2026 Seoul Trip Recommendations
Here is a few of my recommendations for your upcoming trip to Seoul based on an actual list of recommendations I sent my friend recently.
Where to Stay
gongdeok
opt1
https://maps.app.goo.gl/mNULjjce8cXVU32D6
opt2
https://maps.app.goo.gl/3dxzEdActhTniBPR9
Close from all yet just a little away to be able to relax.
Easy access to Han river, but I recommend this park for either morning or night walk.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/jWJ3B2S1dg3q1wjy5?g_st=ic
Great cafe, bar options along the walk.
This bagel place is great for breakfast. Beats the hotel buffet by far for my taste.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/dfa8wwhF25GA4hum9?g_st=ic
Although it depends a lot on your taste, I do not recommend staying near places like Myeongdong, Hongdae, Gangnam. Unless you are planning to party until late night and access to bed is the top priority.
Activities and Places
Secret Garden Palace Tour
https://ticket.uforus.co.kr/web/main?shopEncode=
There are many nice tea-spots near palace
https://maps.app.goo.gl/KYhuzHQTWeQJkS87A
https://maps.app.goo.gl/LcbY9d2PsE4gagT1A
https://maps.app.goo.gl/5JPz2j2avrgniqwh6
Cheonggyecheon
nice walk by the small river both day and night. Good to walk around with a coffee or beer at hand.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/w4FZhWS8fuq5WgJ79
Ikseon-dong
area with traditional korean houses reformed into nice restaurants, cafes and bars. Worth spending a evening just walking around, enjoy a meal and drink afterwards
https://maps.app.goo.gl/69RskmjufkB3nhEc7
Han river park at sunset, night
https://maps.app.goo.gl/hgFfrxtsyfKejx5x8
Traditional market places
https://maps.app.goo.gl/ayqncnXnTFVN4ybKA?g_st=ic
Food
Korean BBQ
Pork
https://maps.app.goo.gl/oja9JBwbhk93fLLQ7
Beef
https://maps.app.goo.gl/y2KNi7YpERt6AqjK8
https://maps.app.goo.gl/tzHRepWiSVzdXK4u8
Chicken and Beer
So many options. You can search the map for chicken options and choose based on your own taste.
Reimen(cold noodles)
You can always order it as a ‘dessert’ after beef bbq.
Gimbap
Korean style Chinese
Jajangmyeon
tangsuyuk
It is a genre of its own. Multiple of my Chinese friends approved that this is indeed a peculiar, Korean custom style Chinese cuisine. You will find it anywhere.
Korean bingsoo(icecream like desert)
Sulbing (franchise)
Cafes
Oh how I miss the spacious cafes of Korea while living in Japan. I think this is second to my family if I list the things I miss about Korea. You will find many, many cafes. I personally like both franchise and non franchise.
The cannot fails depending on what you are looking for.
- TWOSOME PLACE
Great dessert - MEGA COFFEE
BIG, Cheap coffee
| Brand | Price Range | Key Features | Best Sellers |
|---|---|---|---|
| MEGA MGC COFFEE | Low | Unbeatable value and large size (24oz) | Pong Crush, Halmega Coffee |
| Compose Coffee | Low | Owns a large roasting factory, high bean quality | Americano, Einspänner |
| Paik's Coffee | Low | Founded by Baek Jong-won, crushed ice option | Paik's-ccino, Salad Bread |
| A Twosome Place | High | Premium desserts, famous for its cakes | Strawberry Chocolate Cream Cake |
| Paul Bassett | High | Maeil Dairy milk base, specialty coffee | Ice Cream Latte |
| Hollys | High | Single seats & outlets, study-friendly space | Vanilla Delight |
Other tips
Taxi
Download uber in advance. Taxi is quite cheap in Seoul. And in this weather I recommend you to use it as much as possible.
Taxi price is quite cheap if you compare to US, Europe and Japan.
Map app
Google map does not function too well in KR.
Recommend to either have Naver Map or Kakao Map.
Member discussion