Seoul 2-Day Trip 2026: Deoksugung Palace & Must-Try Local Eats

This recent overnight trip to Seoul with friends was an absolute blast. Even for someone from Daejeon, Seoul always manages to surprise and delight!

The weather truly made this trip. Despite it being November, the sunshine was wonderfully warm, perfect for a leisurely walk around Deoksugung Palace, and we even managed to check out some highly-anticipated restaurants.

One unexpected highlight? Falling in love with rock sea squirt (dolmungge), something I usually wouldn't touch. It was a delightful surprise!

I've compiled all the best parts of our trip here for you to enjoy:

1. November Seoul Weather & Autumn Stroll at Deoksugung Palace

Our November trip to Seoul started perfectly, largely thanks to the unexpectedly warm weather!

With clear skies and abundant sunshine, it was the ideal day to explore Deoksugung Palace (덕수궁).

The palace grounds still held onto a beautiful autumn ambiance, making it a fantastic spot to slowly walk around and take photos with friends.

It's important to dress wisely for November in Seoul, as temperatures can vary significantly between the beginning, middle, and end of the month.

While a knit sweater or light jacket might be fine during the day, mornings and evenings can get chilly, so I recommend bringing a warm coat or outer layer.

Deoksugung Palace is great for a stroll, including its charming stone wall path, and the walking route isn't too strenuous, making it a satisfying first stop on our Seoul adventure. I personally recommend visiting during the sunny daytime hours!

2. Seochon Gyedanjib: Falling for Rock Sea Squirt

After exploring Deoksugung, we headed to Seochon Gyedanjib (서촌계단집). My friends and I love seafood, so we were excited, but we ended up waiting for about 40 minutes!

Honestly, with such a long wait, I wondered if it could really be *that* good, but it was absolutely worth the wait.

That day, we ordered fresh shrimp sashimi, hairtail sashimi, rock sea squirt (dolmungge), and turban shell (ppulsora)!

All four dishes were incredibly satisfying, but the most memorable was definitely the rock sea squirt (돌멍게)! It's completely different from regular sea squirt!

I usually don't enjoy sea squirt because of its unique, strong aroma, but this one had a clean, oceanic flavor without any fishiness.

Since that day, I've been utterly obsessed with rock sea squirt. Now, if I see it on a menu, I order it without hesitation. I've become a total rock sea squirt evangelist! Haha.

I highly recommend this place for anyone who loves seafood. Just be prepared for a wait of around 40 minutes, so plan your meal with plenty of time.

3. Our Stay at Hotel Gracery Seoul

For our 1-night, 2-day Seoul trip, we chose Hotel Gracery Seoul (호텔 그레이서리 서울).

Since there were four of us, we booked two twin rooms.

When traveling with friends, twin rooms are always the way to go, right? As someone sensitive to sleeping arrangements, a double room can be a struggle for me, haha.

We looked for a hotel that offered twin rooms and was in a convenient location for sightseeing, which led us to Hotel Gracery Seoul.

Hotel Gracery Seoul stood out for its clean rooms and well-separated bathroom areas.

In particular, it features a Japanese-style bathroom structure, allowing for separate use of the bathtub and shower space.

The rooms aren't overly luxurious or spacious, but they feel like they have all the necessary facilities thoughtfully arranged.

Most importantly, its location is excellent for exploring Deoksugung Palace, City Hall (시청), and Myeongdong (명동), making it a highly recommended hotel if you're planning a 1-night, 2-day Seoul itinerary focused on sightseeing.

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4. Our First Taste of Jinokhwa Halmae Wonjo Dakhanmari

On our second day, we headed to Jinokhwa Halmae Wonjo Dakhanmari (진옥화할매 원조닭한마리) in Dongdaemun (동대문).

It was my first time ever trying Dakhanmari (chicken stew), and honestly, at first glance, I wondered if it would be anything special.

But wow, was I wrong! The broth deepened in flavor as it simmered, and the chicken was incredibly tender. It was far more delicious than I expected. It tasted like a perfect hangover cure, even though I hadn't been drinking!

We waited about 30 minutes here too, but looking around the restaurant, it felt like there were more foreigners than Koreans, especially many Japanese visitors.

I think they love it because it's not spicy and has a deep, savory umami flavor, haha.

Personally, the rice cakes (tteok) were the best part! They were chewy and soft, soaking up all the rich Dakhanmari broth. I might have even liked them more than the chicken!

This dish is absolutely perfect for the chilly weather we're having these days, so if you're in the area, you absolutely have to try it.

5. Our November Seoul Trip with Friends

From enjoying autumn at Deoksugung Palace to discovering a new favorite seafood and trying Dakhanmari for the first time,

it was a short but truly wonderful 1-night, 2-day trip.

If you're planning a November trip to Seoul, I recommend exploring Deoksugung Palace and Seochon during the day, and choosing accommodation that fits your travel route.

It was a fantastic 1-night, 2-day itinerary perfect for enjoying both sightseeing and delicious food!