What to See, Eat and Do in Korea (and Beyond)
Metamong Playground is basically a giant Ditto-themed universe hidden in Seongsu and the entire thing feels aggressively designed for social media in the best possible way (for the most part). Just picture purple everywhere, massive Ditto sculptures, Ditto walls, Ditto desserts, Ditto merch, Ditto chaos! In case you haven’t pieced it together, we’re pretty big on Ditto out here in Korea.
If you’ve spent any time in Korea’s design scene (or just love irresistibly cute characters), you’ve probably come across Muzik Tiger. “Muzik (moo-jik)” means “no job” in Korean, so the whole vibe of this brand is about breaking free from the daily grind and traditional work-life from the perspective of this chonky tiger.
And boy am I here for it.
That’s right, in Korea Jesus gets his very own birthday cafe and it goes viral every year. This event is run by the Korea CCC (Campus Crusade for Christ), basically a Christian outreach wrapped in the fun energy of K-pop “birthday cafe” culture.
Benny Boy Brewing is run by a husband and wife team who wanted to bring an “urban-backyard” feel to craft beer and cider. They combine a working brewery, cidery, beer garden and “tank bar” all into one, so you can sip a fresh pint straight from the tanks, hangout in the beer-garden courtyard or even chill by the fire pits. it’s meant to feel like hanging out at someone’s house, and you definitely get that laidback feel.
“It’s the most wonderful time of the year” and Seoul is no exception. As soon as November comes around, Christmas decorations, events and festivities all start to roll out. For a little over two months, Seoul is engulfed in holiday cheer. Here’s some of our favorite ways to take in those sweet Christmas vibes.
The holiday season is upon us! Seoul has traded in its autumn foliage for glittering Christmas decorations, holiday displays and festivities that are all set to to roll out from November on. For a little over two months, Seoul is engulfed in holiday cheer. So if you’re looking to take in those holly jolly Christmas vibes, here are some of our favorite cafes to visit this time of year.
Seorae Village is a charming little corner of Seoul often called “Little France” because of its strong French community, French school, and European-style cafes and bakeries. And every December, for one day only, this quaint neighborhood comes to life with a beautiful Christmas market.
I’ve rounded up a list of all the K-foods I noticed in the KPDH, along with some of our local recommendations on where to enjoy them on your next Korea trip. Let’s see how many of these Korean foods you recognized and how many you’ve tried. How big of a K-foodie are you?
Typically, Koreans aren’t really into the strong spiced flavor of cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves, so PSL hasn’t isn’t as popular here as it is in, say, Los Angeles. However, that doesn’t mean they can’t be found. So if you’re look for a pumpkin spice latte to complete your autumn vibes, I gotcha covered.
For my money, Mangwon Traditional Market (망원시장) has been a long time favorite of mine. It’s not massive compared to some markets, but that’s part of the charm. It’s smaller, more manageable, packed with personality and it’s been around for over 40 years. You’ll find fresh produce, dried goods, snacks, street-food stalls and even hole-in-the-wall restaurants.
Mongvely is smack in the heart of Myeongdong, making it super convenient if you’re shopping, sightseeing, and have built up a good appetite. It’s a beef and pork BBQ spot that offers buffet/all-you-can-eat style, where you can pick out your cuts of meat and bring it back to grill at your table. The vibe is lively, smells good (because hello, BBQ), and usually pretty full particularly around dinner time. The clientele is mostly foreign because of the location, but that doesn’t mean it should be simply written off as “touristy” (like we almost did).
If you’re a fan of old-school charm mixed with just the right amount of Seoul nostalgia, Hakrim Dabang (학림다방) is the kind of cafe you’ll never forget. Tucked away in Daehak-ro since 1956, Hakrim Dabang is the city’s oldest surviving dabang (traditional cafe), where time seems to slow down the moment you climb that creaky wooden staircase. Honestly it feels a bit like walking straight into a time capsule.
