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Opening Hours Complete Guide 2025

Myeongdong operates as Seoul's premier shopping district with extended hours designed to accommodate both local shoppers and international tourists. Understanding the diverse opening schedules across different types of businesses helps visitors maximize their Myeongdong experience while ensuring they arrive when their desired shops and attractions are open.

Major Department Stores and Shopping Centers

Lotte Department Store Myeongdong

Daily Hours: 10:30 AM - 8:00 PM (Monday through Thursday), 10:30 AM - 8:30 PM (Friday through Sunday). The flagship Lotte Department Store serves as Myeongdong's premier luxury shopping destination, featuring international brands, Korean fashion, and comprehensive beauty departments. Extended weekend hours accommodate increased tourist and local shopper traffic during peak periods.

Shinsegae Department Store

Daily Hours: 10:30 AM - 8:00 PM (Sunday through Thursday), 10:30 AM - 8:30 PM (Friday through Saturday). Shinsegae offers premium shopping experiences with luxury brands, Korean traditional crafts, and extensive food courts. The store provides tax refund services for international visitors and maintains extended hours during major Korean holidays and shopping seasons.

Korean Beauty and Cosmetics Stores

Olive Young Flagship Store

Daily Hours: 8:00 AM - 12:00 AM (Midnight, Daily). Korea's largest health and beauty chain operates extended hours to serve the high volume of international tourists seeking Korean beauty products. The flagship location offers the most comprehensive selection of Korean cosmetics, skincare, and health products available in Myeongdong.

Innisfree, The Face Shop, and Korean Beauty Brands

Typical Hours: 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM (Daily). Major Korean beauty brand stores maintain consistent hours that accommodate both morning and evening shopping. Many locations offer extended hours during peak tourist seasons (spring and fall) and may close later on weekends to serve increased visitor traffic.

Myeongdong Night Market and Street Food

Evening Street Food Operations

Peak Hours: 5:00 PM - 1:00 AM (Daily). Myeongdong's famous street food scene comes alive in the evening, with vendors setting up stalls throughout the pedestrian areas. The night market atmosphere peaks between 7:00 PM and 11:00 PM when both local workers and tourists crowd the streets seeking authentic Korean street food experiences.

Street Food Vendor Schedules

Afternoon Setup: Most street food vendors begin setup around 4:00 PM, with full operations typically starting by 5:30 PM. Popular items include hotteok (sweet pancakes), gyeran bbang (egg bread), Korean fried chicken, tornado potatoes, and various grilled items. Vendors typically operate until midnight or later, depending on customer demand and weather conditions.

Cultural Attractions and Services

Myeongdong Cathedral

Visiting Hours: 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM (Daily), Mass Schedule: Multiple services throughout the day with English-language services available. The cathedral welcomes visitors for both religious services and cultural tourism, providing information about Korean Catholic history and architecture.

Korean Tourist Information Center

Daily Hours: 9:00 AM - 10:00 PM (March through October), 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM (November through February). The official Korean Tourist Office in Myeongdong provides comprehensive visitor services including maps, travel information, cultural guidance, and assistance with transportation and accommodation. English-speaking staff available throughout operating hours.

Transportation Operating Hours

Myeongdong Station Subway Service

Daily Subway Operation: 5:30 AM - 12:00 AM (Sunday through Thursday), 5:30 AM - 1:00 AM (Friday through Saturday). Seoul's subway system provides reliable transportation to and from Myeongdong throughout most of the day and evening. Final trains depart around midnight on weekdays and 1:00 AM on weekends.

Planning Your Myeongdong Visit

Optimal Visiting Times

Morning Shopping: Arriving between 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM allows access to department stores and major retailers while avoiding peak crowd periods. Morning hours provide comfortable shopping conditions with full product availability and attentive service from sales staff.

Evening Cultural Experience: Visiting between 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM offers the complete Myeongdong experience including street food, evening shopping, and vibrant night market atmosphere. This timing allows visitors to experience both retail shopping and authentic Korean street culture in a single visit.

Street Food

Along the many smaller streets in the area are plenty of small stalls selling street foods, either literally in the street or from window opening up from their small shops and kiosks.  Try some of the local favorites including deep fried sausage and rice cakes on a stick, or French Fries and sausage coated in batter on a stick.   More traditional are gyeran bbang which is a type of fried egg cake or muffin which is a tasty and nutritious snack that all people can enjoy.

For those who love spicy food try dakkochi which is a spicy chicken skewer, cooked over coals to get a BBQ flavor but with plenty of chili heat as well.

Try also the hotteok which is a stuffed small pancake with a sweet sugary filling. Great warmers on a cold evening these are a popular snack with children and adults alike.

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