The Journal · Guide
Seoul, beyond the hotel
Seoul moves between stores that work as art installations, royal-court cooking and intimate bars. These are the places worth planning around.
Foto: Haus Nowhere · tamburins.com 01 · Gentle Monster flagship · Seongsu
Haus Nowhere Seoul
The flagship from the group behind Gentle Monster opened in 2025 in a fourteen-storey building: Gentle Monster, Tamburins and Nudake, among installations you walk through like a gallery.
Tip · Open 11am to 9pm. Go on a weekday at opening and finish with tea at Nudake.
433 Ttukseom-ro, Seongdong-gu
Official site
Foto: Haus Dosan · gentlemonster.com 02 · Gentle Monster, Tamburins and Nudake · Sinsa-dong
Haus Dosan
The building that defined the brand’s style: Gentle Monster eyewear, Tamburins fragrance and Nudake’s pastry in the basement.
Tip · At Tamburins, ask for the Egg Perfume; Nudake closes on the first Monday of each month.
50 Apgujeong-ro 46-gil, Gangnam-gu
Official site
Foto: Mingles · restaurant-mingles.com 03 · Chef’s restaurant · Cheongdam
Mingles
Seoul’s only three-Michelin-star restaurant in 2026: Mingoo Kang brings the Korean fermented pantry into a modern tasting menu.
Tip · Book one to two months ahead; lunch costs less than dinner.
19 Dosan-daero 67-gil (2F), Gangnam-gu
Official site
Foto: Onjium · Guía Michelin 04 · Royal court cuisine · Jongno
Onjium
Facing Gyeongbokgung Palace, Korean court cuisine reinterpreted through historical research, with a Michelin star.
Tip · Ask for the counter and the traditional-drinks pairing.
49 Hyoja-ro (4F), Jongno-gu
More information
Foto: Hadongkwan · Guía Michelin 05 · Beef soup since 1939 · Myeong-dong
Hadongkwan
Serving gomtang since 1939: clear broth, rice and radish kkakdugi. The city’s most honest breakfast.
Tip · Open Monday to Saturday from 7am; arrive before 9 to skip the line.
12 Myeongdong 9-gil, Jung-gu
More information
Foto: Point of View · pointofview.kr 06 · Stationery and design · Seongsu
Point of View
Three floors of stationery, fountain pens, art papers and incense, a few streets from Haus Nowhere.
Tip · Open noon to 8pm; pair it with Haus Nowhere.
18 Yeonmujang-gil, Seongdong-gu
Official site
Foto: Bar Cham · theworlds50best.com 07 · Bar · Seochon
Bar Cham
Korean cocktails in a traditional-style house with an oak bar; No. 6 on Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2025.
Tip · It’s near Onjium, ideal for a drink after dinner. Go early; it’s small.
34 Jahamun-ro 7-gil, Jongno-gu
More information
Foto: Leeum · leeumhoam.org 08 · Museum · Hannam-dong
Leeum Museum of Art
Historic and contemporary Korean art in buildings by Mario Botta, Jean Nouvel and Rem Koolhaas.
Tip · Book online for weekends; open Tuesday to Sunday.
60-16 Itaewon-ro 55-gil, Yongsan-gu
Official site
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