Explore Seoul (서울탐험)
Top things to see in Seoul. The best things to do in Seoul. Best cafes and restaurants to find in Seoul. Mountains, parks, and more things to do in Seoul, Korea. (서울에서 볼 수 있는 최고의 물건들. 서울에서 할 수 있는 가장 좋은 일들. 서울에서 찾을 수 있는 최고의 카페와 식당. 산, 공원, 그리고 한국의 서울에서 할 수 있는 더 많은 것들이 있다.)
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The North Korean Human Rights Museum in Seoul: Small But Impactful
In Jongno-gu, Seoul, the Database Center for North Korean Human Rights (북한인권정보센터) is the mind behind bringing to light the freedom of expression violations in North Korea through an educational space that is open and welcoming to all. What brought chills and a deep sense of authenticity to the museum for me were the real testimonies from North Korean defectors describing harsh imprisonment conditions, backed by decades of human rights research conducted since the early 2000s. Reading and hearing these documented human rights violations left me feeling transported somewhere else entirely, speechless, and more than a little frustrated. Get ready to explore the North Korean Human Rights Exhibition Hall in…
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Doseonsa Temple: Seoul’s Most Sacred Mountain Retreat in Bukhansan
You might think you’ve seen Seoul’s best temples just by visiting the famous ones downtown. Jogyesa Temple and Bongeunsa Temple are certainly the easiest ones to get to, but tucked inside the folds of Bukhansan National Park, about an hour from the city center, is a temple with so many stories to tell. Doseonsa Temple (도선사) is a Buddhist temple in Gangbuk-gu, Seoul, founded in 862 AD, it’s the largest and most historically significant temple complex on the mountain. I’ve visited a lot of temples across Korea, but this one I got to explore with Professor David Mason, an expert on Korean temple culture, so not only was it fulfilling,…
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Museum Kimchikan in Insadong: Learn About and Make Kimchi Like a Local
You might think kimchi is just a side dish, something that appears in a small bowl beside your rice without much ceremony. I’ve heard people say they tried kimchi once, didn’t like it, and that was that… little did they know how many kinds of kimchi there are and oh how much there is to try. Spend an hour inside Museum Kimchikan (뮤지엄 김치간) in Seoul’s Insadong neighborhood and you’ll walk out knowing what you really should know to appreciate this little side dish on the table that means so much more than people realize. Kimchikan is Korea’s first kimchi museum, and it’s far more than a quiet gallery of…
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Chunpoong Brewery: Where Thousands of Years of Makgeolli Meets the Future
Chunpoong Brewery (춘풍 양조장) isn’t your average brewery. It’s part living museum, part high-tech fermentation lab, part cultural gallery, and part bar, all wrapped into one thoughtfully designed building in central Jung-gu, Seoul. “Chun” (춘) means spring, and “Poong” (풍) means breeze. Together, they carry a hope that Korean makgeolli will drift out from the confines of history and into the wider world and they want to make that possible with the use of AI. You might think you know makgeolli, sometimes called rice wine when translated, made with just three simple ingredients: rice, water, and nuruk (a Korean fermentation starter). That milky, fizzy rice wine you sipped at a…
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Best Day Trips From Seoul With Kids: A Local Parent’s Guide
Seoul has so many great things to do with kids from museums to kids cafes and parks in between, but sometimes you just want a bigger adventure, a more open space, or a place that feels a little more out of the way, special even. Day trips from Seoul with kids can be absolutely worth it. The Seoul subway system is massive and far reaching into the suburbs so sometimes you can get out a lot easier than you ever realized. I’ve seen a lot of lists that just throw every nearby attraction together, but as a parent raising a child here, I think about things a little differently. Can…
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The Gangnam Food Guide: From Handmade Tacos to Buckwheat Noodles
Gangnam is well-known for K-beauty treatments and glossy cafes, but there are also some really good restaurants in the area. Between office towers and down quiet side streets are some genuinely great restaurants that locals return to again and again. When I’m meeting friends, these are the Gangnam restaurants I recommend. This list mixes comfort food, international flavors, and Korean classics, all done well and without unnecessary fuss. From handmade tortillas and old-school American burgers to buckwheat noodles, Thai late-night eats, and honeycomb makgeolli, these spots show a more grounded side of Gangnam dining. If you’re looking for reliable, satisfying places to eat in Gangnam, start here. Get ready to…
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A Love Letter to Korean Paper: Exploring Hanji House in Bukchon Hanok Village
Bukchon Hanok Village is not just home to beautiful alleys lined with Hanoks, traditional Korean homes, with tiled rooftops. It’s also home to a number of places and spaces built to showcase Korean traditional craft and among them is the Hanji House (한지가헌), devoted to traditional handmade paper. I stopped in as I was passing by a number of years back and since, always make the stop when I’m in the area. If you appreciate traditional Korean craft, colorful displays, and artistic installations with a story to tell, then Hanji House can be a quick stop on your adventure into this popular district of Seoul, Korea. If you’re interested in…
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Why I Always Check What Amorepacific Museum of Art Is Exhibiting
Whenever I’m in Yongsan and have even a sliver of free time, I check what’s on at the Amorepacific Museum of Art (아모레퍼시픽미술관). Sometimes it’s ancient Korean ceramics. Other times it’s contemporary installations that stop you mid-step. Either way, the exhibitions are consistently thoughtful, beautifully curated, and never feel rushed or flashy. What I love most is how quietly confident this museum is. It doesn’t shout for attention, but it always rewards curiosity. The curators seem to enjoy playing with light as well, which I always find intriguing. If you’re even remotely interested in art, design, architecture, or Korean culture beyond palaces and markets, this is art museum in Seoul…
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Why the Leeum Museum of Art Is a Must-See in Seoul (Even If You’re Not an Art Lover)
Looking for one of the best art museums in Seoul, the Leeum Museum of Art (리움미술관) should be high on your list. Located near Itaewon, this world-class museum provides a look at traditional Korean art, modern masterpieces, and contemporary works under one architecturally interesting roof (well three actually). It’s one of the few places in Korea where you can move seamlessly from Goryeo celadon ceramics to international contemporary artists in a single visit. Plan your visit to the Leeum Museum of Art, one of the best art museums in Seoul: (This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a certain percentage of a sale if you purchase after clicking…
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The Seoul Robot & AI Museum: Where Technology Meets Imagination
Seoul, Korea is where people always seem to be pushing the envelope with tech, figuring out where it can be used and jumping on the next newest thing so it’s not surprising that it is now home to the Seoul Robot & AI Museum (서울로봇인공지능과학관), or RAIM for short. Not just a bunch of robots, it’s a hands-on, do-it-yourself experience where technology and art combine with architecture to introduce how we may be living, working, and dreaming in the future. If you’re looking for things to do in Seoul with kids, this is definitely one to add to your list. They will be blown away by the interactive displays and…
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2025 Seoul Lantern Festival: A Winter Walk With Lights in Downtown Seoul
You might think winter nights in Seoul are quiet, best kept indoors, but head downtown to Cheonggyecheon Stream and Gwanghwamun Square and you’ll see dazzling lights glowing in the dark. The Seoul Lantern Festival (서울빛초롱축제) is an exhibition of traditional hanji lanterns and vivid LED installations on the most popular stream in downtown Seoul, Korea. Free to visit, and perfect for slow night strolls and photos, the festival has run since 2009 and now draws millions each winter in Korea with displays and light shows. If you’ll be in Seoul this December, save the dates on your calendar and make sure to visit to see the colorful displays. (This post…
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Fine Dining at Confier: Where Korean Ingredients Meet French Artistry
You may not expect to find one of Seoul’s most creative fine dining experiences to be tucked beneath an office building near Seoul Station, but that’s exactly where you’ll find Confier (콘피에르). Hidden in the basement, behind a large ominous door with a rock-like handle, this restaurant creates an experience from entrance to dessert. Chefs become actors creating dishes in the open kitchen and dishes unfold like scenes in a play, expertly introduced by waitstaff. If you’re looking for an evening that blends artistry, atmosphere, and flavor, this is a stage worth stepping into. Definitely one of the best restaurants near Seoul Station, it’s the perfect spot for a memorable…
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Discover Seoul’s Most Sustainable Building (and the Fun Inside!)
I know I’m not the only one that endeavors to teach my child to care for the earth, recycle, reuse, and all of those good things so I know I’m not the only one that will find what the Seoul Energy Dream Center (서울에너지드림센터) is doing not only educational, but cool and interesting too. Located in the World Cup Park, this is Korea’s first energy-independent public building, an amazing example of how science, design, and sustainability can come together. Not just a building though, it’s a museum, and they offer some amazing programs completely free. Get ready to learn about energy saving in Seoul. Plan a visit to the Seoul…
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How to Experience the Changing of the Guard at Gyeongbokgung Palace
Flags flutter in the wind. Boots step in rhythm on the cobbled stone. Drums set the beat across the courtyard. The Changing of the Guard at Gyeongbokgung Palace is a choreographed flashback to Korea’s royal past. Bold colors. Fierce faces. Just ceremony. If you’re visiting Seoul, Korea, this is one of the most vivid, photo-worthy, and FREE experiences you’ll find. But, there are some pro-tips to enjoying it and seeing the main palace of the capital. Let’s break it down. Here’s how to enjoy Gyeongbokgung Palace’s Changing of the Guard like a pro, not just a bystander with a phone out. (This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive…
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Gaeseong Mandu Koong: Where To Eat North Korean Dumplings In Insadong
In the winding alleyways of Insadong, one of Seoul’s most touristy districts, it’s still possible to find cafes, restaurants, and shops tucked away around corners that have been there for decades. Gaeseong Mandu Koong (개성만두 궁) is one of those places and you have to know about it to find it. Visit this restaurant in Insadong and you’re not just eating dumplings, but you’re taking in the history of a family that stretches from North to South Korea. Established in 1970 by a Gaeseong native, this restaurant is now in its third generation of family ownership. The large dumplings stuffed with pork, mushrooms, or kimchi are filling, the soup delicious.…
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What Is a Norigae? Meaning of the Korean Hanbok Charm & Where To Make One In Seoul
If you’ve ever admired the elegant lines of a Hanbok, a traditional Korean dress, chances are you’ve spotted a norigae (노리개), the graceful tassel charm that dangles from the coat strings or skirt of the traditional attire. After living in Korea for many years and collecting norigae from markets and Hanbok shops, I’ve come to appreciate how much symbolism and craftsmanship is packed into these small charms. Recently, I stopped into the Leesle modern Hanbok shop in the vibrant Hongdae district of Seoul, Korea to make my own. It’s a little tassel with a lot of charm. If you like crafting and want to create your own unique souvenir from…
