a department store and the riverside, by the bus terminal
South of the river by the express bus terminal, a small area with two real reasons to cross town: Shinsegae's flagship department store, one of Korea's largest with the food halls to match, and, down at the water, Banpo Han River Park with the Jamsu Bridge and the rainbow-fountain evenings off Banpo Bridge. Not a neighborhood to graze, but worth the trip for either.
No photos, no star ratings — just what I'd tell a friend. I live in Seoul and these are the places I actually go, 5 of them here.
Open it in the appThe Han River park I'd send you to — rainbow-fountain shows on Banpo Bridge, picnic crowds till late.
This is literally Korea's #1 department store by sales; the B1 Sweet Park dessert hall is the fun part.
The local chicken hof by Banpo Hangang: the whole fried chicken's great, plus clam sujebi (hand-torn noodle soup).
A hanjeongsik (Korean set meal) where 20-odd banchan land at once; the free refills stun first-timers.
The bibimbap-and-bulgogi spot on Shinsegae Gangnam's 11th floor, where the shopping ajummas pile in for lunch.
What to order and how to get in — the queue windows, the door moves, the booking that needs a Korean phone number — is in the app.
Bukchon is free, in full, so you can see whether you trust me before paying.
Seoul by moment: early mornings · on your own · vegetarian · late nights · with a view · for a date
Seoul by kind of place: cafes · specialty coffee · bakeries · desserts · tea · Korean barbecue · bars · natural wine · markets · museums and galleries · shopping · things to do