Taking a break during a busy weekday lunch hour always brings a refreshing sense of peace. Yesterday, I headed to the 1898 Plaza located in the underground complex of Myeongdong Cathedral in Seoul.

Although situated in the middle of bustling Myeongdong, the 1898 Plaza offers a serene and peaceful atmosphere. I had a delicious meal at 'Gaon', a Korean restaurant known for its neat traditional dishes, and then explored the nearby Holy Art Shop.

1. 'Gaon' at Myeongdong Cathedral: A Neat Korean Meal

Gaon is popular among local office workers and cathedral visitors for its wholesome noodles and traditional dishes. As soon as I sat down, neatly prepared side dishes were served.

Myeongdong Gaon Side Dishes
▲ Freshly prepared Korean side dishes at Gaon. The tangy pickled cabbage was crisp and appetite-whetting.

The tangy pickled cabbage and neat side dishes built up great anticipation for the main course.

2. Refreshing 'Chogye-guksu' & Juicy Handmade Dumplings

The highlights of the meal were Chogye-guksu (cold chicken noodles), a summer delicacy, and side handmade dumplings.

Myeongdong Gaon Chogye Guksu
▲ Refreshing Chogye-guksu with chilled broth and tender shredded chicken breast

Chogye-guksu features a tangy, savory chilled broth topped with tender shredded chicken breast and egg garnish. The sweet, sour, and refreshing flavor was amazing, complemented by chewy, perfectly cooked noodles.

Myeongdong Gaon Handmade Dumplings
▲ Freshly steamed handmade dumplings stuffed with savory meat and vegetables

The accompanying dumplings had thin wrappers packed with rich meat and vegetable filling. Pairing a warm dumpling with a bite of cold noodles was simply perfection.

3. Strolling through 1898 Holy Art Shop

After enjoying the meal, I strolled over to the 1898 Holy Art Shop inside the plaza.

The shop welcomed visitors with warm, soothing lighting and displayed intricate angel figurines, music boxes, rosaries, and artistic religious objects.

Angel Music Box at Myeongdong Cathedral Holy Art Shop
▲ Cozy angel music box and handcrafted objects
Detailed Angel Statuettes
▲ Finely detailed angel statuettes that bring a sense of calm

The craftsmanship of the angel figurines was exquisite. Looking through the items felt deeply relaxing and therapeutic—a wonderful spot to unwind and find thoughtful gifts.

4. Wrapping Up a Relaxing Lunch Break

"A delicious bowl of noodles and a peaceful walk through a holy art shop—a hidden oasis in the heart of Myeongdong."

The 1898 Plaza under Myeongdong Cathedral combines great food (Gaon) and peaceful cultural shops, making it an ideal spot to refresh during a busy day.

I definitely look forward to visiting again whenever I crave a cool bowl of Chogye-guksu or a moment of tranquility in Seoul!