Chuseok transforms Seoul into ghost town while a harvest moon rises. Unlike Christmas in other countries when a few shops dim their lights, Seoul rolls up the metal shutters for almost three days. Finding a meal becomes a scavenger quest. Luckily, regulars know the shortcuts.
The Two Apps That Actually Work
Naver Maps and Kakao Maps are the secret weapons. Throw Google Maps out the window; its holiday pins are guesswork. In Seoul, every kimchi jar and rice cooker is listed here. Restaurant owners update their Chuseok hours directly, so these maps double as the city’s unofficial phone book.
Pay attention: chains and franchises tend to post their hours days earlier, while mom-and-pop spots may wait until the last minute, sometimes just 48 hours in advance. Open Naver Maps, tap the restaurant, and scan for the red “추석 휴무” banner or the notes section. Kakao does the same, but in a bright yellow strip at the top. The message is big, bold, and impossible to miss.
Why a Phone Call Is Still the Best Bet
Korean restaurant owners often forget to update their online listings. It’s the mom-and-pop places—those tiny, smoky spots you hear about through friends—that usually fall through the cracks. The number you find on Naver or Kakao Maps rings straight to the kitchen, and a quick ring fills you in.
Most Koreans dial the night before Chuseok, even if the app says “open.” Because plans can flip. The cook’s kid could get sick. The ajumma might decide to close the fryer early. A two-minute call saves a two-hour drive across Seoul on a night when everything else is closed.
The 1330 Hotline Hack
Most travel blogs forget to mention this gem: Korea’s 1330 tourist hotline is a lifesaver. Call 1330 or +82-2-1330 from outside the country. Operators speak English, Chinese, Japanese, and a handful of other tongues.
They pull from a live database of tourist-area restaurants and holiday hours. Myeongdong, Insadong, Itaewon—those maps are gold. The downside? Your favorite neighborhood BBQ in a quiet alley might not make the list, since the database focuses on flashier spots. Still, for anything on the tourist route, the info is surprisingly spot-on.
Instagram Speaks Louder than Google
If you’re hunting for a Korean eatery and you’re under 40, ditch Google Maps and grab Instagram. Mom-and-pop places, especially the younger owners, use their stories as the official bulletin board. Copy the restaurant’s name from Naver Maps and paste it into the search bar. You’ll find the holiday schedule posted there faster than a press release.
Look for bright, cartoonish graphics that say when they’re closed for Chuseok, and if you’re lucky, they’ll tag the branches that stay open. Perfect for chain places where one location shuts the door while another pumps out savory tteokbokki like it’s noon on a Tuesday.
Hot Zones That Don’t Hibernate
Some neighborhoods have a predictable pulse during the holiday:
- Myeongdong: The chain that sells neon slushies? Still spinning.
- Hongdae: The late-night gimbap dive might trim hours, but the lights stay on.
- Itaewon: That taco truck? Still queuing.
- Gangnam office buildings: Some basement food courts lift their shutters for a few shifts.
Traditional markets, though, are a mixed bag. Gwangjang’s legendary mayak gimbap stall might greet you, while the silver-satin fish stall down the row might not. Your little market down the street? 99 percent chance the shutters stay down.
The Chain Paradox
You might see Starbucks doors locked while Paris Baguette croons K-pop and puffs out fresh cream bread. The twist is corporate culture, not the customer. Each brand makes the call based on how they think the workforce will tick. Convenience stores, from CU to GS25 to 7-Eleven, never pause for breath. They’re the late-night-vacuum-seal, emergency ramen, and cold kimbap you didn’t know you needed.
McDonald’s and Burger King usually stick to short hours during holidays. Meanwhile, local chains like Mega Coffee keep the lights on after Starbucks closes. There’s no nationwide standard—each brand has its own Chuseok timetable.
When you’re unsure about the hours, ask the staff at the nearest convenience store. They watch the foot traffic and know what’s open and closed better than any phone app.
What You Should Do
If you’re in Korea during Chuseok:
- Install Naver Maps or Kakao Maps before the holiday.
- Take screenshots of restaurant hours while you’re still online.
- Have extra place names saved in tourist spots.
- Keep the 1330 info line on hand.
The key takeaway? Koreans piece together info from several sources. They check the app, then scroll Instagram, and finally call to double-check. It looks messy, but it’s really a smart way to cope in a country where chats and group texts often beat official hours. Plus, plans can flip in minutes during the holidays.