Eat, Shop, See: 5 Days Indulgence Plan in Seoul
There are countless things you can do in Seoul. What happens when you are there for less than a week? How do you prioritise? Don’t worry! We’ve got you covered. Here’s a list of what you can eat, shop and see for five glorious days of indulgence in Seoul.
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EAT: Hipster vs. Korean Food
For this list, we give you our top five must-try dishes at the trendiest haunts in Seoul, as well as Korean cuisine well-loved by the locals.
1. Hipster—Avo Cobb Salad at Bad Farmers
As its slogan ‘Save Your Life’ suggests, this barn-style salad shop is an advocate of clean eating—consuming food in its natural uncooked state with zero sugar or additives. Popular among Korean celebrities, its menu offers 6 types of salads, 4 kinds of open sandwiches, as well as a handful of cold-pressed juices and organic yoghurt cups. The hot favourite on the menu is the Avo Cobb, which contains smoked salmon, roasted chicken, hard boiled eggs, romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, corn, olives, and a choice of either the sesame doenjang or blue cheese dressing. The servings are hearty and colourful, and comes with a small bowl of soup and a slice of bread on the side.
Address: 523-21 Sinsa-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
Nearest Subway: Sinsa Station (Line 3, Exit 8)
Opening Hours: Mon-Thu: 11AM-9PM, Fri-Sat: 11AM-930PM, Sun: 11AM-8PM
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2. Hipster—Chicken Coleslaw Grilled Cheese Sandwich and Pulled Pork Fries at Double Trouble
This retro American diner is trouble indeed! We’re talking about grilled cheese sandwiches, loaded fries and fried chicken and waffles. As you enter, the sign ‘Cheesy Fatty Nasty’ hits you like a warning. But once you’ve gotten a whiff of the melted cheese, there’s no turning back. They have the traditional melts, but their Chicken Coleslaw Grilled Cheese Sandwich is definitely worth the calories! The cold coleslaw on top of the hot crispy chicken with melted cheese goes together like Yin and Yang. Pair this with the pulled pork fries—pulled pork marinated for 12 hours, avocado, sour cream and pickles. Once you start you can’t stop!
Address: 22, Bongeunsa-ro 4-gil, Gangnam-gu | 1F, Seoul 06123, South Korea
Nearest Subway: Sinnonhyeon Station (Line 9, Exit 4)
Opening Hours: 11AM-11PM
3. Korean Food—Tteokbokki Hot Pot at Mukshidonna Tteokbokki Restaurant
There’s nothing like sharing a piping hot one-pot-goodness with friends and loved ones, especially in cold weather! Mukshidonna is a no-frills restaurant loved by locals and tourists alike for its signature ‘Tteokbokki’ (Korean sticky rice cake) hot pots. It starts with a basic soup base and then you choose ingredients to add into your hot pot. Seafood, ‘Budae (Korean Army Stew), ‘Odaeng’ (Korean Fish Cake) and ‘Ramyeon’ (Instant Noodles) are the popular items to add on. But fear not, no matter what you mix together, due to the slight sweetness from the Tteokbokki that comes with every hot pot, the stew always ends up tasty. Also, be sure to leave some space and order the fried rice! The rice is fried with the remaining stew along with seaweed and corn. Yum!
The Anguk-dong outlet is the original, but it has other outlets in Garosugil and Hongdae as well.
Address: 17-18 Anguk-Dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Nearest Subway: Anguk Station (Line 3, Exit 1)
Opening Hours: 11AM-830PM
4. Korean Food—Andong Jjimdak at Bongchu Jjimdak
‘Andong Jjimdak’ is a Korean-style braised chicken dish that originated from Andong, in the North Gyeongsang Province. The chicken and vegetables are marinated in ‘ganjang’ (Korean soy sauce) and simmered over high heat in a pre-prepared broth. Glass noodles are added in later. It’s popular among locals as it’s considered as a nutritious dish filled with proteins, vitamins and is low in fat (due to cooking it in high heat). The taste of the soy sauce chicken (over rice) is delicious, warms the stomach, and is extremely comforting. The serving in this restaurant is quite large, so most people just share it between 2 to 3 people. (Pssst! The locals claim that this is better than the other popular Jjimdak restaurant in Myeongdong, ‘Andong Zzimdak’. You can be the judge!)
Address: 2nd Floor, 25-8 Chungmuro 1-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul
Nearest Subway: Myeongdong Station (Line 4, Exit 6)
Opening Hours: 11AM-11PM
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5. Korean Food—Cheese Deung Galbi at James Cheese Ribs
This small eatery serves sweet and spicy pork ribs with mozzarella cheese on a hot plate. You can choose from 3 levels of cheese as well as 3 levels of spiciness. The rib sauce tends to lean toward the spicier side, so do take note of that when deciding on the spice level. If it’s your first time and you aren’t sure how to dig in. Don’t worry, the service staff will help you cook the cheese, snip the pork ribs and roll the ribs into the nice stretchy cheese. The fragrance of sizzling mozzarella is so inviting. As you bite into it, the sweetness of the pork ribs and that spicy tangy flavour really hits the spot!
Address: 7-4 Myeongdong 10-gil, Myeong-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Nearest Subway: Myeongdong Station (Line 4, Exit 8)
Opening Hours: 11AM-11PM
SHOP: Underground Subway Shopping vs. Unique Concept Stores
Do you prefer to shop in Underground Subway Stations or Unique Concept Stores? Well, here’s a list of our favourites for both types of shopping experiences.
1. Underground—Gangnam Subway Station Shopping Area
Get your Gangnam Style on! Located inside the Gangnam Station, this underground shopping area carries the latest fashion trends at affordable prices. The place is huge, so you can easily get lost in all the clothes (majority for ladies and some for men and children), accessories, shoes, and cosmetics. Luckily, for those who have less stamina for shopping, there are many cafes and even a rest area called ‘Herb Plaza’, where you can rest your tired feet and grab a bite in between.
Address: Underground, 396, Gangnam-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
Nearest Subway: Gangnam Station (Line 2)
Operating Hours: 10AM-10PM (Hours may vary by shop)
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2. Underground—Express Bus Terminal Station Shopping Mall
Calling all shopaholics! This underground mall, also known as Goto Mall, is the largest in Seoul and a bargain-buy heaven. Work your way through close to 600 shops of clothing, shoes, cosmetics, household items and even fresh flowers. The prices are generally quite low, with a piece of clothing starting at about 5,000KRW (about 6 SGD). Prices have been known to vary in different shops for the same items, so do check out a few other shops before making your purchase. If you want to take a break from shopping, stop for a meal or indulge in a cup of coffee at one of the many popular restaurants and cafes there. The mall is also connected to the Shinsegae luxury department store and even a movie theatre.
Address: Underground, Banpo 1(il)-dong, Seocho-gu, 서울특별시 South Korea
Nearest Subway: Express Bus Terminal Station (Line 3, 7, 9, Exit 8)
Operating Hours: 10AM-10PM (Hours may vary by shop)
3. Unique Concept Store—Gentle Monster
Stepping into Korean sunglasses brand Gentle Monster’s flagship store, ‘The Rocket’, at Hongdae, is like stepping into an art museum. Its sunglasses are displayed on installations that reflect the story of an old man, who built a rocket ship, so that he could travel to an unknown planet to meet his lost dog. Known for its fashion-forward designs, the brand has quickly become a mainstay fashion accessory among celebrities and fashionistas. This artsy aesthetic is permeated in all its stores within Korea and around the globe. Every store has its own unique design with its own special story to tell.
Address: 404-5, Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Nearest Subway: Sangsu Station (Line 6, Exit 1)
Operating Hours: 12-9PM
4. Unique Concept Store—Tamburins by Gentle Monster
Tamburins is the cosmetics line of Korean sunglasses brand Gentle Monster. Like its parent brand, Tamburins features a range of creams and toners in sleek bottles that seek to reinvent beauty product-packaging. Its flagship store in Garosu-gil reflects a similar avant-garde aesthetic. Designed by 10 artists from around the world, the store’s interior is littered with interesting installations of various shapes and materials, making it very popular among both locals and tourists to visit. However, that’s not the only draw. Since its launch, people just cannot seem to get enough of Tamburins hand-creams—the tube has a metal chain attached to it, so that you can hold onto it like a purse.
Address: 520-9 Sinsa-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Nearest Subway: Sinsa Station (Line 3, Exit 8)
Operating Hours: 12-9PM
5. Unique Concept Store—Rolarola
Rolarola is a fashion and lifestyle brand that many K-pop idols love, and its flagship store in Hongdae does not disappoint. Its bright pink exterior is hard to miss, especially with a giant pastel phone booth and airplane seats right smack in front. The inside of the store is also bright and colourful, featuring a selection of preppy collegiate sweaters, accessories, bubblegum t-shirts and mini-skirts with a Korean spin. Needless to say, every corner of this shop would look smashing on your social feed—from posing in the changing room designed like a toilet, to playing with the quirky stationery. Definitely worth a visit!
Address: 398-10 Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul
Nearest Subway: Hapjeong Station (Line 2, Exit 3)
Operating Hours: 12-9PM
Unique Concept Store—Filter Space Dr. Jart+ Flagship
The main flagship of dermatology-based makeup brand Dr. Jart+, located in Gangnam, is where science meets beauty. Housed in a three-storey building, it looks like a giant laboratory complete with lab equipment and stainless steel shelves. Aptly named ‘Filter Space’, the idea is for you to feel like you are walking through a giant filtration system, giving you a sense of cleansing and purification synonymous to its brand. As you walk through its “airlocked” entrance, don’t hesitate to have fun exploring. Try sipping on distilled water from a purification device and receive ‘prescriptions’ based on your skin condition, because, why not?
Address: 769-8 Yeoksam-dong, Gangnam-gu, 서울특별시 South Korea
Nearest Subway: Yeoksam Station (Line 2, Exit 1)
Operating Hours: 10AM-10PM
SEE: Must-See Landmarks vs. Scenic Places
No trip is complete without taking a look around a country’s iconic landmarks and stopping by its most scenic spots! Here’re our top three picks for Seoul.
1. Must See—Changdeokgung Palace
Seoul has four grand palaces in total and each has its own unique features. If you only have time for one, make the trip down to Changdeokgung Palace near Anguk Station. This UNESCO World Heritage site is the most well-preserved of all the palaces. The vast greenery in its ‘Huwon’ (back garden)—the largest all the palaces—is artfully interwoven with the palace buildings, making it one of the most gorgeous places in Seoul. Make sure you sign up for the Secret Garden tour (available in English, Chinese, Japanese) online, to take a dive into the rich culture and history behind this 600-year-old palace. No matter the season, it is an incredibly relaxing walk surrounded by exquisite architecture and nature. Also check out its Moonlight Tour for a completely different experience at night.
Address: 99, Yulgok-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Nearest Subway: Anguk Station (Line 3, Exit 3)
Operating Hours: Feb-May, Sep-Oct: 9AM-6PM, Jun-Aug: 9AM-6.30PM, Nov-Jan 9AM-5.30PM. (Closed Mondays)
2. Must See—Seoul Sky Lotte World Tower Observatory
Seoul Sky is the observation deck of the tallest building in Seoul—Lotte World Tower. Located on the 117th to 123rd floor of the tower, it’s currently the 3rd highest observation deck in the world, with two-storey glass windows for an uninterrupted view. Warning: The glass extends to the floor (Yes!), so for those who are afraid of heights, you may need resist the urge to look down! After you’ve taken all your photos, head to the cafe for a light snack or the premium lounge for some wine while enjoying the panoramic views of the city.
Address: 300, Olympic-ro, Songpa-gu, Seoul
Nearest Subway: Jamsil Station (Line 2, Exit 2)
Operating Hours: Sun-Thu: 10AM-10PM, Fri-Sat & 3-day or longer holidays, 10AM-11PM
3. Scenic—Fortress Wall of Seoul
The Seoul Fortress Wall is series of stone walls built in 1396 to protect the city from invaders. The wall is 18.6km long stretches across four mountains, Baegaksan, Naksan, Namsan, and Inwangsan and is a popular hiking destination for people who want to experience Seoul’s ancient history along while taking in the fresh air and beautiful scenery. There are four courses you can choose from—Bugaksan course, Naksan course, Namsan course, and Inwangsan course. If you only have time for one, we recommend taking the Naksan course, as it’s especially beautiful when the sun is setting. As the course is situated quite high above the ground, you can enjoy a super romantic view of the cityscape in the day or city lights at night. No wonder it’s often mentioned as, “Seoul’s best first-kiss location”!
Address: Hyehwa-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Nearest Subway: Hanseongdaeipgu Station (Line 4, Exit 5)
Operating Hours: 24 hours
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