Welcome to Seoul friends

🇰🇷

We’re so grateful you traveling so far to join our wedding, we want to make sure you have the best time while you’re here in Seoul 🫶 Let’s go!

Preparation checklist

  • For better directions, especially for walking and taking public transportation, use Naver Map instead of Google Maps, which isn't very reliable here. Traffic and ETA info can be off, so stick to public transportation during rush hours. Naver Map is great for finding routes for buses, subways, and more!

  • Uber works great, but I recommend having Kakao Taxi as a backup if not your main. During peak times, especially late at night after some fun, Kakao Taxi usually gets you a ride quicker!

    You can also download and create an account with KakaoTalk, the most widely used messenger among Koreans, as this account/app is used to log in to Kakao Taxi.

  • You can use roaming, but if you want to save some money and have a Korean phone number, we recommend getting a eSIM on your phone.

    Some reservation and waitlist systems may require a korean phone number, so this will come in handy.

    Option 1 - Get eSIM at Incheon airport:
    When you get out of baggage claim, find a LG U+ kiosk and request to get an eSim. You wouldn't need to take out your SIM card with this option and they will help set it up for you, so will be easiest option!

    Option 2 - Get a regular SIM Card at Incheon airport or a convenience store:

    You can go to other cellular provider kiosks such as KT to get a SIM card or wifi device. Or you can also walk to a convenience store in the airport for SIM Gold or Korea SIM Blue+. If using the convenience store ones, you will likely need the internet to register it yourself, so use the free airport Wi-Fi to set it up before you head out.

  • Most places should accept foreign cards but it will be a good idea to have some cash ready as back up. FYI Apple pay will not work in Korea.

    Cash will be useful for:

    • Reloading T money card
    • Street stalls, small underground shops, traditional markets
    • Long distance buses

  • Seoul's public transport network is among the best in the world!

    You only need one transit card for all public transportation, including taxis. T-Money is the recommended card and is available at convenience stores and other retailers. It can only be loaded with cash, so plan to have some on hand.

Seoul by neighborhoods

Ikseondong/Seosullagil 익선동/서순라길

Popular neighborhood with vintage architecture (hanok) on narrow streets. Lots of  hanok turned into cute cafes and stores.

  • Hoho Sikdang Ikseon (호호식당)

  • Pocha street at night (Jongro 3ga station exit 3 or 6) 

  • ikseon atteut (익선애뜻 korean restaurant)
    Soha Salt Pond Ikseon-dong (소하염전 salt bread cafe)

  • ComCom Arcade (콤콤오락실)

  • Gwanghwamun Square (광화문광장 nice at night)

Seongsu 성수

Trending hipster neighborhood in Seoul! You can find a variety of stores, cafes, and restaurants here.

  • Gowoo Seongsu 고우성수 (stone pot rice restaurant)

  • Samuel Smalls 사무엘스몰스 (Vintage interior design shop) 

  • Point of View Seoul (Multi-floor stationary store)

  • Door to Seongsu (Fancy convenient store)

  • Matchacha 맛차차 (Matcha cafe)

  • Seoul forest 서울숲 (New-ish Central park of Seoul)

Bukchon & Seochon 북촌 & 서촌

Historic area. Bukchon is more preserved, Seochon has more humble atmosphere, small single-story buildings with narrow alleyways.

  • Tongin Traditional market 통인시장

  • Granhand (Fragrance shop)

  • Samcheongdong Sujebi 삼청동 수제비 (Hand pulled dough soup)

  • Bar cham 바참 (Creative Korean inspired cocktails)

  • Dochi 도취 (Korean fusion)

  • Anam (Pork and rice soup)

Itaewon & Hannam 이태원 & 한남

Fun nightlife area with lots of expats, bars, and restaurants. Gyeongridan-gil and Haebangchon are pockets you will want to check out.

  • Graphic 그래픽 (Cool manga cafe to chill and read manga)

  • Saladaeng Embassy 살라댕앰버시 (Thai restaurant)

  • Shinheung market (Historic marketplace revived with new shops)

  • Itaewon Seutbulgogi 이태원 숯불고기 (Low frills k bbq)

  • Korean Bistro Mr. Ahn’s Makgeolli 안씨막걸리

Apgujeong/Rodeo/Sinsa 압구정/로데오/ 신사

Practically Beverly Hills of Korea, heart of Gangnam. You’ll find lots of luxury shops, large k-pop company HQs and celebrity hair and makeup salons here!

  • Nudake 누데이크 (Artsy bakery by Gentle Monster group)

  • Zenzero 젠제로 (Gelato with korean ingredients) 

  • Samwon garden 삼원가든 (og korean beef bbq) 

  • Jangsarang 장사랑 (Simple korean dishes)

  • Ggupdang 꿉당 (Pork kbbq)

Yongsan/Ichon 용산/이촌

Few museums, parks, and authentic Japanese restaurants. There’s also been lots of new cafes opening near Shinyongsan station.

  • Dongbingo 동빙고 (Shaved ice)

  • Momoya 모모야 (Katsu restaurant)

  • Suzurantei 스즈란테이

  • Amore Pacific HQ 아모레퍼시픽 본사 (Exhibitions and store inside)

  • Pachamama 파차마마 (Bakery cafe)

Hongdae/Yeonhee/Yeonnam 마포/연남동/연희동

Cute shops and cafes

  • Lookback coffee 룩백커피

  • Frog (Record shop and restaurant)

  • Ipoom이품 (Korean chinese, pan fried dumplings)

  • Sounds good (Record store)

Seoul things to do and recs

Need some inspo for must do’s in Seoul? Here’s a few to spark ideas

K-beauty haul at Olive Young
Korea’s equivalent to Sephora— it’s our go to place to buy any skincare and cosmetics! Make sure to get tax off at the counter

Night strolls and chill time near the city river
Walk through the waterways like Cheonggyecheon, Yangjaecheon when you want to chill. You can also access han river through Yeouinaru, Gwanghwamun, or Jamwon station

Get korean food delivered
Korean black bean noodles(jjajangmyeon) and sweet and sour pork hit different in Korea! Or get your fix of chimek — fried chicken and beer

Traditional markets and underground stores
Tongin market, Mangwon market, and Eunmma sangga. If you love tteokbokki, let Yena know and she will take you to her favorite place inside Eunma !

Visit and shop The Hyundai Seoul
One of the newest department stores in Seoul! Try visiting the top floor for events and installations, and the basement floor for food and snacks.

Check out buddhist temples
There are a few temples hidden inside the highrise buildings. Yena recommends Gilsangsa, Jogyesa, Bongeunsa. Learn more here

Explore design and historic museums
Consider checking out Leeum museum, Daelim Changgo, D Museum, Kukje gallery, Whanki museum, MMCA, National Museum of Korea, Duson Gallery, and Futura Seoul (New!)

Take photos from a self photo booth
Tons of new photo booths have been booming in Seoul, make sure you get yours before you leave! Check out Photomatic, Life four cuts, Don’t LXXK up

Korean BBQ and soju
Huddle around the grill and clink soju or somaek! Ggupdang, Geumdaeji sikdang, Gilmok, Mongtan are popular establishments. We recommend to go early and beat the line.

Karaoke on the go at  Coin noraebang
Karaoke is a lot cheaper in Seoul! Coin noraebang as the name implies operates by coins like a vending machine and allows you to pay per songs.

Check out five palaces of Korea
Gyeongbokgung 경복궁, Changdeokgung 창덕궁 (offers english guides worth checking out), changgyeonggung 창경궁, Deoksugung 덕수궁, Gyeonghuigung 경희궁

Record/listening bars
There’s been an influx of a few record shops and bars opening up in Seoul! Consider checking out Kompakt record bar, Sunset records, Pyeongkyunyul (평균율)