Be Picky Seoul: Selected Tips From Insiders
Instead of bar-hopping, Jee-Hae Youm recommends café-hopping in Seoul – best in the Yeonhui neighborhood. It's also a great place to stroll around
The Yeonhui area doesn't get much attention from visitors – unfairly so. For a long time, it was primarily a wealthy residential neighborhood. But as many of the original residents moved away, cool cafés and boutiques have taken over the vacant houses.
That's why I recommend ditching the bar-hopping and trying a café-hopping tour here. It's a good idea even if, like me, you don't drink much coffee because the many types of tea are just as wonderful – and the pastries and desserts are even better. My favorites are Lowkey Coffee and Café MAA. Also, Mimyo, where you can try South Korea's shaved ice, bingsu. Traditionally, it's just finely shaved frozen milk served with red bean paste and rice cakes. But at Mimyo, there are also modern variations on the menu. I had yuzu matcha bingsu – and paired it with hot green tea.
Shopping Tips for Yeonhui-dong
If you're looking for a change of pace while café-hopping and want to check out cool shops, Yeonhui-dong has some great options. Stylish clothes hang in the minimalist Khakis Yeonhui. Another wonderful store, where I love browsing books and stationery, is called Your-Mind.
More Insider Tips for Seoul From the Lufthansa Insights Team
Fun water sports on the Han River: Kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and even windsurfing – all are possible on Seoul's main river. A great starting point for the aquatic fun is Ttukseom Hangang Park, right on the Han River, where many providers rent out the necessary equipment.
Do it yourself: Handicrafts are popular in Seoul, and workshops are offered for creating all kinds of items, from rings and bracelets to dream catchers and perfumes. Book a course, and you'll not only have a handmade souvenir but also learn something for life.
Learn more about fermentation: Kimchi – spicy, fermented napa cabbage – is Korea's culinary treasure. Kimjang, the tradition of making fermented cabbage together, is even listed as an intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO. If you want to learn everything about kimchi, visit the Kimchikan Museum, where the beloved Korean side dish is explored in all its forms.
About
Jee-Hae Youm has worked as a Communication Manager Media Production in Lufthansa's social media team since 2019. Although she's not part of the flight crew, Youm travels extensively. In addition to her annual visit to South Korea, she travels to a new country each year. Her most recent trips were to Brazil, Colombia, and Réunion.
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