K-Quest
[Shopping] Coex Mall
Located right next to our wedding venue, COEX Mall is one of the largest underground shopping malls in Asia. It offers a diverse array of shops, restaurants, and entertainment options, making it a must-visit destination for anyone exploring the city. Coex Mall features an extensive selection of stores, from international fashion brands to unique local boutiques. If you are looking for high-end fashion brands, you can drop by Hyundai Department Store Trade Centre Branch, which is right next to COEX
[Shopping] Olive Young Coex
Olive Young at COEX is a popular spot for beauty and health products. It's favourite for locals and visitors, offering a wide range of skincare and cosmetics. You will find popular Korean brands like Innisfree and Riddle Shot, as well as global favourites
[Shopping] BEAKER
Beaker is a great select shop with clothes, home goods, etc. This whole area is teeming with cute lil stores, cafes and restaurants. Leeum Museum is also in walking distance which has a great permanent collection.
[Shopping] The Hyundai Seoul
One of the newest and most popular department store in Yeoui-do, which is an office town/where the National Assembly is. A classic Korean department store experience involves checking out all the floors then culminating in B1 with all the yummy food stands :)
[Tour] Gyeongbokgung Palace
Gyeongbokgung Palace, right in the heart of Seoul, is the largest and most iconic of the Five Grand Palaces built during the Joseon Dynasty. Built in 1395, it served as the main royal residence for centuries. The palace features stunning traditional Korean architecture with beautifully restored buildings and serene gardens. Don’t miss the colorful changing of the guard ceremony at the main gate, Gwanghwamun. To make your visit even more special, you can borrow hanbok (traditional Korean costumes) and wander the palace grounds in style—perfect for those memorable photos!
[Tour] Insadong
Insa-dong is like stepping into a time machine with a side of treasure hunt! This lively area is packed with traditional galleries, teahouses, and quirky cafes all nestled in charming alleys. Wander through about 100 galleries showcasing everything from ancient art to modern masterpieces.
[Tour] NATIONAL MUSEUM OF MODERN AND CONTEMPORARY ART
Great contemporary art museum in a beautiful building at Bukcheon/Samcheongdong. This neighborhood still retains a lot of traditional Korean homes called "Han-ok" and old alleys. After museum you can walk to the Gyeongbokgung palace nearby, get some coffee or traditional Korean tea, maybe see Art Sunjae too (a smaller gallery), hit a whiskey bar/cafe called Bourbon/법원, or browse some clothes at Amomento/샵아모멘토.
[K-Beauty] Meime Color
Get ready for a fun personal color analysis session where experts will wave their color wands and sort you into your perfect palette. Due to its soaring popularity, make sure to book in advance to secure your spot!
[K-Beauty] Glassy Skin Clinic
The clinic specializes in advanced skincare techniques such as laser treatments, customized facials, and innovative skincare products designed to enhance skin clarity and radiance. Given its popularity, booking in advance is highly recommended!
[K-Beauty] Parkjun Beauty Lab
Parkjun Beauty Lab is a top-tier beauty salon celebrated for its hairstyling and beauty services. It offers a wide range of services including haircuts, coloring and specialized scalp treatments
[Cafe] Seolaesu 서래수
A slightly old-timey vibe cafe with really great drip coffee. It became famous as Bong Joonho's hangout spot where he also wrote the movie Parasite. 서래수 also sells drip coffee packets which are great souvenirs/gifts to bring home. This area is called Seorae Village and is famous for having many French residents. Lots of nice cafes and restaurants; there's Montmartre Park nearby for a nice quick walk.
[Cafe] Fritz Coffee Company
For a cozy and unique café experience in the Gangnam area, visit Fritz Coffee Company. Located near Gangnam Station, this café is renowned for its freshly roasted coffee and delicious pastries, all served in a warm, rustic setting.
[Cafe] Daelim Changgo
Step into Daelim Changgo Café, Korea’s coolest blast-from-the-past! This quirky spot combines delicious coffee with a retro twist, all set in an old-fashioned storage room. With its vintage décor and cozy atmosphere, it feels like you’ve stumbled into a time capsule of awesomeness.
[Bar] Big Lights
Seoul's trailblazing natural wine bar, Big Lights, helped kickstart Korea's natural wine craze. Once an exclusive, referral-only spot, it now features a chic new location within the Fritz Hansen showroom.
[Food - Local] Myeongdon Kyoja Main Restaurant
Myeongdong Kyoja is another one of Sarah's favourite restaurant. It is famous for its delicious handmade kalguksu (noodle soup) and mandu (dumplings). Located in the bustling Myeongdong area, this beloved eatery has been serving hearty, comforting Korean dishes for decades.
[Food - Local] 구례 우리밀칼국수
To all my kalguksu / Korean food lovers! This is a modest little spot where we had many great homey Korean meals together. Other great restaurants in this neighborhood include Jangsoowon/장수원 (great naengmyun & bulgogi, it'll taste different from what you know!) and Samcha/삼차 방배카페골목점 (kbbq; get the galbi+pork belly/삼겹갈비).
[Food - Local] Dochwi Hanok
Dochwi Hanok Restaurant is a great spot to enjoy traditional Korean food in a cozy, old-style house. The food is all about classic Korean flavors, with a mix of small dishes like kimchi, bulgogi, and seafood. They often use fresh, seasonal ingredients, so there’s always something special on the menu.
[Food - Local] Gwangjang Market
Korean Market known for street food. Worth visiting for blood sausage, ttoboki (Sarah's favourite), mung bean pancake, gimbap . Can come here for morning breakfast Open 9 am - 5 pm daily, closed on Sundays.
[Food - Local / Organic] A Flower Blossom on the Rice
"A Flower Blossom on the Rice" is a popular Korean restaurant known for its beautifully presented dishes and focus on traditional flavors. They serve a variety of Korean meals, with an emphasis on fresh, high-quality ingredients. The restaurant is praised for its elegant presentation and warm, inviting atmosphere, making it a great place to experience authentic Korean cuisine.
[Food - Local] Joongang Haejang
Seoul never sleeps, and Joongang Haejang is one of many 24-hour restaurants catering to late-night cravings. Their signature gopchang jeongol (beef intestine hotpot) offers a perfect blend of savory intestines and spicy broth, making it ideal for a late-night feast or curing a hangover.
[Food - Local] 형제상회 / Brother Fish Shop
Welcome to Noryangjin Fish Market, Seoul’s seafood hub. Here, you can select the freshest seafood and have it prepared on the spot. It’s a lively market where choosing and enjoying your meal is both straightforward and authentic.
[Food - Local] Jinju House
Jinju Jip - Famous for their soy milk noodle, cold noodle and kimchi side dish.
[Food - BBQ] SAMWON GARDEN RESTAURANT
Indulge in Apgujeong-dong's top-tier BBQ haven, worthy of a Michelin nod. Secure your spot—reservations are as essential as the sizzle!
[Food - BBQ] Saebyeokjip Cheongdam-dong Branch
24 Hours! Mentioned in BBC food in Gangnam. This place is famous for their hanwoo beef, pork belly bbq and drunken crab
[Food - BBQ] Bongpiyang Cheongdam
Part of the Byeokge Galbi Group, it is known for their cold buckwheat noodles with beef broth. Just a heads-up—cold buckwheat noodles can be a bit bland for some, so brace yourself for a refreshing, yet subtly nuanced flavor experience!
[Food - BBQ] Yoo's Barbecue Lab
Yoo's Barbeque Lab in Seoul offers a unique Korean BBQ experience with high-quality meats and creative side dishes. The modern, lab-themed decor adds to the dining experience, making it a great spot to enjoy delicious BBQ in a stylish setting.
[Food] London Bagel Museum
A charming spot that brings the flavors of London to Korea. Known for its delicious, freshly baked bagels and delightful atmosphere, it's the perfect place to enjoy a tasty breakfast or brunch.
[Food - Fine Dining] Kwonsooksoo
Kwonsooksoo is a fine dining restaurant in Seoul, renowned for its innovative approach to Korean cuisine. Helmed by Chef Kwon Woo Joong, the restaurant blends traditional Korean flavors with modern culinary techniques, offering a unique and refined dining experience. The menu changes seasonally, highlighting the freshest local ingredients and providing a dynamic culinary journey.
[Food - Fine Dining / BBQ] Born and Bred
Born and Bred in Seoul is a distinguished dining destination, celebrated for its premium hanwoo beef omakase and recognized by both the World’s 50 Best and Michelin. Known for its dedication to high-quality, locally-sourced ingredients, the restaurant offers a great culinary experience that highlights both modern and classic flavors.
[Food - Fine Dining] Sushi Aota
Sushi Aota is a distinguished omakase restaurant. It offers an authentic omakase experience, where the chef meticulously selects and prepares each course, using the freshest and highest quality ingredients. Lunch and dinner sets are around US$110 / 220
[Food - Fine Dining] Bicena
Bicena is an upscale restaurant in Seoul that offers refined Korean cuisine. With high-quality ingredients and elegant presentation, it provides a sophisticated dining experience in a stylish, modern setting. It's a great place to enjoy fine Korean dining.
[Dessert] Dongbing-Go
The OG Korean shaved ice / red bean porridge spot in a neighborhood called Dongbu-Ichon-dong, where Sarah used to live. A ton of great restaurants along the street too including Oh Tong-Yong, Ichon Budaejjigae, and Golmokjip.