The 943 King’s Cross Cafe, better known as the Harry Potter Cafe, is a unique 7 story cafe located in the neighborhood of Hongdae, Seoul, and the building is hard to miss. Amid Korea’s flood of quirky and themed cafes, this stands out as one of the most popular. With 7 stories to explore, this is a great addition to your Seoul itinerary or to a day of cafe hopping! They even have a wizard themed pub in the basement!
My Essential Korea Travel Resources :
There are plenty of travel companies out there, but these are my favorite websites and resources for planning an unforgettable trip to South Korea. This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.Learn more here.
🚙 Car rentals, although not common in Korea, are best through Discover Cars – just make sure to have a copy of your international driver’s permit with you!
🏨 I always use AGODA to compare hotels & prices in Asia.
📶 To keep cell phone service, I use Airalo’s easy to purchase eSIM’s (no installation required).
📸 For fun things to do, Klook specializes on tours in Asia, otherwise Viator also does the trick.
🦋 Just in case, Safetywing is the insurance I always use when visiting a new country.
With 7 floors to explore, you could easily spend a few hours at the cafe if you want, if you can even call this massive building a cafe. Each floor is uniquely decorated and themed in a way that gives off the feeling of actually being in Hogwarts. With brooms, wands, robes, and endless photo opportunities, there’s plenty to explore and I highly recommend spending time looking around each floor!
As for food and drinks, every visitor is required to buy a minimum of one drink for their price of entry. They have different kinds of pastries, snack boards, and drinks like coffees, hot chocolates, and even the famous butter beers from The Three Broomsticks. There are plenty of different places to sit throughout the cafe, and my personal favorite were the bed themed booths on the same floor with the Hogwarts living quarters living room photobooth!
Personally, I think this cafe is definitely worth a stop – whether you’re a Harry Potter fan or not. Although I loved the decorations, my favorite floor was the entryway which I found to be the most Harry Potter based and the most detailed with incredible rows of wands and multiple mirrors and floating broomsticks. Although there were plenty of other floors to explore and had a few Harry Potter decorations, I found that some of them were a bit random, like the Christmas decorations – however others, like the stairway filled with paintings is spot on.
I was genuinely surprised at the amount of photoshoot stations throughout the cafe, although if you’re familiar with the selfie/photo booth scene in Korea then you won’t be. They even have robes and wands for you to use in your photos from each of the 4 houses in Harry Potter! They just ask that you be respectful and time sensitive, meaning if there are people waiting behind you that you don’t take an excessive amount of time getting your perfect photo.
Their food and drink menu is a little spendy, around 7,000 or 8,000 Won per drink, but is similarly priced to other themed cafes in Seoul. My group tried the cheesecake, hot chocolate, butter beer, and one of their alcoholic drinks and all of them were delicious! The hot chocolate and cheesecake were especially cute with the chocolate wizard hats on top!
Located in Busan, the Gamcheon Culture Village is one of the cutest and quirkiest places to visit. Although it’s the perfect place to spend a day wandering around and exploring, the area can get especially busy with tourists in the afternoon, and even when I visited around 11 am there were multiple tour groups that were just arriving. However, my ultimate favorite stop in this area is the Busan Flipbook Studio.
My Essential Korea Travel Resources :
There are plenty of travel companies out there, but these are my favorite websites and resources for planning an unforgettable trip to South Korea. This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.Learn more here.
🚙 Car rentals, although not common in Korea, are best through Discover Cars – just make sure to have a copy of your international driver’s permit with you!
🏨 I always use AGODA to compare hotels & prices in Asia.
📶 To keep cell phone service, I use Airalo’s easy to purchase eSIM’s (no installation required).
📸 For fun things to do, Klook specializes on tours in Asia, otherwise Viator also does the trick.
🦋 Just in case, Safetywing is the insurance I always use when visiting a new country.
The Busan Flipbook Studio, also called (움직이는사진상점) in Korean, is located in the heart of the Gamcheon Culture Village. In order to get to the Gamcheon Culture Village on your own you’ll need to either take the local subway, bus, or a taxi. You can also walk the entire way, but Busan can be a bit hilly so I recommend one of the other options. Once you make it to the Village you can walk a little ways on the main road and you’ll see the Flipbook Studio on your right!
By Taxi – from most other major tourist attractions in Busan, the drive is only about 10 minutes
By Subway – head towards Toseong station which is the closest station on Line 1, Exit #6 at this station will have signs bringing you to the Gamcheon Culture Village
By Bus – take the local 1-1 or 2-2 buses towards Busan University Hospital up the hill, when you see the village on the left side you can press the exit button and get off at the next stop
My honest opinion is that this is the best souvenir you can make during your time in Korea. It is so cute, unique, and honestly just so much fun to make and watch back! The entire experience only takes 15 minutes (including the time to print your flipbook), and only costs $10!
If you’re not sure what to do for your flipbook that’s not an issue, there are plenty of example flipbooks that you can copy that range from cute and romantic, to silly and quirky. You can choose to make a flipbook with your partner or with family and friends – or even by yourself! The studio has an incredible amount of props and signs to use, and the owner actually came out to help show us how to act and pose in front of the green screen.
My husband and I truly loved our experience here, and it’s definitely something we’ll do every time we visit Busan! If you’re planning to add this stop to your itinerary, then I highly recommend booking a slot ahead of time to ensure your spot – they can get super busy in the peak summer months!
In recent years one of the most popular things to do in Seoul is a personalized Color Analysis. Seen all over social media, this new trend has new Color Analysis shops popping up all over Seoul, and honestly it can be a little overwhelming when looking for a place to choose. Some places even sell out months in advance. In this post I share how to prep for your analysis, what to expect, and my completely honest review of my experience at ONLEE Color.
My Essential Korea Travel Resources :
There are plenty of travel companies out there, but these are my favorite websites and resources for planning an unforgettable trip to South Korea. This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.Learn more here.
🚙 Car rentals, although not common in Korea, are best through Discover Cars – just make sure to have a copy of your international driver’s permit with you!
🏨 I always use AGODA to compare hotels & prices in Asia.
📶 To keep cell phone service, I use Airalo’s easy to purchase eSIM’s (no installation required).
📸 For fun things to do, Klook specializes on tours in Asia, otherwise Viator also does the trick.
🦋 Just in case, Safetywing is the insurance I always use when visiting a new country.
Choosing where to do your Color Analysis when visiting Seoul is one of the hardest parts of this experience. There are so many shops in Seoul, that it can be hard to tell which locations are legitimate and which are scammy – this is why I always recommend reading reviews on Google or Naver. There are also typically 2 variations of the “Color Analysis” – a basic package that includes the color swatches you see in videos, and a premium package that includes a makeup, jewelry, and hair analysis in addition to the color swatches.
According to Google, the top Color Analysis locations in Seoul are Dustmoth Stography, Cocory Personal Color, Meime Colour and Beauty, Color Signal Seoul, and Color Society in Hongdae – however, because these are considered the most popular they are also the most expensive and typically sell out months in advance.
Luckily, with quite a bit of research I was able to find some smaller Color Analysis locations that were nearly half the price of those in Gangnam & Hongdae, and got an appointment for later in the week at ONLEE Color! Because they’re located near the ever famous HYBE (BTS’ Record Label & Management), you’ll also see plenty of BTS inspired cafes nearby!
Before my appointment they informed me that there were a few things I could do to make the most of my personal color analysis. The first was to arrive with a bare face – minimal makeup (none if possible) and no tinted contacts. The second was that if you’ve just had any cosmetic surgery procedures, then your analysis will be a bit more difficult and they don’t recommend. The third is that you can bring your make-up pouch with you (the 5 main items you use every day) as a portion of your analysis – however I accidentally forgot this step.
Lastly, although there are plenty of places that offer services completely in English – you’ll often be charged close to double than locals. At ONLEE you can bring your own interpreter with you (only one other person allowed), however they have English sessions available as well if you’re more comfortable having your consultation done this way. It’s important to note that most Color Analysis businesses will require a payment or deposit upfront, and if you are late they will take the amount of minutes you’re late out of your appointment. If you end up not showing up for your appointment, you’ll often be charged the full amount of your booking.
For my color analysis experience at ONLEE I chose to go with the Premium Package experience because it was only about $45 more than the Basic Package. Finding the building was very easy, and the closest subway station is Sinyongsan Station on the Blue Line – about a two block walk. You’ll find ONLEE on the 4th floor of the building with a “Nice to CU” convenience store on the first floor.
As soon as I walked in I knew I had made the best choice. Everything was so clean and organized, and the minute I got inside I was given slippers to wear and the Color Analysis began. The first step was using a tool to analyze the color of my facial skin – the exact number of how much pink and yellow tones I had were put into my file and my analyst explained exactly what everything meant. We also analyzed my eye, skin, and hair color to see how much contrast I had on my face.
From there we continued into the next room for the remainder of my analysis. We started with the color swatches, and my analyst was so thorough I was honestly a bit taken aback – I learned that as a “Summer Mute” my best colors were mid tones and pastels. Then we moved onto makeup – where I learned my foundation was actually about 5 shades lighter than I had thought. We went through eyeshadow, blush, lip and hair color before we finished with a complete makeover.
The last step was analyzing which kind of jewelry best fit my skin tone (apparently silver) and even which kind of perfume I should be using! The entire experience was so holistic and thorough I truly was blown away – and ONLEE will be the only Color Analysis I ever recommend. For my premium package, I paid 140,000 won and it lasted 80 minutes. Afterwards, they sent me an entire personalized PDF with all my best recommendations – colors, makeup, jewelry and perfume, I’m still a bit in shock at how much was included. To book, DM them on Instagram at @onlee_color!
Regardless of what many people think, there are a few Bean Bag Chair Movie Theaters in Seoul. However, the most popular and easiest to find is at the Cine & Foret at the CGV Gangbyeon. Here, you can get comfy in one of their bean bag chairs or even in one of two cabanas in the back of the theater room (although those tend to book out ahead of time). Here I’m sharing everything I’ve learned about our mishap and how to make the most of your trip here!
My Essential Korea Travel Resources :
There are plenty of travel companies out there, but these are my favorite websites and resources for planning an unforgettable trip to South Korea. This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.Learn more here.
🚙 Car rentals, although not common in Korea, are best through Discover Cars – just make sure to have a copy of your international driver’s permit with you!
🏨 I always use AGODA to compare hotels & prices in Asia.
📶 To keep cell phone service, I use Airalo’s easy to purchase eSIM’s (no installation required).
📸 For fun things to do, Klook specializes on tours in Asia, otherwise Viator also does the trick.
🦋 Just in case, Safetywing is the insurance I always use when visiting a new country.
Luckily, Cine & Foret (and all their bean bag chairs) are quite easy to find once you know how to get there. You’ll want to begin by making your way to the Gangbyeon (강변) Subway Station on the Green Line/Line 2 in Seoul.
After getting to Gangbyeon station, you’ll simply need to follow the signs to CGV – you can either head outside, cross the street into the mall, and take the elevator to the 10th floor OR you can even get there through the subway system.
1. Ticketing – Although you can get your tickets in advance online, I recommend just getting them in person for the easiest option. My husband and I actually ended up having to visit the theater twice because the first time we had accidentally ordered movie tickets for a regular room and not the Bean Bag Chair Room.
If you do feel the need to order tickets in advance to make sure that you save the spots you want – you can do that here. Head to the 2nd column titled “국장” (Theater) – then the second tab titled “아트하우스” (Art House) then “서울” (Seoul) and finally “강변” (Kangbyun or Gangbyeong). After setting this up to ensure you’re booking tickets for the Cine & Foret, you can then choose what day/time you’d like in the column to the right and finally the movie you’d like in the column to the right.
2. Food & Drink – One of the most unique things to me about the movie theaters in Korea is that unlike in the U.S., you can bring in any food & drinks you want! In addition to some popcorn and drinks from the movie theater’s concession stands my husband and I stopped at the Lotteria downstairs and grabbed some food to go – then just brought it in with us to snack on during the movie! Try not to bring in anything too noisy though.
3. Cine & Foret – As one of CGV’s Art Houses (they have multiple kinds throughout Korea, like their living room or library themed theaters), the Cine & Foret looks to bring the regular movie goer to the forest. With walls lined with trees, comfortable bean bag chairs or cabanas for a picnic feel, this theater even has stars covering the ceiling. Hands down the most unique theater I’ve ever been to.
After you find your assigned seat, you’ll find that each bean bag chair has its own private cubby & small table next to it. And although the experience is unique and (let’s be honest) pretty adorable, I recommend sitting towards the back if you’re able to. I sat in the 3rd row and to be completely honest it started to get a little uncomfortable towards the end. It’s also worth noting that the movie we saw had no English subtitles (which made it tricky for my husband) but overall – a very fun experience that I would recommend if you’re visiting Seoul!
Famously dubbed the Poop Cafe in Korea, the “Ddong Cafe” is known around the world for it’s unique flair on sweet treats and cafe drinks. With toilet bowls for cups and poop shaped breads, there’s plenty to choose from – that is, if you can stomach it. But the real question is, other than a fun place to take some photos, is it really worth visiting?
My Essential Korea Travel Resources :
There are plenty of travel companies out there, but these are my favorite websites and resources for planning an unforgettable trip to South Korea. This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.Learn more here.
🚙 Car rentals, although not common in Korea, are best through Discover Cars – just make sure to have a copy of your international driver’s permit with you!
🏨 I always use AGODA to compare hotels & prices in Asia.
📶 To keep cell phone service, I use Airalo’s easy to purchase eSIM’s (no installation required).
📸 For fun things to do, Klook specializes on tours in Asia, otherwise Viator also does the trick.
🦋 Just in case, Safetywing is the insurance I always use when visiting a new country.
When I first visited Insadong many years ago I found a small bread stand serving poop shaped, red bean paste filled bread – and it was so unique that I convinced my mom that we had to buy at least one to try (yes, it was that long ago).
Now, they’ve taken over almost half of the entire top floor of Ssamziegil (쌈지길) in the famous Insadong district, so it’s hard to miss. Once you make your way into the open air, mall-type building, you’ll take the stairs up to the top floor and chances are you won’t miss it (just look for the poop signs).
Ddong Cafe Stand in 2015
Inside, you’ll find all kinds of toilet themed souvenirs, plushies and posters, but the fun doesn’t stop there. On their menu you’ll find drinks served in toilet bowl mugs, meals served on urinal plates, and poop shaped bread treats.
All right, here me out – here’s why I simply don’t believe the Poop Cafe is simply not worth visiting anymore. When I first visited their stand many years ago, their poop shaped bread filled with sweet red bean paste was warm, soft, and fresh. When I re-visted their cafe earlier this summer with my husband – let’s just say that their fame might have been their downfall.
We ordered one of their specials – a rose flavored latte – in addition to a waffle with a side of ice cream. To be fair the waffle and ice cream were delicious, but the latte was very plain and came out lukewarm. We also grabbed two of their paste filled, poop shaped breads on the way out from their take out stand, and honestly they tasted a few days old. Definitely quite a bit different than what I remembered from all those years ago.
Which is why, in my personal opinion, the Ddong or Poop Cafe in Seoul is simply just not worth visiting anymore. Unless you want some fun photos (which, I get it if you do) – there are plenty of other, better cafes in Seoul that serve much more delicious coffees and treats than this tourist destination, like the Onion Anguk!
Capsule Hotels have popped up all around the world, primarily in Asia – and they’ve taken the internet by storm. Luckily, right in the heart of Seoul there’s one capsule hotel you can easily stay at if you’re wanting to try one out while visiting Korea! Located just a couple blocks from the nearest subway station, and fairly close to Gyeongbokgung Palace, the Myeongdong Capsule Hotel definitely a unique stay that you’ll remember forever.
My Essential Korea Travel Resources :
There are plenty of travel companies out there, but these are my favorite websites and resources for planning an unforgettable trip to South Korea. This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.Learn more here.
🚙 Car rentals, although not common in Korea, are best through Discover Cars – just make sure to have a copy of your international driver’s permit with you!
🏨 I always use AGODA to compare hotels & prices in Asia.
📶 To keep cell phone service, I use Airalo’s easy to purchase eSIM’s (no installation required).
📸 For fun things to do, Klook specializes on tours in Asia, otherwise Viator also does the trick.
🦋 Just in case, Safetywing is the insurance I always use when visiting a new country.
The Myeongdong Capsule Hotel is located just 2 blocks from the nearest subway station, Euljiro 4 (“sa”) Ga. The entrance is just a little ways into the alley, and has a black exterior with a small sign saying “The Capsule Hotel” that you can see in my video below. I’ll be honest it was a little tricky to spot, but hopefully with the extra visual that’ll help you find it easily! Book the Capsule Hotel here!
If you’re planning to experience The Capsule Hotel on your visit to Korea, there’s a few things you might want to know before you actually check in. Depending on when you plan to check in, there’ll either be a person at the front desk after you go inside, or there’ll be a paper on the door with your check-in instructions. Personally, I felt this was a little strange because the door code was right on the front door for everyone to see and get inside, but I didn’t have any issues.
The first floor is an all men’s floor, and the floor I was on (the 3rd floor) was an all women’s floor. In the basement you can find the showers, which are co-ed. They did have some basic toiletries like shampoo and body wash, hair dryers, and lotion for guests to use. Bathrooms are located on each floor in the stairwell, and although the showers seemed clean – the bathrooms weren’t as well taken care of.
The capsules themselves are quite tidy, although if you’re much bigger than me (or my 6 foot 2 inch husband) chances are you’ll be pretty cramped and might have to bend a bit while you sleep. Inside the capsules you’ll have a pillow, blanket (which I didn’t use because it was so warm), outlets, switches for the light & fans, and a tablet that has basic information about the Capsule Hotel & area. There’s also a table you can take out and some hooks to hang up some of your belongings.
Each Capsule also has it’s own corresponding cubbies and locker that’s big enough to fit a carry on bag, so if you plan to do some exploring in Myeongdong then you can leave your belongings without having to carry them around! If there’s one piece of advice I can give you about the Myeongdong Capsule Hotel – it’s to bring some earplugs! Overall though, it was a very fun experience that I can’t wait to do again at the Incheon International Airport!
If you’re planning a visit to Seoul, chances are you’re planning to visit Gangnam, even if you don’t realize it. From Lotte World to COEX Mall, delicious food and all kinds of shopping, there’s something for everyone and every interest in Gangnam. Below I’ve listed my personal favorite things to do in Gangnam, from walking the famous K Star Road, to exploring gigantic shopping centers like COEX Mall and Lotte Tower, to more exciting options like Seoul Sky and Lotte World.
My Essential Korea Travel Resources :
There are plenty of travel companies out there, but these are my favorite websites and resources for planning an unforgettable trip to South Korea. This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.Learn more here.
🚙 Car rentals, although not common in Korea, are best through Discover Cars – just make sure to have a copy of your international driver’s permit with you!
🏨 I always use AGODA to compare hotels & prices in Asia.
📶 To keep cell phone service, I use Airalo’s easy to purchase eSIM’s (no installation required).
📸 For fun things to do, Klook specializes on tours in Asia, otherwise Viator also does the trick.
🦋 Just in case, Safetywing is the insurance I always use when visiting a new country.
Gangnam is a very easy spot in Seoul to get to, and chances are you’re either staying in Gangnam or you’re very close nearby. Because Gangnam actually encompasses such a large part of Seoul (all of Seoul south of the Han River), the most central area to head towards is Gangnam Station if you want to do some exploring or walking around.
Gangnam Station is on the green line, Line 2, and is said to be the busiest station in all of Seoul. With a huge underground area filled with shopping and food/coffee booths, in my personal opinion it’s one of the stations you might want to avoid around daily rush hours. From Gangnam Station, you can easily make your way to all the major attractions in Gangnam that I’ve mentioned below if you know how to use the Seoul subway system.
1. Lotte Tower & Seoul Sky The Lotte Tower is 123 stories high and one of the largest malls in South Korea. Not only can you do all of your shopping here, but you can also grab a bite to eat, and if you’re really feeling adventurous, you can head up to Seoul Sky. Here you can enjoy the glass floors (if you’re up for it), beautiful views from the observation decks, and even a birds eye view of Seoul. If you really want an adrenaline rush, you can upgrade your tickets to the Sky Bridge, which brings you to the outside of Lotte Tower where you can cross between the two points via a small bridge. Of course you’ll have to put some safety harnesses and gear on first.
2. Gangnam Station If you’re visiting Gangnam, you’re going to want to make a stop at Gangnam Station. If you stay underground, you’ll find all kinds of shopping booths in the subway (typically accessories like hair clips, clothes, and phone accessories for pretty cheap) and if you head outside, you’ll find yourself in the middle of the main street in Gangnam. Again, you’ll be able to find some nice stores for shopping outside, but there’s plenty of restaurants too. You might even notice a majority of people walking around with bandages on their face – not to worry though, these are just people who’ve gotten plastic surgery in Korea’s plastic surgery capitol. If you want to find more local restaurants, game houses, and cafés, including the famous photo booth stores – you’ll have to head one street back in the alleyway.
3. Coex Mall & Starfield Library If you’re wanting to visit the iconic Starfield Library, then Coex Mall is the place to go. There’s honestly so much to do inside the mall that you could spend an entire day here. From shopping to visiting one of the many restaurants or even their “Mega Box” – I of course recommend grabbing a picture at the Starfield Library and the golden Gangnam Statue out front. While you’re here you can also cross the street and visit the Bongeunsa Temple, but more on that on #9.
4. Han River & Sunset Cruise Personally, a Han River Cruise is one of my favorite ways to enjoy the views of the city. You get incredible views of the skyline and start to get a grasp of just how big and vast Seoul is. I recommend trying to time your river cruise with the sunset for golden views of the city, and if you’re looking for something unique, you’ll wanna head to the top floor where they have a special “Seagull Feeding Zone.”
5. Afternoon Tea One of the more “off the beaten path” things to do in Gangnam is to head out for afternoon tea! I visited Café Treeanon and they had the cutest set up both inside and out. Typically you need to make reservations in advance, but my mom and I visited during a weekday morning and got in with no issues. You can choose which type of tea you want from a whole tea menu, and included in part of your “set” is an entire 3 tier platter with sweet treats to munch on. It’s a great stop for anyone looking for something a bit quieter and hidden, and the perfect way to relax away from the crowds in Gangnam.
6. Try a K-Pop Dance Class On my last visit to Gangnam, I convinced my husband, Tyler, to do a K-pop dance class with me. Let’s just say our dancing skills were not up to par. I’ll be honest, in the one hour we had I thought we would learn an entire dance routine but once we got there, we quickly realized that a simple dance routine was hard enough. Once we got it down the entire dance set lasted less than five minutes, but it was still an absolute blast and the entire staff spoke English, making it really easy for Tyler and other foreigners to understand.
7. Try a Korean Baseball Game While you’re in Gangnam, I highly recommend adding a Korean Baseball Game to your itinerary. As a foreigner, it can be a little tricky to get tickets, so if you’re not confident getting your own you can book a guide that does everything for you. The best seats in my opinion are in the Excitement Zone, or as close as you can get to it. Jamsil Stadium is quite large, and unlike American baseball games, you can bring in all kinds of food and drinks with you to enjoy during the game (but they sell it inside too).
8. Get a Color Analysis One of the most trendy things to do in Gangnam is to get a famous Korean Color Analysis done! I got one done last year and was completely blown away by how detailed and thorough it was. Typically there’ll be a higher fee for for English speaking services, and you can also add on makeup services too so they can match you with your perfect color palettes. There’s all kinds of places now that offer a Color Analysis service!
9. Visit Bongeunsa Temple One of the easiest and most popular temples to visit in the Gangnam area is Bongeunsa Temple. Located right across the street from Coex Mall, Bongeunsa is free to visit and you don’t need to worry about adhering to a specific dress code. There are certain buildings where you’ll need to take off your shoes and be respectful by staying quiet, so make sure to pay attention to any signs posted at the entrance of the buildings. If you want a super memorable experience and happen to be visiting at the beginning of the month, you can even sign up to participate in their Templestay Experience where you can stay overnight and get to spend time with the monks onsite.
10. Walk Yeouido or Olympic Parks Seoul is a huge city, and throughout Gangnam and other areas they have plenty of parks to walk in and enjoy! Parks are large, free to visit, and have plenty of spaces to rest. Two of the largest parks are Yeouido Park, located along the Han River, and Olympic Park, located near Jamsil Stadium. I recommend bringing a picnic (or renting one from places like Cafe Awesome Picnic) to enjoy at the park!
11. K Star Road If you’re visiting Gangnam hoping to see some K-Pop stars or memorabilia, then K Star Road is the best place to go. As you walk around, you’ll notice the dedicated “Gangnamdols” – life size teddy bear statues each dedicated to a different K-Pop idol or group. You can also see many of the recording studios tucked away in the back neighborhoods! If you start on the north end, you can walk south eventually making it to the Coex Mall where the gold Gangnam hands statue is.
12. Gotomall Underground Shopping One of my favorite places to go in Gangnam is the Gotomall Underground Shopping Center (also called Goto Express or Goto Express Bus Terminal). Although it’s gotten a bit more expensive throughout the years, it’s still a great place to go for cheap shopping, whether that’s clothes, home goods, shoes or accessories.
13. Banpo Bridge Moonlight Rainbow Fountain If you want to enjoy the views of Gangnam at night, I recommend heading to the Banpo Bridge! From April to October they usually have about 6 shows a day with over 200 lights and a show that’s synchronized to music. The show itself lasts about 20 minutes, and it’s a relaxing way to enjoy the skyline at night.
14. Lotte World Looking for a fun, adrenaline filled day? Lotte World is the place for you. Located right next to Lotte Tower, I recommend spending at least one full day here. You can ride all the rides, eat all the Lotte shaped foods, and of course enjoy the daily parade. Before you go, I recommend reading up on all my tips to make the most of your Lotte World visit.
15. Garosu-Gil If shopping is at the top of your list, then Garosu-Gil is the place to go. They have all kinds of local, trendy boutique stores and brands, and cute cafes. It’s the perfect, aesthetically pleasing spot to visit for some of the best shopping. The road itself is famous for being lined with trees, a rarity in Seoul.
The sheer number of cafes in South Korea is mind blowing, with estimates of around 100,000 in the country – compare that to the 77,000 in the entire U.S. and that’s a pretty big difference. Especially when South Korea is about the size of only 1 U.S. State. With so many cafes you can expect to find plenty of cute and unique ones to visit, and after spending plenty of time in local cafes myself, I’ve gathered some of my personal favorites cafes to visit in Seoul.
My Essential Korea Travel Resources :
There are plenty of travel companies out there, but these are my favorite websites and resources for planning an unforgettable trip to South Korea. This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.Learn more here.
🚙 Car rentals, although not common in Korea, are best through Discover Cars – just make sure to have a copy of your international driver’s permit with you!
🏨 I always use AGODA to compare hotels & prices in Asia.
📶 To keep cell phone service, I use Airalo’s easy to purchase eSIM’s (no installation required).
📸 For fun things to do, Klook specializes on tours in Asia, otherwise Viator also does the trick.
🦋 Just in case, Safetywing is the insurance I always use when visiting a new country.
The easiest and cheapest way to get around Seoul is to use public transportation, either the subway system or the buses. Personally, I prefer using the subway, and have a full guide on using the subway in Seoul.
Cafe etiquette in Seoul is pretty standard across the board, and I’m sure is similar to wherever you’re visiting from. At most cafes in Seoul you’ll order first, nowadays most cafes have kiosks you can order from in whatever language is most comfortable for you. It’s worth noting that sometimes cafes only accept card, so it’s best to carry a card you can use internationally without fees. Once you order, you can find a spot to sit. Seoul can be crowded, so I recommend only taking seats you need and not spreading out (for example using a table for 5 if there’s only 2 or 1 of you). Some cafes have also started implementing their “to-go” policies – meaning if you order a “to-go” coffee then you have to take it “to-go” and you aren’t able to sit down inside.
Tipping is not implemented in Korea, whether you’re at a restaurant or a cafe. Most restaurants and cafes in Korea are also self service, so there’s usually a water stand and an area for utensils where you can help yourself.
1. 934 Kings Cross If you’ve ever been a fan of Harry Potter you’re going to want to make a stop at 934 Kings Cross – the Harry Potter themed cafe in Hongdae. You don’t need a reservation to enter, but you are required to purchase a minimum of one drink to enter. Personally I think the ground floor is the best decorated, but throughout all 7 floors you’ll find various photo spots and even some robes and wizard-ing props to use. On my visit, our group tried to focus on their themed food and drink items – and got a cheesecake, hot chocolate and a butter beer to try. I have a full review of 934 Kings Cross here.
2. Dongg Cafe (Poop Cafe) The Dongg Cafe (or the poop cafe) became an internet favorite a few years ago. Even though it’s a fun & unique stop in Insadong, personally I wasn’t too impressed by their food or drink options. Inside, you can find all sorts of poop emoji themed decor, from stuffed squishies to the shape of their pastries. You’ll even be served your drink of choice in a toilet bowl! The Poop Cafe is definitely one of the most unique cafes in Seoul.
3. Cafe Onion (Anguk Location) Cafe Onion has a few locations in Seoul now, but my personal favorite is in Anguk – where their Hanok themed cafe intersects with the downtown buildings of Seoul, making it one of the most beautiful views. There’s usually a line, but if you’re lucky you’ll be able to grab one of the court side traditional seating (floor seating) options. Once you’re brought to your table, you’ll have to head through the line to order, where you can pick up any pastries you want along the way. They have a lot of great options, but one of their most famous is the pandoro – a pastry piled insanely high with powdered sugar. Cafe Onion Anguk is a great stop to add to your itinerary if you’re visiting Gyeongbokgung Palace.
4. Bong Brothers Dog Cafe There are plenty of dog cafes in Seoul (you’ll notice a few on this list) but that’s because I honestly love them so much, and wish they were more popular in other parts of the world. Of the dog cafes I’ve visited in Seoul, this is one of the cleanest and best organized – they even gave us foam sitting pads and blankets to use. Basically, they run a doggy daycare/dog hotel and dog grooming salon, and after dogs are checked in they’re free to run around and play with any cafe guests! You are required to buy one drink, otherwise you can enjoy the cute dogs for however long you want!
5.The Gwiyeowo Dog Cafe Another dog cafe option in Seoul is the Gwiyeowo Dog Cafe near Hongdae. They have some adorable dogs here as well, and it works similarly to the Bong Brothers Dog Cafe. You’ll need to buy a drink to enter, and typically at some point during your visit you’ll also be given treats to share with the pups. If you’re a cat lover, you’ll also find a small room in the back where you can hang out with the few cats they have on site. They’re also really good at making sure you get a great photo with the dogs during your stay, so expect a short photoshoot.
6. Cats Playground Cafe In addition to dog cafes, you can find a number of cat cafes throughout Seoul. I visited the Cats Playground Cafe in Myeongdong, which was super busy. When I arrived there was a line out the door and we had to wait in the stairwell, but it went pretty quick and within 20 minutes we were in the cafe. They do encourage you to buy a drink, and they also have cat snacks available for purchase. Unlike the dog cafes I’ve visited, I’ve found that the cat cafes are a bit dirtier with a lot more hair in the guest areas, however, it was still a fun experience. They also have a few more rules about which cats to play with and which you’re not supposed to touch, differentiated with the use of a bandana on the cats.
7. Meerkat Friends/Meerkat Cafe Like I mentioned earlier, Seoul has a lot of animal themed cafes, including one for meerkats. I’ll be honest, I was a little disappointed with the drink and snack options at this cafe – they basically had convenience store drinks, and snacks you could get from a vending machine, but the overall experience was fun. Once you arrive at the cafe and purchase a drink, you’ll need to sign up for a time to play with the meerkats, which are separated from the rest of the cafe area. You won’t be able to bring any drinks or food with you during your 15 minute time slot, but they will give you some treats to share and some of the meerkats toys. Be prepared though, the meerkats are very friendly, and will most likely climb all over you.
8. Greem 2D Cafe Since originally posting this article, the Greem Cafe located in Seoul has unfortunately closed down – however there are still other locations throughout South Korea, like on Jeju Island, and on the east coast near Gangneung. The Greem Cafe is a 2-D café, with cartoonish features and an all black-and-white interior. They have some unique drink options as well, like their black sesame lattes. You can expect lots of people taking photos, and in the back room, you can find black-and-white 2-D props as well.
9. Matte Black Cafe (Lotte Tower) The Matte Black Cafe has multiple locations throughout Seoul, including one located in Lotte Tower on the 4th floor, and is a great second option if you’re looking to visit a 2-D cafe in Seoul. This 2-D cafe has lots of seating, and a pretty large menu with various drinks and pastries.
10. C. Through Cafe The C. Through Cafe earns its’ spot on this list due to the fact that they have the most beautiful latte art. Their newest location is in Itaewon, and you can choose from adorable face designs or more elaborate landscape foam art. It’s a bit more expensive than other cafés in Seoul, but if you’re looking for beautiful coffees that are definitely photo worthy, then this is the spot.
10. C. Through Cafe The C. Through Cafe earns its’ spot on this list due to the fact that they have the most beautiful latte art. Their newest location is in Itaewon, and you can choose from adorable face designs or more elaborate landscape foam art. It’s a bit more expensive than other cafés in Seoul, but if you’re looking for beautiful coffees that are definitely photo worthy, then this is the spot.
12. Pink Pool Hotel by Stylenada Unfortunately, the Pink Pool Hotel cafe section has closed down since I originally published this post. However, it’s still a unique stop. Featured on XOXO kitty on Netflix, this bright pink building is more of a boutique shop, but if you head up to the very top floor, you can find a secret cafe serving all kinds of cute, and of course pink, drinks.
13. Aqua Garden Cafe (Lotte Tower) Located on the first floor of Lotte Tower, this unique cafe is exactly what it sounds like – an aqua garden. You’ll need to buy a drink to enter, but personally, I think it’s worth it, because it truly is one of the most unique cafés in Seoul. Once you enter, you’ll be completely surrounded wall to wall by various fish aquariums. They hold all kinds of fish and even turtles, and if you’re lucky you’ll even be able to buy some fish food packets to feed them. Personally, I don’t think their drinks and snacks are too impressive, but it’s a really fun experience.
14. Cafe Awesome Picnic Although Cafe Awesome Picnic isn’t technically a sit-in cafe like the others on my list, it is one of the most unique cafes in Seoul. Here, you can grab a picnic basket to go, as long as you have a reservation, and bring it to one of the many public parks in Seoul to enjoy a day outside. Even though most people are probably renting one for a date, I rented one for Mother’s Day, and it was the cutest little surprise. We grabbed coffees and some of their “croffles” (croissant-waffles) to go, and they included everything else for us. Think a blanket, basket, fake flowers, and even a little Bluetooth speaker – basically everything we needed for a perfect photo worthy picnic.
15. Seoul Sky Cafe This cafe, located on the 123rd floor of Lotte Tower, is a cafe with one of the best views of Seoul. Because of it’s high vantage point, you have some incredible views overlooking the Seoul skyline, and it’s one of the only cafes on my list that has a view at all. They don’t have a very large selection, but they do have some unique drink specials – like the blue drink I got with pop rocks in it. You’ll only be able to enter if you have tickets to the observatory, but with the views and the outdoor observation decks, it’s definitely worth it. I recommend trying to go on a clear day for the best views.
16. The Pie Hole Located near the Syarosugill Trail behind Seoul National University, this adorable yellow building is tucked away in a little alleyway, right off a popular street known for cafes and shopping. Not too surprisingly, The Pie Hole is known for adorable and delicious pies. They have multiple floors, all decorated in a very vintage and retro style, making it a very unique and photo worthy spot – plus, their pies are delicious!
17. Le Alaska Le Alaska is the newest café I’ve found on my list, and it’s located near the Seongsudong area. Inside you’ll find a very Parisian feel, with all kinds of fresh baked pastries and breads. They also have a good selection of coffees and warm or iced drinks, making it a perfect stop while you explore Seongsudong. It’s a little cramped when you enter, but if you head towards the back, there’s quite a bit more seating.
18. Picnic Bonbon Located about one hour south of Seoul via subway, Picnic Bonbon is one of the dreamiest cafes and located right on the riverside. They have glamping tents onsite if you want to use one for the day, and the entire cafe is very retro themed. They’re known for their adorable ice creams, and although they’re good, they’re also very pricey. The entire aesthetic makes it a unique place to stop in Seoul that you don’t find in other places.
19. Dreamy Camera Cafe Even though this cafe is located a little ways outside of Seoul, it’s one of my personal favorites. The entire journey takes about 1-2 hours, and you’ll need to first take the subway to Yongmun Station and then take a taxi the rest of the way to the cafe. We visited when no one else was there, and the exterior itself made this cafe one of the most unique cafes in Korea. Inside, you’ll find an entire collection of vintage cameras, and I highly recommend browsing through their “Dream Books” upstairs before filling out your own dreams. The owner then takes a picture of your “dreams” and prints you a little polaroid you can carry with you – I still have mine in my wallet!
If you’ve been scrolling through social media while planning your trip to Korea, chances are you’ve seen the viral CU Ramen Libraries. These unique convenience stores are such a fun stop, and even though you don’t need to “return” anything – the ramen library experience lets you customize and cook your own instant ramen after choosing from dozens of different noodle brands and toppings, making it a super fun and affordable experience while in Seoul. There’s now quite a few different Ramen Libraries throughout Korea, but I recommend visiting the CU Ramen Library in Hongdae – it’s easy to get to, has English instructions, and has one of the larger selections of ramen and various toppings, making it a great stop for first-time Ramen Library visitors.
My Essential Korea Travel Resources :
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🚙 Car rentals, although not common in Korea, are best through Discover Cars – just make sure to have a copy of your international driver’s permit with you!
🏨 I always use AGODA to compare hotels & prices in Asia.
📶 To keep cell phone service, I use Airalo’s easy to purchase eSIM’s (no installation required).
📸 For fun things to do, Klook specializes on tours in Asia, otherwise Viator also does the trick.
🦋 Just in case, Safetywing is the insurance I always use when visiting a new country.
The actual name of this exact Ramen Library and CU Location (which is a very popular convenience store in Korea) is the “CU Hongik Univ. Sangsang Branch” on NAVER, and is located right outside the busy Hongdae pedestrian street. If you type it into NAVER Maps or Kakao Maps it should bring you right there through the app. This area of Seoul is pretty international, so if you get lost you should be able to ask some people nearby to help you.
If you’re using the Seoul subway system, the closest subway station to the Ramen Library is “Hapjeong Station” on the Green Line 2 or Red Line 6. You’ll want to exit through Exit 3 and then walk about a 10 minutes from there. Since this CU is open 24/7/365, there isn’t really a time to go or to avoid. I visited in the middle of the day, and there were only a few other people there.
Personally, I think it’s worth adding to your Seoul itinerary, especially if it’s your first trip to Korea. I’ll be honest the ramen is actually the same ramen you can buy everywhere else, but the experience of choosing your own flavor from the wall of options, adding whatever toppings you like, and eating at a giant instant ramen cup all makes for a super unique experience.
Since the Ramen Library is open literally every day 24/7, there isn’t really a “best” time to go. However, I’d recommend timing your visit for when you’re feeling hungriest. When you get inside, you’ll see the Ramen Library area towards the front of the store right away since conveniently located right behind the giant windows.
Before you start making your ramen, you’ll need to gather all the ingredients and toppings you want, and of course the type of ramen you want to cook. On the left side of the store you’ll find a refrigerated section that has all the toppings – from meat and seafood to vegetables and eggs, the possibilities are pretty endless. On the right side you’ll find an entire wall of all different kinds of ramen, organized from the least spiciest to the most spiciest. Once you have everything you want to add to your bowl, you can head to the checkout and pay for everything, where you’ll then be given the bowl to cook your ramen in.
You’ll want to follow the directions for whichever kind of ramen you chose to make, usually instructions are on the packaging. If you need help you can always ask the worker, they’re usually pretty friendly and helpful. In the middle of the store you’ll find the miniature stovetops, all you need to do is scan the barcode on the side of your bowl and place your noodles in the bowl on the stovetop. Once the machine scans your bowl it’ll fill it up with the necessary amount of water and boil it on a timer. After it’s done, you can add all the toppings you purchased and create your ramen masterpiece!
You’ll want to note that most tables in the ramen library are standing space only, with tables shaped like giant instant ramen cups. There are a few seats lining the window if you really need a spot to sit, otherwise I would expect to stand. After you enjoy your meal, you can clean everything up and head on your way! The total cost depends on which ramen and how many toppings you decide to add, but generally speaking I’d expect to spend somewhere between ₩5,000–₩20,000 for a full meal.
