Been back in NZ for two months and finally publishing my Korea recommendations (actually it's just for Seoul as we didn't go to other cities).
This is a list of all my favourite and must-go places I went to our week in Seoul both food and non-food. Korea is honestly full of aesthetic cafes and dessert spots so a lot of this went on the gram!
MUST GO'S:
- C Through Cafe: For a unique coffee experience in Korea, you must check out C Through Cafe. It's a must-go and a place for the gram! Owner and barista @leekangbin91is well known for his latte ‘cream art’ that is inspired by famous art pieces, turning regular coffee into works of art himself. The menu features illustrations of all the drinks and they’re all gram-worthy! I got myself a Scotchno and I absolutely adore its overflowing s’more look - messy but at the same time, artistic. Taste-wise, it was sweet and infused with melted butterscotch candy, carrying hints of caramel and marshmallow flavour. It’s a small cup and costs 6000 won (approx NZ$8.2) but was so worth it.
I was also recommended Champ Coffee which is close by in Itaewon-dong too.
- Carin Hongdae Lounge: One of the most instagrammable cafes in Seoul would definitely have to be Carin Lounge - a cafe opened by the sunglass brand CARIN.
Decked out in feminine pink and rose gold interior, it’s an elegant and relaxing space for you to hang out over dessert and cup of coffee (and to check out the sunglass range too). Their desserts and drinks are in collaboration with JL Dessert Bar and are incredibly beautiful and delicious. We got a strawberry and pistachio lego cake (9500 won), raspberry dulcey verrine (9500 won) and a honey maron drink (6500 won). Although the dessert and drinks here are kinda pricey, this was my favourite dessert stop in Seoul for both its presentation and taste.
- Shack Shack: Bumped into this American chain on our last day and so happy I finally got to try it! With fast and easy service, the wait for our burgers wasn’t long at all. Fresh and simple cheeseburger with lettuce, tomato and ShackSauce but boy was it goooood. One burger might not fill you up if you’re super hungry, so I'd recommended grabbing a shake and their crinkle cut fries.
- Bukchon Hanok Village: A common recommendation for Seoul is to check out this village for its traditional houses and you'll find heaps of tourists here. It's also a great place to take photos in hanbok (traditional Korean clothing) and there are quite a few hanbok rental shops at the bottom of the village which makes it convenient (and also looked much more affordable than hiring kimonos in Japan).
- Layered Cafe: While you're in the area, visit this cafe before/after you walk around Bukchon Hanok Village . When you’re overseas, a sign that a place is legit good is when its full with locals and this was the case with Layered Cafe. It’s a charming and cosy cafe/bakery, built inside a hanok and provided a warm haven for us as it was absolutely freezing outside. Once you step inside, you will immediately see a wide selection of British-style cakes, scones and many other tempting pastries/baked goods piled up in the middle of the cafe, ready for you to grab a tray to fill up with your choice of treats.
- Isaac Toast and Egg Drop: This was surprisingly my favourite food I tried while in Korea. Toast is such a tasty and popular option for a grab-and-go breakfast, and packaged such that they are easy to takeaway. Issac Toast is the OG toast brand in Korea, famous for their breakfast
sandwiches with their special sweet sauce but there have since been some new entrants to the scene including Egg Drop. Just when I thought Isaac Toast would be the best ever toast I had ever tried, @ga.eats recommended Egg Drop and of course I had to try it out too. Egg Drop is the local take on the classic egg sandwich, with different variations on their menu. Think a generous layer of creamy, silky scrambled eggs with your choice of filling (such as avocado, bacon and cheese or teriyaki chicken) sandwiched between two thick slices of buttered brioche toast, and its signature sweet egg sauce that will have you drooling - all made fresh to order. Pictured here is the Sweet Ham Cheese and every bite of this was incredible! I thoroughly enjoyed both Isaac Toast and Egg Drop and both are super affordable, ranging from NZ$3-6. Egg Drop is probably the winner for me as I found theirs was more loaded and I just loved the scrambled egg. But it’s definitely the sauce that plays a huge part in what makes Korean toasts so omfg amazing. If you ever go to Korea, I highly recommend you make Isaac Toast and/or Egg Drop a must-visit!
- Myeongdong Street: We stayed in Myeongdong so we came here quite often. Heaps of street food at night and great for shopping too. For food, I actually quite liked the nearby Namdaemun Market - quieter and less tourists here, but generally semmed cheaper than the food stalls along Myeongdong Street. Not really sure about the opening hours of Namdaemun Market as we tried to find it a couple of nights but all the stalls seemed to had closed/gone so recommend going around 6/7pm.
- Hongdae: Another popular area which you're bound to visit. Heaps of food and shops. Check out Hongdae Shopping Street while you're there.
- Ikseondong Hanok Village: a hidden gem! Not as well known as Bukchon but has some gorgeous cafes. Was recommended to me by a local and we managed to spend a little bit of time there!
If you love Korean Fried Chicken, I recommend 77 Kentucky/칠칠켄터키 and Kyochon Chicken! 77 Kentucky give huge portions and Kyochon Chicken was seriously lit and had the crunchiest chicken skin I've ever tried.
FOR THE GRAM:
- Le Mont Blanc: Our very first stop was the first of many aesthetic food spots. Most popular item are their yarn-ball mousses that looks so realistic, which of course is what I wanted too. Unfortunately the girl before me took the last dark choc & raspberry mousse so I was left with earl grey. Enjoyed the cheesecake more but that was expected considering I only still got the mousse for the gram.
- SONA: Located in the back streets of Garosugil in Seoul, Sona offers an extensive menu of aesthetically pleasing desserts that are carefully handcrafted and elegantly presented. They honestly have the prettiest desserts ever. The Champagne Sugar Ball is undoubtedly the dessert that Sona is most well known for and no surprise, the reason why I wanted to come here. Resting atop a bed of cheesecake snow, this beautiful handcrafted sugar ball is filled with edible flowers, champagne foam, strawberry panna cotta, and fresh strawberry slices. It comes with warm strawberry consommé that you’re instructed to pour over once you crack the ball open. Smashing the delicate sugar exterior makes for some fun (if you can bear to break it!). Pictured also is the Ispahan_Seoul, which consisted of Ispahan (rose, lychee & raspberry) parfait, champagne parfait, raspberry and rose gelee, strawberry sorbet, dried meringue sticks, sugar crystals and more - as you can probably imagine, was rather sweet!
- Zapangi: Another of Seoul’s most instagrammable spots is this cafe that’s ‘hidden’ behind a pink vending machine! Zapangi (‘vending machine’ in Korean) is literally known for its vending machine door and no doubt if you come here,
you’ll be taking pictures with it for the gram before you even enter the cafe itself. There’s plenty of spots inside that’ll provide for a lovely backdrop too. On its menu is a range of aesthetic drinks and desserts, including coffee, tea, doughnuts, cakes in tins and colourful unicorn drinks. I couldn’t resist this strawberry mermaid cake served in a tin (9500 won). The cafe’s tagline is “tin and bottle” which is reflected in its simple presentation – cold beverages are served in glass bottles whilst cakes are served in metal tins.
- StyleNanda Pink Pool Cafe: The cafe is on the top floor of their flagship store and you'll see people be taking photos for the gram. However, must order a drink each to dine in.
- Starfield Library: Where (all the tourists at least) everyone comes to take photos while on the escalator and not actually to read/study!
- Common Ground: A shopping mall constructed from shipping containers! Popular photo spot with its blue containers.
Check out my Seoul story highlight on my Instagram to see more of all the places we went to!
Comments