SEOUL SERIES: SEONGSU-DONG
Our guide to getting the most out of Seoul's coolest neighbourhood, Seongsu-Dong
(4 MINUTE READ)
Seoul’s coolest neighborhood.
Seongsu, a neighbourhood east of the city centre, has been dubbed by many as the ‘Brooklyn of Seoul’, and with good reason too.
Known for its craft coffee, minimal style bakeries, stylish concept stores and a string of converted warehouses, Seongsu-dong is a hipster’s paradise. You won’t find heaps of tourists here by any means, Seongsu belongs to the young, Korean, coffee-loving generation.
Here are some of our favourite spots in the area.
SHOP
AmorePacific
If skincare is your thing, then Amorepacific should be at the top of your list.
AmorePacific’s humble beginnings began back in 1932 when Suh Sungwhan, mother of the company’s owner, began selling her camellia hair oil. Now the brand stocks huge Korean brands like Laneige and Innis free (as well as heaps more) and is a one stop shop for all your skin care needs.
The inside of the Amore building, which also functions as a display outlet and pop-up space, adheres to the industrial vibe that saturates much of the Seongsu shopping scene. Here you’ll find both accessible and luxury brands lining the concrete walls of the store with plenty of sinks and fresh towels for you to try before you buy.
AmorePacific has a unique feel as it’s tranquil to wander through the minimal space and totally exciting because at every turn it seems there’s a new opportunity to try or even win something!
Finish your shopping experience with a refreshing iced tea on the roof at Osulloc.
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- AMOREPACIFIC
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- 7 Achasan Ro 11 gil,Seongdong Gu
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- SEOUL
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Seongsu Yeonbang
Seongsu Yeonbang is a cultural hub brimming with lifestyle stores, restaurants and cafes. Explore all three floors for a varied shopping experience.
Just a five minute walk away from Seongsu station, Seongsu Yeonbang is a unique complex where you can eat, drink and shop. You’ll find a bookstore, several lifestyle shops, a beautiful bright cafe on the roof and even a pet lifestyle store!
One of our favourite spots within the complex is lifestyle store, Thingool. Thingool is a shop for just that- things! Coffee, face masks, ceramics, organic soaps and candles; it’s bright and airy and you could spend all day in there if you wanted.
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- SEONGSU YEONBANG
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- 14 Seongsui-ro 14-gil, Seongdong-gu
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- SEOUL
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Width x Depth x Height
Width x Depth X Height is a concept store selling everything from candles, to stationery, to bags, magazines and kitchenware. All the items in the store are supposed to enrich your life and are made to be kept forever and cherished.
You’ll find plenty of sustainable, quality gifts here if you’re looking for a different kind of souvenir.
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- WIDTH X DEPTH X HEIGHT
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- 8-1 Yeonmujang-gil, Seongsu-dong
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- SEOUL
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SWEET
Ode To Sweet
The streets of Seongsu-dong are filled with dessert spots, each bakery smelling sweeter than the last- and none more so than adorable patisserie, Ode To Sweet.
Specialising in the most perfect looking macaroons, this little patisserie is a must for those with a sweet tooth.
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- ODE TO SWEET
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- Seongsu-dong 1(il)-ga, Yeonmujang-gil, 20
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- SEOUL
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Husikdang
An lovely little tea room selling handmade madeleines and specialty teas, Husikdang is the perfect spot to warm up in and relax.
The inviting cafe has a traditional interior with elements of the ‘hanok’ house woven through- many Koreans sit by the wooden windows where the light floods through and snap that all important picture.
We took refuge here one particularly cold afternoon and ordered a few madeleines to share, opting for raspberry, pistachio and pecan flavours.
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- HUSIKDANG | 후식당
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- 34 Wangsimniro 2(i)-gil, Seongsu-dong 1
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- SEOUL
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COFFEE
Cafe Onion
A beautiful, spacious bakery in the heart of Seongsu-Dong, Cafe Onion is a place for people to load up on sugary pastries and strong coffee.
The space was once a metal factory and though it has changed hands over the years, its industrial charm has been deliberately maintained. Despite the brutalist interior, exposed brick and grey colour palette, Cafe Onion has an undeniably cosy feel with plenty of nooks and crannies to curl up in with a fluffy cake and a book.
Grab a tray and hand pick your own sweet treats- we recommend the Instagrammable Pandoro, the rich chocolate donuts filled with chocolate balls or the red bean and butter baguette.
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- CAFE ONION
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- 8 Achasan-ro 9(gu)-gil, Seongsu-dong
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- SEOUL
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WICKER PARK
Wicker Park have become such a neighborhood favourite that they now have two cafes in Seongsu- one in the YUN Seoul store on Achasan-ro and the other near Seokchon Lake in Jamsil.
Serving up specialty coffee and beautiful handmade pastries and cakes, Wicker Park take pride in what they produce. The beans at Wicker are sourced from Toykyo and are pretty hard to get your hands on.
Read more from the Wicker Park crew here.
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- WICKER PARK
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- Songpa-gu, Seokchonhosu-ro, 298
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- 66 Achasan-ro, Seongsu 2(i)-ga 3(sam)-dong
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- SEOUL
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EAT
Market On Off
For a nutritious, delicious and well balanced meal, head to Market On Off. Spanning two floors, the market is both a food shop and a restaurant. Meals are served up in traditional ‘banchan’ style, consisting of a bowl of rice, fish or meats and then plenty of little side dishes to dig into.
We tried the spicy, tomato mackerel with kimchi and a side of dried anchovies and almonds and finished off with a healthy, homemade grapefruit lemonade -it was delicious!
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- MARKET ON OFF
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- 43 Seoul Forest 2-gil, Seongdong Gu
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- SEOUL
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TBD
TBD is a casual wine and dine spot. During lunch they sell coffee and sandwiches with a focus on good, quality ingredients, while in the evening they serve carefully picked natural wines and simple, fragrant dishes.
The interior is super minimal, making for a relaxed environment in which to be adventurous with some wines.
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- TBD
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- 6, Yeonmujang-gil, Seongdong-gu
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- SEOUL
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It Salad
If vegetarian and vegan food is your thing (and it’s easy to find in Seoul) then head to It Salad.
Here you can create your own fresh, colourful salad and choose from homemade toppings and sauces too- many of the dishes can be made vegan or veggie.
They also have a choice of around eight ready made salads if you’re feeling indecisive- each dish has their own distinctive taste and colour and are all super tasty. It’s a great lunch spot, especially if you’re working nearby.
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- IT SALAD
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- 300-8, Seongsu-dong 2(i)-ga, Seongdong-gu
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- SEOUL
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SEE
ORER
Frequented by only the coolest, young Koreans, Orer is a space for them to work, shop, study and drink coffee.
On the first floor, there is a cafe with wooden tables (usually lined with laptops and notepads) that plays classical music. Here, visitors enjoy coffee, decadent desserts (did I mention how much South Koreans love dessert!) and in the summer you can do much of the same in their lovely garden.
There is also a stationary shop, as well as a furniture and home ware floor where pieces from both the brand and independent designers can be browsed and bought.
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- ORER
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- 18, Seongdong-gu,
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- SEOUL
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Seoul Forest Park
A welcome break from the hustle and bustle of the city, is a quiet stroll through Seoul forest. Beautiful scenery and neatly paved lanes means that you can go straight from the city, to the forest in your sneakers.
We recommend visiting in the autumn to see the burnt orange and brilliant red leaves on the trees. Follow the path around and head to Ttukseom Island- here there are a few facilities and a place to exercise too. From here, you can head into the centre of Seoul Forest and browse the many independent shops and cafes in that area.
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- SEOUL FOREST
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- 273 Ttukseom-ro, Seongsu-dong 1(il)-ga
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- SEOUL
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 Seoul’s coolest neighborhood. Seongsu, a neighbourhood east of the city centre, has been dubbed by many as the ‘Brooklyn of Seoul’, and with good reason too. Known for its craft coffee, minimal style bakeries, stylish concept stores and a string of converted warehouses, Seongsu-dong is a hipster’s paradise. You won’t find heaps […]){kind=link}