Seoul's nights are a neon relay: Korean barbecue with soju, then noraebang — private karaoke rooms where dignity goes to die happily — then clubs in Hongdae or Itaewon, then 4am fried chicken. Whole districts function on a 24-hour clock, including saunas where you can sleep off the evening for a few thousand won. Round two, jimjilbang, round three: repeat.
Featured in Ten cities where the night never really ends · Nightlife
Gwangjang is Seoul's century-old covered market, and after dark its central aisles become one glorious communal dinner table: ajummas flipping bindaetteok — mung-bean pancakes fried in enough oil to justify the soju — alongside knife-cut noodles, mayak gimbap and, for the brave, live octopus. Squeeze onto a bench, point at what looks good, and clink shot glasses with strangers. Go on a weeknight around 7pm; weekends get crushed. The pancake-and-makgeolli combination costs pennies and is non-negotiable.
Featured in Ten cities where the night market is the main event · Nightlife