Myeongdong Cathedral Mass Schedule & Nearby Restaurants
Myeongdong Cathedral
This is Korea's first cathedral. It's also Korea's first Gothic building and the largest Gothic cathedral. It witnessed important historical moments like the Japanese colonial period, Korean War, and the democratic movement.
Freedom of Catholic faith started in Korea in 1886. On May 8, 1892, construction on the cathedral began. It was completed on May 29, 1898.
The hill where the cathedral sits was the home of Thomas Kim Bum-woo (1751 - 1787), Korea's first Catholic martyr. He studied Catholic texts there with other Catholics. But they were discovered by the Royal Inspector general and while others from privileged families were let off lightly, as a commoner Kim was tortured and exiled, dying during his banishment.
Before the Korea-France Treaty of 1886, which made Catholics free in Joseon Korea, they faced severe persecution. Missionaries and Catholic believers were tortured or executed, so France declared war on Korea in 1856.
France got official recognition from the Joseon government to do missionary work through the 1886 Korea-France Treaty. It also gave the United States the same rights as a most favored nation, so both countries could run educational institutions to support missionaries in Korea.
In 1984, Pope John Paul II and in 2014, Pope Francis visited Korea, and they also visited Myeongdong Cathedral.
The underground shopping area, known as Myeongdong Cathedral 1898, has bookstores, souvenir shops, cafes, bakeries, convenience stores, a pharmacy, and more. It's a nice place to take a break for a while.
Myeongdong Cathedral Mass Schedule by Day
There's an English Mass every Sunday at 9 AM. There's also an English Mass on 1st January, 15th August, and 25th December at 9 AM. Here's the Myeongdong Cathedral Mass schedule by day.
| Days | Mass Times |
|---|---|
| Sunday | 7 AM, 9 AM (English), 10 AM, 11 AM, 12 PM 4 PM, 5 PM, 6 PM, 7 PM (Youth Mass), 9 PM |
| Saturday | 6 PM, 7 PM |
| Weekday | 7 AM, 10 AM, 6 PM, 7 PM (No Mass at 7 PM on Mondays) |
- Confession in English:
- Sunday: 8:30 AM - 8:50 AM
- Saturday: 3 PM - 5 PM
- Friday: 4 PM - 6 PM
Β© Myeongdong Cathedral's website
Popular Restaurants Near Myeongdong Cathedral
π‘ β Cafe Molto
Cafe across from Myeongdong Cathedral has a terrace that has great views of the cathedral. At busy times, there may be lines because it's a popular photo spot.
- π Adrress: 3rd Floor, 73 Myeongdong-gil, Myeong-dong 1(il)-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul
- π Opening Hours:
- Monday to Saturday: 10:30 AM - 7:30 PM (Last Order 7 PM)
- Monday to Saturday (Winter Season): 11:30 AM - 7:30 PM (Last Order 7 PM)
- Closed on Sundays.
Β© Espressp bar Molto Instagram
π‘ π Myeongdong Kyoja λͺ λκ΅μ
This restaurant's been getting Michelin stars every year since 2017. The restaurant serves noodles and dumplings, and its most famous dish is μΉΌκ΅μ Kalguksu (Noodle Soup). There's usually a wait because it's so popular. The waiting area varies depending on the number of people, so you tell the staff how many are in your party, then wait in the designated area. Payment is made in advance.
The extra noodles are free if you order one bowl of soup per person. Additional soup is not provided. If the portion isn't enough, you can ask for more noodles and mix them into your own soup.
- Menu:
- μΉΌκ΅μ Kalguksu (Noodle Soup): 11,000 KRW
- λ§λ Mandu (Dumplings): 12,000 KRW
- λΉλΉκ΅μ Bibim Guksu (Spicy Mixed Noodles): 11,000 KRW
- πββοΈ More noddles, please: μ¬λ¦¬ λ μ£ΌμΈμ (Sari deo juseyo)
- πββοΈ More kimchi, please: κΉμΉ λ μ£ΌμΈμ (Kimchi deo juseyo)
- In Korea, we call side dishes 'λ°μ°¬ banchan'. They are complimentary, and you can ask for refills. If you want to learn more about different dining cultures in Korea, check out this post:
π Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday 10:30 AM - 9 PM (Last Order 8:30 PM)
π Adrress: 29 Myeongdong 10-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Myeongdong Cathedral Address & Subway Station
- Address: 74 Myeongdong-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea
- Opening Hours: 6 AM - 10 PM (During Mass, you can't tour the interior)
- Subway Station:
- Line 4, Myeongdong Station, exits 8 and 5
- Line 2, Euljiro 1(il)-ga Station, exit 5
- Line 3, Euljiro 3(sam)-ga Station, exit 12
- Website: π Myeongdong Cathedral
π Jogyesa Temple is another important Korean temple just a 30 minute walk from Myeongdong Cathedral. Both places are open to everyone, from visitors praying to tourists seeing the sights to locals needing a break from the busy city. Be sure to check out Jogyesa Temple too if you have time.You can check more details on its location, opening hours and festivals in this post: