Korean Job Discussion Forums

Seoul English tutor · Joined: 04 Dec 2010 Location: Seoul, South Korea

I love Seoul and I know there are so many hidden gem areas that I don't know about. Please let me know some of your favorite places... that is of course if you are willing to share, haha. I know some people don't want their secrets to get out to the foreigners sometimes. I can understand that though. It's nice to have quiet peaceful places to chill out in.

Here are a few of my top places. If you have something to share I would love to hear about them. Or you can check them at www.ctenglishcafe.com

1:Sam chong dong. Amazing streets, cafes and restuarants. Best for a date in the fall or spring time. Go to insadong, walk to the end of the street and find the info booth for more info. its just across the street.jonggok station

2:Bukchon Hanok Village: It was once a village of aristocrats long ago, and its luxury tile-roofed houses called giwas have been preserved since the Joseon Dynasty. amazing for photography and walking with your lover. Located just above Sam chong dong.

3:Myeongdong: great for shopping, people watching, and food.
located in the city center.Myeongdong station

4:Hongdea: afternoon on saturdays there is a flea market with really great artsy stuff. At night its an amazing party land. Millions of cool bars and restaurants and always bands playing in the park for free. Lots of live music all around. Anyone would like this place. location: Hongik university, line 6, green line

5.Apkujeong: Many nice clothing shops and restuarants. Just a cool vibe. Pretty expensive though. A lot of Korean celebrities hangout here. Good for an afternoon or night. Check out the Parriot strike bowling and pub. Super fun.Location: Apkujeong station and take a bus to hyundai gallaria department store.

6.Shincon: Great for night life and eating. Many Korean students hang out there. Lots of fun and you wont find as many foreingers as you will in Hongdea which is good every once and a while. Located next to hongdea. green line shinchon st. There are 2 shinchon stations so find the one on the east.

7. Ehwa University: Cool little area with nice botuiques and cafes. great for an afternoon walk. Next to hongdea and shinchon. Location: green line ehwa station.

8.French village. Small but beautiful little French community. I have even walked past Korean kids whom were speaking French to eachother. Pretty cool. Good for a date and an afternoon stroll.Located at Go Seok express bus terminal. I cant rememebr exactly the directions so you may have to google it.

More please!

interestedinhanguk · Joined: 23 Aug 2010

Myeongdong, Apkujeong, Hongdae and Sinchon are hardly hidden and get grow quite tired.

Persoonally, I like Daehagno/Hyehwa. Younger crowd, fun, happening without the obnoxiousness of Itaewon or Hongdae. I see surprisingly few Westerners in this area. There's also the Filipino Market that sets up there on Sundays. Only been there once, but it was good (not very large). Had a really good lunch (perhaps best foreign food I've had in Korea) and got myself some balut.

samd · Joined: 03 Jan 2007

9. Amudong - This place is great for an afternoon walk! Stroll through the nearby apartment complexes, and stop for refreshments at one of the many convenience stores. For those who like to party or play Sudden Attack, there is an abundance of hofs, PC bangs, and noraebangs - go crazy! Food lovers will be satified by the many chain restaurants and street food stalls.

toby99 · Posted: Wed Dec 08, 2010 7:23 am Post subject:

I wouldn't consider any of those to be "hidden gems" to anyone who has been here more than a few weeks.

Seoul English tutor · Joined: 04 Dec 2010 Location: Seoul, South Korea

well I guess it doesn't totally matter if they just hidden gems, If it is a new place to me then I'm stoked. Never heard of Amudong before. Where is that? I have been here for 3 years I have explored almost everywhere it seems. This is why I need some new places to get excited about and remember that I'm in a foreign country. I just feel so comfortable here now and I feel I forgot how to explore the city.

Thanks for the replies people

Died By Bear · Posted: Wed Dec 08, 2010 7:45 am Post subject:

This is a great thread. Good job OP for taking the initiative to start an interesting thread.

Here's my submission:

Once a year, this little area does a world food festival that's put on by the employees of the foreign embassies in Seoul. (The Greek food line was the longest) A lot of embassy employees are housed in this area, and it's very foreigner friendly. Black market stores are abundant and they all speaky da English.

The name of this stop on bus 273 is SONG BUK DONG

You can spend a few hours wandering up the hills and looking at some of the nicest villa homes in Seoul. Huge, beautiful and quiet. You won't see any vegetable trucks selling their wares here friends. Just rich people living the good life.

Up the hill, you'll find a temple - very, very nice temple, with all the trimmings, very peaceful, try the meditation room, or rent one of their bungalows for a temple stay.

They have some really good western style restaurants with good food at the bottom of the hill in the square. If you don't feel like walking up steep hills, take the free shuttle bus provided by the temple.

Great for pics, exercise and decent food. Best of all, hardly any cars up there during the day, and very peaceful.

**********************************************************

Same bus 273, 10 stops later:

Want to see the cherry blossoms but don't want to be overrun by people? Go to Kyung-hee university and deal with not as many people, big campus, make sure you check every road, because otherwise you might miss the huge golden fish color fishys in the pond, or the temple right next to it...again, great for taking pics of cherry blossoms if that's your thing.

sesyeux · Joined: 20 Jul 2009 Location: king 'arrys

it seems the amudong post slipped under the OPs radar.
i for one enjoyed it anyway

Seoul English tutor · Joined: 04 Dec 2010 Location: Seoul, South Korea

That food festival sounds amazing. I would love to hit that up. If you know the dates and things I'd love to know.

Thanks Die by bear!

Bibbitybop · Joined: 22 Feb 2006 Location: Seoul

Seoul English tutor · Joined: 04 Dec 2010 Location: Seoul, South Korea

Aww is that all the places we can get??

Ok I though of a few other kinda cool places.

Konguk university. Where the dark green and the light green line meet. East side of Seoul. Cool place for eating and drinking. many Uni students, lights, and beer.

Silim. This has a pretty cool little party/ restaurant area. It's pretty small but pretty cool for a few good nights. there is a bar called C BAR and its 15,000 won all you can drink. there are lots of other cheap drinking places there as well.

More please..anyone?

redaxe · Joined: 01 Dec 2008

Yeah, Daehangno and Kondae (Geondae) are both highly underrated for nightlife. Lots of great BBQ places.

Sinchon/Edae area was where I always spent the daytime on weekends. Lots of good eats around there.

Jongno can be fun, too. Lots of good places to eat and drink beer in those alleys tucked behind the bell tower. Also a lot of makgeolli / pajeon / bindaeddeok restaurants.

Still, nothing beats Hongdae for those crazy party time nights.

redaxe · Joined: 01 Dec 2008

sojusucks · Joined: 31 May 2008

northway · Joined: 05 Jul 2010

Heyri Art Village in Paju isn't too far on the bus from Hongdae and is a really cool place to spend an afternoon.

Died By Bear · Posted: Fri Dec 10, 2010 6:55 pm Post subject:

One of the coolest places I saw in Seoul was a street named "Garo Su Gil"

Line 3 shinsa station, exit # 8 and walk down about 100 meters on your left, can't miss the street sign. Lots of very tasty places to eat, and for the guys, the water is really, really good here. hint hint.