No matter how many times we visit South Korea, it never gets boring. Join us for a trip to Seoul filled with photo ops, chic cafes, and strong coffee. Discover tips and tricks to make the most of your adventure in the heart of South Korea.
Our first stop is Bongeunsa Temple, where it’s believed that offering rice brings prosperity in business and career. Each pack costs 5,000 won, and our family made offerings to bless our lives.
Next, we head to Starfield Coex Mall to visit the Starfield Library, a paradise for photo enthusiasts. For lunch, we savor Jim Dak (sweet soy sauce chicken) with chewy noodles and kimchi, a perfect combination.
We then check into Travelodge Myeongdong Namsan, which we absolutely love due to its proximity to Myeongdong Market.
After settling in, we visited the Molto Italian Espresso Bar, known for its gorgeous view of Myeongdong Cathedral and its delicious Espresso Affogato. In the evening, we had dinner at Myeongdong Night Market and highly recommend the famous Yoogane Chicken Galbi.
This was a great start to the trip, and we couldn’t wait for more.
We woke up early to visit the famous Netflix-featured stall at Gwangjang Market. We arrived around 7:30 AM to snatch some of the fresh noodle soup with pork dumplings and kimchi. I can confirm that it was absolutely delightful.
Afterward, we explored Seongsu Street, known for its unique buildings and shopping spots. Nearby, we found Nudake Café, which features around 20 unique and artistic cakes. Though a bit pricey, it’s worth trying.
Next, we took a bus to the trendy Garosu-gil Street, filled with stylish buildings and shops. For BLACKPINK Jennie fans, this is the spot to check out TAMBURINS perfume brand where she is a brand ambassador. We were content with just snapping some photos with the posters.
In the afternoon, we took my mom to see the cherry blossoms at Jamsil Hangang Park, near Lotte World. Unfortunately, all the blossoms had faltered, but that only means we have to come back again.
In the evening, we visited the Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP), an architectural marvel in the heart of Seoul. It’s best to visit at dusk because they turn the lights on, creating a stunning backdrop for photos. Besides being a popular filming location, DDP is also a hub for international cultural exchanges.
After a long day of eating, shopping, and sightseeing, we concluded our day with a Korean BBQ dinner in Myeongdong, where we enjoyed a feast of pork belly, pork neck, kimchi soup, and various side dishes for only 16,900 won per person. The restaurant also offers other delicious items like Korean minced meat, similar to our local “larb” in Thailand.
Highly recommended!
We planned to visit Cafe Onion, a chic café transformed from an abandoned building, but the long queue made us change our plans. Instead, we headed to Cheongsudang Cafe nearby, known for its stream running through the center and delicious, rock-like cakes.
Next, we visited Ewha University. Getting lost at the back gate meant a 30-minute walk to the front, but renting scooters made the journey fun and easy.
Our next stop was Cafe Rain Report in Itaewon. Although the steep path wasn’t ideal for our parents, the café’s chic black decor and in-house coffee roastery made it worth the visit.
In the late afternoon, we enjoyed a picnic by the Han River. Eating ramen by the river felt straight out of a Korean drama, with beautiful views, great weather, and locals cycling and walking their dogs.
And so, we reached our final day in Seoul. Today, we’re hitting the must-visit cafés and savoring delicious food before heading back to Thailand.
In Myeongdong, we tried the renowned Cafe Dictionary Express, famous for its “God of Latte.” It truly lived up to its reputation.
For lunch, we indulged in tteokbokki, kimmari, sundae, jajangmyeon, kimchi fried rice, and ginseng chicken at Myeongdong Grandmother Noodles. This hidden gem offers a 10% discount to Thai visitors, thanks to the owner’s Thai connection.
With full bellies, we headed to the airport. Our trip was filled with amazing food and shopping, making it an unforgettable experience. Don’t forget to bring enough Won and get ready to splurge!
