Seongsu-dong: Seoul’s Instagrammable Hidden Gems Part 6

Known as the Brooklyn of Seoul, Seongsu-dong shares a similar kind of history and atmosphere of its American counterpart. Seongsu-dong was also once an industrial town in Seoul, full of shoe-making factories. As these factories shut down, it soon became a ghost town. But now, young entrepreneurs and artists have moved into this industrial town and jazzed up its old, cranky locations into a cultural melting pot. Can’t wait to see how these oily factories and garages transformed into hipster cafes and attractions? Keep on reading our list of the most Instagrammable places in Seongsu-dong.

To get to Seongsu-dong: Take the metro to Seongsu Station for most restaurants and cafes, and Seoul Forest Station to visit Seoul Forest. Or, take the metro to Ttukseom Resort Station and exit from Exit 2 to get to Han River Park. 

Restaurants

1. Seasons

In this wooden, minimal, rustic space, Seasons, you will experience the cleanest and flavorful Korean dishes. They serve local dishes and spirits from various parts of Korea, using fresh ingredients. You won’t find a giant refrigerator here since they use ingredients that arrive on that same day. Although they have options from all over Korea, the chef recommends their rice set. If a chef recommends such a classic rice dish, you can probably assume that their food is good–after all, it’s all down to the basic building blocks that create a specialty menu.

• Address: 19 Yeonmujang 13(sipsam)-gil, Seongsu 2(i)-ga 3(sam)-dong, Seoul
• Opening hours: Tue-Sat: 6PM-12AM / Sun: 5PM-11PM (Closed on Mondays)
• Contact: 010-5125-7114
  *Opening hours are subject to change at the owner’s discretion

2. Darobe

If you are looking for an Italian restaurant that serves amazing pizzas, you should definitely visit Darobe in Seongsu-dong! Only the downside of this restaurant is that it always has a very long waiting list. The most popular menu is Darobe Pizza and Calzone. Not only its pizza but also pasta tastes awesome. Among its pasta menus, Porcini Crema and Aqua Mare are highly recommended.

• Address: 48 Seoulsup-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul
• Opening hours: Every day 12PM-9.30PM (Break Time: 3PM-5PM) (Closed on Sun, Mon)
• Contact: 02-465-3666
  *Opening hours are subject to change at the owner’s discretion

3. Seoul Forest Scorched Rice Roasted Chicken

You’ll get to try out a completely different “fried chicken” at this restaurant. To start with, their chicken is roasted perfectly, slightly crunchy on the outside, but tender on the inside. What’s more, is that it’s covered with nurungji, some crispy scorched rice. You can also choose from their many deluxe toppings, so go enjoy this crunchy delight!

• Address: 10 Wangsimniro 5(o)-gil, Seongsu-dong 1(il)-ga, Seoul
• Opening hours: Mon-Fri 4PM-11PM / Sat-Sun 2PM-11PM,
• Contact: 02-462-9920
  *Opening hours are subject to change at the owner’s discretion

4. TBD

“To Be Determined” might be what this acronym means, but I certainly think this is a “Très Bon Diner”– meaning “very good restaurant” in French. Acronyms aside, TBD offers a casual wine-and-dine experience. They serve simple dishes that retain the flavor of their quality ingredients and a good natural wine selection. Try their roasted eggplants or gnocchi as a foolproof choice!

• Address: 6 Yeonmujang-gil, Seongsu-dong 1(il)-ga, Seoul
• Opening hours: Every day 6PM-12AM (Closed on Tuesdays)
• Contact: 02-465-3334
  *Opening hours are subject to change at the owner’s discretion

5. Three of Us

Set up by three culinary school graduates, Three of us is an interesting restaurant that serves Asian street food. They’ve jazzed up quick and easy Asian street food into something you’d sit down to savor at a nice dinner. Not only can you try unique, uncommon Asian small dishes but you can also try tons of different spirits. This restaurant certainly offers gorgeous menus that you’ll remember even after your trip ends.

• Address: 41-18 Yeonmujang-gil, Seongsu 2(i)-ga 3(sam)-dong, Seoul
• Opening hours: Mon-Sat: 11AM-8PM (Closed on Sundays)
• Contact: 0507-1368-1233
  *Opening hours are subject to change at the owner’s discretion

Cafes

1. Or.Er

Or.Er has been there even before Seongsu-dong became such a popular cafe district. But this isn’t a regular cafe that just serves all-right coffee and mediocre desserts. Well, yes, its first and second floors house the cozy cafe with good coffee and dessert, but its third floor is more special–it houses the “Or.Er. Archive”. This place is open for people who come in for classes, seminars, and more. It truly captures the core of Seongsu-dong, a cultural melting pot.

• Address: 18 Yeonmujang-gil, Seongsu-dong 1(il)-ga, Seoul
• Opening hours: Every day 10AM-9PM
• Contact: 02-462-0018
  *Opening hours are subject to change at the owner’s discretion

2. Overdose Donut & Coffee

Just as its name suggests, you might get an overdose of sugar on these delicious donuts at Overdose Donut & Coffee. With eat donut filled to the max with flavorful cream, you won’t be able to stop yourself from trying out all the different flavors available – Chestnut Castella, Pistachio & Raspberry, Lemon Festival and more.

• Address: 19, Wangsimni-ro 10-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul
  
• Opening hours: Every day 12PM-9PM
• Contact: 0507-1319-7369
  *Opening hours are subject to change at the owner’s discretion

3. Onion

There are lots of large cafes in Seongsu-dong that’s been remodeled from factories or garages. Among those, Onion was built in an old building from the 1970s that has been used as a supermarket, restaurant, and factory. This simple, minimalist, and run-down place, is almost poetic. There’s certainly a charm in their layers of paint marks and bricks, something that a newly built, sparkling-clean space can never offer. By the way, their selection of pastries and bread are to die for!

• Address: 8 Achasan-ro 9(gu)-gil, Seongsu-dong 2(i)-ga, Seongdong-gu, Seoul
• Opening hours: Mon-Fri 8AM-10PM (Last order 9.30PM) / Sat-Sun 10AM-10PM (Last order 9.30PM)
• Contact: 070-4353-3238
  *Opening hours are subject to change at the owner’s discretion

4. Blue Bottle

Last but not least, there’s Blue Bottle, one of the trendiest cafes from California. As the first Blue Bottle cafe in Korea, at its first opening date, people waited four hours to try their hyped coffee. Order their freshly-roasted, classic Americano or Espresso. You can also watch the baristas hand-drip your fresh and fragrant cup of coffee at their signature drip bar lined up with coffee drippers. Check this place out to see if it’s worth waiting four hours for.

• Address: 7 Achasan-ro, Seongsu-dong 1(il)-ga, Seoul
• Opening hours: Every day 8AM-8PM
• Contact: 1533-6906
  *Opening hours are subject to change at the owner’s discretion

Attractions

1. Ttukseom Han River Park

How about a visit to a nearby Han River Park, with the photo spot “I Seoul U” sign? Enjoy some breeze and the sun, among some much-needed greenery at the Ttukseom Han River Park. Enjoy the beautiful Han river by just lounging about, having a picnic, or doing some fun leisure sports. I recommend spending a day kayaking at Han River, before you head over to the gorgeous cafe in the late afternoon.

• Address: 427-1 Jayang-dong, Seoul
  

2. Seongsu Yeonbang

This artsy complex, Seongsu Yeonbang, holds a number of small food “factories”, at the heart of Seongsu-dong. For visitors, it is a “culture and lifestyle” complex that supports individual artists and small local brands. Here, you can find almost anything, from small food stores to bookstores to art shops! What’s more is that on the third floor, you can visit their cafe and entertainment space where various cultural programs and talks are held. Enjoy all that Korean contemporary culture can offer. By the way, take a snap at their photo spot that’s decorated with seasonal flowers!

• Address: 14 Seongsuiro 14(sipsa)-gil, Seongsu-dong 2(i)-ga, Seoul
• Opening hours: Every day 10AM-10PM
• Contact: 010-8979-8122
  *Opening hours are subject to change at the owner’s discretion

3. Daelim Changgo (Daelim Warehouse)

It was really difficult to categorize this place: Built-in an old, red brick building that was once a warehouse, Daelim Changgo is now a cafe, gallery, art and decor shop, and an event and seminar hall. A local architect and furniture designer immediately fell in love with this 50-year-old building and transformed it into a cultural melting pot that shares hidden arts with the rest of the world.

• Address: 78 Seongsui-ro, Seongsu-dong 2(i)-ga, Seoul
• Opening hours: Every day 11AM-10PM
• Contact: 0507-1390-9669
  *Opening hours are subject to change at the owner’s discretion

4. Seoul Forest

If you want to lay among nature and feel the breeze under the glowing sun, Seoul Forest is the right place to be. Along with Han River, this is probably one of the best picnic spots that you can enjoy some nature at, in this metropolitan city. Pick a day with nice weather, and head to Seoul Forest with a few friends to chat over chirping birds and rustling leaves!

• Address: 273 Ttukseom-ro, Seongsu-dong 1(il)-ga, Seoul 

Check out more awesome things to do around Seongsu!

• Learn Basic Korean & Calligraphy
• Han River Kayaking / Paddle Boarding / Windsurfing

Did you enjoy the industrial yet culturally rich Seongsu-dong’s hotspots? ? Continue experiencing the old, industrial Korea at Euljiro, or enjoy more cafe-hopping at Mangwon-dong! Alternatively, choose your destination from this complete list of Instagram-worthy hidden gems in Seoul!

Check out more of Seoul’s hidden gems through our Top 7 Most Instagrammable Places Blog Series!