Barbecue holds a significant role in Korean culinary tradition and has been deeply ingrained within it. There are plenty of Korean barbecue restaurants in Seoul. However, amidst this abundance, one can still encounter subpar barbecue options, so you have to know where to head to.

Ggupdang (also known as Kkubdang in Korea) is one of the most popular Korean BBQ restaurants in Seoul at the moment and it specialises in pork cured for 15 days before being grilled over Binchotan charcoal.

The original outlet is located near Sinsa Station, and they have a second outlet in Seongsu-dong which is often touted as the Brooklyn of Seoul. You can have a fantastic Korean BBQ meal at Kkubdang without breaking the bank.

There is only pork on the menu and they are affordably priced below 20,000 won per portion.

Ggupdang is best known for its signature Pork Shoulder Blades and it is soft, tender, juicy and super flavourful.

They also serve other parts including Grilled Pork Belly, Grilled Skirt Meat, Pork Cheek Meat, Back Ribs (limited to 2 servings per table) and Pork Neck.

Also not to be missed are their Doenjang-jjigae (Bean Paste Stew) and their modern take on the Korean Jjajangmyeon with cheese and truffle oil.

Doenjang-jjigae (Bean Paste Stew) is one of the most popular Korean stew dishes made with Korean soybean paste (doenjang) which is a type of fermented bean paste made of soybean and brine. Ggupdang’s rendition (W9,000) is excellent; hearty and packed with flavours.

The purists will not appreciate their Jjajangmyeon (W6,000) as it comes with lots of cheese and truffle oil. But we absolutely loved their modern take on the traditional Korean Jjajangmyeon.

The waiting time at Kkubdang can be as long as 1-2 hours during dinner. Fortunately, there’s a quicker way to get a table without queuing if you are okay with eating Korean BBQ in the middle of the afternoon. The trick is to go there when they open. Ggupdang’s original outlet at Sinsa opens at 3pm while the Seongsu outlet opens at 4pm. We reached at about 3.50pm and got a table immediately when they opened at 4pm.

Ggupdang (Kkubdang)
615 Gangnam-daero, Jamwon-dong
Seocho-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Tel: +82 2-545-9600

Building, 10, Gyeonggi Association
Room 104, 20-gil Seongsui-ro, Seongdong-gu
Seoul, South Korea
Tel: +82 50-71358-6564

If you are looking for the best Korean BBQ restaurant in Seoul, look no further than Mongtan which specialises in straw-grilled aged beef short ribs and pork neck.

The waiting time at Mongtan can be as long as 2-3 hours, but trust us, it is definitely worth the wait. We’ve also included tips on how you can get a table at Mongtan.

Located within walking distance from exit 8 of Samgakji Station near Itaewon, Mongtan is one of the most popular Korean BBQ restaurants in Seoul, with locals and tourist alike flocking here to try their famous straw-grilled aged beef short ribs.

A 280-gram whole beef rib is marinated and grilled in the kitchen over a straw fire with charcoal.

After which, the staff skillfully cooks it on a hot sizzling plate at the table before cutting it into small pieces.

The Udae Galbi was tender, juicy and absolutely stunning; this was the best meal that we had during our recent trip to Seoul.

They offer several dipping sauces and wasabi to go along with the beef short ribs.

And if you still have space for more food, Mongtan also serves Straw-Grilled Pork Neck (17,000 won for 150g). We didn’t get the Pork Neck as we ordered additional portions of the Udae Galbi.

Complete your meal with their solid Doenjang-Jjigae (8,000 won). The other dishes on the menu are Soondubu Stew (8,000 won), Spicy Onion Fried Rice (5,000 won), and Cold Noodles (8,000 won)

How to get a spot at Mongtan:

They open for lunch at 12pm, but the queue starts as early as 10am. Mongtan doesn’t allow reservation and you have to queue up to put your name on the waiting list. If you do not have a local Korean number, just let the staff know and they will indicate it on the waiting list. However, that will mean that they will not be able to call you once the table is ready.

The restaurant informed us that they might call us earlier and we would have to get there within 10 mins or they will give up the table for someone else.

We reached the restaurant at 11am and we were told that our table would be ready at 1pm. We eventually got our table at 1.10pm.

The 2-3 hours waiting time may sound scary, but instead of waiting at the restaurant, you can hang around and explore the nearby neighbourhood after putting your name on the waiting list. You can also choose to get a table for dinner and come back later.

You have to check out Mongtan, one of the best Korean BBQ restaurants in Seoul!

Mongtan
50 Baekbeom-ro 99-gil
Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea

Located near Gyeongnidan-Gil in Itaewon, RainReport Cafe is a new rain-themed cafe which has been gaining popularity since its opening 4 months ago.

It is best known for its photo spot with artificial rain where you can take your photos. The cafe even provides big transparent umbrellas for use during your photoshoots.

Step inside RainReport Cafe and you will be instantly transported to a calm and serene space that feels like an oasis away from the city’s hustle and bustle. Decked in black, the interior is beautifully designed with a minimalist aesthetic.

The cafe also has a small coffee roastery on site where they roast their coffee beans.

The rain effects at the al fresco area are on a 15-minute cycle; the rain will last for 15 minutes and stop for 15 minutes.

You can find a small selection of desserts and pastries including Strawberry Souffle Cake, Cloud Black Cheesecake, and freshly-made financiers.

The financiers are available in a set of 5 and some of the flavours include squid ink, basil, maple bacon, fig wine, and triple cheese.

Whether you’re in the mood for a classic espresso, a refreshing iced beverage, or a delightful dessert, RainReport Cafe has something to please every palate. We highly recommend their signature Sesame Cloud (black sesame latte).

RainReport Cafe is much more than just a cafe in Seoul. It’s a sanctuary that embraces the beauty of rain. If you find yourself in Seoul, make sure to visit RainReport Cafe and enjoy a cup of coffee and desserts in this beautiful cafe.

Getting to RainReport Cafe: The cafe is located at the top of the hill near to Grand Hyatt Hotel. The nearest train station is Hangangjin Station and from there, you can take bus 405 and align at Namsan Sports Center before walking to the cafe.

RainReport Cafe
258-63 Itaewon-dong, Yongsan-gu
Seoul, South Korea

Seoul Coffee is a popular and Instagrammable cafe that is tucked in one of the alleys in Ikseon-dong Hanok Village, a must-visit neighborhood in Seoul which is filled with many beautful cafes, local shops and underrated eateries.

A hanok-themed cafe, Seoul Coffee aims to create an atmosphere that is reminiscent of Seoul in the 1980’s and 1990’s.

Step inside Seoul Coffee and you will be greeted by the scent of aromatic coffee and desserts.

Seoul Coffee is best known for its iconic butter loaf breads—available in two flavours: milk and squid ink—which come with two slabs of butter.

Other than that, they also have a selection of desserts (prices range from 4,500 to 7,500 won) including Chocolate Fudge Cake, Cheesecake, Tiramisu and Cube Ice Cream.

It goes without saying that Seoul Coffee serves excellent coffee. From hand drip coffee, to cold brew, and flat white, Seoul Coffee has got you covered with their quality brews (5,000 – 7,000 won).

You have to include Seoul Coffee in your list of cafes to visit in Ikseon-dong Hanok Village. It is one of our favourite cafes in Seoul to have a coffee and dessert while enjoying some time off.

Seoul Coffee
166-31 Ikseon-dong, Jongno-gu
Seoul, South Korea
Tel: +82 2-6085-4890

Seoul is back in action and with borders lifted, everyone is flocking to the well-loved South Korean city for a holiday. When in Seoul, cafe-hopping is a must. The South Koreans take their cafes seriously – from the coffee and cakes, to the decor and even merchandise.

One that is gaining immense popularity is Shinleedoga Cafe, a huge hanok-style cafe Hongdae near to Hongik University, and it is frequented by students and young locals. You’d never expect to find a modern hanok-style cafe right in the middle of Hongdae.

There is no lack of cafes within Hongdae but Shinleedoga Cafe stands out for its interior and vibes. The entrance is unassuming, you might just walk past it and brush it off, thinking it is another hanok where nobody stays. But follow the stone-lined path and you would be greeted by a mysterious dark alley. And this alley takes you to the cafe that sits within the hanok.

The cafe has a simple yet modern interior. Coupled with the historical exterior, it is alluring and exudes a cosy vibe.

There are both indoor and outdoor seating, and we took a while to take in the beauty of the place when we first stepped in. On the inside, seats are scattered in a random manner, and during the daytime, the sunlight diffuses through the full glass windows to warm the space up.

The cafe is equally charming during the night and it is a cosy space where you can hang out to enjoy a drink and dessert.

There are outdoor seating too, and in winter, there is a campfire where you can roast marshmallow.

The cafe also has a rooftop on the third floor where you can catch a glimpse of the city.

On its menu, expect a mix of caffeinated and non-caffeinated drinks, as well as a small selection of bakes. Check out the Black Sesame Latte that is highly popular! While the bakes were nothing life-changing, we thought it was really nice that we could purchase marshmallow on sticks to roast at the campfire during winter.

Shinleedoga Cafe Hongdae
20-12 Jandari-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea

Located in Ikseon-dong Hanok Village, Cheong Su Dang is a incredibly beautiful coffee and dessert cafe housed in a traditional facade.

For those of you who haven’t been to Ikeson-dong, it is a trendy neighbourhood which has plenty of gorgeous cafes, local shops and under-the-radar eateries.

If you are planning to cafe hop in Seoul, you definitely have to add Cheong Su Dang to your list of cafes to visit in Seoul.

To enter the cafe, you have to walk across a flight of stone steps across a small pond which is surrounded by bamboo and lanterns.

The cafe is divided into two main areas. You can opt for the floor seating which comes with a view of the garden.

If you are lazy to take off your shoes, you can try your luck to get a seat at the main table which comes with a pretty plant display as the centrepiece.

They serve coffee, matcha, black tea and fruit drinks and prices range between 5,800 to 7,500 won.

There are six desserts (13,000 – 20,000 won) on Cheong Su Dang’s menu and they include:

• Original Souffle Castella
• Mugwort Souffle Castella
• Strawberry Compote Souffle Castella
• Black Sesame Fromage Cake
• Matcha Fromage Cake
• Strawberry Cake

To be honest, Cheong Su Dang’s drinks and cakes are nothing special, but the interior is so charming.

Cheong Su Dang
31-9 Donhwamun-ro 11na-gil,
Ikseon-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea

Cafe Onion at Seongsu-dong is one of our all-time favourite cafes in Seoul and they have another outlet at Anguk-Dong which is just a short walk from Anguk Station and Bukchon Hanok Village.

For those of you who are not familiar with the cafe scene in Seoul, Cafe Onion is a popular cafe which is best known for its amazing array of bread and pastries.

While Cafe Onion Seongsu is a chic industrial-themed cafe with an open rooftop terrace, Cafe Onion Anguk is housed in a traditional Korean Hanok and it has a completely different decor and vibe.

We got there before 10am and we got a table easily. But from what we understand from our friends and followers who have visited Cafe Onion Anguk, there is always a queue at Cafe Onion Anguk in the afternoon and the wait is at least 30 minutes.

Cafe Onion has an in-house bakery and all the bread and pastries are freshly baked on premise. The staff is constantly bringing out new trays of baked goods so you can enjoy them fresh from the oven.

The Pandor, one of the signature bakes at Cafe Onion, is a pastry topped off lavishly with icing sugar.

Coffee is serious business here too and you can expect top-notch cuppa to go along with your pastries. There is a selection of coffee (prices range from 5,000 won to 6,800 won) and beverages including juices and tea.

The cafe space for dine-in is divided into two areas. Diner will have to remove their shoes at the area with Korean tatami mats and low tables.

Alternatively, you can get a seat at the area with the regular tables without taking off your shoes.

If you are not planning to explore Seongsu-dong which is further away from the city area, we highly recommend making a trip to Cafe Onion Anguk as the location is much more accessible.

It is definitely a must-visit cafe when you are in Seoul.

Cafe Onion Anguk
Anguk-dong
Tel: +82 70 7543 2123

Layered is a dessert cafe in Seoul which has an amazing scones and cakes selection. Dessert lovers are in for a real treat here.

It has the most impressive scones line-up we’ve ever seen. There are 13 different types of English scones (both savoury and sweet) as well as a dozen rustic English cakes on display.

Cafe Layered has 2 outlets in Yeonnam-dong and Bukchon (near Anguk station). You can also find it at The Hyundai Seoul’s food hall.

We dined at Cafe Layered’s outlet at Yeonnam-dong when we were exploring the quaint neighbourhood. The cafe is in a two-story bricked building which is located at 223-20 Yeonnam-dong in Mapo-gu.

Some of the scone flavours (prices range from 4,500 – 5,00 won) include:

• Classic Butter Scones
• Fresh Milk Cream Scones
• Matcha Scones
• Cranberry Cream Cheese Scones
• Sweet Pumpkin Cream Cheese Scones
• Basil Pesto Scones
• Double Chocolate Scones
• Spring Onion Cream Cheese Scones
• Cinnamon Pecan Scones
• Caramel Butter Scones
• Earl Grey Fig Scones
• Strawberry Compote Scones

Frankly, everything looked amazing and it was a challenge trying to pick from this line-up. If you like savoury scones, the Spring Onion Cream Cheese Scone is the bestseller at Cafe Layered. We had the Earl Grey Fig Scones and it was absolutely delicious.

The options for the rustic English cakes (7,500 – 8,000 won) include:

• Dark Chocolate Cake
• Carrot Cake
• Cherry Chocolate Cake
• Mango Cake
• Red Velvet Cream Cheese Cake
• Victoria Butter Cream Cake
• Blueberry Cheesecake
• Sweet Pumpkin Cream Cheese Cake
• Black Forest Dark Chocolate Cake
• Juicy Lemon Home Party Cake
• Tiramisu Espresso Coffee Cake
• Mint Chocolate Cake

Do note that you need to order a drink per person regardless of the number of cakes and scones that you get.

If you are planning to visit Cafe Layered at Bukchon, here’s a sneak peek at the other outlet which is housed in a hanok.

The dessert display at Cafe Layered’s Bukchon outlet.

With its amazing scones and cakes selection, this homely cafe has firmly established itself amongst our top 5 favourite cafes in Seoul.

Cafe Layered
223-20 Yeonnam-dong
Mapo-gu, Seoul

2-3 Bukchon-ro 2-gil
Jongno-gu, Seoul

Singapore has opened up our borders (selectively) and we are seeing some hopes of travel with the Vaccinated Travel Lanes (VTL) that are slowly rolling out. Among the VTLs, South Korea is one of them and we jumped at the chance of traveling almost immediately when the news was released.

Tickets booked, luggage packed, PCR tests taken. We were ready for our first vacation after two long years. We had waited so long for this surreal moment! Traveling in pandemic times meant many more procedures and restrictions, and the new norm may be daunting, but hey, we aren’t complaining! At least we get to travel!

This new norm is probably here to stay for a while, and if you are still unsure of what to expect for your next flight out via the Singapore – South Korea Vaccinated Travel Lanes, here’s what we can share from our recent experience when we flew SIN>ICN, and then ICN>SIN.

With all the required tests and documents to prepare, The Singapore – South Korea is perhaps the most complicated VTL route. Here’s our Singapore & South Korea VTL Guide which includes useful tips and important things that you must take note of before, during and after your trip.

SINGAPORE > SOUTH KOREA

Here’s a checklist of the important things that you need to remember for your trip:

• Apply for K-ETA
• 14 days travel history in Singapore and/or South Korea only
• Print out your Notarised vaccination certificate
• Travel insurance policy
• Pre-departure PCR test within 48 hours of your flight
• Book a non-stop flight to South Korea
• Take PCR test on arrival in South Korea (advanced booking on Safe2GoPass required)
• Take PCR test/Antigen Test on department in South Korea (advanced booking on Safe2GoPass required)
• Advance booking of your on-arrival PCR test at Changi Airport
• Complete your SG e-arrival card 3 days before arrival in Singapore

Tip: Please print a copy of all the important documents and bring them along with your passport everywhere you go to.

APPLY FOR K-ETA

You also must apply for a K-ETA at least 24 hours before your flight to South Korea. Do note that everyone needs your own K-ETA (including children), you cannot just apply 1 K-ETA for the entire family. It costs around 10,000 KRW (around S$11.27) per person.

The results for the K-ETA will usually be received within 24 hours of application. We got the approval very quickly, but there’s no harm to just apply for the K-ETA earlier.

K-ETA is valid for 2 years once issued.

14 DAYS TRAVEL HISTORY IN SINGAPORE AND/OR SOUTH KOREA ONLY

In order to qualify for the Singapore & South Korea VTL without quarantine, you must make sure that you have spent the past 14 days in Singapore and/or South Korea only.

DOWNLOAD AND PRINT A COPY OF YOUR NOTARISED VACCINATION CERTIFICATE

If you are vaccinated in Singapore, please use the Notarise portal to download a notarised copy of your digital vaccination certificate as it comes with a QR code and it will be very useful when you are trying to prove your vaccination status in South Korea. Please print out a copy of your vaccination certificate and bring it along with your passport everywhere you go to.

South Korea is super strict and you need to show your vaccination status when you are dining out or entering shopping malls and shops.

Children who are under the age of 6 who are unvaccinated are able to travel to South Korea and be exempted from quarantine. Children who are over the age of 6 who are unvaccinated may still travel to South Korea, but will be subjected to quarantine for 10 days. Please refer to Embassy of South Korea’s website for more details on this.

Most staff at restaurants/shopping malls will just check the hard copy of your vaccination certificate, but the stricter ones will require you to use their app ‘COOV’ to scan the QR code.

Tip: set the language of ‘COOV’ app to Korean and click on the first button (as shown above) to scan the QR code of the notarised copy of your digital vaccination certificate so that the verification of your vaccination status will appear in Korean.

TRAVEL INSURANCE WITH COVID-19 MEDICAL EXPENSE COVERAGE

Travellers taking the Singapore – Seoul VTL are required to purchase travel insurance with a minimum coverage of 30,000,000 KRW (around S$33,799) for COVID-19-related medical treatment and hospitalisation costs. Make sure to check that the travel insurance policy has Covid-19 medical expense coverage.

And please print and carry a physical copy of the insurance policy when you are in South Korea.

PRE-DEPARTURE PCR TEST WITHIN 48 HOURS OF YOUR FLIGHT

Travellers from Singapore to South Korea are required to take a pre-departure PCR test within 48 hours of your flight. For example, if your flight is on 20 Jan 2022 at 2300hrs, you may take the test on 18 Jan from 0000hrs onwards.

Please refer to this list of MOH-approved Covid-19 Test providers in Singapore to find a clinic for your PCR test. Children aged 5 and below need not take the PCR test.

There are many clinics that provide Covid-19 PCR tests at home and they will send someone to do the PCR tests at your place.

We booked our PCR test at home 48 hours before our flight and we got the test results 24 hours later. We highly recommend doing this as it really saves you the hassle of travelling to a clinic and queuing up just to do your PCR tests.

BOOK A NON-STOP FLIGHT TO SOUTH KOREA

It goes without saying but you need to book a non-stop flight to South Korea from Singapore on Singapore Airlines, Korean Air, Asiana Airlines or Scoot.

And for those of you who are travelling on a VTL for the first time, you can simply book any non-stop flight from Singapore to South Korea. But you have to book a VTL flight back from Seoul to Singapore and the airlines will highlight those flights via the VTL labels.

TAKE PCR TEST ON ARRIVAL IN SOUTH KOREA

Book an on-arrival PCR test at Incheon Airport via Safe2GoPass before departing from Singapore. Do print out a copy of the email confirmation from Safe2GoPass so that you can show them to the staff when you are at Incheon Airport’s testing centre.

You can see the schedule of the time it takes for the test results to be out on Incheon Airport’s website.

After taking the test, you may proceed to your accommodation in South Korea using taxi, private vehicle, designated bus or train for international travellers to isolate and wait for the results to be out. Public transport would not be allowed starting from 20 January 2022 due to tightened measures.

You will get the results via email and once you have received a negative result, you are free to go out. But until then, you are required to stay at the hotel/accommodation while waiting for the results.

We took our PCR test at Incheon Airport at around 3.30pm and we got our negative test results by 5.30pm when we got to the hotel. So even if you are only reaching South Korean after 3pm, your test results should be out in the evening (instead of 8am the following morning) and you won’t have to waste the first night of your trip.

If you are planning to travel to other parts of South Korea, please note that you are not allowed to take domestic flights until you receive the negative result for the on-arrival PCR test.

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TAKE SELF-ADMINISTERED ART ON DAY 3 AND 5

Travellers entering South Korea from Singapore will have to carry out a self-administered ART on days 3 & 5 (your arrival day is counted as day 1) of your trip. For example, if your arrival day is 20 Jan 2022 (day 1), you will take the ART on 23 Jan 2022 (day 3) and 25 Jan 2022 (day 5).

Remember to bring along some ART test kits before travelling to South Korea. You have to take a photo of the ART result together with your passport for self-recording.

TAKE PCR TEST ON DAY 6 OR 7 IF YOU ARE STAYING IN SOUTH KOREA FOR 8 DAYS OR MORE

If you are staying in South Korea for 8 days or more, you will be required to take a COVID-19 test at a designated hospital/clinic on the 6th or 7th day of your arrival. You won’t have to isolate and can continue with your activities after taking the PCR test.

Refer to this list of medical institutions that provide PCR testing.

VERIFICATION OF VACCINATION STATUS WHILE IN KOREA (NEW)

As of 14 Jan 2022, the vaccination certificate issued to someone who has received 2 doses of COVID-19 vaccine is considered to be valid for 6 months (180 days) from the date of administration of the 2nd dose.

For example, if the 2nd dose was taken on 10 July 2021, the vaccination certificate would be valid till 06 January 2022, 2359hrs. However, if you have received a booster shot (3rd shot), the vaccination certificate would be valid from the date of administration of booster shot and would not have an expiration date.

Under the tightened measures in South Korea, VTL travellers who completed their primary series of vaccination more than 6 months ago would not be allowed to visit certain public areas and facilities including restaurants if they did not receive a booster shot.

TL;DR Take your booster shot before travelling to South Korea if possible.

SOUTH KOREA > SINGAPORE

14 DAYS TRAVEL HISTORY

In order to travel from South Korea to Singapore on the VTL, you must have spent the past 14 days in Singapore, South Korea, and/or any other VTL country designated by Singapore.

APPLY FOR VTP (not applicable for Singaporeans and Permanent Residents

Short-term visitors and long-term pass holders will need to apply for a VTP between 3-60 days before their intended arrival in Singapore. No fee is applicable.

A VTP is not required for Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents.

TAKE PRE-DEPARTURE ART-PCR 2 DAYS BEFORE FLIGHT

All VTL travellers must take a pre-departure ART/PCR within 2 days of their flight from South Korea to Singapore. The test must be taken at an MOH-recognised institution.

We did our pre-departure ART at Incheon airport and we booked our test 3 hours before our flight. Do take note that the results for the antigen test will take an hour and you will need to wait for the results to be out and get the test centre to print out the certificate before you can check in.

Please go earlier so that you won’t miss your flight. We chose to do it at Incheon Airport as it is more convenient and accessible and we did not want to go through the hassle of finding a test centre in the city during our trip.

Like what you did with the on-arrival PCR test at Incheon Airport, book an pre-departure ART test at Incheon Airport via Safe2GoPass before departing from Seoul. Do print out a copy of the email confirmation from Safe2GoPass so that you can show them to the staff when you are at Incheon Airport’s testing centre.

FILL UP THE SG ARRIVAL CARD ON ICA’S WEBSITE

Reminder to fill up the SG arrival card with electronic healthy declaration on ICA’s website before flying back to Singapore, it will save you a lot of time when you are clearing the custom at Changi Airport.

TAKE A DESIGNATED VTL FLIGHT TO SINGAPORE

Book a VTL flight back from Seoul to Singapore and the airlines will highlight those flights via the VTL labels.

ON-ARRIVAL PCR TEST AT CHANGI AIRPORT

The on-arrival PCR test (S$125/pax) at Changi Airport was super efficient. You can prebook and prepay for it online before landing in Singapore. Remember to print out a copy of your booking and receipt for a smooth process.

You will have to self-isolate until negative result is received. We took our test at 10.30pm upon arriving at Changi Airport and we got our test results via email around 4 hours later at 2.35am.

DAY 2 TO 7 SELF-TESTS

VTL travellers entering Singapore after 23 Jan 2022, 2359 hours via both air and land checkpoints will only be required to do unsupervised self-administered Antigen Rapid Tests (ART) from Day 2 to Day 7 of their arrivals if you need to leave their place of residence or accommodation.

There is no need to submit your results, but you need to be tested negative before going out.

Prior to this, the current testing regime requires VTL travellers to conduct unsupervised self-administered ART on Days 2, 4, 5 and 6 and supervised ART on Days 3 and 7 from their arrival in Singapore.

Have a safe and fun trip to South Korea!

There is no place like Seoul when it comes to top-notch cafes, restaurants and everything food-related. The vibrant city has so much to offer that is it impossible to cover the best places within a single trip—and we are surely not complaining about that!

Besides discovering about their fantastic street eats at night markets and mouthwatering local dishes in humble eateries, we also came to find out that Seoul is a dessert haven for all with a sweet tooth.

It took us a few trips to Seoul before coming up with this list of dessert places that impressed us with not just their myriad of sweet treats but also their charming atmosphere and chill vibes. If you are looking for a place to hang out with your mates or significant other in Seoul, this is the guide you will need to refer to.

Here are 9 Best Dessert Spots In Seoul where you will find everything from the Korean bingsu to green tea tiramisu and eclairs.

#1 BAN BOSSY BOUTIQUE

Boasting primarily pastel colours in pink, mint and white, walking into Ban Bossy Boutique is like stepping into Barbie-land. It is the perfect spot for afternoon tea with your girlfriends, complete with Instagram-worthy backdrops and an appealing array of cupcakes.

Munch on exquisitely decorated cupcakes such as their signature Flower Cupcake (W7,500), sliced cakes (W8,500) that are on a rotational basis and Macaron (W4,800).

3/F, 17-Waoosan ro- 19-22
Mapo-Gu, Seoul, Korea
Tel: +82 02 337 9896
Mon to Fri: 12pm – 10pm
Sat & Sun: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Hongdae

#2 CAFE BORA

One of the better-known dessert cafes in Anguk-dong, Cafe Bora’s speciality is their Purple Sweet Potato Iceflakes which is essentially bingsu made with sweet potato. Other bingsu flavours you can get there are Green Tea and Strawberry.

For those who are not a fan of bingsu, Cafe Bora offers other sweet treats including Sweet Potato Ice Cream, Steamed Sweet Potato Bun and Chickpea Ice Cream.

149-5 Sogyeok-dong, Jongno-gu
Seoul, South Korea
Tel: +82 70 8613 5537
Daily: 10am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Anguk

#3 CAFE ONION

Cafe Onion in Seongdong-gu neighbourhood—also known as the Brooklyn of Seoul— checks all the boxes that we are looking for in a cafe. The industrial-themed cafe has their own bakery and an open rooftop terrace for guests to chill at.

Having an in-house bakery means guests are able to enjoy many varieties of warm pastries that are freshly baked from the oven. The cafe is perhaps best known for its Pandor (W5,000/ S$6.02), which is a pastry topped off lavishly with icing sugar.

277-135 Seongsu-dong 2(i)-ga
Seongdong-gu, Seoul
Mon to Fri: 8am – 10pm
Sat & Sun: 10am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Seongsu

#4 COFFEE FAKTORY

We are letting you in on a little secret that we found out at GLOBO Coffee Faktory—there is a secret hideout that resembles a traditional Korean tea house nestled within the cafe!

GLOBO Coffee Faktory roasts their own coffee beans in-house with a large probat roaster and guests are able to choose up to seven different types of coffee beans from around the world. Dessert options include Tiramisu (W6,800), Waffles (W15,800) and a selection of cakes.

Bukchon-ro 5ga-gil
Seoul, South Korea
Tel: +82 10 3189 4737
Nearest Station: Anguk

#5 ÉCLAIR BY GARU HARU

Who doesn’t like pretty eclairs? Not us for sure! These French pastries are works of art and we almost couldn’t bear to eat them. Some of the flavours you can find there include Salted Butter Caramel, Yuzu, Chocolate and Earl Grey.

247-9 Itaewon 2(i)-dong, Yongsan-gu
Seoul, South Korea
Tel: +82 2 337 8090
Daily: 12pm – 8pm
Nearest Station: Hangangjin

#6 FRANK’S

Having tea at Frank’s is every girl’s dream come true. Guests are surrounded by bouquets of pressed flowers while they indulge in aesthetically-pleasing desserts. One must-try item is their rainbow sponge cake.

258-228 Itaewon(2)-dong, Yongsan-gu
Seoul, South Korea
Tel: +82 70 8156 5459
Tue to Sat: 12pm – 11pm
Sun: 12pm – 10pm
Mon: Closed
Nearest Station: Itaewon

#7 O’SULLOC TEA SALON

O’sulloc is a tea salon in Seoul that pays homage to Korean green tea from Jeju Island, with branches in Myeongdong, Apgujeong, Insadong and Daehangno. With an extensive menu of different teas—both hot and iced—and an assortment of green tea desserts such as swiss rolls and tiramisu, there will always be something to fall in love with.

If you are not there for their classic Green Tea Latte, then you have to go for their swiss rolls or Green Tea Tiramisu—it is like a mousse cake that has an airy and creamy center married with green tea powder.

47-1 Myeongdong 1(il)-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul
Tel: +82 2-774-5460
Daily: 9am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Myeongdong

#8 PASSION 5

Passion 5 is a fine dessert emporium located in Itaewon, Seoul.

The upscale cafe cum gallery is made up of five components—cafe, bakery, patisserie, chocolate and lastly, passion from Passion 5?s pâtissiers. Visitors are surrounded by many exquisite dessert creations enshrined behind polished glass and a stellar selection of aromatic baked goods.

Other highlights at Passion 5 include a rotating gelato chiller and the most outstanding eclair display. With almost 300 dessert items featured, it is a feast for your eyes as much as it is for your taste buds.

272, Itaewon-ro
Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Tel: +82 2 2071 9505
Daily: 7.30am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Hangangjin

#9 THE NILK FACTORY

Taking up the first floor of a building, the nilk factory offers a range of cold-pressed almond milk in different flavours, coffee, tea and gluten-free cakes.

the nilk factory’s signature drinks include Almond Je’taime (300ml – W7,500, 500ml – W12,600) and Mixed Nuts (300ml – W7,500, 500ml – W12,600). Look forward to a curated selection of cakes such as Ice Box (gluten-free chocolate cake), New York Cheese Cake and Carrot Cake.

32 Gangnam-daero 162-gil
Gangnam-gu
Seoul, South Korea
Tel: +82 2 2039 0821
Nearest Station: Sinsa

Traveling to Seoul soon? Have a look at our Seoul Travel Guide.

Flying to Incheon Airport does not get you straight to Seoul City and there are a number of ways to travel there. To save time for your travels, the fastest way is to take the express train from the Airport Railway.

For first timers in Seoul, it can be rather confusing to find your way to Seoul Station from the airport as you will have to find your way to the travel center to get your train tickets and then find your way to the train station.

That is why we came up with a comprehensive guide to show you How To Travel From Incheon Airport To Seoul City with ease. You are very welcome!

If you happen to find yourself in need of anything, you can first head to the information counter at Incheon Airport. However, heading to the city is not as difficult as you think it is—as long as you follow our guide!

Since most of us would need to stay connected to the internet, it is advisable to get your wifi routers first before leaving the airport. With internet access, it will be easier for you to search on information when you are in the city itself.

In Incheon Airport, there will be signs that will lead you to the train lines. Simply follow the sign boards that read ‘Airport Railroad’.

After following the signs, you will eventually arrive at the Airport Railroad Travel Center. Find the AREX (Airport Railroad Express) information counter to enquire and purchase your train pass.

The express train tickets will set you back at W7,000 (S$8.35) per person. This is inclusive of W500 ($0.60) deposit which you can get back later.

When you are done buying your train tickets, look out for this sign that reads ‘To Seoul Station’. That is the direction you should be going towards to catch the express train.

At the station, you have to know where your train will be stopping at. There is the normal railway train (which takes you longer to get to the city) and the express train. If you are feeling unsure, simply ask any staff who is working that day or get other passengers to help you.

That’s it! You are finally on your way to Seoul City. The ride takes about 43 minutes so you can take a short nap or use the free wifi that is being provided on all AREX trains.

Heading to Seoul? Read our guide on the best places to discover in Seoul.

Nestled in the quiet Hannam neighbourhood in Seoul, &gather Cafe has since been seeing throngs of BTS fans visit their premises for the sole reason of trying the drinks made by the boys during an episode of their VLive variety show, Run BTS.

As huge BTS fans ourselves, we knew this was the perfect opportunity to get our morning fix and start off our day right.

The walk to &gather Cafe from Hannam Station was no more than a five-minute walk and when we arrived, we were immediately greeted by the signature drinks menu which had an attached photo of BTS during their time at the cafe.

Not wasting any time, we ordered a total of four drinks which were: Hot Creamy Latte (KRW6,000), Iced Rosy Latte (KRW6,300), Iced Lemony Coke (KRW6,300) and the Iced Coco-Presso (KRW6,300).

Once brewed by Jimin, the Hot Creamy Latte tasted velvety smooth which we felt was aided by the milk which was used for the coffee.

Instead of the typical milk from a carton, the milk used was mixed together with whipped cream and sugar syrup, which created a sweet and creamy aftertaste.

Fans of all things coconut and J-Hope would thoroughly enjoy the Iced Coco-Presso which is essentially a cup of coconut coffee.

Instead of using ready-made coconut milk, &gather Cafe uses coconut powder which is mixed in with steamed milk. The result is a sweet and creamy beverage with just a hint of coconut that wasn’t too overpowering.

The Iced Lemony Coke or known by fans as Suga’s Cafe Lemoni, was an interesting concoction that surprised us in terms of taste.

Made using lemon syrup, a slice of lemon, a can of sprite and two shots of espresso, the drink was a burst of flavours that was both sweet and sour. Contrary to beliefs that the acidity in the lemon could react badly with the coffee’s acidity, we felt that the lemon helped cut the sharpness of the espresso instead.

Our favourite out of the four drinks that we ordered was the Iced Rosy Latte made famous by Jin. The drink is made with a combination of rose syrup and espresso before it is finished with a dollop of cream on top.

As rose syrup does have a potential to overshadow the other flavours it’s mixed in with, we were impressed with the rose taste coming in as a complementary flavour to the coffee. We do suggest that you mix the cream in together with the entire drink as it gives a more balanced aftertaste that’s rounded off with the hint of floral aroma.

Though we didn’t have any more liquid capacity to try the other three drinks that were made by V, Jungkook and RM, this just means that we have a valid reason to return to &gather Cafe on our next trip back to Seoul!

&gather Cafe
Hannamdong Shinseong Miso City
39 Dokseodang-ro
Yongsan-gu
Seoul
Republic of Korea
Mon to Fri: 8am – 9pm
Sat, Sun & Holidays: 11am – 7pm
Nearest station: Hannam Station (Exit 1)

For more recommendations, read our Seoul’s guides to discover the best places in the city.

Seoul is one of our favourite destinations in Asia and the city is known for its many distinct and lively districts where you will never get bored of the endless shopping, delicious local food and exciting things to do.

Ask any local where you should go when you are in Seoul and many will tell you that Hongdae is a neighbourhood you must not miss. It is not difficult to guess why Hongdae is one of the top choices—there is just so much going on!

From indulging in spicy Korean Army Stews and getting a tipple with your friends in a bar to street shopping and catching street performances, here are 12 Things To See, Do & Eat When You Are In Hongdae.

WHERE TO EAT

#1 BAN BOSSY BOUTIQUE

Boasting primarily pastel colours in pink, mint and white, walking into Ban Bossy Boutique is like stepping into Barbie-land. It is the perfect spot for afternoon tea with your girlfriends, complete with Instagram-worthy backdrops and an appealing array of cupcakes.

An afternoon tea at Ban Bossy Boutique looks something like this—munching on exquisitely decorated cupcakes and sipping on a pretty beverage. Yes, this is the life in Seoul!

19-22 Wausan-ro 17-gil
Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu
Seoul, Korea
Tel: +82 02 337 9896
Mon to Fri: 12pm – 10pm
Sat and Sun: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Hongik University

#2 MUKSHIDONNA TTEOKBOKKI

Mukshidonna Tteokbokki is a fuss-free restaurant that specialises in Budae Jjigae and guests get to customise the stew with an array of ingredients. Every pot comes with tteokbokki (Korean rice cake) by default, and that is their signature.

Popular ingredients on the menu are seafood, bulgogi and cheese but if you are looking for the staples, there is always ramyeon and udon.

22 Hongik-ro 6-gil
Donggyo-dong, Mapo-gu
Seoul, South Korea
Daily: 10am – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Hongik University

Photo Credit: shawnongph

#3 SIMPSON TANG

Opened by a pair of Korean singers, Hwang Bo and Shim Tae Yoon, Simpson Tang—also known as Sim Seun Tang to the locals— is another popular Budae Jjigae restaurant to visit when you are in Hongdae.

The soup base is made from ox bones and mixed with red chilli paste and kimchi to produce a fragrant stock. Standard ingredients such as sausages, spam, cabbage and cheese are added into the soup.

30 Yanghwa-ro 16-gil
Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu
Seoul, South Korea
Tel: +82 70-4100-8318
Mon to Sat: 11.30am – 9.30pm
(Closed on Sunday)
Nearest Station: Hongik University

Photo Credit: Doma

#4 DOMA

Korean barbecue is not taken lightly by the locals and if quality is what you are after, Doma will not disappoint. Using only beef from Nebraska, diners can choose to get assorted sets with different cuts of meat or get individual meats such as Raw Prime Rib Meat, Bottom Sirloin Triangle and Seasoned Prime Ribs.

Grill them over hot charcoal and enjoy them with a mixture of savoury ban chan dishes!

33 Yanghwa-ro 16-gil
Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu
Seoul, South Korea
Tel: +82 03 3477 5111
Mon to Fri: 5pm – 5am
Sat to Sun: 12.30pm – 3pm, 5pm – 5am
Nearest Station: Hongik University

Photo Credit: OkDongsik

#5 OKDONGSIK

For those who are craving for a comforting bowl of gomtang (beef bone soup), OkDongsik is an up-and-coming restaurant that deserves a mention. Opened in 2017, the cosy restaurant only has counter seats where diners are able to watch the chef at work.

In order to achieve that full-flavoured beef stock that is satisfying till the very last drop, premium black pork meat and bones are simmered for hours in the kitchen. Have the clear soup with plump white rice and some ban chan at the side.

44-10 Yanghwa-ro 7-gil
Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu
Seoul, South Korea
Tel: +82 2 507 1424 9911
Mon to Fri: 11am – 3pm, 5pm – 10pm
Sat to Sun: 11am – 8.30pm
Nearest Station: Hapjeong

WHERE TO DRINK

Photo Credit: Playground Rooftop Bar & Cafe

#6 PLAYGROUND ROOFTOP CAFE & BAR

Playground Rooftop Cafe & Bar is where you will find the party animals—from foreign exchange students to hip young locals. The two storey bar has its own rooftop space where you can enjoy a beer or cocktail with your friends.

Otherwise, social butterflies will enjoy taking part in their weekly events—language exchange coffee meetings, international parties and cocktail parties are just some to name.

14 Wausan-ro 21-gil
Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu
Seoul, South Korea
Tel: +82 02 337 0774
Mon to Fri: 6pm – 11pm
Sat to Sun: 6pm – 1am
Nearest Station: Hongik University

Photo Credit: gogosallyyyy

#7 VINYL

If street bars are your thing instead, Vinyl is a quirky watering hole where colourful alcoholic drinks are served in transparent IV bags. Go there for their neat range of cocktails but it really is the hipster interior that will keep you lingering on for a chat with your traveling partners.

61-1 Wausan-ro
Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu
Seoul, South Korea
Tel: +82 2 322 4161
Mon to Fri: 4pm – 12.30am
Sat to Sun: 6pm – 2am
Nearest Station: Sangsu

Photo Credit: Robin’s Square

#8 ROBIN’S SQUARE

For the serious drinkers who are looking for craft cocktails in the Hongdae vicinity, leave it to the experienced bartenders at Robin’s Square to whip up your poison of choice. Nestled on the basement level of the Vans store, the unpretentious bar offers crafts spirits sourced from all over the world.

69 Wausan-ro
Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu
Seoul, South Korea
Tel: +82 2 6085 6421
Sun to Thu: 7pm – 4am
Fri to Sat: 7pm – 5am
Nearest Station: Sangsu

WHERE TO SHOP

#9 HONGDAE SHOPPING DISTRICT

Located near Hongik University, Hongdae Shopping District is where you will find the best buys at affordable prices that are kept low to attract students.

There are free concerts from time to time, and you can even pop by the Hongdae Free Market from March to November to see shoes, shirts, ceramic accessories and more handmade by Hongik University students.

Eoulmadang-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul
Nearest Station: Hongik University

WHAT TO SEE

#10 STREET PERFORMANCES

Walk down the streets of Hongdae and you will be greeted by many street artistes showcasing their talents. You will most definitely be impressed by the dancers who put up show stopping performances that do not lose out to professional Kpop groups. If you are feeling the beat, no one will fault you for grooving to the music!

Photo Credit: Bunny Cafe

#11 BUNNY CAFE

Animal lovers will find Bunny Cafe right up their alley. Home to 12 adorable furry bunnies of various breeds, visitors get to cuddle up with them and take lots of pictures for keepsake.

What is a trip to an animal cafe without personally feeding them personally? Simply top up W2,000 for a bag of tidbits and you get to feed the bunnies! Do note that you are only allowed to feed the bunnies with food purchased at the cafe.

136-10 Eoulmadang-ro
Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu
Seoul, South Korea
Tel: +82 2 333 1660
Daily: 1pm – 9pm
Nearest Station: Hongik University

Photo Credit: govoyagin

#12 NANTA THEATRE

Catch a live comedic performance at NANTA Theatre which offers excellent shows that will leave you laughing and crying at the same time. There are both cooking and acrobatic shows but the former is what’s most popular there. The best part? You don’t even have to understand Korean to appreciate the shows.

29 Yanghwa-ro 16-gil
Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu
Seoul, South Korea
Tel: +82 2 739 8288
Nearest Station: Hongik University

Hanoks are traditional Korean houses which bear the marks of past, traditional Korean living. Staying in a hanok would be one of the best ways to fully immerse yourself into traditional Korean lifestyle and culture. And best of all, you will not have to pay an exorbitant price for this special experience.

Furthermore, most hanoks are situated within close proximity of prominent tourists attractions such as Gyeongbokgung Palace or Changdeokgung Palace. They are also close to various train stations which makes travelling around Seoul a whole lot easier.

Here are 9 Hanok Stays In Seoul Under S$140 For A True Blue Korean Experience. Have a great time in Seoul!

Photo Credit: Bukchonmaru

#1 BUKCHONMARU HANOK GUESTHOUSE

As one of the top 10 hanok guesthouses in Korea, Bukchonmaru Hanok Guesthouse is a family guesthouse located in the heart of the Bukchon Hanok residential area in Seoul. This homely guesthouse also provides an authentic Korean breakfast — between 8.30am and 9am — made from traditional family recipes at no additional cost.

Bukchonmaru Hanok Guesthouse offers a Double Room with Shared Bathroom and Family Room with Private Bathroom that is suitable for persons travelling in pairs. The rate also entitles you to a free breakfast!

Bukchonmaru Hanok Guesthouse
152 Changdeokgung-gil
Gye-dong, Jongno-gu
Seoul, South Korea
Tel: +82 10 3253 8751
Nearest Station: Anguk

Photo Credit: Booking.com

#2 DAJAYON HANOK STAY

Travellers visiting Korea for a taste of authentic and delicious street food should consider a stay at Dajayon Hanok Stay, a hanok guesthouse that is just 700m from the renown Gwangjang Market, 600m from Chongga Kimchi World. Jongmyo Shrine is just 200m away from the guesthouse, too.

Three different accommodations await you at Dajayon Hanok Stay, such as the Deluxe Double Room with Shower and Double Room with Garden View that is good for two pax, and the Triple Room with Bathroom which can accommodate three people.

Dajayon Hanok Stay
81-3 Yulgok-ro 10-gil
Gwonnong-dong, Jongno-gu
Seoul, South Korea
Nearest Station: Jongno 3-ga

Photo Credit: Booking.com

#3 HANOK EUGENE GUEST HOUSE

Aside from offering you a place to stay, Hanok Eugene Guest House brings your stay to the next level by offering kimchi-making lessons and Korean language classes! In addition, those travelling during winter would be glad to note that this guesthouse has heated flooring as well.

Hanok Eugene Guest House is situated just 500m from the beautiful Fortress Wall of Seoul and a 10-minute drive away from the popular Dongdaemun Market. Breakfast will be included during your stay.

There are also plenty of accommodation options at this guesthouse which will cater to travellers in different group sizes. For groups of two, opt for the Korean Style Double Room with Private Bathroom and even if you are a solo traveller, the Korean Style Single Room with Shared Bathroom will do the trick.

Hanok Eugene Guest House
36 Hyehwa-ro 12-gil
Hyehwa-dong, Jongno-Gu,
Seoul, South Korea
Nearest Station: Hyehwa

Photo Credit: Booking.com

#4 HANOK 24 GUESTHOUSE GYEONGBOKGUNG

Located just a 5-minute walk away from Gyeongbokgung Subway Station, Hanok 24 Guesthouse Gyeongbokgung is an excellent choice if you are intending to rely primarily on Seoul’s subway train to explore the city. In lieu of its strategic location, the guesthouse is also situated a mere 600m away from the Gyeongbokgung Palace and 1.3km away from the iconic Bukchon Hanok Village.

For those travelling in twos, you can either choose to stay in the Double Room with Shared Bathroom or the Twin Room with Shared Bathroom. Both deals come with a good breakfast.

Hanok 24 Guesthouse Gyeongbokgung
27-3 Jahamun-ro 5ga-gil
Nuha-dong, Jongno-gu,
Seoul, South Korea
Nearest Station: Geyongbokgung

Photo Credit: Booking.com

#5 HANOK GUESTHOUSE SUNI

Although slightly out of the way from famous Korean markets and tourist attractions, Hanok Guesthouse Suni stands out for being located 400m away from Sungshin Women’s University and 1.3km away from Korea University. As such, you would imagine that food and drink options in the area would be relatively cheaper due to the large student population.

Hanok Guesthouse Suni
42 Bomun-ro 32-gil
Dongseongdong 2-ga, Seongbuk-gu,
Seoul, South Korea
Te: +82 10 9050 0896
Nearest Station: Bomun

Photo Credit: Booking.com

#6 HYOSUNJAE HANOK GUESTHOUSE

Love culture, city walks and sightseeing? Well, Hyosunjae Hanok Guesthouse will fit your bill. Established since June 2015, Hyosunjae Hanok Guesthouse is only 700m away from the Chandeokgung Palace and 800m from the Jongmyo Shrine. But for those who want to have a little crazy fun, you would be glad to know that the Alive Museum Insa-dong is just 600m away!

Hyosunjae Hanok Guesthouse has several rooms that differ according to the size of the travelling group. All room rates include a complimentary breakfast.

Hyosunjae Hanok Guesthouse
133-2 Bukchon-ro 1-gil
Anguk-dong, Jongno-gu
Seoul, South Korea
Nearest Station: Anguk

Photo Credit: Booking.com

#7 KIMCHI GUESTHOUSE JONGNO

When one thinks of Korea, one item that will naturally be associated with the country is Kimchi. Although Kimchi Guesthouse Jongno has nothing to do with kimchi, in particular, it is situated just 300m away from Gyeongbokgung Subway Station and each room is fitted with Korean futon mats, a heating system and air-conditioner. 

5 different types of rooms are available at Kimchi Guesthouse Jongno, all depending on the travel size of your group. For those just travelling with a friend, the Korean-Style Double Room is a popular option and this rate also includes breakfast.

Kimchi Guesthouse Jongno
45-10 Jahamun-ro 1-gil
Sajik-dong, Jongno-gu
Seoul, South Korea
Nearest Station: Gyeongbokgung

Photo Credit: Booking.com

#8 MUMUM HANOK GUESTHOUSE 

Nestled within Bukchon Hanok Village, Mumum Guesthouse is a warm traditional Korean-style guesthouse with a beautiful garden. Each room comes with air conditioning and a Korean-style futon bedding.

Famous attractions around the guesthouse include the famous N Seoul Tower which is simply a 15-minute drive from the guesthouse, and you would be able to access Gyeongbokgung Palace and the Jongmyo Shrine which is a 10-minute walk away.

Mumum Guesthouse has three different rooms for two persons, three persons and four persons respectively. The Korean Style Double Room is suitable if you are travelling in a pair and your rate also entitles you to a complimentary breakfast.

Mumum Guesthouse
11-3 Gyedong 2-gil
Wonseo-dong, Jongno-gu
Seoul, South Korea
Nearest Station: Anguk

Photo Credit: Booking.com

#9 SEOUL LUCKY GUESTHOUSE HANOK

The area of Jongno-gu is overflowing with cultural sites, attractions, city walks and sightseeing. And located within the area is Seoul Lucky GuestHouse Hanok, a quaint and humble guesthouse that has two different rooms for single and two persons.

People travelling in pairs will stay in the Double Room with Private Bathroom and solo travellers, the Single Room with Private Bathroom. Breakfast is included in all rates.

Seoul Lucky GuestHouse Hanok
21-16 Jahamun-ro 11-gil
Tongin-dong, Jongno-gu,
Seoul, South Korea
Nearest Station: Geyongbokgung

About the writer:
A member of the team at ladyironchef, Claire’s mission is to lead a life without regrets—to explore the world and its treasures boldly. When she isn’t pursuing her interests in writing, academia and music, Claire spends her free time with family and her pets. She also hopes to run her own animal shelter in the future.

Anguk-dong in Seoul is one of the few neighbourhoods in Seoul where you can see an interesting juxtaposition of old and new architectural styles, featuring traditional Korean houses made from bricks contrasting with modern shop fronts.

Its favourable position near tourist attractions such as Gyeongbokgung Palace and Bukchon Hanok Village has made Anguk-dong a popular destination among those who are interested in culture and cafe hopping.

Here are 8 Places To Check Out In Anguk-dong, Seoul.

#1 C FLAMINGO

Aesthetically pleasing desserts are everything but where better to enjoy them than C Flamingo? The dessert cafe at Anguk-dong may not have real flamingoes but it certainly has an appealing array of cakes and beverages.

64 Bukchon-ro 5-gil, Jongno-gu
Seoul, South Korea
Tel: +82 2-722-3454
Nearest Station: Anguk

#2 CAFE BORA

One of the better-known dessert cafes in Anguk-dong, Cafe Bora’s speciality is their Purple Sweet Potato Iceflakes which is essentially bingsu made with sweet potato. Other bingsu flavours you can get there are Green Tea and Strawberry.

For those who are not a fan of bingsu, Cafe Bora offers other sweet treats including Sweet Potato Ice Cream, Steamed Sweet Potato Bun and Chickpea Ice Cream.

75-3 Yulgok-ro 3-gil
Sogyeok-dong, Jongno-gu
Seoul, South Korea
Tel: +82 70 8613 5537
Daily: 12pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Anguk

#3 DODO

Visitors are welcomed by the sight of a lovely front garden as they walk into dodo. The cafe specialises in coffee, but you can also find food like tacos (W6,000), hamburger (W7,000) and their signature waffles (W13,000) on the menu.

Bukchon-ro 5-gil
119-1 Samcheong-Dong, Jongno-gu
Tel: +82 2 737 7236
Daily: 11am – 10.30pm
Nearest station: Anguk

#4 GLOBO COFFEE FAKTORY

We are letting you in on a little secret that we found out at GLOBO Coffee Faktory—there is a secret hideout nestled within the cafe! Just looking at the modern entrance of the cafe, we could hardly believe our eyes when we found out that there is a hidden spot that looks almost like a traditional Korean tea house.

GLOBO Coffee Faktory roasts their own coffee beans in-house with a large probat roaster and guests are able to choose up to seven different types of coffee beans from around the world.

17 Bukchon-ro 5ga-gil,
Sogyeok-dong, Jongno-gu,
Seoul, South Korea
Tel: +82 2-722-6269
Daily: 9.30am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Anguk

#5 HIT THE SPOT BAKERY

You cannot miss this two-storey French bakery which serves an impressive array of artisanal fresh bakes. If you cannot decide what to order, go for their best seller which is the Ice Cream on Brioche.

#6 MUKSHIDONNA

Mukshidonna Tteokbokki is a simple Korean restaurant that focuses on serving stews in a communal pot, and the stew is up to you to customise. The base is basically the same stock, and you pick from an array of ingredients to go into your pot.

It has several outlets in Seoul—including Garosugil and Hongdae—but you should dine at the original outlet at Anguk-Dong.

74-7 Yulgok-ro 3-gil,
Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu,
Seoul, South Korea
Tel: +82 2 723 8089
Daily: 11am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Anguk

#7 O’SULLOC TEA HOUSE

O’sulloc is a tea salon in Seoul that pays homage to Korean green tea from Jeju Island, with branches in Myeongdong, Apgujeong, Insadong and Daehangno. With green tea as the core ingredient, the cafe offers ice cream, tea, green tea milk spread and more.

There are also tea accessories sold in the stores for you to purchase as souvenirs or for individual use back at home.

170 Gwanhun-dong, Jongno-gu
Seoul, South Korea
Tel: +82 2 732 6427
Daily: 10am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Anguk 

#8 RADIO M

Another dessert cafe at Anguk-dong neighbourhood, Radio M is a paradise for those with a sweet tooth. Their attention is focused on three things only—coffee, desserts and bingsu. If you are not intending to stay for long, you can also grab a cup of coffee, tea or smoothie on the go at their takeout counter.

128-4 Sogyeok-dong, Jongno-gu
Seoul, South Korea
Tel: +82 2 737 4669
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Anguk

When visitors are in Seoul, their itineraries are often packed with touring the grand palaces, retail therapy and relaxing at the aesthetically-pleasing cafes. While we can understand why travellers love these activities, Seoul actually has so much more to offer!

Traditional markets are often overlooked and deserve more attention to the amount of culture, food and interesting experiences that can be offered all in one place.

Feast on affordable street food, gawk at gigantic freshly caught fish and observe as the stall vendors make big batches of kimchi. Here are 7 traditional markets in Seoul you need to visit to get the very best out of your trip.

#1 GWANGJANG MARKET

Opened in 1905, Gwangjang Market boasts over 5000 shops and 42,000 square metres. This is the traditional market you must visit if you are tight on time while in Seoul.

Gwangjang Market is food heaven for those who love affordable Korean street food and snacks; from cheap and generous portions of mung bean pancakes to steaming plates of spicy rice cakes and crispy deep-fried snacks.

Most of the food stalls here have been operating for many years, thus they are well-loved by the locals for the wallet-friendly prices and years of expertise they spent to hone and perfect the dishes.

In addition to food, visitors will be able to watch as stall owners make huge batches of fresh kimchi and explore the many uniquely Korean stalls available here, including antiques and cheap clothing!

88 Changgyeonggung-ro,
Jongno 4(sa)-ga, Jongno-gu,
Seoul, South Korea
Nearest Station: Jongno 5-ga/Euljiro 4-ga

#2 NORYANGJIN FISHERIES WHOLESALE MARKET

Featuring an impressive array of tanks filled with live seafood, Noryangjin Fisheries Wholesale Market is Seoul’s biggest seafood market. Seafood lovers visiting the capital city, this is the ultimate market for you!

The market is made up of two buildings, and here’s everything you need to know before visiting.. Indulge in fresh assortment of seafood, including raw, live octopus.

Buy your fresh seafood from any of the seafood vendors, then head to the restaurants nearby for a freshly cooked meal with the seafood you just purchased for a delightful hot meal.

674 Nodeul-ro,
Noryangjin-dong, Dongjak-gu,
Seoul, South Korea
Nearest Station: Noryangjin

Photo Credit: Seoul Insiders Guide

#3 TONGIN MARKET

A doshirak is a Korean lunch box that local mothers would pack for their children to bring to school and for their spouses to take to work. Tongin Market is popular for its one-of-a-kind concept of filling up your own lunchbox at any of the participating food stalls in the marketplace.

To have the complete dosirak experience at Tongin Market, visitors simply have to head over to the entrance of the market to exchange their money for a roll of traditional coin replicas. Then, they can visit the numerous participating stalls to pick out their side dishes and exchange them for a coin or two before heading off to the next stall to fill up their lunch box.

Load up a dosirak with various exciting side dishes including savoury pancakes, kimbap, egg rolls and dumplings; head upstairs to feast on your lunchbox once you are done, there are numerous tables and chairs provided to enjoy your meal.

18 Jahamun-ro 15-gil,
Tongin-dong, Jongno-gu,
Seoul, South Korea
Nearest Station: Gyeongbokgung

Photo Credit: The Seoul Guide

#4 CHANGSIN MARKET

Go on a major throwback and head to Changsin Market, where there are various old-school toys to reminiscence on simpler times before technology and smartphones blew up.

Nostalgia will hit you like a tidal wave as you take in the many toy shops lining the market here with dolls, robots, kitchen sets and even toys that you have to assemble on your own.

6 Jongno 52-gil,
Jongno-gu,
Seoul, South Korea
Nearest Station: Dongdaemun

Photo Credit: The Soul of Seoul

#5 YANGNYEONGSI MARKET

Traditional herbal medicine has been believed to offer amazing positive effects for our bodies for decades (and even centuries) in Asia.

Discover the world of medicine at Yangyeongsi Market, where the smell of the medicinal herbs lingers throughout the market with the wholesale stores, street vendors and pharmacies that line the market. The traditional pharmacies will typically be spotted with wooden cabinets that cover the floor to the ceiling with an impressive collection of oriental medicine.

Korea is famous for its red ginseng, with numerous health benefits including aiding mental and physical health stimulation, as well as boosting the immunity system. Visitors will be given plenty of opportunities to purchase them at wholesale prices at Yangyeongsi market.

51-1 Namseong-ro,
Jung-gu,
Daegu, South Korea
Nearest Station: Banwoldang

]]> https://www.ladyironchef.com/2019/06/traditional-markets-seoul/feed/ 0 https://www.ladyironchef.com/2018/08/stylenanda-pink-pool-cafe/ https://www.ladyironchef.com/2018/08/stylenanda-pink-pool-cafe/#comments Thu, 02 Aug 2018 01:00:33 +0000 Sherlyn Teo http://www.ladyironchef.com/?p=166527 Continue reading →]]>

Seoul has no lack of aesthetically-pleasing and Instagram worthy cafés, and Stylenanda Pink Pool Café is definitely one of them. This beautiful café has got to be one that fashionistas should mark on their bucket list the next time you are in Seoul.

Their gorgeous pastel pink interior reminds us of the famous Sketch Cafe in London and it will not be the only thing that will leave your jaws hanging—believe it or not, they have an actual pool within the café itself!

Many would be familiar with Stylenanda—one of South Korea’s leading online fashion brands. Stylenanda houses several concepts under one roof—from a boutique hotel to shophouses where sales of accessories and apparels take place to an entirely pink café, make sure to not miss this spot out!

Taking up an entire section of the Stylenanda Pink Pool Café is their pool, making this space the true #instagramgoals.

Here is where you can go ahead and snap as many shots as you wish—every corner of the café is stylish and makes for a perfect backdrop for OOTD shots. The café may not be the biggest in size, but trust us when we say that you can get plenty of amazing shots in this photogenic café.

If you are looking to escape the cold weather outside, a cuppa hot coffee would be perfect to sip on while you chill in this pretty space.

They offer quite an extensive range of beverages—pick from a variety of coffee, teas, shakes and even diet beverages in the likes of Lemon Detox and Real Tomato Juice.

Boasting a minimal yet chic interior, fun boutique-café concepts and totally photogenic pastries, Stylenanda Pink Pool Café in Hongdae is definitely worth a visit.

Stylenanda Pink Pool Café
335-21 Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea (Hongdae)
Daily: 11am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Hongdae

Can you believe that behind this pretty pink vending machine lies an entire café?

Situated just a stone’s throw away from Mangwon Market is Zapangi, an Instagram-famous café which has a brightly-lit pink vending machine door. Translating to ’vending machine’ in Korean, Zapangi is literally known for their iconic vending machine door.

Here, you can expect a range of cakes served in tins, doughnuts, coffee and their signature milk tea. Zapangi is a café that anyone who has a love for all things pretty or wants a picture to jazz up their Instagram feed should patronise.

If you are heading there via public transport, take the subway to Mangwon Station and take exit 2. Just a short 5 to 10-minute walk through a local neighbourhood would get you to this pretty café!

Besides the iconic pink vending machine door that Zapangi is known for, they serve a neat range of classic desserts and drinks that taste as good as they look. If you’ve ever noticed your Instagram feed brimming with posts of a mermaid cupcake served in a metallic tin, well, you can now join the trend and get one for yourself at Zapangi.

Thier menu is limited to sweet treats, including tin cakes and doughnuts, and beverages, all costing no more than 10,000 won. We suggest you order a cup of their signature milk tea to go with their insanely cute cakes and doughnuts!

Save a spot in your itinerary when you’re heading to Seoul for Zapangi not just so you can snap a few OOTD pictures with their iconic vending machine door, but to indulge in their adorable confectioneries.

If we were you, we’d share them on Instagram because if it isn’t on Instagram, it didn’t happen.

Zapangi Seoul
400-2 Mangwon-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Daily: 10am -11pm
Tel: +82 2 325 8185

For more recommendations, read our Seoul’s travel guides on the best places to discover in the city.

Starfield Library in Seoul is a one-of-a-kind library that will leave you in awe. Featuring bookshelves that are 13 metres in height and over 50,000 books and magazines on display, do not be surprised to see books that are stacked all the way to the ceiling here!

What’s more, this public library in Seoul is not a building on its own, but rather, in the middle of Starfield COEX Mall in Seoul, South Korea.

With no physical boundaries nor security to ensure that no books are stolen, Starfield Library encompasses an entirely new and novel concept that you ought to check out the next time you are in Seoul.

Situated in Starfield COEX Mall, the giant shopping mall in Seoul, Starfield Library is a two-story library that spans 2,800 metres square in size. While it is not the most serene of libraries, this space is perfect for all to drop by and relax after an entire day of shopping or for a lazy afternoon.

Although most of the books are in Korean, Starfield Library does offer international magazines for tourists alike. Here, you may grab a book for reading but needless to say, the books right at the top of the bookshelves are not meant for reading!

Seats, as well as desks with power outlets, are available on both levels of the library. Tablets are also provided for guests to search for books available in the library.

Those taking public transport can get here by taking the subway to Samseong Station via Line 2. Head out via Exit 6 and just a short walk through the underground passageway will get you to Starfield COEX Mall in no time.

Starfield Library
B1 and 1F, Starfield COEX Mall
Daily: 10am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Samseong Station

A metropolis, Seoul is home to some of the most spectacular dining establishments in the world that have attracted plenty of foodies from all walks of life to visit the city for their brilliant cafe scene.

With its simple facade, Rose Bakery may not be able to compete when it comes to aesthetics but it is precisely its comfortable and cosy vibes that attracted throngs of locals and tourists to visit if they are just looking for a place to unwind and enjoy mouthwatering brunch items and coffee.

Hailing all the way from Paris, this French cafe shares the same space as popular Japanese fashion label Comme des Garcons, so guests can always go for a shopping spree before or after grabbing a cuppa!

Presented on a long white counter, Rose Bakery’s drool-inducing range of pastries and baked goods are similar to what you will find at their main bakery in Paris.

Have a look at their brunch menu as well; a small selection comprising unpretentious mains such as Egg Crab Sandwich, Avocado Spread Poached Egg Toast and Rose Bakery French Toast.

In the meantime, delight yourself with some coffee, tea, smoothies and fresh fruit juices. Some caffeine options to perk you up include Cafe Latte, Cappuccino, Caramel Macchiato and Cafe Mocha. Otherwise, we would also recommend the Valrhona Chocolate for its dark chocolatey flavour.

If you are in the mood to do some shopping, head over to the Comme des Garcons store and pick up a few fashion apparels before leaving the place!

Rose Bakery
140-893  261, Itaewon-ro
Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Tel: +82 02 790 7225
Daily: 10am – 10pm

For more recommendations, read our Seoul’s travel guides to discover the best places to visit in the city.