2024/06/12
Published & Edited by Seoul Tourism Organization |
|
|
This newsletter, issued by the Seoul Metropolitan Government and Seoul Tourism Organization, is intended for Seoul Partner Travel Agencies and related organizations around the world.
Issued on the second Wednesday of every month, the newsletter introduces some of Seoul's best hidden charms and newest attractions.
We look forward to your continued interest and support as we bring you a variety of content in the future!
โป Please note that the "KR" on a button indicates that the website is available only in Korean.
|
|
|
|
ใ๋ชฉ์ฐจใ๐
1. Newtro Streets Beloved by Millennials & Gen Zs
2. Retro Alleys Beloved by Working Professionals |
|
|
As the weather warms up, outdoor activities are becoming more frequent than ever! In Seoul, places where you can eat delicious food outdoors are growing in popularity.
|
|
|
1. Newtro Streets Beloved by Millennials & Gen Zs |
|
|
1๏ธโฃ Seongsu
#Newtro #PopupStore #FlagshipStore #Trends #Cafes #SeoulForest
โAbandoned Spaces Turned Into Landmarksโ
Once filled with abandoned factories and warehouses, Seongsu has since been transformed into a vibrant neighborhood where itโs easy to find young artists and individuals with sophisticated, tastes, styled in the latest fashions.๐
Thanks to the opening of various shops, curated stores, and workshops, the area now is advancing the โnewtroโ culture by blending unique interiors with a vintage feel, making it a popular destination for both Millennials and Gen Zs.๐
Centered around Daelim Changgo, the iconic Seongsu Street cafe, the area is constantly buzzing on social media due to its abundance of unique cafes housed in repurposed old factories and warehouses. Often dubbed as โKorea's Brooklyn,โ Seongsu-dong is attracting numerous famous brands to launch popup stores. DIOR Seongsu, in particular, has become a hotspot for photo taking.๐ญ
Seongsu-dong also features the Handmade Shoes Street, which in the past housed so many handmade shoe workshops that they accounted for up to 80% of Koreaโs handmade shoe production.
Even though demand has since dwindled, the street has transformed into a stylish area filled with trendy hotspots, restaurants, and murals by artists.
๐๐ฅพ๐ฅฟ๐ ๐ก๐ข
Also, a chemical factory from the 1970s has been renovated into a multifunctional cultural space known as Seongsu Federation. It houses lifestyle stores and a diverse array of food and beverage outlets. On the third floor, you can find Cheonsang Gaok, a restaurant and entertainment space where diverse cultural programs are held on a regular basis.
Be sure to visit Seongsu, where traditional Korean sensibilities blend seamlessly with youthful vibes! |
|
|
2๏ธโฃ Yongsan
#SinyongsanStation #Samgakji #WorkingProfessionals #Restaurants #HYBE #Exotic #Amorepacific #YongsanPark
โA New Mecca of Next Generation Trendsโ
Since 2017, the surge of large office buildings along Hangang-daero has sparked vibrant activity in the nearby alley in Yongsan. The arrival of the Amorepacific headquarters, in particular, has spurred the rapid development of the office district.
Due to the many office workers in the area, the once quiet Yongnidan-gil Alley gradually transformed into a dynamic street that is now frequented by many.
Streets in Yongsan are lined with exotic restaurants and coffee shops featuring charming interiors. Hordes of people take photos in front of them.
At Hwarang Street, Koreaโs leading art district since the 1950s, you will find numerous galleries and frame shops.
After the Korean War, artists who painted portraits or traditional Korean paintings for the U.S. military stationed in Yongsan settled here, marking the beginning of the areaโs colorful history.๐จโ๐จ๐จ
Yongsan is renowned for its exotic vibes. In the middle of it all is the highly recommended <Sam Sam Sam>!
<Sam Sam Sam> is an Instagram-worthy restaurant with a charming American-style interior, where you can enjoy mouthwatering dishes reminiscent of the American West.๐๐๐
Also, <Gege>, which induces actual Hong Kong vibes, is a well-known restaurant in Samgakji, where people line up to eat. Be sure to visit it when you are in Seoul!๐๐
Come out of Seobinggo Station via Exit 1 and you will find Yongsan Park, where red brick buildings and lush trees harmonize beautifully. Itโs common to see Millennials and Gen Zs snapping photos there for their Instagram feeds.๐งฑ๐ธ
Considering that the office building for HYBE, the management company of BTS, is located nearby, you can expect crowds of diverse nationalities!
As the development of Yongsan Dreamhub gains momentum, you can look forward to the further growth and transformation of Yongnidan-gil! ๐๐ป
|
|
|
3๏ธโฃ Mullae
#MullaeArtistVillage #IronFoundry #OldMullae #MullaeStationExit7 #Art #Murals
โAn Organic Art Village: Mullae Artist Villageโ
With Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture opening the doors of Seoul Art Space Mullae, various forms of support such as exhibition and performance opportunities have been provided to artists from the Korean government, bringing vitality to the area and energizing the famed Mullae Artist Village.
If Seongsu-dong has Daelim Changgo, then Mullae-dong has Old Mullae, which is located at the heart of its commercial district. It is a craft beer pub that has been the primary driver behind the area becoming a top destination.๐ป
Mullae was once Seoulโs largest steel industrial district, but after the 1997 Asian financial crisis, the industry largely contracted. The resulting void was filled by artists who gathered there in small groups, and led to the area being reborn as a space for art of diverse genres.
Furthermore, with the addition of restaurants and cafes, a unique alleyway district was formed where art and cuisine blend together to give visitors a special sensory experience!๐จ๐ปโ๐ง
โ๐
Despite its worn-out exterior, Rust Bakery has recently become an incredibly popular dessert shop, with a rustic interior featuring wooden floors, tables, and chairs, which blend seamlessly with its bare cement walls.
During the more well-lit business hours, you can truly enjoy a relaxed and leisurely atmosphere here, so be sure to visit early!๐โ
Mullae is also famous for its outdoor terrace bars. Out of these, Mullae Chinchin stands out for its ambiance and wide-open terrace, and is often frequented by couples.
With the weather set to become warmer, picture yourself enjoying a glass of beer with their signature dish, the Bismark Pizza. Sounds delightful, doesnโt it?
๐๐ท๐ธ
Although each alley may appear ordinary at first, there are numerous trendy spaces that create the unique and eclectic atmosphere that attracts countless Millennial and Gen Z customers! |
|
|
2. Retro Alleys Beloved by Working Professionals |
|
|
Previously, we highlighted popular spots with โnewtroโ vibes that Millennial and Gen Zs enjoy visiting.
Now, let us delve into some of the โretroโ streets, which are frequented by older working professionals and are filled with old-fashioned sentiments and nostalgic charms.
|
|
|
1๏ธโฃ Jongro 3-ga Pocha Street
#Jongro3-ga #Exit6 #Retro #TapgolPark #Pojangmacha #NightMarket #NakwonArcade #WorkingProfessionals #FridayNight #Flirting
โFood Alley Spurred by the Retro Feverโ
The tradition of โpojangmacha,โ meaning โcovered wagons,โ began during the Japanese colonial period, when Japanese merchants started selling goods from their carts alongside roads. Over time, this practice spread, and since the liberation, the carts evolved into street taverns that provide solace to the working class to this day.๐บ
In the 1950s and 1960s, in areas such as Cheonggyecheon, vendors operated carts covered only at the top with fabric such as broadcloth. They sold grilled sparrows and soju by the shot glass. By the 1970s, โpojangmachaโ took on its current form.
With the growing popularity of โPojangmachaโ in Ikseon-dong and Seosulla-gil in recent years, young peopleโs interest in โPojangmachaโ alleys has also grown.
Spurred on by a โretroโ craze that seeks the romantic sensibilities of the 1990s, the alleys have become popular hotspots.
Come evening, many young professionals gather on the roadside, filling the pojangmacha to capacity.
Here, you will see young individuals leave behind the strain of their daily lives, and relax with colleagues or friends.๐คญ |
|
|
2๏ธโฃ Dongdaemun Dakhanmari Alley
#Dongdaemun # PyeonghwaMarket #ChickenKalguksu #DongdaemunStation #WholeChicken
โSoul Food of Dongdaemun Merchantsโ
โDakhanmari Alleyโ (Whole Chicken Alley) started out featuring chicken Kalguksu (chicken noddle soup) being sold at private homes before evolving into the serving of whole chickens. As many such establishments emerged, the alley grew into a commercial district that has now been thriving for 30 years!๐๐
It is said that when the Dongdaemun Express Bus Terminal was still in operation, bus passengers and market traders would frequently request a โwhole chicken" giving rise to its name of Dakhanmari Alley. The chickens are first pre-cooked and then warmed up when ordered, making it an ideal meal for busy merchants.๐๐ปโโ๏ธ
Unlike the tradition boiled chicken thatโs eaten with salt, this dish is a unique delicacy dipped in a sauce made from soy sauce, vinegar, mustard, and spicy red-pepper paste.
When you add noodles to the remaining broth, it becomes a truly hearty and satisfying meal.๐ฅ ๐ง๐
The renowned dish has become increasingly popular among the MZ generation, leading to a significant rise in visitors today. |
|
|
3๏ธโฃ Gongdeok Jokbal Alley
#GongdeokStation #Jokbal #SundaeSoup #WorkingProfessionals #SundaeSoup #KoreanAffection
โAn Alley Filled With Generous Hospitalityโ
This alley is said to have started out with vendors selling โJokbalโ (pigโs trotters) from street stalls in Mapo Gongdeok Market during the 1970s and 1980s, when it was popular as a retail market.
As merchants began selling Jokbal with sundae soup, business thrived, leading to the eventual popularity of Jokbal Alley among the masses.๐จ๐ปโ๐ณ๐ท
The reason jokbal restaurants in this alley are famous is due to their generous portions and the wide variety of complimentary side dishes offered. The chewy Jokbal not only comes in generous portions, but regardless of the size of the Jokbal, side dishes such as hot hangover soup, Sundae (Korean sausage), head meat, and Tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes) are all provided for free! Since the hot soup is refilled without charge, the alley is a popular spot for working professional who gather for drinks after work.๐๐ฅ
Of the various vendors, Ohyang Jokbal is an especially renowned jokbal restaurant that has been in operation for more than 40 years.
If you are a true food enthusiast, then Jokbal Alley alley is a must-visit! ๐๐ป |
|
|
A Word from the Seoul Tourism Organization๐
While it is not an alley, there is a place in Seoul that locals flock to on sunny daysโHangang Park! During the day, families, friends, and couples enjoy picnics together, while at night, many gather for group runs.
A true haven for food enthusiasts, the range of picnic food options is endless at Seoul's Hangang Park. You can enjoy not only chicken and pizza but also ramen cooked onsite through dedicated machines found in convenience stores.
If you are looking for riverside dining along the Han River instead of a picnic, we recommend Samgyeopsal (pork belly).
Having delicious food while gazing over the waters of Han River will present another unique tasting experience. If you have the chance, be sure to look up some great eateries before you come!
|
|
|
|
