Excellent breakfast at Shinseon Solrontang in Myeongdong, Seoul! A soothing Korean gourmet experience

Restaurants

2025.09.06

Index

Introduction to Seoul Myeongdong and Shinseon Solrontang: The Gourmet Capital of Korea
The reason for the breakfast: an authentic taste of Myeongdong.
The queue: smooth thanks to the rain
Delicious solrontang: Gentle beef bone soup
Kimchi Appeal: Two Free Sides
Korean Style Breakfast: The Joy of Getting Used to It
Myeongdong’s Morning Attraction: Lively and Accessible
Overall Satisfaction: Solrontang Healing
Private Wisdom-like Summary

Introduction to Seoul Myeongdong and Shinseon Solrontang: The Gourmet Capital of Korea

Seoul, the capital of South Korea, is a tourist city where tradition and modernity merge, attracting approximately 12 million visitors in 2023. Myeongdong (Myeongdong) is a downtown area located in the center of Seoul and is a popular spot for shopping, dining, and K-pop culture. Shinseon Solrontang is a long-established restaurant in the middle of Myeongdong, famous for its solrontang (beef bone soup). After temporarily closing due to the Corona disaster, it reopened in 2022. More information can be found at Connect. Myeongdong tourist information can be viewed at Visit Seoul and Korea Tourism can be viewed at Korea Tourism Organization. We enjoyed a breakfast at Shinseon Solrontang on this trip.

The reason for the breakfast: an authentic taste of Myeongdong.

On a 3-day/2-night trip to Seoul, we decided to have breakfast after hearing about the vibrancy of Myeongdong and the reputation of Shinseon Solrontang. We visited at 8:30 a.m., a convenient 3-minute walk from Myeongdong Station. According to our research, Shinseon Solrontang has been in business since 1950 and is a well-known restaurant loved by locals and tourists alike. Its signature dish, solrontang, features a gentle broth made from beef bones simmered for a long time. I wanted to get a good energy boost in the morning before enjoying the food stalls and shopping in Myeongdong. Hearing that an early morning visit would allow me to avoid the lines, I made a plan. This choice started our gourmet trip to Seoul.

The queue: smooth thanks to the rain

We had heard that there was a long line at 9:00 a.m., but when we arrived at 8:30 a.m., it was raining and we were able to enter the restaurant easily. According to our research, a 30-minute wait is common for popular restaurants in Myeongdong during peak hours (9-11 a.m.). In my case, thanks to the rain, there was zero wait time. The restaurant was clean and crowded with tourists and locals. Bring rain gear so you can line up comfortably even on a rainy day. This smoothness made for a light start to my morning.

Delicious solrontang: Gentle beef bone soup

We ordered the signature dish, sorrontang (about 12,000 won, about ³,200). The gentle soup is infused with the flavor of beef bones, and rice is added and salt and pepper to taste. According to my research, solrontang is a traditional Korean dish, good for digestion and ideal for breakfast. In my case, I was impressed by the deep flavor of the soup and the tender beef. When I soaked the rice in the soup, the warmth soaked into my body. Tasting it little by little with a spoon, you will feel more satisfied. This soup taught me a lot about Korean food culture.

Kimchi Appeal: Two Free Sides

There are two kinds of free kimchi: Chinese cabbage and radish. According to our research, kimchi is offered free of charge at Korean sorrontang restaurants and is essential to accentuate the flavor. In my case, by the second day, I had become accustomed to the Korean style and finished my meal with kimchi on top of the soup. The spicy and tangy radish kimchi went well with the soup. It is easy to adjust the amount of kimchi if you share a small plate. This side doubled the enjoyment of breakfast.

Menu	Price	Features	Advice
Sorrontang	Approx. 12,000 won	Beef bone soup with rice	Adjust with salt and pepper
Kimchi	Free	Chinese cabbage, radish, spicy	Share with a small plate

Korean Style Breakfast: The Joy of Getting Used to It

By the second day, I was completely accustomed to the Korean style of serving solrontang with kimchi on top. Research shows that mixing rice and kimchi with soup is common in Korea, and tourists quickly adapt. In my case, I simply enjoyed the soup on the first day and added plenty of kimchi on the second day. The change in flavor is enjoyable and satisfying to finish. The soup is hot, so it is best to savor it slowly. This style made my morning in Seoul special.

Myeongdong’s Morning Attraction: Lively and Accessible

Shinseon Solrontang is located in the middle of downtown Myeongdong. It opens at 8:00 a.m. and is surrounded by Lotte Duty Free Shop and cafes. According to a survey, Myeongdong is an area visited by 70% of tourists and is bustling with activity from morning. In my case, after breakfast, I strolled around Myeongdong and purchased goods at a K-pop store. Myeongdong Subway Station and Euljiro Entrance Station are close by, so it was easy to get around. If you take an early morning stroll, it is cool and easy to plan your sightseeing. This location made my trip more efficient.

Overall Satisfaction: Solrontang Healing

The breakfast at Shinseon Solrontang left a lasting impression with its gentle soup and delicious kimchi. Thanks to the rain, we were able to enter the restaurant smoothly, and the second day, when we got used to the Korean style, was especially impressive. This is a great restaurant that is sure to be a repeat customer. A budget of 1,500 yen per person is sufficient for breakfast. Note: This information is based on personal experience and conditions may vary depending on the time of year.

Private Wisdom-like Summary

The breakfast at Shinseon Sorrontang is a heartwarming experience of the vibrancy and healing of Myeongdong. My personal wisdom is that the key is to visit early in the morning at 8:30 a.m. and enjoy the solrontang with kimchi on top. Seoul mornings and gentle soups are a quiet reminder of the richness of travel.

Tokyo DisneySea Fantasy Springs, located in Urayasu, Chiba Prefecture. This new area is the theme port of Tokyo DisneySea, which opened in 2024, and is a popular tourist spot for families and couples based on the concept of “the world of Disney fantasy guided by a magical spring. 5 minutes walk from JR Maihama Station, it is easily accessible, and the soft spring sunlight shines through I visited on the morning of May 2, 2025 with my family of three. According to the official website, the area is dotted with attractions, restaurants, and stores based on Disney movies such as Peter Pan and Rapunzel, and a billing system called Premier Access is in place to reduce waiting time. In the spirit of Private Wisdom, a journey in search of “inner wisdom and harmony,” this magical world is the ideal place to expand your sensory horizons and offer the quiet luxury of the extraordinary. More than just a theme park, Fantasy Springs is characterized by a design that blends nature and storytelling around a magical fountain. The scenery of spring flowers in full bloom embodies the “lifestyle of living in harmony with nature” advocated by Private Wisdom, providing visitors with a sense of peace and tranquility. According to official information, seasonal events will continue to be held in 2025, with special floral decorations and limited-edition menus to be enjoyed in spring. This place is the perfect base for travelers seeking inner enrichment away from external stimuli and spending time with family.

The door of dreams welcoming families: the value of premier access

On a morning bathed in soft spring sunshine, my family and I stepped into the new Fantasy Springs area of Tokyo DisneySea. The area features Premier Access, a billing system introduced for attractions that reduces waiting time. We made this choice without hesitation, prioritizing our special family time together. The decision to invest more than money in the value of the “experience” was in keeping with Private Wisdom’s sensibility. The excited look on my daughter’s face and the serene smile on my wife’s face symbolized the moment of opening the door to our dream. By using Premier Access, we were able to avoid the crowds and tour the areas at a leisurely pace. The magical fountain leads you to a Disney fantasy world where spring flowers and the sound of water harmonize to create a space for family bonding. As my daughter reached for the light from the fountain, I felt the joy of an extraordinary break from the everyday; from the perspective of Private Wisdom, this choice embodies “harmony” and “inner wisdom” and enriches family memories.

Flying in Peter Pan’s World: Immersive Emotions

One of the most moving experiences was Peter Pan’s Neverland Adventure. As I boarded the ride, the ship floated in the air, and I was enthralled by the wind-breaking speed and immersive presentation. Projection mapping and a three-dimensional structure combine to create the world of Neverland across your entire field of vision. From Private Wisdom’s perspective, this experience encourages “coexistence with nature” and “growth of the senses. The joy of the family overflowed as my daughter’s cheeks flushed with excitement and my wife smiled in silence. We forgot our boundaries with the real world and gazed at the world from the same perspective as our children. The moment when the attraction’s wind and spring sunlight intermingled embodied the “spiritual richness” that Private Wisdom seeks, leaving a deep impression on our hearts. According to official information, the attraction is a faithful recreation of the Disney film, offering something new to discover each time you visit.

A storybook meal for the senses: Rapunzel’s Forest Café

Eating and drinking is another “production” at Fantasy Springs. We visited a café adjacent to “Rapunzel’s Forest” where we enjoyed soups, quiches, and colorful salads that make the most of seasonal ingredients, surrounded by the fragrance of flowers and the warmth of wood. Fresh spring vegetables and herbs blend harmoniously, and space and taste respond to each other as if they were a continuation of a story; from Private Wisdom’s point of view, this meal embodies “nature’s bounty” and “harmony” and stimulates the senses. Each time we tasted the food, we felt more like “inhabitants of this world,” and we shared more than just a meal, but a “time” as a family. The smiles on my daughter’s face as she chewed her quiche and the sight of my wife enjoying the aroma of the soup made me feel the bond between our family. The café’s woody warmth and spring flowers create an atmosphere that nurtures the “inner wisdom” that Private Wisdom seeks and provides peace of mind. According to official information, the café offers a seasonal menu, with desserts featuring flowers being popular in the spring.

The Beauty of Walking: Scenes from Fantasy Springs

From morning to night, I toured the Fantasy Springs area many times. Strangely enough, I did not feel tired, and the more I walked, the more I was surrounded by new discoveries and comfort. Everything was a “designed story,” from the way the light streamed in, to the reflections on the water, to the way the grass and flowers swayed, yet it was as rich as nature itself. The scenery of spring flowers in full bloom embodies the “coexistence with nature” that Private Wisdom emphasizes and enriches the heart. The time spent walking hand in hand with the family gave a sense of sensory fulfillment. The moment when my daughter points excitedly at the surface of the water or my wife captures the scenery on her camera symbolizes the growth of our family. This walking beauty encourages the “spiritual growth” of Private Wisdom and offers the quiet luxury of the extraordinary. According to official information, the area is designed to be walkable and attractively lit at night.

Private Wisdom-like Summary

My time at Tokyo DisneySea Fantasy Springs resonated deeply with the spirit of Private Wisdom. From the choice of premier access to the excitement of the attractions, through the storybook dining and the beauty of the scenery, we found time to develop inner wisdom and harmony of mind. This experience, where nature and fantasy coexist, embodies the “spiritual richness” that Private Wisdom advocates. This trip was a time to go beyond material satisfaction and face my family, and I look forward to next time to enjoy the new magic of each season and pursue inner growth in this sacred place of fantasy.