A Weekend Getaway to Seongsu-dong: Food, Shopping, and Hidden Gems!
Hey everyone!
I finally visited Seongsu-dong for the first time last weekend. There were so many things to eat and see, I couldn't experience it all, but I want to share some of my favorite restaurants and shopping finds!
Let's get started!
Neungdong Minari Seongsu Branch
This place is known for its clean and refreshing Minari Gomtang (beef bone soup with water parsley). It's open year-round, but be prepared for a wait, especially since it's located on the main street.
I arrived pretty early in the morning, but I was already starving. I stumbled upon this restaurant that just looked amazing and delicious. Since I love minari, I went straight in without even looking it up.
The sign said they opened at 9:30 AM, but I went in at 9:10 AM and it was already packed!
They serve marinated minari and squid jeotgal (salted seafood) as side dishes. My gukbap (rice soup) came out in what felt like a minute! It was super-fast. The soup was hearty, with plenty of meat and rice already mixed in.
The minari adds a fresh, fragrant touch, and the mild flavor of the soup made me focus on the quality of the meat. It was a fantastic and refreshing breakfast.
And you absolutely MUST try the yukjeon (thinly sliced beef pancakes)! You can order a half-portion, making it a perfect side dish.
Le Alaska Seongsu Branch
This bakery has a cozy, charming atmosphere that makes you feel like you've stepped into a European artisan bakery. I went in for a coffee, but the atmosphere was so lovely.
The bread looked amazing, too. One unique touch was the shaved ice they put on top of the coffee like bingsu (Korean shaved ice dessert). I'm a sucker for details like that! Each sip was refreshingly cold.
I tried the potato ciabatta. It had a simple, savory flavor, and the potato gave it a slightly chewy texture, almost like ongsimi (potato dumplings).
Soba Maenigo Seongsu Branch
Doesn't it look like a place run by artisan? I noticed a constant queue and got curious, so I slipped in when there wasn't a wait.
There's a kiosk at the entrance where you place your order, and then you go inside. The owner is incredibly kind and helpful.
I ordered the Niku Soba (soba with meat). Everything about it, from the broth to the noodles, felt refined and carefully prepared. It tasted different from the soba I usually eat.
Instead of a sweet and salty broth with icy slush, the flavor was a clean, slightly salty taste of soy sauce. The noodles had a great chewy texture.
It's a traditional Japanese-style soba. It reminded me of the first time I tried Pyongyang-style cold noodles.
I highly recommend the tempura! It was crispy and amazing. Especially the shrimp tempura!
Punch Market Seongsu Branch
I was so hot and exhausted that I didn't take many pictures. Punch Market is located on the main street and has a bright blue sign. It's a flea market that sells handmade goods and accessories.
I bought the cutest badge! A bargain for only 5,000 won.
I attached it to my bag. Pretty, right?
I also bought a pair of jeans from a new brand called Dear Mia. They were selling them for 20,000-30,000 won at the flea market. The material is fantastic, and they looked so good on that I had to buy them. So pretty!
KUOKA
This place is known for it's subtle, realistic peach scent.
I'm not usually a fan of peach fragrances. They seem better suited for younger people or too artificial.
But I smelled this fragrance while walking by, and it was a realistic peach scent. So I went in and bought it right away.
Sadly, the perfume was too expensive at 150,000 won, so I bought the body lotion instead for 42,000 won.
The lotion comes in a light plastic bottle. The scent is amazing! But, unfortunately, the staying power is a little lacking. I'm curious about the perfume, though. I'll have to try it next time.
Brandly Seongsu Branch
I'm sorry, but I don't have any photos of this shop either. I'll substitute with a photo from Naver.
I went to several different accessory shops, but Brandly was my favorite. They had a lot of unique items, including pet supplies. They even sell birthday supply kits for pets.
Can you guess what I bought?
A book clip! It was 4,000 won. As a cat owner, I couldn't resist the design. The book is just one I grabbed to show it off. I should start reading more.
So that's how my first trip to Seongsu-dong went! I tried to share the best and most honest recommendations. I hope this guide to food, shopping, and places to visit is helpful.
Bye for now!
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