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Visit Seoul

I lived in Seoul for almost my entire life. If you are planning to visit, I have few recommendations.

ℹ️ General Advice

All location names are in Korean. Just copy-and-paste them into your map application. I bet it will give you better results than using poorly translated English version of their names.

• Koreans don't speak English

  I MEAN IT. It would be wise of you if you could learn few common tourist lines before you go.

• Prepare multiple credit cards

  Not debit cards. Korean payment systems are not that compatible with foreign cards. Prepare at least two different card providers (Master, VISA, etc.) if you can.

• Use public transportations

  It's never a good idea to grab taxi in Seoul. Please save your money, time, and energy. The only time I would recommend this is when you have too much to carry around and wouldn't mind being stuck in the traffic for extra 30 minutes.

• Our cuisine is seafood based

  If you're allergic to shrimp, please ask before you order. Literally any food may and will contain seafood based ingredients in it.

• Use Kakao map if possible

  It's just so much better at finding an optimal path with all public transportations. I am not sure how accessible it is for foreigners, but please get it if possible. I've suffered enough with Naver map and can't even imagine how bad Google map would be.

종로구 Jongno-gu

If you're not from Korea, you should never miss Jongno. Plenty of historical buildings and modern cultural experiences. This is where you can experience Seoul the most.

• 경복궁 광화문

  161 Sajik-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

  Gyeongbokgung Palace Gwanghwamun Gate

  • The center of Seoul since Joseon dynasty.

• 창덕궁 후원

  99 Yulgok-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

  Changdeokgung Palace Garden

  • The largest garden of all Seoul palaces. Worth visiting in any season.

• 교보문고 광화문점

  1 Jong-ro, B1F, Jongno District, Seoul

  Kyobo Book Centre Gwanghwamun

  • A symbolic book store chain, probably the largest location in Seoul.

• 세종문화회관

  175 Sejong-daero, Jongno District, Seoul

  Sejong Center for the Performing Arts

  • If you're interested in exhibitions and theatre.

• 국립현대미술관

  30 Samcheong-ro, Jongno District, Seoul

  National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art

  • If you're interested in exhibitions and contemporary art.

• 청계천

  Jongno District, Seoul, South Korea

  • Good for a walk, and usually some events happen in this area.

• 남산둘레길

  Yongsan-dong 2-ga, Yongsan District, Seoul

  • If you don't mind tracking, pretty nice course actaully.

• ☕️ 학림다방 Hakrim Dabang

  119 Daehak-ro, Jongno District, Seoul

  • A symbolic coffee place in Hyehwa, since 1980s.

• ☕️ 벌새 Beolsae

  12 Saemunan-ro 3-gil, Jongno District, Seoul

  • A nice little coffee shop with hand-drip

• 🍵 오설록 티하우스

  30 Samcheong-ro, Jongno District, Seoul

  O'sulloc Tea House MMCA Branch

  • Convinient location if you're visiting MMCA

• 🥘 혜화도담 Hyehwa Dodam

  16-6 Daemyeong 1-gil, Jongno District, Seoul

  • A nice lunch place serveing Kimchijjim
  • Expect to get lost on the way

• 🥩 북악정 Bugakjeong

  6 Pyeongchang 36-gil, Pyeongchang-dong, Jongno District, Seoul

  • A fancy Korean beef BBQ (My dad's favorite)
  • Located kinda out of nowhere

• 🍶 안주마을 Anjumaeul

  3 Jahamun-ro 1-gil, Jongno District, Seoul

  • A true Korean local diner/bar
  • Expect crazy waitline

서초구 Seocho-gu

This is where I grew up. Doesn't have much for tourists to be honest, but I know some good places.

• 반포한강공원

  40 Sinbanpo-ro 11-gil, Seocho District, Seoul

  Please visit Han-gang public park at least once if you're visiting Seoul

  • Ride bikes, have instant ramyeon, order some delivery foods and have a picnic.

• 신세계 백화점 강남점

  176 Sinbanpo-ro, Seocho District, Seoul

  One of the largest department stores in Seoul

  • They have a nice collection of selected dessert stores on B1F

• 산들해

  287 Banpo-daero, Seocho District, Seoul (B1F)

  • A nice lunch place to experience true Korean style dining

• 청실홍실

  93-5 Banpo-dong, Seocho District, Seoul

  • A popular gamjatang place

• 서래쭈꾸미

  95-10 Banpo-4-dong, Seocho District, Seoul

  Try their 깻잎전 please

  • A nice lunch place. One of my mom's favorite.

• 교대 이층집

  24 Seocho-daero 50-gil, Seocho District, Seoul (2nd floor)

  • A popular Korean pork belly BBQ place
  • Mostly packed during weekdays

• 미스터리 Mr. Lee

  21 Nambusunhwan-ro 269-gil, Dongjak District, Seoul (2nd floor)

  • I miss their sasimi so much 🥲

• 하트타임

  195 Sinbanpo-ro, Seocho District, Seoul (B1F)

  • A true Y2K diner & pub. Try their Kimchi fried rice!

• 🍶 전주전집 Jeonju Jeon Jip

  19 Dongjak-daero 7-gil, Dongjak District, Seoul

  • A true classic Korean diner/bar place
  • Expect it to be packed at all times

• 🍛 살리고 카레야

  912-9 Bangbae-dong, Seocho Distric, Seoul (B1F)

  • My dinner place during my master's degree

• 방배순대국 Bangbae Sundaeguk

  924-9 Bangbae-dong, Seocho District, Seoul

  • When you are craving for hot soup with plenty of protein

• 다글다글

  1083-8 Namhyeon-dong, Gwanak-gu, Seoul

  • Who doesn't like fried chicken?

• 잠원떡볶이

  45 Jamwon-ro 4-gil, Jamwon-dong, Seocho District, Seoul

  • A true historic tteokbokki place I love.
  • Don't expect any modern service

• 🍰 메종엠오 Maison M'O

  22 Bangbae-ro 26-gil, Seocho District, Seoul

  All their cakes & madeleines are super good. They always sell out fast. If you want any cake, visit before 3 PM.

  • The best dessert place in Seoul since 2012
  • Be aware of limited opening hours

• 🍰 율목커피 Yulmok Coffee

  464-1 Bangbae-2-dong Seocho District, Seoul

  Try their chestnut cheesecake!

  • A cute little coffee place with nice desserts.

• 🍰 세시셀라 팩토리

  794-6 Bangbaebon-dong, Seocho District, Seoul (2nd floor)

  • A super popular carrot cake place 🥕

• ☕️ 태양커피 Teyang Coffee

  55 Seocho-daero 25-gil, Seocho District, Seoul

  • A nice coffee place. This is the original location.

• ☕️ 태양커피 사당점 Teyang Coffee

  32 Bangbaecheon-ro, Seocho District, Seoul

  • A nice coffee place. Has two locations in Seocho.

강남구 Gangnam-gu

This is where I went for my high school and pretty much where I spent my teenage years.

• 강남대로

  Gangnam-daero, Seocho District, Seoul

  It's not a specific location per se, but this street has a lot of flagship stores and is generally good for shopping. Things change too fast in this area to point out anything specific. Especially between Gangnam station and Sinnonhyun station.

  • You will see what's the most viral in Korea these days.

• 교보문고 강남점

  465 Gangnam-daero, Seocho District, Seoul

  A symbolic location of the popular book store at Gangnam-daero.

  • The only thing that wouldn't change about this street.

• 도수향

  662-7 Sinsa-dong, Gangnam District, Seoul

  You can have the finest 이북식 인절미 north Korean style rice cake in your lifetime.

  • This is the ultimate place for rice cake. SOTA.
  • Reservation required strictly through phone call

• 🍰 세시셀라 도산공원점

  10-4 Dosan-daero 45-gil, Gangnam District, Seoul

  • Another location for the popular carrot cake place 🥕

• 🥐 에뚜왈 Etoile

  35 Apgujeong-ro 10-gil, Gangnam District, Seoul

  • A cute little bakery known for their madeleines

관악구 Gwanak-gu

This is where I went for university & grad school. Not a touristy place, just nice college town vibes.

• 로향양꼬치

  35 Gwanak-ro 16-gil, Gwanak-gu, Seoul

  Has like 3+ locations in this area. Pick one that's less packed.

  • A nice lamb skewer place with delicious dishes

• 려 Sushi Ryeo

  874-1 Bongcheon-dong, Gwanak-gu, Seoul (#202)

  • Unbelievably afforable & good sushi course

• 막걸리전당

  461-1 Bongcheon-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul

  • Meet 100+ rice wine labels with delicious bar food

• 오월의 김밥

  605 Bongcheon-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul (#102)

  • A popular kimbap place with their signature egg kimbap

• 🥐 장블랑제리

  8 Nakseongdaeyeok-gil, Gwanak-gu, Seoul

  • A popular bakery. Cheap & delicious pastries available.

• 미라보 Mirabeau

  1663-8 Bongcheon-dong, Gwanak-gu, Seoul (#4)

  • A coffee & bar place for both afternoon and late night drinks

• 🍵 반조 Banjo

  11, Gwanak-ro 12-gil, Gwanak-gu, Seoul (2nd floor)

  • A nice tea place with really good traditional teafoods.

광진구 Gwangjin-gu

One of the downtowns I used to hang out. Has a lot of authentic Chinese places. More lively and hyped area. Seongsu-dong is also around here.

• 서울숲 Seoul Forest

  273 Ttukseom-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul

  • A nice public park, great for taking a walk

• 매운향솥

  61 Dongil-ro 18-gil, Gwangjin District, Seoul

  • My favorite 마라샹궈 Mala-stir-fry place

• 희가덕 손만두

  18 Achasan-ro 30-gil, Gwangjin District, Seoul

  • A nice steamed dumplig place

Cultural references

Mostly movies that might be interesting to watch before your trip (or on the flight).

• 괴물

  The Host (2007)

  The famous Bong Joon Ho movie about Han-river.

• 김씨표류기

  Castaway on the Moon (2009)

  Also a nice movie about Han-river.

• 서울의 봄

  12.12: The Day (2023)

  A movie of democritization movements in Korea under the military dictatorship.

• 암살

  Assassination (2015)

  A movie of old Seoul during Japanese colonization.

• 명량

  The Admiral: Roaring Currents (2014)

  A movie about the guy standing at the Gwanghwamoon plaza.

  • Fun fact: He also fought against Japan.

• 파묘

  Exhuma (2024)

  A Korean occult movie, not specifically about Seoul but films few symbolic locations.

  • Fun fact: Watch and find out why I added this comment.

• 킹덤

  Kingdom (2019)

  A Netflix zombie series staged in Joseon dynasty.

Need more?

Refer to this Google Map list.