Seoul(Gangnam-gu) , Gangnam・Samseongdong(COEX)

Gaon is a Korean cuisine restaurant located in Gangnam. The chefs prepare a full course meal, dedicating their attention and eye for detail throughout the entire meal. Each dish reflects the charm and beauty of Korean foods.


Seoul(Gangnam-gu) , Gangnam・Samseongdong(COEX)

Ramada Seoul, opened in February, 2004, is located in Samseong-dong, Gangnam, one of the main business districts in Seoul. The hotel (B3-12F) offers 246 guestrooms (65 executive rooms, 7 luxurious suites) and a range of convenient facilities including meeting rooms of various sizes, a spa & sauna, a fitness club, restaurants, and a banquet room with space for up to 500 guests. Conveniently located across from Seolleung Park, guests can easily take a morning jog or walk along the park paths.


Seoul(Yeongdeungpo-gu) , Yeouido・Yeongdeungpo・Mapo

The Seoul Color Park spans over 9,000㎡ of land next to Hangang River under the Mapo Bridge. It features a large wave-shaped sculpture, as well as bar code graphics and benches painted with 10 different colors that have been designed as the Colors of Seoul. In the 'Seoul Color' scheme, dark gray represents the traditional 'giwa' roof tiles, red represents the 'dancheong' pattern used in traditional wooden buildings, green represents Namsan Mountain, and orange represents flowers. Other colors include light gray, beige, blue, yellow, brown and white.


Seoul(Jongno-gu) , Insadong・Jongnon

In an alley near the Embassy of the Republic of Poland, the Italian restaurant The Hanok Smith Likes can be found. The restaurant is famous for serving homemade Italian cuisine in traditional Korean house in Samcheong-dong.The Smith in the restaurant’s name refers to a blacksmith as well as Mr. Smith which is a common name like Cheolsu in Korea. The restaurant decided to pick the name Smith with the second meaning in mind. So, the concept is that Mr. Smith who is a virtual person cooks his favorite dishes in a hanok. One of the interesting aspects about this restaurant is that they serve hwadeok pizza (brick oven pizza) and pastas which are not the Korean dishes one might expect given the hanok exterior. They also serve salads, risotto, steak and wine at the restaurant. Particularly, the nighttime atmosphere of the restaurant offers a more serene and cozy experience thanks to the traditional hanok architecture.


Seoul(Gangnam-gu)

Created by the government to hand down traditions and preserve important, intangible cultural assets, the center supports cultural masters in the training of their pupils and their efforts to promote Korean traditional culture to the general public.The center houses 8 groups that represent the music field. Serving not only as a training ground for those specializing in the arts, the center also seeks to reach out to the general public through regular programs and recitals. Musicians also participate in musical conferences, events and performances on a national and international level.There are 12 craft groups at the center that are directed by craft masters who have been designated 'Important Intangible Cultural Assets.' Craft groups host a number of training programs.Other special features of the center include the 'Pungryu,' a 147-seat folk theatre; the 2 or 3 story 'Traditional Craft Hall' with an open-run exhibition hall and planned exhibition hall; a shop selling the works of the artists; a seminar room; a training room; and a practical training room. 


Seoul(Jung-gu) , Euljiro・Chungmuro・Namsan

The Chojun Textile & Quilt Art Museum opened on October 27, 1998 with the goals of preserving Korean traditional patchwork quilting techniques, which are gradually being forgotten, and of exhibiting other countries’ textile crafts. The Chojun Textile & Quilt Museum in Namsan-dong, central Seoul, is the only museum in Korea that displays local and foreign textile art.The museum brings together a number of beautiful quilts and other textiles from around the world that embody the love and spirit of the women who created them. These works include Korean traditional personal ornaments, ceremonial dresses, everyday objects, and traditional costumes of the Chinese Miao tribe. The displays of rare foreign quilts and Korean traditional patchwork quilts dating back as far as 100 years have been attracting a continuous flow of quilt aficionados and international tourists.As you may already know, the term ‘quilt’ refers to a coverlet made of two layers of fabric decoratively stitched together with a layer of cotton in between. A long time ago, Koreans wore quilted clothes and held quilting parties similar to the Western quilting bee. Koreans have long since used various cloth remnants to make quilts.Though the actual type of cloth, pattern, and stitching may vary from country to country and person to person, quilts the worldover represent the resourcefulness and care of the people who made them. At the museum, visitors can compare the styles of a variety of beautiful Asian and Western textile works, which is perhaps one of the main draws of the museum.The museum’s first exhibition presented the winning works of the Japan International Quilt Contest. It then hosted the first Korean Quilt Contest and presented the winning works of the contest at the museum. It has since held several shows featuring quilts and other textile works including “The Manhole Quilt Exhibition for a Beautiful Environment” and the World Traditional Textile Exhibition.In addition to exhibits and various programs, the museum has served as an educational center for textile artists by organizing a number of workshops and seminars. Fast emerging as a favorite destination for foreign tourists thanks to its unique items and exhibitions, the Chojun Textile & Quilt Art Museum plans to hold more diverse exhibitions and contests in the future while continuing to exhibit its permanent collection of Korean textile art.The programs at the museum are aimed at providing the general public with opportunities to get closer to the textile arts, which remain unfamiliar to many, and to help preserve Korea’s textile traditions and promote them worldwide. In addition, by introducing unique textile artwork from overseas, the museum seeks to offer opportunities for local textile artists to obtain new ideas and techniques and gain a wider, global perspective.


Seoul(Gangnam-gu) , Apgujeong・Cheongdamdong

Biker Starlet offers diverse bags with unique designs that can be carried to cocktail parties and clubs. The designers of Biker Starlet are involved in the entire production process, so customers can be guaranteed high-quality, innovative items. The shop is a must-visit for those looking for colorful, luxurious leather items.


Seoul(Seongdong-gu) , The Eastern Part of the Seoul

The epitome of industrial chic, Cafe Onion operates out of a converted factory that was built in the 1970s. The building has actually seen a variety of businesses open shop in the past; there was once a supermarket and even restaurants throughout the years and at one time the building was even a regular residence. More recently, before Cafe Onion opened, the building housed an industrial factory that made small parts. Traces of the building's industrial past are still visible throughout Cafe Onion. The cafe even kept and converted many of the factory's design elements. There are over 20 varieties of bread at the cafe. Cafe Onion also sells the famed Bread 05 Bakery's butter bread. Korean patrons will have seen the butter bread on several Korean TV shows.  


Seoul(Jongno-gu) , Insadong・Jongnon

Byeori began to sell handmade accessories and silver crafts at the Free Market near Hongik Univeristy. As the brand became more popular, the company was able to open a store in Samcheong-dong. In addition to accessories, Byeori now offers household ceramics by a variety of artists. It is popular among customers looking for colorful items.


Seoul(Jung-gu) , Dongdaemun

The Hwanghakdong Flea Market is an extensive used-goods market with over 500 shops. The flea market is also popularly known as the ‘Doggaebi (Korean folk creature) Market’ and ‘All-Things Market’ due to its variety of goods ranging from antiques to interior furnishings. Hence, the Hwanghakdong Flea Market is a famous destination among many foreigners. In the past, the Hwanghak-dong Flea Market was the nation’s trade center for antique goods, and now, the market offers a wide variety of products ranging from cameras, refrigerators, washing machines and TVs to old money, antique paintings, cosmetics, clothes, Buddha statues and more. The flea market sells used goods as well as new ones. Not to worry though, as all used products have been renewed and repaired with a 50% markdown, while new products can be purchased at 20-30% off the retail price. The Hwanghakdong Flea Market is divided into five sections. First, a one-storey building holds a variety of shops selling old books, electronics, and videos. Second, the alleyway between Samil Apartments 15-dong and 16-dong near Cheonggyecheon 7-ga Street is known as the antique street. Electronic stores are gathered in the area behind Samil Apartment 13-dong and the Seongdong Technical High School all the way to Samil Apartment 17-dong, selling TVs, refrigerators, car stereos, air conditioners, video games, and more. Finally, the machinery stores are located on the second street of Jungang Market. The flea market is generally open from 9am to 7pm, with the exception of the electronics district which is open until 10pm.