mondays). English guided tours run at 10:30, 11:30, 14:30, and 15:30 (Mar-Nov) or 10:30, 11:30, and 14:30 (Dec-Feb).
Admission & Tip: Secret Garden entry costs 5,000 KRW for adults (plus 3,000 KRW for main palace admission). Entry is strictly by guided tour and capped at 100 visitors per session (50 online, 50 on-site), so book ahead online!
2. Kkangtong Mandu (๊นกํต๋ง๋)
After your palace stroll, walk over to Kkangtong Mandu (https://www.google.com/url?q=https://fatcityer.tistory.com/entry/%25EB%25B6%2581%25EC%25B4%258C%25EB%25A7%259B%25EC%25A7%2591-40%25EB%2585%2584-%25EB%2585%25B8%25ED%258F%25AC-%25EA%25B9%25A1%25ED%2586%25B5%25EB%25A7%258C%25EB%2591%2590%25EC%259D%2598-%25EB%25AA%25A8%25EB%2593%25A0-%25EA%25B2%2583-%25EC%2598%2588%25EC%2595%25BD%25EB%25B0%25A9%25EB%25B2%2595-%25EC%259B%25A8%25EC%259D%25B4%25ED%258C%2585%25EC%258B%259C%25EA%25B0%2584-%25EC%25B6%2594%25EC%25B2%259C%25EB%25A9%2594%25EB%2589%25B4-%25ED%2598%25BC%25EB%25B0%25A5%25EA%25B0%2580%25EB%258A%25A5&source=gmail&ust=1792197514458000&sa=E) at 5-6 Bukchon-ro 2-gil, Jongno-gu. Operating since 1988, this local favorite serves handmade Korean dumplings (mandu) stuffed with whole shrimp, meat, and vegetables.
Hours: Mon-Fri 11:30-21:00 (Break 15:30-17:00), Sat 11:30-20:00 (Closed Sundays).
Must-Try Menu: Kalmandu (noodle soup with dumplings, 11,000 KRW), Hand-made Mandu Soup (13,000 KRW), and the Bibim-guksu Set (spicy mixed knife-cut noodles topped with savory beef pancakes + 3 dumplings, 14,000 KRW).
Insider Tip: Use the CatchTable app to join the waitlist remotely. You must place your entire food order when registering at the kiosk, as additional orders aren't accepted once seated!
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