Money Exchange in Myeongdong: Best Rates & How It Works
Myeongdong is known as the area with the best exchange rates in Seoul, and changing money here generally beats the airport or your home country (one Japanese guide estimates 500–1,000 yen or more per 10,000 yen compared with the airport). Below are three exchange offices that travel guides often recommend, and how to read the rate board.
Last checked: 2026-09-30·Desk-researched — not yet verified on site
MoneyBox
The Myeongdong main branch (52-1 Namdaemun-ro) of MoneyBox, an exchange chain with branches around Korea. Per its official history, the chain has opened branches since 2020 and this main branch opened in September 2021. One Japanese guide says its rates are good among the places it covers even though it is relatively less crowded; another describes it as easy to use on a first visit. The same chain also has Myeongdong Branch 2 (15 Myeongdong 9-gil), which is easy to mix up.
Embassy-front Exchange (대사관앞환전)
Ground floor, 26 Myeongdong 2-gil. Japanese guides describe it as a long-established, well-known exchange in Myeongdong that reliably offers high rates. They also say there is usually a queue, and one suggests trying a nearby exchange if it is long. The official site asks visitors to check the signboard when they arrive.
MONEY PLANET
A directly run store at 103 Toegye-ro. Two Japanese guides put it two to three minutes on foot from Myeongdong Station Exit 5, among the closest to the station, and rate it for good rates and a quick process. The same company also runs unmanned exchange kiosks around Myeongdong, some of them open 24 hours.
Tips
- Reading the board: when selling your currency for won, look at the rate at which the shop BUYS your currency. Always confirm whether fees are included — or simply ask "how much for 100 dollars?" and compare the answer. Bring your passport; all three guides say so.
- Alternative: a WOWPASS machine takes cash and loads it as won onto a prepaid card. Per the guides, its rate is slightly worse than city exchange offices, but one card covers card payments and the subway and buses, and you do not have to find an exchange office. You need your passport.
Myeongdong · Places
Daiso Myeongdong Station
다이소 명동역점A multi-floor Daiso at 134-1 Toegye-ro, near Myeongdong Station. It is a fixed-price household-goods chain, so souvenirs, beauty items, snacks and travel supplies are all in one building. The Korea Tourism Organization lists it as a tax refund shop.
Dakjinmi Gangwonjip
닭진미강원집A chicken-soup and boiled-chicken restaurant inside Namdaemun Market, at 22-20 Namdaemunsijang-gil. DiningCode lists it 08:00–20:30, closed Sundays. Dak-gomtang (chicken soup) is listed at 10,000 won, a meat set meal at 12,000 won and a whole chicken at 23,000 won. It is a hot-soup breakfast option in the market, Monday to Saturday.
Embassy-front Exchange
대사관앞환전An exchange office on the ground floor of 26 Myeongdong 2-gil. Its official site, which carries the company's business details and counter rates but is built and run by a third party (Trip Onda), gives 09:00–21:30 on weekdays, weekends and public holidays alike. Two Japanese travel guides both describe it as a popular exchange within walking distance of Myeongdong Station Exit 5, and one says there is always a queue. The official site posts its counter rates.
Gimbap Cheonguk Myeongdong
김밥천국 명동본점A branch of the gimbap and snack-food chain at 114-3 Toegye-ro, near Myeongdong Station Exit 4. DiningCode lists it as open 24 hours, every day, and a visitor blog says the same. It is the fallback before anything else opens. A May 2026 visitor post gives ramyeon at 4,500 won and omelette rice or spicy pork rice at 8,500 won; DiningCode's menu shows lower, apparently older, prices.