I asked my followers on Instagram to share their favorite spots to eat, drink, and things to see in Seoul, Busan, and Jeju in South Korea. After sorting through all the recommendations and adding Kakao/Naver Map links to make planning easier, here is the full list! Thank you to everyone that submitted their recommendation!
Seoul
Things to Eat & Drink
Myeongdong Market
Myeongdong Kyoja
- Michelin Star cut noodles and dumplings
- Two locations ~100 feet from each other, but both serve the same food
Cafe Coin
Namdaemun Market
Isaac Toast
- Korean breakfast sandwich chain
- Multiple locations, but “there’s one in Namdaemun near the “famous gate” with usually no line across from the Namdaemun Marriott”
Noryangjjn Fish Market
- “Korean sashimi and shellfish(the crabs though are kinda overpriced)”
Gwangjang Market
- Must have
- kkwabaegi - twisted donuts
- Yukhoe/ hotteok / bindaetteok
Ahyeondong Ganjang Gejang
Egg Drop
- Egg sandwich chain
- Multiple locations, this location is the highest rated on Kakao Maps
Jungsik Seoul
Honglipum
Hyuga Cafe & Yoojung Sikdang
Nangman Gimbap
Hongdae Dakgalbi
Ojeje (Seoul station)
- “Really good tonkatsu, don’t miss the fried shrimp and also the machal (green) noodles are amazing”
Oreno Ramen
- “Excellent chicken broth ramen”
Hannam Misu
- “seafood-centered, individual rooms”
Udon Caden
Downtowner
- “legit burgers, sometimes there is a line, recommend avoiding 12-1pm”
Born & Bred
- “Steak omakase (dinner only) OR bbq upstairs OR a la carte in their butcher shop”
- http://bandb.co.kr
Majangdong Tiger
Jaha SonMandoo
- “Handmade dumplings (in soups, fried, etc)”
http://kko.to/O2xynyleja
Woojung Ddukbokki
- “In an area known for the concentration of places specializing in ddukbokki that you cook at your table (spicy rice cake stew, that is cooked fresh on a gasburner in front of you); super casual”
Ice cream society
Geumdweji (gold pig)
Moktanjang
- “Modern Korean, known for their stone rice pots”
보메청담
- “cute cafe filled with women doing who knows what all day. Good food and desserts”
Conte de Tulear
- “pretty cafe, good mix of Asian and western food”
Sushi Mahn
- “Omakase (lunch 120,000won or dinner 230,000 won, sushi bar or room)”
Sushi Tano
- “Omakase (lunch 70,000won dinner 140,000won)”
Jinmi Pyungyang Naengmyun
- “cold buckwheat noodles and dumplings”
Daedo shikdang
- “good bbq, steak, don’t miss their kkakdugi fried rice”
Table Ban
- “Korean home cooking, small but nice and comfortable”
Sanchome ramen
- “V small space, good ramen”
Woochampan
Maillet
- “French patisserie, for coffee or dessert”
라프레플루트카페
한국술집 안씨막걸리
Sanchon Temple Cooking
- “Kim Yun Sik is the owners name - very friendly guy, would love to get his name out!”
Jean Frigo
- “Fruit Stand Facade to Speak Easy Bar”
Myeonok 강남면옥
- “simple menu and we ordered a bit of everything galbi jjim (fall off the bone beef short ribs!), nangmyoen (cold noods), and mandu (dumplings) are a must”
Hotel Anteroom Rooftop Bar
- “19th floor with amazing views of Gangnam and the river (aim to go around sunset for some cotton candy skies 🥰)”
Odarijip
- “popular restaurant in Myeongdong for soy marinated crabs 🦀 “
Fritz Coffee
- Multiple locations in Seoul and Jeju
Onion Cafe
Convenience Stores
- GS and 7-Eleven “so fun to grab snacks from”
Yeongdon ball katsu
- “Also a chain but really good!”
Drink Honeycomb Makgeolli
Things to See and Do
Seorae Village
Hongdae & Itaewon
- Clubbing, bars, nightlife
Express Bus Terminal
- underground subway Express Bus Terminal
- "my favorite for women clothes shopping"
Nami Island
Han River by Banpo Bridge
Gyeouri Meomuneun House
Monopoly in Apgujeong
Ikseondong and Insadong
- Neighborhood/Old Korean House
Olive Young
Costco
Bukchon Hanok Village
Dongdaemon Plaza
12-Story Daiso
Insadong Traditional district
Garden Morning Calm
Ganchon Rail bike
Coex Starfield Library
Dotori Caricature
Nike Jordan Stores
Lotte World or Everland
Namsan Seoul Tower
Gyeongbokgung Palace
Hanbok Rental
Baseball game
DMZ Tour of North Korea
Busan
Things to Eat & Drink
Magnate Cafe
Jagalchi market
- “order some live seafood and have them cook it and served to you on the spot”
해운대암소갈비집
- “good bbq and noodles”
- https://www.해운대암소갈비.com
바다마루전복죽
- “badamaru abalone house, hole in the wall, best known for abalone porridge and grilled abalone”
Eat Dweaji Gukbap
Eat Milmyeon
Things to See and Do
Sunset sail
- “Go on a sunset sail! I found it on Airbnb experiences last minute and was my favorite thing in Busan”
Klook
- “Get on a tour with Klook so you don't have to use public transportation”
Shinsegae Centum City Spaland
BIFF Plaza/BIFF Square
Sky Capsule/Sky Railway/Haeundae Blue Line
Visit any of the beaches
Haedong Yonggungsa temple
Skyline Luge Busan
Songdo Cable Car
Gamcheon Cultural Village
Yonggungsa temple
Nurimaru APEC House
Jeju
Things to Eat & Drink
Snoopy Cafe Farm
Dongmun Market
포도호텔 (Podo hotel)
- “restaurant - excellent udon, need res”
Any Starbucks
- “Jeju specific menu items”
Black pork belly & tangerines
Things to See and Do
Seongsan Ilchulbong
Hamdeok beach
더애월 (the aewol)
Osulloc cafe
9.81 Park
Hello Kitty Island
Arte Museum
Innisfree Jeju House
Special thanks to everyone that submitted their recommendations!
@iviicki, @Joyceyi, Ashley, Kelly, @Xxivey, @sleeper5, @anneyamz, @windycity_eats, @susanjeehee, @nab937, @Christianbaker87, @tranangelaaa, @k_liao, @Mthrasher41, @TheLandMiler, @Stellajshon
