For five years, I lived in South Korea, where I explored many unique places across many neighbourhoods. The country has delicious Korean BBQ, addicting K-dramas, trending K-pop music, and historical landmarks. Living and travelling in Seoul is always fascinating because businesses come and go in the blink of an eye. In less than two weeks, the clothing store you shopped at once and passed by several times might now be a snack store. The city is always hustling and bustling. Every neigbourhood is unique, offering something different for all types of visitors.
Cover image: Seoul Songpa-gu Sincheon-dong ©Korea Tourism Organization, IR Studio.
Hongdae
Located in Mapo District, Hongdae is home to Hongik University. You can expect many students and a younger vibe in this area. Because it is a student neighbourhood, you can find a lot of cute coffee shops, cafes, and restaurants at an affordable price. There are also many shopping stores here, the best is all the little shops in the alleyways. There is a lot of entertainment in Hongdae so you will find dancers and singers busking on the street.
If this is your first time in Hongdae, don’t be afraid to walk around and explore. There’s a lot to see, do, and eat! It’s always very crowded, especially at night because of the rich nightlife. Hongdae was my favourite neighbourhood to frequent as an early to mid-twenty-year-old. I loved meeting my friends here for brunch and shopping. On the weekends, we would have dinner and stay out for drinks and noraebang (노래방, or karaoke).
Don’t get me wrong, though! Hongdae is fun for all ages and groups if you’re into cute coffee shops and boutiques. There are various things to do here, and it is great for family fun! The streets are colourful and full of creativity. The Seoul subway or bus is the most affordable and convenient way to get to this neighbourhood.
Hot tip: Take Exit 9 at Hongik University station to get to all the stores at a closer distance.
Recommendations in Hongdae:
- Get an awesome value of all-you-can-eat Korean BBQ at Hongdae Korean BBQ All You Can Eat Pig Company
- If you want to try a variety of meats, try Saemaeul Sikdang, this chain has locations in other areas.
- Hongdae Shopping Street will grab your attention from left and right! Check out some local shops and stalls here.
Itaewon
From my experience, I think Itaewon is one of the best neighbourhoods for authentic non-Korean food. While you can find many different types of international cuisine in other neighbourhoods, you can expect to see at least one restaurant that serves foreign cuisine in Itaewon. Itaewon is located in the Yongsan District, which is also a residential neighbourhood. From local handcrafted boutiques to American breakfast, Vietnamese lunch, and Middle Eastern desserts, you’ll find something delightful here!
Have you heard of the Korean Netflix drama Itaewon Class? This drama was actually set in the neighbourhood of Itaewon! You can watch the drama to get a glimpse of what it’s like to be in Itaewon on Netflix. The show follows an ex-con trying to open up a successful bar in Itaewon. You’ll follow him to see obstacles of rivalry and romance, as well as some of the places where the scenes were filmed.
Recommendations in Itaewon:
- Take a walk at Noksapyeong Bridge to get the perfect view for a photo opportunity of the Namsan Seoul Tower
- The best 100% vegan food in all of Seoul (dare I say…) is Plant Café. You can’t go wrong with anything on the menu. Make sure to try their cakes!
Sinsa
Remember in 2012 when PSY’s Korean song “Gangnam Style” became a viral sensation across the internet? Gangnam is a real place, and one of my favourite neighbourhoods is in it. This district he was raving about is full of style, luxury brands, and wealthy people. You will find celebrities living in Gangnam, definitely those who have influence.
Let’s zoom into Sinsa! I had frequented this neighbourhood so many times because of the countless excellent cafes and restaurants they had that were a must-try for me. If you’re into skincare, there are plenty of cosmetic clinics here.
Recommended places in Sinsa and the rest of Gangnam:
- Garosu-gil is terrific for all the local boutiques and international high-end shops. It’s a nice, long street with blocks of clothes, accessories, shoes, and cute stationery items.
- I remember my first time trying authentic, traditional Mexican food from El Pino323, owned by a Korean adoptee. The original location was in Itaewon, but it moved to Gangnam in 2022. It was always packed, but it always had happy vibes.
- This Korean sunglasses store called Gentle Monster Flagship Store Sinsa not only sells one of the trendiest eyewear in the fashion industry globally, but it is an art exhibition in itself. The art installations they create are out of this world, so I highly recommend stopping by.
Myeongdong
If you heard of Myeongdong, you might have heard mixed reviews about it. Every neighbourhood has its pros and cons, but the pros outweigh the cons here. Myeongdong is an excellent area to shop in. You can get all of your shopping and souvenirs done here. While some might say things are overpriced and touristy compared to other places, it is still very convenient to shop and eat here. You get rows and corners of local and international brands here. There is street food with trending snacks that you see in your favourite Korean drama or foodie YouTuber.
Recommendations in Myeongdong:
- Skincare products are a must-get! Whatever Korean brand your favourite Korean celebrity is using, you can find a store that sells it here. What’s great is that there will almost always be some kind of sale or freebie with a purchase.
- Whenever I flew back to the US to visit my family, my parents always asked me to bring back Korean ginseng. I’d never heard of Korean ginseng, particularly the brand “Jung Kwan Jang” (정관장), nor knew how special they were. I have come to find that they have great health benefits and improve overall health. This would make a fantastic gift for older family members and friends. You can find this brand in Myeongdong and at the Namdaemun Market. You can try to haggle for cheaper, especially if you are paying in cash (Beware: I’ve heard that third-party sellers could be selling fake ginseng). Depending on the quantity, Asian ginseng can cost up to hundreds of dollars.
Hot tip: You can find Jung Kwan Jang Korean Ginseng at the duty-free shop at the Incheon International Airport and get a tax refund.
Insadong
Insadong is located in the Jongno district. This district is full of history dating back to the 14th century. In the neighbourhood of Insadong, you can expand your mind and witness traditional Korean art and history with your eyes. This area has a mix of modernism as the younger generation contributes to the art scene. On the rooftop, there is a quirky and fun cafe with toilet-shaped mugs that they use to serve your drink. It gives off a silly yet friendly atmosphere.
I love, love, love cultural art! Along with traditional crafts such as the Korean name stamp (dojang; 도장), which you can customize in select shops, and handheld fans (buchae; 부채), the younger generation is also selling handmade stationery items that match their own art style.
Insadong is a must-go whenever I have friends visiting from outside of Korea and want to explore the traditional and historic parts of South Korea in Seoul.
Recommendations in Insadong:
- Insadong Culture Street is a street of stalls with local and handmade artisan products.
- Imagine transporting back even more so by renting traditional Korean wear and walking around the Gyeongbokgung Palace,
- Ensure you not only get a glimpse of the old Hanok buildings but also walk through them at Ikseon-dong Hanok Village. You will feel like you’ve been transported back to the Joseon dynasty in the 14th century!
Bonus: Ilsan, Goyang
Ilsan is a suburban area on the outskirts of Seoul. Don’t worry; it is so close to Seoul that it is on the Seoul subway system map. Depending on which neighbourhood you depart from the subway will take 30 to 45 minutes. That’s about the same time as travelling to other neighbourhoods within Seoul.
When I first moved to South Korea, Goyang City is where I lived, and it was perfect for me. It is similar to Seoul, except it is less crowded. There were just about the right noises and activities of a city and the space of the suburbs that I needed and enjoyed.
You can definitely take a day or two-day trip to Ilsan and experience what life is like there. The first place that immediately comes to mind in this neighbourhood is Ilsan Lake Park. It’s a must-visit. This lake park has a special place in my heart because it comforted me whenever I needed a breather from work and life. Evening walks here were my favourite.
Recommendations for Ilsan:
My favourite brunch spot, which brings back memories, is Peach Springs. It was difficult to make time to go there with friends because they were always so booked and busy. Then, finally, one rushed Sunday morning, I was able to get in. It also happened to be with my boyfriend at the time, who is now my husband. The American-style restaurant is in a quiet residential area. I highly recommend wandering around it as many cute coffee and dessert shops exist. This area is a hidden gem.
Guest author: Amy Hang
amyhangin.com | @amyhangin
Amy Hang is a Travel Blogger and Web Designer who finds peace and adventure in slow travel. While travelling around the world, she helps creatives and small businesses build goal-oriented websites with her intercultural perspectives.
You can read more about her travel stories at amyhangin.com and check out her web design services at amyhangin.studio. You can follow Amy as she hangs around the world on Instagram @amyhangin and check out her web design services
