How Much Should You Budget for Food in Seoul Per Day? A Real Breakdown

How Much Should You Budget for Food in Seoul Per Day? A Real Breakdown

After three years of eating my way through Seoul, I can tell you that food costs here are incredibly flexible—you can spend 5,000 KRW or 50,000 KRW on a meal depending on what you're doing. Let me break down what I've actually spent and what you should realistically budget.

The Budget Tiers

Ultra Budget (10,000-15,000 KRW/day):
This is survival mode. A kimbap (김밥) costs around 4,000-5,000 KRW, ramyeon (라면) is 3,500-4,500 KRW, and convenience store gimbap runs 2,500-3,000 KRW. I did this during my first month while settling in. GS25, CU, and Emart24 are your friends—they've got decent meals for cheap.

Budget Conscious (25,000-35,000 KRW/day):
This is what I actually spend most days. A proper Korean meal at a local neighborhood restaurant (a bowl of bibimbap or jjigae stew) costs 8,000-12,000 KRW. Street food like tteokbokki (떡볶이) or hotteok (호떡) is 3,000-5,000 KRW. Add a coffee (4,000-6,000 KRW) and you're still under 35,000 KRW.

Comfortable (40,000-60,000 KRW/day):
This is eating well without stress. A decent lunch at a popular spot in Hongdae or Gangnam runs 12,000-15,000 KRW. Dinner at a samgyeopsal (삼겹살) place with friends might be 20,000-30,000 KRW. You can eat at Michelin-recommended places for under 20,000 KRW if you pick wisely.

Splurging (60,000+ KRW/day):
Premium restaurants, imported foods, or eating out constantly. A nice dinner can easily hit 40,000-80,000 KRW per person.

Where I Actually Eat

Lunch: I usually grab a set meal (정식) at a mom-and-pop restaurant near my office—around 9,000 KRW for rice, main dish, soup, and banchan (반찬, side dishes). Apps like Naver Map (네이버 맵) and Kakao Map (카카오 맵) are essential for finding these places. Search "주변 맛집" (nearby good restaurants).

Delivery Apps: Coupang Eats (쿠팡이츠) and Yogiyo (요기요) are my go-to. Delivery usually adds 2,000-3,000 KRW, but they frequently have discounts. A decent meal delivered is still 12,000-18,000 KRW.

Street Food: Gwangjang Market (광장시장) or any pojangmacha (포장마차, street food tents) near subway stations. A full meal of tteokbokki, kimbap, and a drink is 15,000 KRW max.

Coffee Culture: Yes, Seoul loves coffee. A basic coffee is 4,000-5,000 KRW, but specialty cafes charge 7,000-10,000 KRW. I spend about 5,000 KRW daily on this (worth it for my sanity).

Money-Saving Tips I Actually Use

1. Buy at convenience stores strategically. GS25 kimbap at 3,000 KRW is genuinely good and filling