Seoul City Guide — Attractions, Food & Tips

Seoul City GuideA city of dramatic contrasts where ancient palaces stand beside K-pop billboards, sizzling street food markets adjoin Michelin-starred restaurants, and mountain trails begin where the subway ends.Key Facts

Country: South Korea

Currency: KRW (Korean Won)

Language: Korean

Time Zone: UTC+9

Best Time to Visit: September–November

Top Places to Visit

Gyeongbokgung Palace — Seoul's largest and most impressive palace, built in 1395. Watch the royal guard-changing ceremony at the main gate. Wear a hanbok (free rental nearby) for free admission and stunning photos.

Bukchon Hanok Village — A hillside village of 600-year-old hanok (traditional Korean houses) between Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung palaces. Wander the narrow alleys for Instagram-worthy views of tile roofs against the modern skyline.

Myeongdong — Seoul's busiest shopping district packed with K-beauty brands, fashion boutiques, and an extraordinary street food scene. Try hotteok (sweet pancakes), tteokbokki, and Korean fried chicken.

N Seoul Tower (Namsan) — The iconic tower atop Namsan Mountain offers 360-degree views of Seoul. Take the cable car up, and visit the love lock terrace. The tower changes colour based on the city's dust levels.

Hongdae — Seoul's university-area hub for indie music, street performances, quirky cafes, vintage shops, and all-night nightlife. K-pop buskers perform on weekends. The creative energy is infectious.

Local Food

Korean BBQ (Samgyeopsal) — Thick-cut pork belly grilled at your table, wrapped in lettuce leaves with garlic, ssamjang paste, and kimchi. A communal dining experience that is quintessentially Korean. Soju pairing is mandatory.

Tteokbokki — Chewy rice cakes in a fiery red gochujang (chilli paste) sauce, often mixed with fish cakes and boiled eggs. The ultimate Korean comfort food, found at every street stall and market.

Kimchi Jjigae — A bubbling hot pot of aged kimchi, pork, tofu, and vegetables in a deeply flavoured fermented broth. Served with a bowl of rice, it is the soul food of Korean home cooking.

Korean Fried Chicken — Double-fried for extra crunch and coated in either yangnyeom (sweet-spicy) or ganjang (soy garlic) sauce. Paired with beer ('chimaek') and pickled radish, it is Korea's favourite late-night meal.

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