Traditional Korean herbal market alley at golden hour

Seoul Seekers · Authentic Experience

Seek your Seoul

Hidden markets. Authentic culture. Korean wellness. Small-group experiences designed for curious travelers.

5.0(18 reviews)·Small group · max 6·Free cancellation 24h
Book Herbal Market Tour from $49 / person

Experiences

Crafted for curious travelers

Each experience is intimate, walking-paced, and led personally — never more than a handful of guests at a time.

Seoul's Secret Herbal Market

Korean Herbal Tea & Foot Spa

Seoul's Secret Herbal Market

2.5 hoursSmall groupEnglish guide
  • Herbal tea tasting
  • Traditional foot spa
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Why Seoul Seekers

A different kind of Seoul tour

Small Groups

More meaningful conversations and personal experiences.

Hidden Seoul

Explore beyond the typical tourist attractions.

Korean Wellness

Learn about herbal medicine, healthy foods, and wellness traditions.

Local Perspective

See Seoul through the eyes of a passionate local guide.

Jiwon, founder and guide at Seoul Seekers

Meet Your Guide

Hi, I'm Jiwon.

I'm a government-certified Korean tour guide, licensed by the Korea Tourism Organization to guide international travelers across the country.

My interest in Korean wellness began early. Growing up with a father who practiced Korean medicine, I was naturally exposed to herbal remedies and traditional health philosophies from a young age. Later, I studied Physiology in the United States, which deepened my curiosity about the science of health and the ways traditional and modern approaches can complement one another.

As I started guiding friends and travelers around the city, I realized how much of what I loved most was invisible to visitors — the herbal markets, the quiet alleys, and the wellness rituals woven into daily life.

I created Seoul Seekers to share that side of Korea: hidden markets, traditional wellness culture, and the small local stories that turn a trip into something meaningful.

My goal is simple — to help travelers leave Seoul with a deeper understanding of Korean culture, wellness, and everyday life.

Travelers

Loved by curious travelers

5.0 average across Airbnb Experience & GetYourGuide
"Had a wonderful time with Jiwon! The tour was enjoyable and informative from start to finish. We began by learning about the history of Korean herbs and their traditional uses, which was really fascinating. Then we got to enjoy a tea tasting together, followed by a relaxing foot spa. After that we visited the traditional market to explore different kinds of herbs and learn about their uses in detail. Jiwon was incredibly kind, knowledgeable and welcoming throughout — he explained everything clearly and patiently answered all our questions. I highly recommend this experience to anyone interested in Korean culture, traditional medicine and unique local experiences. Thank you, Jiwon!"

Lama

Saudi Arabia

via Airbnb
"Jiwon is an amazing guide. He is not only knowledgeable but truly passionate. I knew nothing about Korean herbal medicine going in, and I left fascinated and genuinely interested in the subject. The meeting point was easy to find. The tea house and museum were beautiful. The foot spa brought my tired feet back to life. The herb and spice market was stunning. Jiwon planned everything perfectly. This tour takes you a little off the beaten path into a neighborhood with very few outsiders — which is exactly why having a knowledgeable guide matters so much. Jiwon was one of the best guides I've ever had. I highly recommend this tour."

Nick

Portland, Oregon

via Airbnb
"I really enjoyed this tour. Jiwon is very kind and knows the area and the market very well. I happened to be the only one on the tour today, so it felt very personalized. The combination of ssanghwa-cha tea, foot spa, museum and market was wonderfully balanced. Seeing the market actually made me want to go home and cook — I was that inspired."

Rin

Odense, Denmark

via Airbnb
"A really successful and special tour. Not a typical tourist tour at all — instead a fascinating journey with Jiwon into the world of ancient Korean medicine, visiting markets and places that tourists rarely find. Places I probably would never have reached otherwise. I learned so much. Jiwon speaks fluent English and is deeply knowledgeable about ancient medicine and history. Highly recommended."

Sivan

Tel Aviv, Israel

via Airbnb
"Jiwon was an excellent guide! He is very knowledgeable and passionate about traditional medicine, and he made sure I had a great experience. I highly recommend this tour — it was a truly unique experience during my stay in Korea."

Dominick

Alexandria, Virginia

via Airbnb
"Had a really lovely experience. The foot spa was incredibly relaxing and everything was very interesting and easy to follow. Highly recommend!"

Emily

Graz, Austria

via Airbnb

FAQ

Good to know

Yes. Vegan and vegetarian travelers are welcome — all herbal teas and the foot spa are plant-based.

Ready when you are

Ready to discover a different side of Seoul?

Join a small-group experience exploring hidden markets, Korean wellness traditions, and authentic local culture.

Book Your Experience

Small group · 2.5h

Herbal Market & Foot Spa

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