Updated March 18, 2024
As a local Korean who grew up in Seoul, I’m so excited to share the 5 Best Seoul Neighborhoods you should visit today!
Table of Contents
- Seochon: Best Hip Neighborhood with Korean History & Culture
- Bukchon: Best For Classy Korean History & Culture
- Samcheong-dong: Best Hip Neighborhood in Seoul for Art Galleries
- Hannam-dong: Best for Fashion & Culture Lovers
- Seongsu-dong: Best for Trendy Cafes and Shops
Seoul is a very unique, ever-changing city with a ton of cool neighborhoods. Whether it’s your first time visiting or you’ve been based here for a while, this list is for you! I share my top picks for the trendiest neighborhoods to hang out in, as well as unique things to do in each one.
Craving your morning java? Check out the 20 Best Coffee Shops in Seoul!
Best Seoul Neighborhoods
1. Seochon: Most Trendy Neighborhood Combining Korean History with Modernity
Seochon is where many young couples go to in Korea to stroll around and go to the cutest, trendiest cafes, shops, galleries and restaurants. It’s also home to rows of Korean traditional hanok houses, echoing the fact that it is next to Gyeongbokgung Palace. Seochon’s mix of Korean traditional history and modernity makes it one of the best neighborhoods in Seoul for tourists and locals alike.
Fun Things to do in Seochon
Boan1942: Boan1942 opened in 1942 and served as a hostel for over 60 years, and then reopened in 2017 as an art gallery with a cafe, amazing gift shop and a hostel on the top floors as a nod to its history. Enter through the main entrance, and you’ll see the bare, broken down walls and pillars of the old hostel, mingled with contemporary art. Go down to the basement, and you’ll walk atop glass floors looking down onto remains from the Joseon dynasty, which proved that Kim Jung Hui, one of the most celebrated artists at the time, once owned property at that same location. Don’t miss the gift shop, with home decoration, stationary and art books.
Address: 33 Hyoja-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Onground Gallery: Onground is a deconstructed Korean hanok cafe with art and live music. Onground has the architecture of a deconstructed hanok house, with exposed wooden beams for the roof and layers of wall showing wooden structures underneath walls of concrete and paint. There’s paintings and vintage pottery for your viewing. While the front section of the cafe is magnificent, be sure to check out the whole back area, which is more expansive and has a modern vibe. There’s even a transparent glass floor where you can gaze down onto the basement floor, which becomes a bar with live music in the evening.
Address: Seoul, Jongno-gu, 23 Jahamun-ro 10-gil, 1/F (122-12 Changseong-dong)
Daelim Museum: This compact but four-story museum always has modern contemporary exhibitions. It’s also got a cute gift shop and a cafe attached to it!
One More Bag: This little gift shop is one of the trendiest spots in Seochon right now. There’s tons of cute stationary: magnets, keychains, stickers, cards, coin purses, bags, and other knick knacks that are perfect as small gifts for friends (and of course, for yourself!).
Address: Seoul, Jongno-gu, Pirun-dong, 146-1 2/F
TonginSweet: The egg tarts are amazing here! It’s a perfect bite of hearty egginess combined with the comparative lightness of custard. While the crust is on the thinner side, it’s somehow a perfect match with the eggy center.
Address: 73 Tongin-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul
For more ideas, check out the 10 Best Things To Do in Seochon!
2. Bukchon: Classy Neighborhood with Korean History & Culture
Bukchon is a mix of traditional and modern, with authentic Korean eateries and trendy, modern restaurants in traditional hanoks. It’s also full of small art galleries!
Fun Things To Do in Bukchon
Bukchon Hanok Village: Step back in time by strolling through the quaint roads of Bukchon Hanok Village, which are dotted with traditional hanok houses, which originated from the Joseon Dynasty.
Address: Gyedong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Osulloc Tea House Bukchon: This is the 3-story flagship of the tea brand Osulloc. You might’ve heard of its sister brand Sulhwasoo, whose cosmetics are stocked at Sephora. This multistory flagship used to be a hanok style house, and while it has retained its beautiful traditional exterior, it has been repurposed into a classy tea shop with thoughtful Korean decor and an impressive interior with views and plenty of outdoor seating. Check out the beautifully laid Sulhwasoo shop at the hanok area downstairs!
Address: 45 Bukchon-ro, Gahoe-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Low Roof: This four-story cafe has delicious coffee and snacks, an expansive space and outdoor hanok seating. In good weather, sit in the hanok stalls for a Korean traditional experience! Try the buttery soft walnut scone. Low Roof is a great place to go if you’re looking for trendy places in Seoul!
Address: 46-1 Bukchon-ro, Gahoe-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Kkangtong Mandu: The Korean dumplings are stuffed with goodness here! Try the bibim-kalguksu at this long-standing local favorite restaurant!
Address: 5-6 Bukchon-ro 2-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
3. Samcheong-dong: Best for Art Galleries
Roam amongst Korean traditional houses and check out the modern eateries, bars and cafes that are popular with younger locals. Samcheong-dong is also great for dates and is a popular local spot for after-work drinks.
Fun Things To Do in Samcheong-dong
Kukje Gallery: This beautiful three-story gallery is great for contemporary art lovers.
Address: 54 Samcheong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art: The MMCA is the largest modern art museum in Seoul and a must-visit for art lovers!
Address: 30 Samcheong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
DEUS EX MACHINA Cafe: This cafe is a blend of historic Korean culture with its hanok external architecture, wooden cabin beams and spaceship-like steel fixtures. The baked goods are delicious as well!
Address: 134 Samcheong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
PungNyeon Ssal Nongsan: Delicious, authentic Korean snack food. Try the ddukbokki (spicy rice cake), o-deng (fish cake), and shikhae (rice drink)!
Address: 32 Bukchon-ro 5ga-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
For more ideas, check out the 15 Best Things To Do in Samcheongdong!
4. Hannam-dong: Best for Shopping, Fashion & Culture
Get a taste of Korean fashion in Hannam-dong. The hippest part of this neighborhood is Hangangjin, where we focus on here. Experience the flagship stores of the hottest Korean brands, including that of home-grown brands and global brands loved by locals.
Fun Things To Do in Hannam-dong
Walk down Itaewon-ro: Stroll down this street, which is dotted with hip independent shops, to rows of iconic flagship stores, including that of Diesel, Le Labo and Comme des Garçon.
Leeum Museum of Art: Are you a history buff or a modern art lover? Leeum has both! Learn about Korea’s dynasties from the ancient art and objects, and experience modern Korean art all under the same roof at Leeum.
Address: 60-16 Itaewon-ro 55-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
mmmg: This stationary store has tons of cute calendars, diaries, home goods and other gifts. Experience Seoul like a local by dipping into the hip boutiques around mmmg.
Address: 240 Itaewon-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Nari’s House: Calling all Korean BBQ lovers to try Nari’s House, which is famous among locals for originating the method of grilling pork belly after freezing it.
Address: 245 Itaewon-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
5. Seongsu-dong: Best for Trendy Cafes and Shops
Seongsu-dong, once an industrial district well-known for its cobbler and shoemaking business, is now one of the trendiest Seoul neighborhoods known for its cafes, galleries and boutiques.
Fun Things to do in Seongsu-dong
Walk down Yeonmujang-gil: This street is the heart of all of this change in Seoungsu-dong. Check out the flagship stores of both Korean brands and global brands like Dior, the many eateries, all mixed in with Seoungsu-dong’s traditional small businesses.
Point of View, a 3-story stationary flagship store with old-fashioned pens, cards, planners, stamps and home decor. The items are curated so beautifully, and the whole visit is an experience.
Address: 18 Yeonmujang-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul
Seongsu-dong Cafe Street: This area is packed with so many experiential cafes that are great for dates or long hangouts.
Address: Seongsui-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul
Tongue Planet: An eclectic, colorful cafe reminiscent of Alice in Wonderland crossed with a melancholy-version of the 60’s. Like many cafes in this Seoul neighborhood, it’s a whole experience, not just a coffee shop. If you’re look for unique things to do in Seoul, this coffee shop is for you!
Address: Seoul, Seongdong-gu, Seongsui-ro, 82 2/F
Jayeondo Saltbread: Feeling peckish? Relish in the buttery dream of Korean salt bread at Jayeondo Saltbread. The crispy, buttery bottom of the salt bread combined with the chewy upper layers was just **chef’s kiss**!
Address: 56-1 Yeonmujang-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul
Nanpo: Grab clean, old-fashioned and delicious Korean food at Nanpo. Everything is delicious here, but I would highly recommend the pumpkin-wrapped rolls with doenjang.
Address: Seoul, Seongdong-gu, Seongsu-dong 1(il)-ga, Seoulsup 4-gil, 18-8
Seoul Forest: Go for a stroll at this 595,000 ㎡ (147 acre) park nestled in Seongsu-dong. If you’re up for a little workout, take the 15 minute walk up the hill to Eungbongsan, where you can enjoy a 360-degree views (especially beautiful at night!).
Address: 273 Ttukseom-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul
Ready to check out Seongsu-dong? Here’s my detailed guide on the 16 Best Things To Do in Seongsu-dong 🙂
Best Seoul Neighborhoods Summary
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