Traveling Guide: Around the City in Seoul, South Korea

**There are some texts that have hyperlinks attached to provide more information and related websites.

Gyeong-bok Palace, South Korea: Photo 146283975 | Seoul © Tawatchai Prakobkit | Dreamstime.com

Some Tips That May Be Helpful

1. Kakao Map: I recommend you download Kakao Map on your phone to get around instead of using google map. Google Maps is not very convenient in Seoul. You can use the Kakao Map if you need to find a way that’s within walking distance. For even the places that don’t show up on Google Map, it will always show on Kakao Map.
2. Kakao T (Taxi): We don’t have Uber or Lyft in Korea. Kakao Taxi is what you want to get around the country. There’s also Ta-da which provides larger and more spacious vehicle.
3. T Money Card: This is basically a metro card that you need to get around the city by subways. You can purchase thee from any subway stations or convenience stores (CU, Seven Eleven, or GS25).
4. Currency: $1USD = ₩1,351.27 KRW (Korean currency is in Won) as of 4/6 11:07AM
5. The largest cell service providers are SKT and KT.

Some Basic Korean Words to Remember

1. Hangul (한글) means Korean characters.
2. Hwa-jang-sil (화장실): Restroom
3. An-nyeong-ha-seyo (안녕하세요): Hello (formal: used to greet someone older or someone you meet for the first time) / An-nyeong: Hi! (casual: used to greet friends and someone younger)
4. Gam-sa-hap-ni-da (감사합니다): Thank you. (formal: used to thank someone older or someone you meet for the first time) / Go-ma-wo: Thank you (informal: used to thank friends or someone younger)

Sightseeing

South Korea is largely divided into two areas. The south side of the river called, Gang-nam (강남) literally translates to south river and as more widely known from the song Gangnam Style by Psy. The north side of the river is called Gang-buk (강북) literally translates to north river.

The Gang-buk area is a mix of traditional Korean cultures and tall business towers. All the traditional palaces, gates, museums, galleries, houses, streets are located in this area spreading the traditional Korean values and history. But the area also includes what is known as the “Korean financial district”. So you will be able to find many skyscrapers that contain large corporates, businesses, banks, publications, investment brands, and etc.

The Gang-nam area is more contemporary — you will find a mix of more modern Korean culture and lifestyle that seem relatively familiar to you. A lot of western cultures are also visible in this area. The Trade Tower, most K-Pop related venues, Jamsil neighborhood with its largest concerts/Olympics venue attract many foreigners and travelors.

[List of Gang-buk Neigborhood]

1. Jong-ro:

• Myung-dong (명동): This is a very touristy area. Many K-Beauty shops, street snacks, iconic street stores are located here for you to shop for souvenirs and gifts to bring back home. For sightseeing, Myung-dong Church is worth taking a look at. For food, Myung-Dong Kyoza is very famous. Don’t miss the beautiful Christmas decorations on the Lotte Department Store and SSG Department Store here if you go around that time of the year. It is a lot like the Times Square of NYC considering how many travelers are crowded here to experience Seoul.
• Gwang-hwa-mun (광화문): This is the south gate used to enter the Kyung-bok Palace in the past. Visit the largest bookstore in this area, Kyobo Munko. The Gyeong-bok Palace is located right behind it.). Don’t miss out on the the Admiral Lee sun-shin statue (admiral and War hero), and the King Sejong Statue (the King who created the Korean language, Hangul) in the Gwanghwa-mun Square is to learn more deeply about the Korean history. If you are interested in King Sejong’s creation of hangul here’s an article about it.
• Enjoy the skyscrapers in this area — this area is called the “Wall Street of Korea” as it is the financial district of Korea (along with Gang-nam’s Samsung Town).
• Samcheong-dong (삼청동): National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art is also in this area along with Kukje Gallery. These two galleries are a couple of top galleries in South Korea that holds mostly Korean artworks but you can also experience western art from time to time. Samcheong-dong road is filled with traditional Korean buildings, han-ok most of which are little cafes, restaurants and shops. This road leads to the Blue House where the president resides (much like the White House in the States).
• Cheonggye-cheon (Park): This is a very narrow/small stream. Make sure to go here at night because that’s when you can really feel the vibe. Many young lovers and friends are sitting here to enjoy their time and have a drink.
• City Hall: Visit the Duk-su Gung Palace and the National Modern Art Museum inside the palace (has more national and international art). The Duk-Su Gung Stone Wall is also a very romantic place to go with your loved one.
• Gyeong-bok Gung Palace: This is another palace near Duk-su Gung palace. You can enter this palace for free if you try on hanbok, a traditional Korean costume. There are many hanbok (한복) rental places nearby.
• The Gates: Sung-nye mun Gate (aka The South Gate) — enjoy the Namdae mun market that “opened in 1964, is a large area of stalls offers clothes, household goods & local items.” Visit the Dong-Dae mun (The East Gate) Market for some night shopping. DDP, Migliore and aPM place and also inside the actual market. Nearby food stalls are also really great.
• Seoul Tower is also near the South Gate: This is like the Empire state building in NY. Most iconic and frequently reflected in Korean movies and dramas. In Korea, many schools take students here as school trip. The tower is also famous for couples to go on dates and hang padlocks as a promise of their love.

Padlocks at N Seoul Tower: Photo 70475933 | Seoul © Psstockfoto | Dreamstime.com

• Gwangjang Market: Seoul Gwangjang Market, which means to gather and preserve widely, is one of the most vibrant traditional markets in Seoul, boasting a history of over 100 years. Thanks to its location in the heart of the city, it is easy to find even for first-time visitors to Seoul. Another special aspect is that it is a place where you can see everything necessary for Korea’s traditional ceremonial rites, that is, marriage and ancestral rites. It is Korea’s representative traditional market where you can experience the past lives of our ancestors. Gwangjang Market, which was formed in the early 20th century, handles various items such as clothing and food. The food market is especially popular, making it a popular place not only for Koreans but also foreign tourists. When you feel hungry after traveling around the city, enjoy street food such as Drug Gim-bap (its been given the name because of it’s addictive taste), savory mung bean pancakes, assorted pancakes, tteokbokki, fish cakes, and sundae made on the spot. The fact that you can enjoy it casually thanks to the low price that anyone can easily enjoy is a huge advantage over any other restaurant. It is no exaggeration to say that it is difficult to find a better place than Gwangjang Market to feel the real local vibe of traditional Korea. If you are interested in Korea’s traditional clothing, this is another place you can try out the Han-bok. Read on here.

2. Yong-san (용산): This is where the US military is based. You will be able to visit the Korean War Memorial, The National Museum of Korea are all worth visiting. You will be able to learn the deep and long history of the relationship between Korea and the United States. While you are here around the Ichon station area, you might as well visit the Han River, also known for the famous saying, “The Miracle on Han River” referring to the fast economic growth in South Korea since the war. Take a breather at Ichon Han River Park. Make sure to try snacks at the convenience store at the park. The most local thing that people do here at the river park is eating ramen noodles from the convenience store nearby. Many Koreans also like to order chicken and beer (the famous Chi-maek” as delivery to eat here. The delivery is super fast and cheap (a lot cheaper than NY for sure)in Korea.

3. Itaewon (이태원): Now this place is just in the list just in case if you miss a bit of home. While there are tons of western restaurants around the city, Itaewon is special because the restuarants and cafes here are run by forenighers that imigrated here to settle down. So the foods at the restaurants taste more authentic. This place is super fun and interesting (or it used to be). It was the largest gathering neighborhood during the Halloween. Lots of sports bars which are considered culturally very American, trans bars, gay bars host bars various themed bars and other fun places. Now these are all mentioned in past tense because I am not so sure what the situation looks like today since the Itaewon Crowd Crush Incident which is an incident that, on the first Halloween after Covid-19 died down a bit, killed many young adults and students due to crowd crush. It was an incident where many young people and foreigners died due to lack of air and lack of order, lack of security. I’ve never been there after this incident. If you want to know a bit more about this area pre-Itaewon Incident read this article. It’s not the best quality writing but it provides enough information to understand how this entire area of Yongsan and Itaewon grew to be what it is today.

4. In-sa-dong (인사동): Walk around the Ssamzie street. So this place is built for travelers from other countries. As soon as you enter this area all signs and billboards are written in Korean. Even Starbucks is written in Hangul (Korean language). There are plenty of traditional Korean Dado (Tea drinking ritual) places, local restaurants, and things to buy as gifts to bring back home. This place may get a bit touristy but it provides Korean culture and tradition in a condensed manner.

5. Yeo-yi-do (여의도): This is an island ins Seoul that has many big Korean corporate buildings like LG, Hanwha, Samsung and many other large conglomerates like banks, investment companies, solar panel companies, telecommunication buildings and more.

But other than large businesses, this is an island in Seoul known for cherry blossom festival in the spring. Many couples and family come here to enjoy the beautiful spring. In September, Seoul International Firework Festival is organized by a large conglomerate that produce a solar energy and SBS (Seoul Broadcasting System) for everyone to enjoy the celebration.

The famous 63 Building (this is kind of like the Top of the Rock in NYC) is where you get the breathtaking view of the Seoul. The restaurants in the building are also very popular venue for wedding proposal (Walking on The Cloud / Touch the Sky). There are other restaurants too. The trendy shopping complex, IFC Mall is also located here in Yeo-yi-do. Make sure to take a look at the National Assembly Building (aka Parliament in London / The Capitol building in the US).

Try to avoid lunch time during the weekdays though, as all the restaurants will be packed with office workers.

[List of Gang-nam Neigborhood]

Now the southern part of the river looks more contemporary and more westernized compared to Gang-buk.

1. Gang-nam Station: This is probably the area which is most familiar with many people. All the fun clubs, bars, cafes and restaurants are gathered here which are packed with people with their 20s. There are shops and boutiques where you can buy jewellries, shoes, clothes, stationaries and accessories. Also, many large subway stations like the Gang-nam station, there are shops under ground- inside the station. They have really cute stationaries, shoes, phone accessories and much more. So don’t miss out on that. This area also has many office buildings such as the Samsung Town. Lots of language schools (ex. Chinese, Japanese, English, GRE schools, TOEFL and etc.) are located here to so you will meet many foreigners in this area.
2. Garosu Street (Sinsa Station): This would maybe be like the SOHO of NYC. It is the hot spot for many young adults to hang out and also the mecca for fashionistas. Street shops and bars are really worth exploring.
3. Starfield Coex Mall: This is a complex mall with shops, food courts, restaurants, resting area, book store and so on. This place also connects to the Hyundai Department Store one of the big department stores in Korea and also the Trade Tower where many people from different countries work. Thus the neighbor hood has many large brand hotels such as Grand Intercontinental Hotel, Coex Intercontinental Hotel, Oakwood Hotel and others that are easily accessible to Airport Terminal. The Starfield Coex Mall is also famous for their Aquarium and the Starfield Library. If you are a K-Pop stan SMTown Artium might be worth checking out. It is like a Madame Tussauds of SM (one of the three entertainment labels in Korea) artists. At the entrance of the Starfield Mall is the famous Gang-nam Style dance move statue from the K-Pop song Gang-nam Style by Psy.

Starfield Library, COEX Mall: Photo 116267202 | Gangnam Seoul © Boon Leng Teo | Dreamstime.com

Some Other Places that Might Be Worth Checking Out (in Seoul):

1. Seoul-Soop (Seoul Forest)
2. Seong-su dong: So called “The Brooklyn of Korea”
3. No-ryang-jin Fish Market

**Side note: I previously mention many art galleries and museums here in the Gang-buk area. For artworks you can keep your eyes out for: The Joseon Moon Jar ceramics and Dansaekhwa art works. For Dansaekhwa art work, I’ll share with you short paragraphs from my thesis paper. Dansaekhwa is very unique and now its become very internationally known in the art world. Dansaekhwa is a Korean word that is registered as is in the dictionary. If you look up Dansaekhwa in a Korean to English dictionary it will give you Dansaekhwa for an English word.

Some Activities That Have Been Trending Recently

• 인생네컷 — Life Four Cut: instant photo experience
• Coin No-rae-bang: coin karaoke/singing room
• PC Room (PC방) or Manga Room (만화방): Literally a cafe/a room for using computers usually people play games on the computer at PC Room and/or read manga or comics in Manga Room. Make sure to enjoy all the services available here for example, Check out all the foods and beverages you can order.
• Department Stores: Enjoy luxury shopping but more importantly check out the food court/gourmet floors to try out all the amazing foods from pastries, desserts, meals, beverages and etc. Department stores lists: SSG, Galleria Department Store, The Hyundai, Hyundai Department Store. Many people who visit Korea from another country said that this experience was particularly different and unique.

Traveling Outside Seoul

1. Incheon (인천)
2. Gang-neung (강릉)
3. Pyeong-chang (평창) — Yong Pyong (Skiing, snowboarding)
4. Wonju — Oak Valley (Museum San)
5. Nam-i Island
6. Jeju Island (제주도)
7. Busan (부산)
8. Jeonju (전주)
9. Gyeongju (경주)
10. The DMZ (Demilitarized Zone dividing South and North Korea)

Foods to Try

1. Tteok-bok-kki (떡볶이): rice cake dipped in spicy sauce.
2. Bibimbap (비빔밥): rice mixed with Korean traditional seasonal vegetables. Usually this is served regular room temperature. But there is also the one that comes hot in hot stone pot. You can choose however you like to try.
3. Naeng-myun (냉면): cold buckwheat noodle (there are two different types you can choose from. Spicy mixed-brothless and another one comes like a noodle soup)
4. Chinese food: note it’s different from American Chinese food (Panda Express, PF Chang etc.) Jja-jang myeon, jjam-ppong and tang-su-yook are the best combination of food.
5. Korean BBQ: Sam-gyup-sal (pork belly), Galbi, Deungshim…etc. Also if you like intestines you can try dae-chang, gop-chang, mak-chang. You can try both pork and beef but the Koreanness really lies in the way you eat it. So make sure to eat it with Ssam (meet and onion and a bit of bean paste wrapped in lettuce-ask a Korean friend for detail). Ask your Korean friends or the server at the restaurant too.
6. Anju (안주): Anju is a term referring to any type of food that are served with drinks (alcohol). It might be fun to try different types of Anju dishes varying from O-dol-Ppyu (오돌뼈: cochlear bone), 닭똥집 (chicken socket), 닭발 (chicken feet) and many others.
7. Chi-Mack (치맥) literally Chicken and Mack-ju (beer): This is a must. You must try this. This is the most local thing you can eat. Chi-mack is especially popular during sports event times like the Olympics, and World Cups.
8. Kalguksu (칼국수): hot noodle with (usually seafood or clams).
9. Dwen-jang-jji-gae (된장찌개): This is like the most warm soul food. This is what Koreans eat when they miss home or when they miss their family. Roughly translates to bean paste soup, it’s made with marinated paste made with beans.
10. Kim-chi-jji-gae (김치찌개) : This probably comes in second after Dwen-jang-jji-gae when listing “home food” or “soul food” for Koreans. As the name implies, it’s made with Kimchi.
11. Gop-chang/Dae-chang/Mak-chang: Its really good. I really love these but maybe some people don’t. It’s basically the intestines of a cow or lamb (depending on which one you choose to eat). The first one is the small intestine, the second one is the large intestine and the last one is abomasum.

Drinks: Korean Alcohol Culture

1. Soju
2. Mack-ju (Beer)
3. So-Mack (literally the mixed drink of soju and mack-ju): This will be a very local experience if you do try this drink. This drink is very popular especially for gatherings or hanging out with friends after work. Office workers or just anyone in general love to drink it after a long day.
4. Mak-gul-li (막걸리): This is a drink made with rice- quite different from soju. This is less like hard-liquor. It’s more like a wine version of rice alcohol. Goes well with Jeon (전), Korean style pancake(or more accurately fry) as Anju.

Shopping / Gifts

1. K-Beauty Brands: Nature Republic, Skinfood, Etude House, The Face Shop and many other skincare shops available.
2. Pharmacy/Store: Olive Young has many skincare products and beauty related things that are unique to South Korea.
3. Plush Dolls and Character Objects: Line Shop and Kakao Shop sell many cute plush toys, stationeries and other accessories designed with emoji characters unique to Kakao Talk, the Korean messenger app and Line app another messenger app.
4. K-Pop Shops: Visit any of the K-Pop goods/merch stores to purchase any of your favorite artists’ goods. Merch products vary from photo cards, albums, clothes, foods, DIY kits and many more. Its beyond what you can imagine.

A Few Things to Keep in Mind

• It is normal to use cellphones in the subway and on the streets. Everyone is on them when walking or riding on the train but the trains are usually super quiet. All the subway stations have wifi connections and phone services.
• The bus stop benches have a heating system so make use of it if you go during the winter.
• Please beware of the yellow dust if you go in Spring (April).
• The escalators and stairs — always stay on your right side. The left is usually for someone who’s going the opposite direction of me or for those in hurry.
• Seoul is a pretty safe city. At a cafe, you can leave your bag at your seat, go to the bathroom or away for an hour or so, come back and your stuff will still be there.
• Hospitals or medical services are super cheap in Korea unlike the US so if you are feeling sick or have symptoms please go to the nearest hospital, private medical clinics or even a pharmacy.
• Please experience the convenience store foods — they are really good and diverse in terms of kinds of food they sell. (the bento boxes, different kinds of ice-cream and the triangle gimbap and etc.)

Note to All

**Lastly, this document is to provide you with as much information as possible so you can experience Korea to the fullest. It’s not to make you limit your choices or give you right or wrongs to what you should decide to do. This is just to give you an idea of what options you have and just some etiquette and manners. I truly believe there are no right or wrong answers in traveling. So don’t ever feel like you MUST do all the things on here. Hope you just enjoy, and have fun.