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Uber is the best way to go as a foreigner. Taxi’s are difficult unless you speak Korean since drivers won’t know where you’re trying to go unless you have the Korean address. It’s super cold in winter so be preparedLocal foods to trytteokbokki - glutinous rice cakes in a red chili pepper sauce, can be spicy!kimchee - fermented cabbage and this is served with just about everything! hoeddeok - fried dough with fillingssamgyetang - ginseng chicken soupseolleongtang - oxbone soupkimbap - korean sushi with assortment of fillingskorean bbq - because obviouslyfried chicken - i know this is everywhere in the world but Korea takes the cake for bomb fried chickenCultural things to know: You’ll notice people are a lot more covered up out there. 1. They dont like sun exposure 2. Skin exposure can be scandalous; you might get stares but as a foreigner, its more lenient.Dont wait for the bill to come to you. Go up to the counter when you’re finished eating for the bill. They don’t expect nor take tips. When passing or receiving something, like a credit card, use both hands but as a foreigner, not a big deal. People usually keep to themselves. They usually dont look you in the eyes. Respect the elders. You should be doing this anyways, but its important here in particular. You’ll notice a lot of designer goods here. South Korea is one of the world's largest consumers of luxury goods, and is the world's biggest per capita spender on luxury goods.
Gyeongnidan-gil Street 경리단길 - street on a hill that’s full of cafes, restaurants, and bars. The top has rly good view Seongsudong + Seoul forest - it’s like Williamsburg (Brooklyn) of Seoul, up and coming & an amazing park with deer. Factories and warehouses gentrified into hip galleries, cafes, and restaurants. Fun place to people watch– a lot of street fashion.Myeongdong - Great place for tourist souvenir shopping and to buy skincare. At night, there is a lot of street foodGarosugil - trendy and upscale cafes and shopping. Apgujeong - (casual) bougie, boutiques, and barsHannam - next to itaewon, it’s a little more residential and upscale.Mullae-dong 문래동 - little art area w galleries and cafes. A little out of the normal areas but an up & coming little treasures Itaewon area - international and more casual/grungyEuljiro - known as “hip-jiro” is an up&coming area Cheungdam area - bougie and more expensive - there are a few cool speakeasies. Hongdae - college town - lots of bars and clubs. Very young energy. I don’t really recommend unless you’re in the area.Dongdaemun District - Shopping district of Seoul; At night, they do wholesale but during the day, you can buy retail
Hair salons I love Cho Ijin. Kingston Mans Hair서울 강남구 선릉로157길 6https://naver.me/xkIlhhfE
This place has no frills. They don’t even have chairs. It’s is super affordable.Go early because they ALWAYS sell out Kinda close to hongdae go at off hours or early the line gets insaneThis spot has insanely good beef tartare, marinaded beef and the star is the cold Bibim noodles. Touted as a pioneer of modern Korean fine dining, Chef Yim Jung-sik — with his Seoul and New York restaurantsis credited for introducing Korean cuisine to the world with an innovative flair that is entirely his own.Two MICHELIN starsHave to rush at lunch to get a reservation for dinnerFamous for their smoky barbecue cooked over a straw fire, Mongtan has generated an infamously long queue in a quiet alley near Samgakji StationKorea’s modern art museumGreat exhibitions, highly recommendModern art gallery, have great exhibitsOne of Korea’s largest galleriesIn the Nonhyeon Area, this bar is in the middle of a wet marketThe building used to be a Oriental Medicine Shop but it turned into a speakeasyVibe and the cocktails have Korean specialties like Tteobbokki, Fermented Bean,Sesame Leaves (tastes better than it sounds!)A lot of the ingredients are sourced from the marketLocal landmark in Seoul1 hour hike to the top or you can take a cable carFriends and lovers put locks at the topGreat for first time visitorsMain Royal Palace in KoreaIf you rent a hanbok (traditional dress), you can enter for free– this is quite fun!10.9-kilometre-long modern public recreation space in downtown Seoul, South KoreaNice to stroll through
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Seoul
Things to know about Seoul
Pros: Super safe. Very friendly locals! They are so hospitable and catering. Despite the language barrier, they do their best to help. THE FOOD. Omg get ready to unbuckle your belt loops. A huge selection of things to do — markets, skincare, restaurants, cultural attractions, shopping, nightlife. I didn’t know what a massive city this is and how many bridges there are — its so beautiful! Whatever you’re looking for, you’ll have a good time here.
Cons: Language barrier, just have a translation app ready to go. Navigation can be tough but once you figure out the public transportation system, its very efficient. Google map isn’t reliable if you’re mapping for public transport. You’ll need (download this before going!) It’s challenging to find the address you have in google map on Naver map bc everything is in Korean (apparently they’re working on translations natively in the app, so hopefully this improves). I recommend entering landmarks instead of addresses. Lastly, its a massive city so buffer lots of time if you need to get across town.
Neighborhoods in Seoul
Skincare
Popular skin treatments: aquapeels, botox, pico toning, shurink, LDM, Rejuran Healer, micro needling
Women’s
Men’s
Skincare med spa — Recommend that you do your own research, but most places in apgujeong/sinsa area should be pretty decent. I recommend staying away from spots in Gangnam station area or Myeongdong as they can be a little sus.
Skin Treatment Clinics
Recommendations
“Wow there’s so many recs, its overwhelming!” Personally I like to just bookmark and move around using google maps. Here’s my list —
Use the filter drop-downs to narrow in on what you’re looking for
Recs are either vetted by me or spots others who have spent lots of time in Seoul recommend.
Activity Type
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Activity Type
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Details
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Vetted by Lucy
Food
Nae-gah jjim han dak
best jjimdak - braised chicken
1
Food
Samcheong-dont Soojaebi
Michelin knife cut noodle soup.
Food
Myeongdong Kyoja
Michelin. Noodle soup and dumplings. 3 locations - 2 in Myeongdong and Itaewon
1
Food
Namdaemun Market
look for IBK Bank Namdaemun market for Yachae Hotteok - street food
Food
Chicken with Scorched Rice Ttukseom Recreation Area Branch
서울 광진구 능동로 7
Near han river park - nice for walking. The chicken w scorched rice is so good. Also add on the corn cheese if hungry!
Food
Hanguk Bar Anssi Makgeolli
서울 용산구 회나무로 3 아름누리빌딩 1층
This place is near itaewon and they have an amazing selection of rice wine and newer take on Korean food. It was my friends’ fave meal in korea
Food
Chime
서울 용산구 신흥로 30 2층 춈(CHOME)
love this spot. It’s cute, Korean fusion. Recommend you try their signature dishes
Food
Yeonnam Seo Restaurant
서울 서대문구 연희맛로 15
Food
Galbit
서울 영등포구 도림로125길 14
Food
Wangbijib
The Korean BBQ experience – right down to the excellent ventilation system – has been perfected at Wangbijib
Food
Maboklim Wonjo Halmeonijip Ttokbokki
Famous Ttokbokki (spicy Korean rice cake) store. Hole in the wall, very cheap
Food
Peaches
Luxury car repair brand turned cultural center with cafe, donuts, bar, burger joint, ice cream, cool rooftop
1
Food
Jungsik Seoul
Food
Mongtan
Food
Gebangsikdang
Soy sauce-marinated crab and stylish décor don’t always go hand in hand, but at Gebangsikdang, they do. A collaboration between fashion marketer Bang Geon-hyuk and his parents, veterans of the soy sauce marinated crab restaurant business, Gebangsikdang caters to a trend-conscious crowd with its polished interior and its wide selection of raw crab dishes.
Food
Budnamujip
Budnamujip, meaning "Willow Tree House" is a Korean beef barbecue restaurant that uses only 1++ grade meat from Pyeongchang and Hoengseong farms. This restaurant has cultivated the loyalty of patrons since 1977 and retains its unique traditional feel. Marinated beef ribs, which have been sold since its opening, is its signature dish. Beef is presented on a grill over charcoal.
Food
Gom Ba Wie
Gom Ba Wie, which has been open for more than 30 years, is loved by gourmets as it offers special parts of Korean beef, mainly innards such as tripe.
Food
Mukjeon
Traditional Korean seafood pancakes and pancake assortment with makkgeoli Korean rice wine
Museum
National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art Foundation
30 Samcheong-ro, Jongno District, Seoul, South Korea
Museum
Kukje Gallery
54 Samcheong-ro, Jongno District, Seoul, South Korea
Nightlife
Tellus 9.5
rooftop bar to see night view of Seoul. in a hotel called Anteroom
Nightlife
Zoosindang
customized zodiac sign drinks. really nondescript looking bar
Nightlife
Jean Frigo
Speakeasy bar that looks like a grocery store from the outside. If
you open the fridge door, you can enter the bar
Nightlife
Jang Saeng Korean Cocktail Ba
Nightlife
Bar Cham
Cocktail bar inside of a traditional Korean Hanok - In the Seochon neighborhood (near the palace)
Touristy
Bukchon Hanok village
Village dating to the 14th century filled with narrow streets lined with restored traditional hanok homes.
Touristy
Namsan tower
Touristy
Lotte Tower
300 Olympic-ro, Songpa District, Seoul, South Korea
insane 360 views of Seoul, and connected to a giant mall w so many brands
Touristy
Korean Royal Palace Gyeongbokgung
161 Sajik-ro, Jongno District, Seoul, South Korea
Touristy
Cheonggyecheon Stream
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