Travel - 6 Cafes You Must Visit In Seoul

Seoul is the heartbeat of South Korea and it has always been my favorite city so far. No matter how many countries I travel to or how far I am from home, Seoul is always my first and last choice. Fashion, eats, people and designs. The most perfect in everything is all around together in one city in my eyes, Seoul.

When I’m talking about East Asia, most of you will remember of the taste of Sushi, but in my travels to Korea, I have found Korea is a country with full of cafes with French style, and French names. Maybe it’s so accidently, but I have tasted more Italian foods than Korean traditional cuisines. So it was really hard to choose only 6 among those cafes and restaurants, and I decided to evaluate them as a design and style. How fashionable and special they are. Let’s go:

1-      10 Corso Como Café:

10 Corso Como joins with Samsung  Cheil, Samsung Group in 2008, to bring the brand concept to the capital city of Seoul at Cheongdam (청담동), a district south of the Han river, which is known as a fashion and high class district in town. 10 Corso Como housed on 3 floors, since it’s opening, including Women’s store, Men’s store, Books and Café. Soon it has grown to become an internationally recognized hub of style and culture. Enough to say G-Dragon of BigBang and CL of 2Ne1 are usually visiting there!!!

2-      Hotel La Casa Seoul:

This hotel is located in Gangnam district, Shinsadong street (신사동), and it is known as a hidden gem. La Casa hotel is in a narrow street but you can find another world the first second you step in. This hotel is in a list of pricy ones but most of costumers are believed it worth it. The rooms are clean and the staffs are friendly. After talking all about hotel rooms, it’s time about La Casa café. The café is so cozy with a great taste foods. They have American style breakfast and Italian style brunches. This café is an ideal place for a cup of coffee after a long time shopping in Gangnam.

3-      Lab XXIV (Lab 24) Restaurant:

If you are fan of Korean cuisines, then you must be familiar with Edward Kwon. He is a hotel head chef of the seven star Burj Al-Arab in Dubai. Lab XXIV is located in Cheongdam (청담동), this restaurant has 52 seats and they offer a great quality foods with reasonable price. Their menu is including Vegetarian and it’s a great idea. You can see French style foods in lunch and dinner menu as well. They do explaining every dish to costumers for better understanding and I think it’s one of the most important things! As for me, I always prefer to order those old and normal traditional menu which I used to, cause trying the new taste which I don’t know about, is a little risky. Lab XXIV serves premium wine list from all over the world including new age  wines.

Note 1: Do you know Namsan Tower toilets are the best toilets with the best  view and it’s one of tourist sights activities?

Note2: Consider Lab XXIV’s powder room as another tourist sight and be sure you check your makeup there, for one time at least!!!

4-      POOM (품) Restaurant:

Poom is believed food is a type of art form, meant to bring pleasure to all five senses.

Poom is a traditional Korean cuisine restaurant and it’s name shape and look is resemble to old traditional Korean houses and they will give you a luxurious and pleasant moment here. The restaurant is located in Yongsan-gu (용산) and it’s not so far from N Seoul Tower. This restaurant is a little different with other traditional Korean restaurants. Poom re-creates traditional Korean dishes of the royal courts and nobles in a modern way while using only the finest seasonal ingredients. Poom is a great place for experiencing traditional Korean dishes while watching the great view (You can see Namsan Tower from this restaurant window, and it has a wonderful look on sunset.). Poom has two kinds of private rooms: Blue & Red salons with 6-18 seats, and it’s a perfect place for family gathering or special lunch and dinners.

5-      MANU TERRACE (마누 테라스):

The Manu Terrace is a French restaurant located in Cheongdam (청담동), with a fun and friendly space for their costumers. You can find a delicious menu of brunches in this restaurant or you can enjoy your evening sipping good wine in outdoor terrace. Using the fresh fishes and good ingredients is one of their strong point. This restaurant is listed on CNN’s 12 best new restaurants and bars in Seoul, before. Be sure you taste Manu Terrace’s yogurt mousse and brownies, which is decorated with sweet slices of strawberry and dehydrated baby red carrots, mint and caramelized puffed grains.

Such a wonderful combination, huh?

6-      Rose Bakery of Comme des Garçons (꼼데가르송):

It is the local flagship store of Japanese avant–garde brand. A Comme Des Garcons is located in Hannam-dong (한남동), another fashion district after Cheongdam. This store has a unique fashion area for women and men, and an art space, “Gallery Six”. They introduces perfume and clothes to foods and coffee. The name is meaning of “Like a boy” in French and it believes “Women should be dressed like a boy forever.” !!! I’m not a feminist and I don’t know so much about it, but this name is make me a little upset, Why women should be dressed like a boy forever???? As long as we can do whatever men do, but in heels!

By the way, this store has a café, with benches beside windows in a row and it called “Rose Bakery”, a French organic café. If you are a fan of desserts, this place is recommended. It has a great atmosphere with tasty desserts and cakes. The organic raspberry apple orange fresh juice is a definite must. It’s a good start point of Garosugil (가로수길) street and a great place for having a breakfast. They have a vegetarian dish with fresh salads but beware, you should clarify WITHOUT SEA FOODS in it!!! This place is must to go for Sunday’s brunch.

At the end, I’m fully waiting for your comments if you have tried any of this list.

PS: Non of photos are taken by me. Photos are uploaded from Pinterest, Instagram and Google.

Xoxo,

PrincessGilda