Hidden gems · Seoul
Hidden gems in Seoul
Skip the tourist circuit. These Seoul spots are the ones locals actually send their out-of-town friends to.
Loved by 440 locals121 plans built this week
Top spots in Seoul
Gyeongbokgung Palace
CultureJongno
Free entry in hanbok; changing-of-the-guard at 10am and 2pm.
Bukchon Hanok Village
CultureJongno
Hillside maze of traditional houses between two palaces.
Han River Parks
OutdoorsYeouido / Banpo
Bike loops, chicken-and-beer picnics, Banpo bridge rainbow fountain at night.
Gwangjang Market
Food & DrinkJongno
Bindaetteok mung bean pancakes and live octopus — Netflix-famous.
Where to eat
Jungsik
$$$$Modern Korean · Gangnam
Two-Michelin-star tasting menu — bibimbap rethought as fine dining.
Mingles
$$$$Contemporary Korean · Cheongdam
Three-star tasting from chef Mingoo Kang.
Tosokchon
$$Samgyetang · Jongno
Ginseng chicken soup the presidents eat — go before noon.
Myeongdong Kyoja
$Noodles · Myeongdong
Kalguksu hand-cut noodles in chicken broth — four-item menu only.
Frequently asked
- Locals' under-the-radar picks include Gyeongbokgung Palace, Bukchon Hanok Village, Han River Parks. These are the places that don't show up on the first page of mainstream travel guides.
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