13 Hidden Gems in Seoul from a Former Student

Want to know what the best hidden gems in Seoul are? Include all of these in your upcoming trip to Korea!

I lived in Seoul for 4 months, as part of an exchange program. I know from experience that when you’ll search for where to go eat, Google and Instagram will drown you in results. Because the Korean culture is so drawn to Instagram-worthy places, you will get an abundance of cute cafes and aesthetic restaurants. I can also tell you from experience that these places will be wildly crowded all the time. Kinda ruins the experience.

Maybe you read in my Monaco Hidden Gems blog that I absolutely hate falling for tourists traps. Just thinking about it makes my hair spike up. So, whenever I travel, I look to find places that aren’t necessarily publicized or social media-ised. I look to find where the locals go, and where the restaurant actually cares for the customers and the food. So this list isn’t about the cute and aesthetic places to go (though a lot of them are!). It’s about where you should go if you want a true taste of what Seoul is about.

Warning: Seoul has a MASSIVE turnover when it comes to restaurants and cafes. One second, a café is there, and the next it’s gone. It is possible that some of these might be gone by the time you read this! Also, make sure to read my article about restaurant etiquette in Korea!

This blog is all about the best hidden gems in Seoul!

THE BEST HIDDEN GEMS IN SEOUL

1. Burg Burg

A tiny little burger restaurant in Jongno-gu called Burg Burg. The menu is practically just burgers and fries but let me tell you… best patties ever. They make the burgers right in front of you, and they have a special sauce that they add on top. Krabby Patty secret recipe vibes. They brand their burger buns with their logo, and you can add up to 3 patties in the burgers.

You eat in what’s basically the attic of the property, but it’s such a homey place, and the staff always greet you with a smile. We ended up going to this place so often!

A while after I left Seoul, I contacted the owner of the restaurant, not really expecting an answer back. I asked them if they could send me some souvenirs from their restaurant, as they sell a whole bunch of branded things. And they did! They sent me a whole bunch of stuff and refused letting me pay for the shipping (Korea to Monaco!). This little anecdote truly reflects what this restaurant is all about.

Address: Burg Burg, 48 Myeongnyun-gil, Myeongnyun 3(sam)ga-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea

Instagram: @burg_burg_

2. Slow Cafe (슬로)

This hidden gem in Seoul is a two-floor café literally hidden in one of Namyeong-Dong’s most under-the-radar streets.

They have a ton of homemade pastries, both sweet and salty. My personal recommendation is their red bread. Do not ask me what it’s made of or ask me to explain the taste… it doesn’t taste like bread but it doesn’t not taste like bread. Make it make sense.

The bottom floor is where you order your coffee and bakery, and the top floor is where you can sit and enjoy. It’s decorated with a beautiful library and it also has a ton of natural light. If you’re someone who likes to study at cafés, I’d highly suggest this place.

Address: 서울 용산구 한강대로88길 11-5 1F

Instagram: @slow_namyeong

3. The Cookie Shop

I have no idea what this place is actually called. I can just tell you that they have the most amazing cookies EVER. They are big and chunky and basically everything you want out of a cookie.

It’s rather tricky to find. When you get to the street from the address below, you have to go down a tiny alleyway. Though there isn’t a sign that advertises the Cookie Shop, there is a sign that advertises a Poke Bowl restaurant. If you see that sign, then you’re heading down the right alley. The cookie store is right through that alley, about 10 meters down, on the right-hand-side.

Address: 서울 중구 삼일대로12길 18 1층 훅트

4. Mama Greek, Greek Yogurt & Salad

Now know you didn’t come here to get told to go eat a salad as part of hidden gems in Seoul.

Though half this place’s menu is salads, GO FOR THE YOGURT. They have the absolute THICKEST Greek yogurt. Words cannot describe how amazing it is. You can get it prepared with all sorts of fruits and cereals, so it makes for an amazing pick-me-up. And actually, their salad even comes with yogurt as well. It’s just that good.

This place is run by two Korean ladies, sweet as can be. They prepare everything in-store, including the yogurt. They also make their homemade granola and everything. You can buy the yogurt and their granola to take home as well. 10/10.

Also fun anecdote, I was once trying to communicate that I wanted to substitute one thing in my salad for another ingredient. They didn’t speak a word of English, but we found a way to communicate through pointing and nodding. After that, whenever I went, I didn’t even have to ask them to make the change, they just did it without asking. It warms my heart just thinking about them!

Address: 서울특별시 종로구 혜화동 성균관로 21

5. Mujabee

Have you ever heard of croffles? Well, when you go to Korea, croffles are ubiquitous. It’s basically a croissant that they put through a waffle machine and top it with maple syrup. Though the French might cringe at reading this, it is well worth it.

I have tasted a lot of croffles during my time in Korea, but there’s a reason as to why the one at Mujabee made it to the hidden gems in Seoul list. Imagine the warm croffle and some vanilla ice cream to top it off… pure excellence.

Mujabee also has an amazing coconut ice coffee which should be on your list as well. In any case, they add things to their menu rather often. They do a great job at always keeping the ball rolling. Take a look at their Instagram, the vibe there says it all.

Address: 서울 용산구 한강대로84길 11-18

Instagram: @mujabee_official

6. Le Freak

5 words: Fried Chicken Burger on Steroids. Do yourself a favour and go to Le Freak. That’s all I have to say. Do this for yourself.

Might be a little tricky to find. When you get to the address, you’ll see a round stairs-case going down into the ground. Go down those stairs and you’ll find the restaurant.

Address: 서울 성동구 연무장5길 9-16 블루스톤타워 B103

Instagram: @le_freak_burger

7. Healthy Bread (건강한빵)

Yes, another tiny bakery. All of it is prepared in-store, you can see all the ovens they use when you step in.

A personal favourite is their cream-cheese bread. It’s like a brioche stuffed with cream cheese. It sounds weird, but it’s so good… you’ll understand that everything in Seoul is like that.

This bakery is near SKKU (Sungkyunkwan University), a huge international university in Seoul. It’s where I went, and I’m pretty sure that all students from SKKU live off this bakery.

Address: 서울 종로구 성균관로1길 6-6

8. Tongue Planet (텅플래닛 성수)

There aren’t many words one can use to properly describe Tongue Café. But what comes closest to it is unique and innovative… and even that is cutting it short.

The cafe is full of mismatched furniture which somehow fits in harmony. It’s spread on one huge floor, so you’ll definitely always find a place to sit. I don’t know who runs the place, but whatever they are doing, it’s working. Even the cutlery they use is one-of-a-kind.

When I went, I couldn’t even tell there was a café, so this is also literally part of the hidden gems in Seoul.

Their cakes and other food they have is also unique, and they also often change their drinks. So definitely a good place for food bloggers. They also have some one-of-a-kind things on sale.

Address: 서울 성동구 성수이로 82 2층

Instagram: @tongue_cafe

9. Goobok Mandu

Who said Michelin Star restaurants were expensive and fancy? Goobok Mandu is a simple, traditional dumpling restaurant run by an old couple. The recipes they use are passed down by the wife’s grandmother! She is Chinese, so the dumplings that you get here are different in flavour and in texture from the Korean dumplings.

Insofar as price, you can get 6 (big) dumplings for 7,000 ₩, which is about 5 USD. Their signature dishes are water-fried dumplings and Gubok Traditional Dumplings. 100% worth the try. And I mean… come on. It’s Michelin starred.

Address: 서울특별시 용산구 갈월동 59-13

Instagram: @goobokmandu_official

10. Oreno Ramen (오레노라멘 인사점)

Another cheap Michelin Star restaurant! This time: Japanese Ramen. Their best ramen is the Tori Paitan ramen, with velvety chicken stock. Their Shoyu Ramen is the spicy one, which is super rich in flavour as well. Both the noodles and the stock are prepared daily in the kitchen.

The one in the address below is not their main store. But it’s the nicest and newest store in a beautiful neighbourhood.

Disclaimer: once you try this ramen, the supermarket-bought instant ramen will be ruined forever.

Pro tip: if you run out of noodles, just ask for more. It’s free!

Address: 서울특별시 종로구 율곡로 49-4 1F

Instagram: @orenorameninsa

11. Hongdae DakGalbi

[tak-kal-bi] noun: A popular Korean dish made by stir-frying marinated diced chicken in gochujang-based sauce with sweet potatoes, cabbage, perilla leaves, scallions, tteok and other ingredients.

Or as I like to call it, a Korean must try. And the only place to try this is at Hongdae DakGalbi. Below is what you are going to want to order:

Chicken DakGalbi
With 2 packs of ramen noodles – this is enough if you are about 4 people.
The fondu version of DakGalbi
The spice level depends on what you can take. Level 2 is if you have a very good tolerance for spice (for all my fellow Western white people). If you have no tolerance, ask for zero spice… it’ll still be a tad spicy!
Mix it all up!

The picture looks super unappealing, but let’s not judge a book by its cover. Believe me, you want to try this.

Address: 32, Hongik-ro 3-gil, Mapo-gu 1F, Seoul 04039 South Korea

12. Pasta Guy

I know you’re here to read about proper Korean places. Though the title of this place might make you think of some random Italian who set up shop in Seoul, it is not the case.

This tiny restaurant is hosted, run and served by one single Korean man. He makes all meals freshly in front of you, and always with a smile. What I like most is the care he has when making the pasta, and the attention to detail when setting up the plate.

Also, he has a good memory for customers. After the second time around, he would always recognize me and even wave hello when I would just walk past the restaurant. Truly the man is a golden jewel… appropriate for this list of hidden gems in Seoul. He has a special place in my heart.

Unfortunately, I don’t remember the name of the restaurant, but the address provided below are the exact coordinates. You’ll recognize the restaurant by how tiny it is, sitting 10 people max!

Address: 37°35’02.1″N 126°59’51.0″E

13. Musinsa Terrace

This terrace is well-known among Koreans. Because it isn’t advertised very loudly… you have to know it’s there to get there. Musinsa Terrace is located on the rooftop of the Holiday Inn Express in Hongdae, with a 360° view of the city with an outdoors terrace.

The terrace is made up of 3 spaces. One space has the café, which has rather interesting drinks. Another space is a clothing store, featuring only one-of-a-kind items, collaborations, limited partnerships and independent works. Most of the terrace is a wide space for pop-up expositions of all sorts. Their pop-ups include names such as CESCO, Adidas, Byredo and Bottega Veneta.

Basically, modern Korean culture culminated at Musinsa Terrace.

Address: 동교동 190-1 KR 서울특별시 마포구 양화로 188 17층

Instagram: @musinsaterrace