The Seoullo 7017 pathway reopened on May 20th 2017, as a connection between the eastern and western sides around Seoul Station. The structure first opened as a highway for cars in the 1970’s, but was closed due to safety issues. Instead of tearing down the structure, it was renovated into this beautiful pathway for citizens.

The name Seoullo 7017 comes from the year it was first constructed and the year it was reopened. But there is more to it; the “17” also stands for the 17 unique sections on Seoullo 7017, and the location of the pathway is 17m above the ground.

The three new food tours launched by Gastro Tour Seoul are based on and around the Seoullo 7017 pathway, discovering different vibrant and hidden areas like Namdaemun Market, Gwanghwamun,and Joong-rim dong. All Seoullo 7017 tours take approximately 3 hours, and will return you to the tour starting point.

1. Seoullo 7017 Namdaemun and Myeongdong Tour
Namdaemun Market, built in 1964, is the biggest traditional market in Korea selling all kinds of goods like toys, clothes and food. It is located  within the area of ‘Namdaemun’, meaning ‘South Gate’, which served as one of seven gates to Korea’s capital city during the Joseon Dynasty.
Starting at Seoul Station, on this tour you will have the opportunity to try up to 12 types of food from 8 different vendors and restaurants, including anchovy noodles, mackerel jorim and crispy dumplings. Attendees can enjoy a full Korean food experience – from casual market foods, to top, traditional Korean cuisine! There are different food alleys scattered around the market that are dedicated to one kind of food like kalguksu alley, ‘salty’ alley, bibimbap alley, and fish alley.

After browsing Namdaemun Market and Sungnyemun, Namdaemun’s ancient gate, the tour will continue past the Bank of Korea, going towards Seoul’s major shopping district, Myeongdong.

This area is famous for its different department stores and designers shops. You can also find an abundance of street vendors and family restaurants here. The tour includes a stop off in Myeongdong’s ‘China Town’, to taste some fusion Korean-Chinese dishes, such as jjajangmyeon and tangsuyuk.

2. Seoullo 7017 City Hall and Gwanghwamun Tour
The city hall, founded in 1927, is the home of Seoul’s government. In front of the beautiful building, built in renaissance style, lays the historic Seoul Plaza. This is the starting point of the Seoullo 7017 City Hall food tour and it will continue past the stone wall of Deoksu Palace,
Deoksugung Palace, Jeongdong Deoksugung Palace, and back to Gwanghwamun – the main gate of Seoul’s largest palace, Gyeongbokgung. You will experience the true diversity of Seoul’s architecture and spirit, viewing other landmarks such as the Cheonggyecheon stream, Anglican Cathedral, and British Embassy.

Deoksugung Palace, located on Seoul’s busiest streets, is well known for its beautiful stone walls. The palace belonged to the older brother of King Seongjong. Over many generations the palace alternated from being an official palace and a temporary residence. The name Deoksugung was obtained in 1907, which literally means “palace of virtuous longevity”.

Gwanghwamun is the most iconic tourist site in Seoul, and is also the main gate of Gyeongbukgung, Seoul’s most famous palace. It roughly means “may the light of enlightenment blanket the world”.

Also on the tour is ‘Pimatgol Alley’ – a street traditionally used as a path for merchants to ship their wares and avoid the crows of the main roads. This backstreet preserves an unknown side of Seoul, and is home to many fantastic restaurants and rustic cafes.

3. Seoullo 7017 Joongrim-dong
Joongrim-dong, known to many as the backdrop for some of Koreas most iconic novels, is a town famous for its delicious, traditional food. The best food to try in Joongrim-dong is seafood, dakkochi (skewered chicken), jeon (Korean style pancake), and dak kalkuksu (chicken noodle soup).

For Korean people dak kalkuksu is a very social dish, which is normally made when friends or family come to visit. The word ‘kal’ means knife and the word ‘kuksu’ means noodle soup, Kalguksu is made from scratch by kneading dough and cutting the noodles by knife. This makes the dish extra special and loved in Korean families.

From Seoul Station, this tour will take you through a neighborhood known as the backdrop of many famous Korean novels, past Yakhyeon Cathederal, Songijeong Park, and ‘pumpkin village’! This area is now full of bustling entrepreneurial eateries and cafes, as well as historic buildings. You will experience a truly unique and lesser-known side to Seoul on this Seoullo 7017 tour!