Fall nights bring Seoul's outdoor dining to life

On crisp fall evenings, some of Seoul's most inviting scenes unfold beneath the red tents lining its sidewalks. Plastic tables and chairs spill into the streets, where steaming dishes arrive straight from the kitchen and soju is passed around late into the night.

Known as "yajang," or outdoor drinking spots, these open-air gatherings are especially popular in fall, when friends, families and co-workers come together over food and drinks in the cool evening air.

Menus typically feature Korean comfort foods that pair well with soju, including jeon, savory pancakes made with kimchi, scallions or potatoes; fish cake soup; kimchi stew; and tteokbokki. More adventurous options include beondegi-tang, a soup made with silkworm pupae, while grilled Spam is another familiar drinking snack.

Found in alleys and tucked-away corners across the capital, these outdoor dining spots offer a lively glimpse into Seoul's nightlife. Here are four areas worth exploring.

At the intersection of Seoul Subway Line Nos. 1, 3 and 5, Jongno 3-ga is one of central Seoul's best-known destinations for outdoor dining and drinking, particularly around Exits 3 and 6.

From around 5 p.m., restaurants slide open their folding glass doors and arrange tables along the sidewalks, sometimes extending into the roadway. Small food stalls also spring to life along the surrounding alleys.

Some specialize in regional Korean cuisine, displaying names such as Jeolla Province and Iksan to highlight their culinary roots.

Many stay open until 1 or 2 a.m., with some operating even later on weekends.

Just north of Jongno 3-ga Station, Seosulla-gil offers a more contemporary take on outdoor dining.

The roughly 800-meter street runs alongside the stone wall of Jongmyo, blending historic surroundings with a growing collection of trendy restaurants and cafes.

Visitors can enjoy craft beer, Korean barbecue, pizza, tacos and even English breakfast dishes while taking in views of the historic site.

The area is also worth visiting during the day, when its small cafes and dessert shops draw people looking for coffee and something sweet.

Euljiro is home to one of Seoul's largest and liveliest outdoor drinking areas, centered on Manseon Hof in an alley near Euljiro 3-ga Station.

Open until midnight, the popular beer hall serves beer and soju alongside classic Korean drinking snacks, including fried chicken and nogari, dried young pollack traditionally eaten with mayonnaise and a spicy dipping sauce.

Manseon Hof reportedly has more than 700 outdoor seats, which fill quickly after office hours, particularly during fall.

Nearby establishments, including Dalmaji Plaza BBQ, Sammijeong, Moa Sikpum, Cheonggye Fish Market and Daelim Hof, add to the neighborhood's bustling atmosphere.

As surrounding shops close for the evening, the alleys transform into an outdoor dining district filled with conversation, clinking glasses and the aroma of freshly prepared food.

For a less obvious destination, head to the 10th-floor rooftop of Seoul Gyeonggi Terminal near Express Bus Terminal Station in southern Seoul.

From Exit 1 or 8, visitors can enter the terminal and take an elevator to the rooftop, where two Korean barbecue restaurants offer open-air seating.

Unlike the crowded alleyways of Jongno and Euljiro, this rooftop setting offers views of the surrounding cityscape.

At their tables, diners can grill samgyeopsal, or pork belly, and pair it with soju against a backdrop of Seoul's illuminated skyline.