Gangwon-do(Chuncheon-si)

Opened in August 2006, the Chuncheon Makguksu Museum is all about makguksu, one of the representative local dishes of Chuncheon. Makguksu is buckwheat noodle served in cold kimchi broth. The museum includes a buckwheat exhibition hall and a makguksu experience hall.The buckwheat exhibition hall has display materials and information on the origin and distribution of buckwheat, its history, and related foods. Visitors can get a glimpse of the variety of makguksu noodle throughout its development over time.


Seoul(Jongno-gu) , Insadong・Jongnon

About 2,000 old Korean kitchen utensils and tteok (rice cake) related items are displayed here and arranged by various themes. The displayed utensils are handmade household necessities that are ingenuous, yet reveal the lifestyle of the working class. The elderly may relive fond childhood memories and the younger generation can experience the wisdom of ancestors through the rare kitchen utensils.


Seoul(Gangnam-gu) , Apgujeong・Cheongdamdong

Best Western International is a worldwide chain of over 4,000 hotels in more than 80 countries, based in Phoenix, Arizona, US. This hotel chain boasting over 56 years of history and tradition offers competitive rates to its guests worldwide. Best Western Premier Gangnam Hotel offers single, double, twin and suite rooms in contemporary ambience and design. Free internet access is available in each guest room and convenience facilities are situated inside the hotel. This hotel serves fusion cuisine in the GN Restaurant; live piano performances in the GN Lounge & Bar; an outdoor banquet area in GN Garden; a fitness center and a business center. The Best Western Premier Gangnam Hotel is located in the heart of Gangnam, with easy access to COEX, Korea World Trade Center, Olympic Stadium, Itaewon shopping district, a number of luxury department stores and the combined business and entertainment area of “Gangnam”.


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

Kamong is a cafe, which is owned and operated by the sister of Kai from the Korean boy band EXO. Kamong, which means ‘Dreaming Kai,’ is also known as a gathering place/meeting spot for Kai’s fans. One of the most popular menu items is the ice cream waffle, which has assorted fresh fruits added to it. On the cups, napkins, and other small props in the cafe, you can find that there are copies of drawings and messages that Kai drew/wrote himself. Frequently, people bump into Kai and other EXO members visiting the cafe.  


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

Namsan Outdoor Botanical Garden opened its doors on February 18th, 1997 in Hannam-dong, where the residential complex for foreigners once stood before it was demolished in 1994. Covering an area of around 59m2, it is divided into 13 themed gardens with a total 117,132 plants from 269 species. Among this diversity, 60,912 plants from 129 species are tree types and 56,220 plants from 140 species are grass types. The 13 themed gardens include a garden of herbal medicine, apricot trees, wildflowers, royal azaleas, shrubs, commercial plants and a garden for the blind.


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

Jang Suwon, who is the member of Korea’s first-generation boyband idol group, “Sechs Kies,” has transformed himself into a restaurant entrepreneur from being, previously, a singer and actor. Yummy Kampong is a Singaporean seafood restaurant, and they pride themselves on the fact that they use locally caught ingredients for freshness. The most popular dish is the, ‘Kampong Chicken.’ It has a spicy, and yet an explosively sour taste, which stimulates your taste buds. You can sometimes catch Jang Suwon, who helps out in serving at the restaurant, taking photos with his fans at the restaurant.  


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.


4.5/2
Seoul(Jung-gu) , Namdaemun・Seoul-Station

Mt. Namsan is a symbolic mountain located at the center of Seoul. Although not as high as other surrounding mountains, Mt. Namsan is a very popular nonetheless as a resting site. At the top, there are various facilities such as Palgakjeong (octagonal hall), Seoul Tower, Maritime Aquarium, fountains, and Namsan Library. You may take a cable car to the top or walk up the stairway path. Other than this path, there are many other walkways to Namdaemun, Hoehyun-dong, Taegyero 3(sam)-ga, Jangchung Park, Itaewon, Huam-dong and much more. The driving courses here are also popular for couples. Namsan Park is a historical site. You will find Bonghwadae (beacon mound) at the top as it was once the center of capital defense. During the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) the capital was changed to Hanyang,(current Seoul) and to protect the city from invasions, castle walls were built on the 4 major mountains like Mt. Bukaksan, Mt. Inwangsan, Mt. Naksan and Mt. Namsan. On Namsan peak, five beacons were built to report the news from local governments to the central government with a five-signal system. Also on the top of Mt. Namsan, there is the Palgakjeong Pavilion, which has a fantastic view. At Seoul Tower (479.7m), you can view the whole landscape of Seoul and the West Sea beyond Incheon. The rotating restaurant in the Seoul Tower also boasts excellent views. With excellent night view, you should try having dinner at the tower. It would be a great experience to visit Namsangol Traditional Korean Village which is a village of 5 traditional Korean houses.


Seoul(Songpa-gu) , Jamsil(Lotte World)

Daejanggeum serves traditional Korea meals, reinterpreting royal dishes from the Joseon Dynasty. Daejanggeum faithfully uses only the best local ingredients to make all their food, from the soybeans used for soy sauce and soybean paste, to kimchi. In addition to the food, guests can enjoy dining with lacquerware from Korea's Holder of Intangible Heritage, Mr. Yi Jin-ho, and forged works by 5th generation blacksmith, Cha Ingyu.


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

Slobbie is a place for those urbanites who are seeking “slow” food and a "slow" lifestyle that are part of the Slow Food Movement. This eco-friendly organic restaurant directly sources its food ingredients from local producers and uses healthy, wholesome and MSG-free cooking techniques to produce fresh dishes, draft rice wine, homemade deserts and traditional tea. Slobbie also houses an Eco Shop selling eco-friendly items; All Right Table, a cooking class; and Work Room with Kitchen, which hosts open kitchen sessions. The restaurant also publishes "Slobbie Life," a bi-monthly magazine. During the last week of every month, Slobbie holds its "Together Day," where small and medium-sized shops hold a collective campaign under diverse themes. Subsribe to the restaurant's "Eating Proper Meals" program, and you’ll get a coupon with a 10% discount covering 10 to 15 meals.