This is so, so far from a guide, because Seoul is HUGE and impossible to scratch the surface in a week. I crowd sourced my research from Korean friends, and these are a few things I loved that you can save for your next trip.
xx Katie
Shop the look: Valmorel Pullover / Lecce Pant
The food halls on the lower floor of the big department stores are so fun-- it's a good way to see & try so many pastries & Korean foods in one go. We went to Hyundai and Lotte and left with bear-shaped bread loaves, coin bread, & cream-filled salt bread.
The plethora of K-Beauty everywhere is no joke. It's overwhelming. I have no advice. I realized after taking this photo that the other side of the suitcase was also half filled. (These are mostly xmas gifts, people!) Olive Young is fun, so are pharmacies, pop ups, anywhere you see, just go and see what strikes your fancy.
Shop the look: Fez Top / Estes Skirt
Koreans do bread so well. Artisan Bakery, Soha Salt Pond and Cafe Onion were divine. Didn't make it to the bakery-from-the-future I wanted to try most: Nudake Haus Dosan.
Loved the natural wine bars/restos and vibe in Yongsan: Sate, Natural High, Culsec.
Cafe culture is so good in Seoul. There's an adorable coffee shop on every corner. Hannam was a favorite to coffee shop hop, which can turn into wine bar hopping down the tiny alleys.
We hit up #57 on the World's top 100 pizza list, Spacca Napoli. Was charmed by the owner and his perfect pizza, just as much as the cool japanese spot where we had drinks before, Kyokai.
Stumbled on a wonderful resto called Ripper and was devastated they were full. But dumplings and soup at x was exceptional.
Was not prepared for the perfume store scene. Tamburins was part art installation, part perfume store and these little scented egg lip balms might be my favorite purchase.
Standout clothing stores: Pottery and UmberPostPast. Point of View was a stationery store of dreams. Got lost here for hours. If you love school supplies, you will love this gorgeous store.
Teahouse and pottery at Delphic.
Even a "touristy" food market is an exhilarating experience. Winners at Gwangjang Market: Hotteok, a warm, gooey cinnamon butter stuffed pancake that brought me to my knees
Shop the look: Solvang Pullover
Do all of the things, even if they aren't your usual jam or seem gimmicky. This is the place to "when in rome"... do the 15-step scalp treatment, go to any k-pop concert you can, sing KTV so everyone on the street can see you, drink Jeju in a tent bar, try the live octopus. (Guess which one I didn't do.)
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