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

Shim’s Tapas, opened in 2006, introduced Spanish tapas to Korea, attracting many young and trend-conscious people in the Hongdae area and foreign residents of Seoul. Shim's Tapas serves Spanish cuisine cooked with natural ingredients and spices. The bread, including baguettes, rye bread, and olive bread, are baked in the restaurant kitchen. Along with 30 different kinds of tapas, other items that are available include rice dishes, spaghetti, pizza, wine, beer, cocktails, and coffee.


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

California Pizza Kitchen (CPK) is an international restaurant chain that specializes in California-style pizza.Boasting its 20 yerars of history, the casual dining restaruant expanded from California to more than 250 locations in more than 30 states and 11 countries.The CPK - Gangnam Branch is located in the famous Gangnam district of Seoul.


Seoul(Jongno-gu) , Insadong・Jongnon

It is a shabu-shabu-style handmade dumpling restaurant with handmade dumplings and various vegetables.


Seoul(Dongdaemun-gu) , Dongdaemun

Hongneung Arboretum is a first generation arboretum in Korea. It was established in 1922 when experimental forests were built on Hongneung burial mound, which is the royal tomb of Queen Myeong-Seong. On the 780 square meters area southwest of Mt. Cheonjangsang, there are 9 gardens such as a garden of conifers, a garden of broadleaf trees and an ornamental garden, 3 botanical gardens with edible & medicinal plants garden, an aquatic garden and a wetland garden. There are 6 resting places as well.Hongneung Arboretum has beautiful scenery for every season. The garden of broadleaf trees behind the main building is the one that shows the change of season most dramatically. The hundreds of broadleaf trees appear their best in autumn. The arboretum is good for nature education walk because of the many nameplates offering information on the species and characteristics of each tree. There are also many things to see at the Forest Science Exhibition Hall which provides visitors with knowledge and information of the value of forests, forestry, and the forest industry. The building itself is an exhibition because the hall is made of Korean wood. Inside, there are three general exhibition rooms, a regular exhibit hall, a planning exhibit hall, and a special exhibit hall.You may look around from Garden 1 to Garden 9 in regular order or take the course from Garden 2, pass the Forest Science Exhibition Hall to the mountain ridge ending at Garden 1. Note that it takes approximately 3 hours to see everything, whichever course you may take.


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

This Jokbal Street restaurant has a history of over 50 years, and the elderly white-haired proprietor has been running the business the entire time. Basketball players who play a game at the Jangchung Gymnasium visit the restaurant. When it first opened, the price of jokbal (steamed pork hock) was 150 won and the bindaetteok (mung-bean pancake), 10 won. Back then, the food was a luxury that students couldn’t even dream of buying, but now everyone can afford it. The taste of jokbal here is special: firstly because the trotters are transported to the restaurant immediately, and also because of the restaurant’s unique broth. The meat is extremely chewy and the delicately flavored fat melts in your mouth like ice cream. For a treat that cannot be enjoyed anywhere else, the owner hints that the large serving is much more delicious than the small one.


Seoul(Jongno-gu) , Insadong・Jongnon

Seochon Traditional Sundae Soup House is considered a must-visit destination. It was shown in the Korean drama series, “Doctors, as a restaurant owned by the father of the main character, Yoo Hye Jung (actress: Park Shin Hye). It is known for its special deep-tasting beef broth, which they brew with marrowbone for 24 hours. Its old-fashioned, traditional style Hanok architecture and its neat interior evokes the Korean traditional castle: Gyeongbokgung and its surroundings. Not only is the Sundae Soup first in its class, the in-house Kimchi is one of the best in its category as well. After the meal, don’t forget to take a photo where the “Doctors” couple, Jiho-Hyejung, enjoyed rice soup.  


Seoul(Dongdaemun-gu) , Dongdaemun

Thick and rich broth makes a good impression here. Boiled chicken with ginseng (Samgyetang) gives a soft and tender taste with glutinous rice, chestnuts, ginseng and Chinese dates. The rich flavor of ginseng liquor, fried chicken gizzard, cubed white radishes, cabbage kimchi, and garlic with Korean hot pepper paste makes this dish even better. *Best Korean Restauranta as designated by The Seoul Metropolitan Government  


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

Haneul Park (Sky Park), located within the World Cup Stadium Park, is a grassland park that was formed where the second site of the Nanjido Landfill once stood. As it was once a landfill and the soil especially poor, the Haneul Park wasteland recovery project demonstrates how nature can flourish out of what was once barren land. Since the year 2000, around 30,000 butterflies have been realeased on Nanjido Island, which is located in the middle of Haneul Park. At Haneul Park, visitors are met with scenic views of Seoul in every direction with Bukhansan Mountain to the north, Namsan Mountain and the 63 Building to the east, Han River to the south and Haengjusanseon Fortress to the west. These spectacular sights can be fully enjoyed from the observation platform. The park also offers benches and other areas for visitors to take a short rest and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of Haneul Park.


Seoul(Mapo-gu) , Hongik-University-Area

NANTA is a top non-verbal cooking performance show about four chefs who must prepare a wedding banquet in just one hour. The plot is depicted through various genres of performances, including percussion that uses kitchen utensils to make beats based on traditional rhythms of samulnori (traditional percussion quartet). The entire show has no spoken dialogue, yet plenty of comedy and romance, too. Meanwhile, since its debut in October 1997, NANTA (also known as Cookin') has earned international acclaim, being staged on Broadway and at other famous venues worldwide.


Seoul(Jongno-gu)

A once in a lifetime opportunity to learn the secrets to preparing royal Korean court food is currently being offered through Korea’s National Palace Museum. Inside the walls of the Gyeongbokgung Palace garden, this unique cooking class offers hands-on preparation of traditional dishes, a privilege allowed only to the highest ranked servants called “suragan choigo sanggung.” This three-month intensive program held each Friday, and lasting for an hour and a half, offers participants a step-by-step introduction into the culinary world of Joseon royalty (1392-1910). This traditional Korean culinary course covers twelve different types of royal court dishes that were offered up to the king. Renowned for using the freshest and the most valuable ingredients from all over the country, the menu will delight modern palettes as well. Spots should be reserved online prior to the beginning of the first class. This course is taught in Korean, however non-Korean speakers are welcome to request the help of a guide made available by the palace museum upon reservation. The enrollment fee covers ingredients ranging from 5,000 to 10,000 won per dish, due monthly. Expect the total to amount to 50,000 to 60,000 won. Prepared by chefs of the highest caliber, the mistress presiding over the royal kitchen or “choigo sanggung,” used only the most rare and valuable ingredients from across Korea. Each recipe was kept secret, made available only to the top chef of the royal kitchen or “suragan.” An expert in court food instructs the Royal Court Food Cooking Experience at the National Palace Museum of Korea, presenting over 50 different dishes once enjoyed by the kings of Joseon.