Which Pojangmacha Tent Should You Choose Around Jongno 3-ga? A First-Time Guide

Crowded pojangmacha tents with red plastic chairs and diners along a street near Jongno 3-ga at night.

In the evening, rows of pojangmacha tents line the alleys around Jongno 3-ga Station.

But once you’re standing in front of them, it can be hard to know where to sit. At first glance, the menus, prices, and atmosphere all seem much the same.

The tents, however, are not as alike as they first appear. The scene inside may look similar from one tent to another, but the seating layout and the way menus and prices are displayed vary.

This guide will not tell you which tent serves the best food. Instead, it explains what to look for when you are standing in front of the tents and deciding where to sit.

The Tents May Look Similar, but They Are Not All the Same

Some tents are open on the sides, while others are fully enclosed with clear plastic sheeting.

Both types appear along the same street. Your choice depends on whether you want to experience the street atmosphere up close or stay more sheltered from the wind and cold.

What to Look for Before You Sit Down

Because pojangmacha tents do not have doors, it may seem as though you can simply walk in and take a seat. But before sitting down, the tents with menus and prices displayed outside are the first to catch your eye.

Some post their menus and prices where they are easy to see from the street, while others keep them inside.

When a tent shows what it serves and how much it costs, you can get a sense of the meal before taking a seat, even if you cannot read Korean.

When I visited, the prices of some of the main dishes varied quite a bit from one tent to another. At places where the prices were not visible outside, I had to ask the owner before taking a seat.

Go Early for More Choice, or Later for More Atmosphere

To compare the tents before sitting down, you need to arrive while there are still seats to choose from. But the area fills up quickly in the evening.

When I visited on a weekday, several tents were already full by around 8 p.m., and I had to walk through the alleys several times looking for an open seat.

Before the crowds arrive, you can compare the different types of tents, along with their menus and prices, before deciding where to sit.

Later at night, however, you get something different. As the night goes on, the once-quiet alleys fill with people, and the sounds of conversation and orders being called out carry through the alleys.

Going later leaves you with fewer tents to compare, but this is when the atmosphere in the pojangmacha alleys around Jongno 3-ga feels most alive.

When you go depends on whether you want time to choose your tent or want to be part of the late-night energy.

You Decide Once You See the Tents Up Close

Once you stop in front of each tent and take a closer look, the ones that first seemed nearly identical begin to look different from one another.

The dozens of tents no longer look like versions of the same place. They begin to look like different options for where to sit that evening.

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