I consider travel and vacation to be two very different activities. I usually prefer the former, which involves integrating oneself in the culture, meeting the locals, learning a bit of history and getting off the beaten path. Traveling, to me, means attempting to blend in and wanting to leave as an altered and more educated …
After exploring Hapjeong, one of Seoul’s most popular hipster hangouts, it’s time to move toward Sangsu, one of my personal favorite neighborhoods, thanks to its cool cafes, indie vibes and relative anonymity. As the sun sets and the crowds begin to fill the streets of Hongdae, let your stomach lead the way off the beaten path. …
I wouldn’t call myself a foodie. I don’t use pretentious adjectives to describe lettuce. I don’t pontificate about the ingredients of the barbecue sauce on my pulled pork sandwich, or the perfect picking season for truffles. That being said, I DO appreciate good food and value quality, fresh ingredients. Sometimes to an unhealthy extent (which you …
Although Hongdae will no doubt remain the go-to student neighborhood for funk and fun, a number of youngsters are beginning to disperse to Hapjeong and nearby Sangsu, bohemian locales on the outskirts of the rowdy neighborhood that caters to Seoul’s alternative crowd. Here, polished twenty- and thirty-somethings seemingly straight off the cover of Kinfolk sip …
This is part two of a three-part Seoul Walks series. In this segment, I’ll introduce to you Sinsa-dong’s best dessert cafes, nightlife spots and a Korean-style spa fit for a princess. For the previous post, click here.Dessert Alley No visit to Sinsa is complete without a visit to one of the area’s many dessert cafes, and …
Who needs a guidebook when Seoul Searching gives you the most comprehensive, up-to-date guide to Seoul’s neighborhoods on the Internet?! Whether you’re looking for the perfect neighborhood to stay in during your trip, or simply want to explore a new part of town, you can find what you are looking for here. I’ll continue to …
This is part two of a three-part Seoul Walks series. In this segment, I’ll guide you along Serosu-gil and Garosu-gil and introduce to you Sinsa-dong’s best international eats and cultural galleries. For the previous post, click here.An International Feast Just as famous as Sinsa’s boutiques are its atmospheric restaurants and there are plenty of options …
Over the past couple years, Seoul has emerged as Asia’s new fashion showcase, with the world’s top luxury firms seeking to cash in on the regional trend-setting popularity of South Korean pop culture. But in a fashion-conscious city that has gained a reputation for its noteworthy street style and world-class fashion exports, there’s one area …
I moved to Seoul when I was a very young and naive 22-year-old. Now pushing 30, it recently dawned on me that I have spent the majority of my adult life in Korea. In fact, I became an adult in Korea. I can say with certainty that this was probably the best thing that could …
Here in Seoul, warm weather has finally made an appearance, which can only mean one thing—barbeque season is just around the corner. No time is a better time than now to prepare for this season’s camping trips, rooftop parties and grill-outs, and finding the perfect meat should be the first thing on your to-do list. …