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Adjacent to the Han River and Seoul Forest Park, the neighbourhood of Seongsu-dong is making a name for itself, overtaking the likes of Hongdae as the hot new “it” place for young locals due to its artsy vibes and industrial aesthetic. Often nicknamed the “Brooklyn of Seoul,” the once popular shoe district is lined with old factories and warehouses that have been converted and repurposed into trendy must-eat spots, boutique stores and art spaces!
If you want to be where the people are, then Seongsu-dong needs to be on your travel itinerary and fortunately, Seongsu-dong is easily accessible through Seongsu Station or Ttukseom Station on Line 2 and actually features many places to eat, see and enjoy! Here’s a list of our favourite things to do in this neighbourhood for every type of traveller.
273, Ttukseom-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul
What is time spent in Korea without enjoying the natural beauty it has to offer? Well, you definitely don’t have to travel all the way to the outskirts of the city just to catch a glimpse of the blooming cherry blossoms or the amazing colours of the autumn foliage - look no further, Seoul Forest Park has it all.
The park is open year-round, 24 hours a day except for specific attractions inside the park, and not to mention, completely free of charge! Just a five minute walk away from Exit 3 of Seoul Forest Station with multiple entrances, the park is easy to walk around with plenty of flora and fauna to look at, so it is no wonder it is a local favourite.
In Spring, you can picnic with friends or family on the open fields, or take a stroll down the rows of blooming cherry blossoms and stop by the Eco Forest to say hi to the deers. In the summer, the park turns a vibrant green with its tall trees providing shaded areas for relaxing walks and picnics by the lakes or trips to the butterfly garden, making Seoul Forest Park the perfect summer spot to unwind and chill at.
When the weather starts to get chilly and the leaves start to turn a golden orange, the Gingko Tree Forest is a must-visit to marvel at the lined rows of tall gingko trees. It’s a picture-perfect spot to capture the beauty of autumn foliage in Korea. However, Seoul Forest Park during the winter is truly a hidden gem. Enjoy the monochromatic landscape of the snow-covered park as you take a refreshing stroll with the cool breeze blowing against you. The park is a brief getaway from the hustle and bustle of Seoul city life.
Don’t forget that the park is a stone’s throw away from the Hangang Waterside Park, where you can easily access by walking or renting a bicycle to get to. There, you can enjoy the riverside picnic experience and see Eungbongsan Mountain from afar - or get there yourself! If you’re feeling adventurous, the route to Eungbongsan Mountain is popular amongst trekkers who want to see the full-blown beauty of the natural landscape up-close. To get there, the start of the route is located near Exit 9 of the Seoul Forest Station, which will lead you to cross Yongbigyo Bridge and eventually the wooden stairs up to Eungbongsan.
No matter the season, Seoul Forest Park is a great place to visit, so do check it out!
15-1, Seoulsup 6-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul
Included in the 2018 Michelin Guide, Grandma’s Recipe is a traditional Korean restaurant that focuses on recreating the taste of home-cooked meals in a modern space. Other than popular Korean comfort food such as Bulgogi, Beef Bone Soup and Bibimbap, some of their popular menu offerings include Ssambap, Marinated Raw Crab and Grilled Short Rib Beef Patties. This is definitely the go-to place for all your cravings for home-style Korean food!
10, Wangsimni-ro 5-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul
You’ve probably heard of chimaek - meaning chicken and beer in Korean - which is a popular food pairing for locals; it’s usually meant for your typical Korean fried chicken, but why not try out a different kind of chicken and beer here? Their chicken is covered in nurungji, which is crispy scorched rice, and roasted to get the perfect crispy texture with tender insides that is stuffed with a variety of rice, ginseng and jujube, just like the kinds you see in Samgyetang (ginseng chicken soup)! You can order this with a variety of toppings as well, so go all out with a pairing of refreshing beer on the side.
41-1 Seongsui-ro 7-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul
Meaning ‘full moon’ in Korean literary language, Ongeundal is a multi-storey cafe featuring a rooftop - so yes, you can definitely catch the full moon here! They have a wide selection of aesthetically-pleasing savoury pastries, sweet desserts and drinks to choose from. You can also choose to sit by the little water pool on the first floor, enjoy the second floor view or go up to the rooftop to look up at the sky.
Other than these three, Seongsu-dong features many more uniquely aesthetic cafes and restaurants, some located in repurposed old industrial buildings and one even features a treehouse in them (if you’re wondering, I’m referring to Grandpa Factory Cafe)! So don’t just stop here, go out there to Seongsu-dong yourself to go on the hunt for all these hidden gems.
63, Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul
Located nearby Seoul Forest, Under Stand Avenue is Korea’s first and the world’s largest outdoor shipping container shopping mall complex that not only features clothing stores but restaurants, art exhibitions and outdoor festivals suitable for people of all ages.
Made up of 116 recycled containers, this public cultural space aims to support artists, local vendors and social entrepreneurs in realising their start-up dreams. Here, you can enjoy cultural performances, boutique clothing stores and art galleries, all while supporting local businesses!
Fun fact: This was a filming site of the K-drama “The Liar and His Lover” starring Red Velvet’s Joy and actor Lee Hyun-Woo, as well as “Vincenzo”!
As you can see, Seongsu-dong has a lot to offer no matter what kind of traveller you are and what your interests may be. This hip and trendy neighbourhood is a wonderful area to spend the whole day shopping, eating, and enjoying every moment. So mark it down as the place you need to visit on your next trip to Seoul!
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Writer: Gloria Ho Yong Jean
Editor: Han (O.L)