Korean Job Discussion Forums

[dalem]

I have heard tell that there is a French neighborhood in Seocho. Couple of questions, if anyone knows anything about it.

Where is it? I tried walking around the area, looked at maps and such, but it wasn't clear where to go in the area.

What is it? Are we talking people walking down the street speaking french? Are we talking french foreign grocers/restaurants/stores?

Anything you know about this would be cool.

[Lynns]

It's hard to describe where it is since it doesn't have a subway stop. It's a little south and west of Express Bus Terminal, west of Palace Hotel. Here's a map

http://global.seoul.go.kr/village/seorae/center/?CatNum=0&SubNum=3&Language=en&villageGubun=4&programType=4

It's the street that runs down from Bangbae Middle School. The best time to hear a lot of French is around 3 in the afternoon when the French International School gets out.

A lot of French-speaking people live around there because of the school. There's a really good Paris Croissant on that street catering to French tastes, some wine stores, lots of cafes, and an imported foods store (mostly American food, not French). It's a nice little neighborhood, but definitely Korean, just a touch of French influence.

[hossenfeffer]

As the Public Enemy song warns...."don't believe the hype." I went looking for this "French village" one weekend with my fiance and was very disappointed. I envisioned quaffing wine and spreading soft cheese over crackers while listening to a moustached man in a beret playing the accordian. In reality, it was really no different from any other area in Seoul (i.e. Paris Baguette, SK Telecom, GS25, etc) with the exception that there's an international school there. I was very disappointed.

[redaxe]

Yeah it's called Seorae maeul. Nice little neighborhood, but it's not terribly French at all.

Lots of Italian restaurants there, though, because most Koreans have no idea what French food is, but they sure do like spaghetti.

[Juregen]

I found it a little bit more peaceful compared to many other areas, but yes, don't believe the hype.

[dalem]

Thanks for all the help and views on this . I'll be checking out some weekend soon.

i'm assuming i'd need to go on a saturday as the interesting little store type things will be closed sunday?

[kristin17]

There is a cheese shop around there that is closed on Sundays, but there isn't much in the way of shopping. There also is a foreign food mart there that has some products that are cheaper than the one in Itaewon if you are looking for things like hazelnut oil or cashews.