Seoul Pojangmacha Guide 2025: Street Drinking in Jongno, Euljiro and Beyond

Korean Culture• Food & Drink • Korea Travel

This Seoul pojangmacha guide covers where to drink on the street in 2025, from Jongno and Euljiro to Yeongdeungpo, Changdong, Apgujeong Rodeo and Seongsu.

Night-time street tents and plastic chairs at a Seoul pojangmacha

Seoul after dark: pavement-level romance, steam, soju and the city humming around you.

Seoul pojangmacha in 2025: where to drink on the street and why it still matters

If you search for “Seoul nightlife”, Google will show you cocktail bars, rooftops and reservation-only tasting menus. But the most Seoul nights rarely begin or end there.

In Korea, there is something called pojangmacha (포장마차). At its simplest, it is a street-side drinking stall. A tent, plastic chairs, steam in the air.

It used to be where office workers went to forget the day. Now, in 2025, it has quietly evolved into something else. A nostalgic date spot. A retro indulgence. A surprisingly romantic way to experience the city.

Paris has its pavement cafés. Seoul has pojangmacha. And if you go to the right ones, they are still very much alive.

Pojangmacha still feels like something out of a Korean drama. In the most classic version, it’s tired office workers clinking soju glasses and quietly unloading the day. But in 2025, it’s also become something else. For younger people, it’s a retro night they didn’t personally live through, borrowed nostalgia, parents’ era energy, but made romantic.

And there’s a specific warmth here you don’t get in shiny luxury bars. It’s Korean in a very unpolished, working-life way. The kind of place where food tastes better because you’re not trying to be impressive. Where soju feels weirdly sweeter, like our parents always swear it is. (Maybe it’s the anju. Maybe it’s the mood.)

I’ve travelled a lot, but I honestly don’t think I’ve found another country where street drinking carries this exact mix of comfort, humour and everyday tenderness. Which is why I get more attached to it every year.

The catch is that it’s also disappearing. Between city clean-ups, redevelopment and “illegal structure” rules, some famous pojangmacha areas have already been pushed out. That’s what makes the ones that remain feel even more precious. Not because they’re perfect, but because they’re still human.

The first time I did it properly, it was cold enough that my hands went numb holding the paper cup of Odeng broth. We squeezed onto plastic chairs that felt one size too small, coats brushing strangers, and somehow the whole street felt like one shared living room. That’s the real trick of pojangmacha. It turns Seoul into something intimate.

If you loved my “Best Christmas Date Spots in Seoul (2025 Guide)”, consider this the unpolished, pavement-level sequel. Save it for a night when you want Seoul to feel close.

Before you go: the 2025 pojangmacha cheat sheet

Best arrival time: 6.00–7.00pm for a seat, 8.00–10.00pm for peak atmosphere
What to wear: something you don’t mind smelling faintly like smoke, street food and joy
How to order: start with a soup dish (odeng탕, fish cake soup) then add one “crispy” plate (jeon, pancake)
Budget: most anju (안주, bar snacks) land around ₩15,000–₩30,000, drinks extra
Payment: card is common, but some street setups still prefer cash. Bring a little, just in case
Date tip: keep it light. 2–3 dishes, one bottle, then a walk. That’s the magic formula

Jongno 3-ga: where Seoul feels most like itself

Jongno 3-ga night tents with street food steam and soju bottles on tables

Jongno 3-ga is less about a perfect venue and more about the city’s most honest social soundtrack.

Around Jongno 3-ga, the city changes after sunset. Tents appear one by one, as if they were always meant to be there.

There are no shop names to memorise. People describe places by colour. “The blue tent near the corner.” “The one next to the jewellery shops.”

What everyone orders: odeng (오뎅, fish cake) simmered in anchovy broth, kimchi jeon (김치전, kimchi pancake) that is crispy and slightly greasy in the best way, and sometimes dakbal (닭발, chicken feet) if the night gets longer.

What everyone drinks: soju (소주). Almost always soju.

Jongno 3-ga. How to do it right

Where: Jongno 3-ga Station area, especially towards the small alley streets near the jewellery lanes
Best time: 7.00–10.00pm for peak vibe, before 6.30pm for less waiting
Order combo: odeng soup + kimchi jeon + one grilled dish if you’re hungry
Watch-outs: tight seating, smoky coats, loud tables. Embrace it

Euljiro: the sound of the city at night

Outdoor tables at Manseon Hof in Euljiro at night

Euljiro nights are noisy, social and irresistibly street-level.

If Jongno is emotional, Euljiro is energetic. This is where the pavements feel like a party that started accidentally and never ended.

Manseon Hof (만선호프) is the classic move when you want “proper Seoul street drinking” with maximum atmosphere and minimal fuss. Tables spill out early. By evening, the sound becomes the mood.

Manseon Hof (만선호프). Practical details

Address: 14 Chungmu-ro 9-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Nearest: Euljiro 3-ga area. Walkable from multiple exits
Best time: before 6.30pm for a table, after 8.00pm for full street buzz
What to order: draft beer (생맥주) + garlic chicken (마늘치킨) + spicy octopus noodles (낙지소면) if you’re staying
Vibe: loud, local, friendly chaos. Not a quiet date, more a “laughing until your cheeks hurt” date
Price feel: ₩18,000–₩30,000 for mains, drinks extra

Yeongdeungpo: still holding on

Street tent mood in Yeongdeungpo with spicy soup and soju

Yeongdeungpo is where you go when you want the night to feel lived-in, not curated.

Yeongdeungpo has lost a lot of its old drinking streets, but a few places refuse to disappear. Abba-ne-jip (아빠네집) is one of them. The tent is humble. The mood is loyal. The food is the reason.

The signature is golbaengi-tang (골뱅이탕, spicy whelk soup). Deep, warming, slightly addictive. It’s the kind of broth that makes you reach for soju before you even realise you’ve done it. If you’re hungry, add noodles. If you’re staying, go for seafood slices (숙회) and let the night do what it does.

Abba-ne-jip (아빠네집). Practical details

Address: 6 Yeongdeungpo-ro 36-gil, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Best time: after 7.00pm. Late evenings feel most “real”
What to order: golbaengi-tang (spicy whelk soup) + noodles if hungry
What to drink: soju pairs best here
Vibe: old-school, friendly, not polished. That’s the point

Changdong: a pojangmacha that follows the seasons

Changdong night pocha mood with simple comfort dishes

Changdong is comfort-first. A place where you settle in, not show off.

Changdong feels slower than the centre and that’s exactly why it works. Taeyang (태양) is the kind of place people describe with one phrase: “엄마손맛”. It’s not trying to be trendy. It’s trying to be satisfying.

Regulars talk in seasons. Oyster season (석화 시즌) is the headline, but outside that, dakdoritang (닭도리탕, spicy chicken stew) is the reliable star. Add grilled fish (생선구이) and dubu-kimchi (두부김치, tofu with stir-fried kimchi). Finish with warm noodles when you’re ready to go home like a responsible adult.

Taeyang (태양). Practical details

Where: Changdong Station Exit 1 area (창동역 1번 출구 부근)
Best time: from 6.00pm. Oyster season gets busy, go earlier
What to order: oysters in season. Otherwise dakdoritang + dubu-kimchi
What to drink: soju for spice, makgeolli (막걸리) for softer pacing
Vibe: neighbourhood regulars, warm and unfussy

Apgujeong Rodeo: where dressed-up people eat casually

Apgujeong is polished, styled and a little bit performance. Which is why pocha nights here feel so deliciously wrong in the best way. You’ll see people dressed for wine bars, choosing plastic chairs instead.

The classic “street” move in this area is still bunsik energy. tteokbokki (떡볶이, spicy rice cakes), sundae (순대, blood sausage) dipped into the sauce and odeng (오뎅, fish cake) to reset your taste buds between sips.

But if you want a named place that matches the vibe. indoor pocha-style spots have become the Apgujeong solution. Same comfort, less freezing.

Front exterior of Milk Pocha, a long-running Korean pojangmacha with bold signage and warm lighting, located in a lively Seoul nightlife area.

Milk Pocha, serving late-night comfort since 1999. Loud signage, warm light and a no-frills invitation to stay longer than planned.

Milk Pocha (밀크포차). Day-to-night indoor pocha in Apgujeong

Address: 28 Apgujeong-ro 50-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Best time: 2.00–6.00pm for 낮술 (day drinking), 9.00pm onwards for 2nd round energy
What to order: seafood tteokbokki (해물떡볶이) if you want bunsik nostalgia, or dried pollack (먹태) with beer if you’re pacing
What to drink: draft beer (생맥주), highballs (하이볼) if you’re keeping it light
Vibe: casual, date-friendly, “let’s not overthink tonight”

Dosan Pocha (도산포차). Late-night comfort near Apgujeong Rodeo

Address: 1F, 14-8 Seolleung-ro 157-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Best time: after 10.00pm when you want a longer night without losing the pocha mood
What to order: a hot stew-style dish (탕/찌개) to anchor the table, then one fried plate to share
What to drink: soju (소주) if you’re going classic. Beer if you’re staying social
Vibe: high-energy, group-friendly, perfect for “one more place” nights

Seongsu: street drinking, updated

Seongsu Pocha sign and neon-lit entrance at night in Seongsu, Seoul

Seongsu Pocha after dark. Neon lights, plastic chairs and the kind of street-level energy that makes Seongsu feel effortlessly social.

Seongsu doesn’t always do traditional street tents. Instead, it borrows the feeling and packages it for people who just left a gallery, a café, a concept store. You can still do the plastic-chair romance, just with better lighting.

If you want a named, properly pocha-feeling place, go for Seongsu Pocha (성수포차). It’s a retro indoor pocha that locals treat like a reliable second home. The kind of spot where the night ends louder than it started.

Seongsu Pocha (성수포차). Practical details

Address: 1F, 4 Seongdeokjeong 17-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Best time: after 8.00pm for peak mood, midnight if you want it properly chaotic
What to order: odolppyeo (오돌뼈, spicy cartilage) + jumeokbap (주먹밥, rice balls), or a warm noodle/soup dish to steady the table
What to drink: soju and beer. Highballs if you want a lighter pace
Vibe: retro, friendly, loud in a fun way

Perfect route idea: Seongsu pocha first, then a Seoul Forest walk (서울숲 산책) to cool down and pretend you’re wholesome.

What to order: Seoul pocha anju pairings that always work

If you only remember one thing, remember this: pick one salty snack, one warm dish and one “carb closer”. Your table will thank you.

Nogari (노가리, dried fish) + mayo: best with draft beer (생맥주)
Odolppyeo (오돌뼈) + jumeokbap (주먹밥): best with soju (소주)
Yukhoe (육회, beef tartare) + bindaetteok (빈대떡, mung-bean pancake): best with makgeolli (막걸리)
Highball (하이볼) + fries: best for Seongsu-style casual pocha nights

FAQs: pojangmacha in 2025

Are pojangmacha still popular in 2025?
Yes. Fewer classic street tents exist, but the ones that remain are busy. Indoor “pocha style” places have also exploded, especially in trendy areas.

Is it safe for tourists?
Generally, yes. Stick to busy areas, watch your belongings and pace your drinks. If you’re bringing visiting friends, start with an indoor pocha first.

How much should I budget?
Plan roughly ₩25,000–₩45,000 per person for a relaxed night (a few dishes plus drinks). It can climb fast if you keep ordering.

What’s the most “date-friendly” option?
Apgujeong Rodeo for dressed-up casual energy, Seongsu for modern pocha vibes and Jongno for “we’re living in a film” street atmosphere.

Why pojangmacha still matters

I’ve done the rooftop bars. I love a good cocktail. But if you ask me what Seoul tastes like at midnight, it’s steam, chilli, and that first sip of soju when the city finally stops performing and starts feeling human.

Many pojangmacha disappeared. That’s true. But the ones that remain feel more meaningful because of it.

They make you slow down. They remove distance. They turn strangers into part of the same evening.

When friends visit Seoul, this is what stays with them. Not the reservations. Not the price. Just sitting under a tent, late at night, feeling part of the city.