How to See Seoul According to Three Very Chic BFFs Inline

Our little tour group ready to take on Seoul. After 24 hours of travel, Clare and I arrived in Seoul! We were so excited to explore the city. With Mt. Bugak as the backdrop, the grounds of the Gyeongbokgung Palace, built in 1935, were truly awe-inspiring. Wandering through the palace halls was a powerful way to connect to the history of this fascinating city. We were lucky enough to catch the cherry blossom trees at their peak! Strolling outside the Gyeongbokgung Palace. This hand-painted ceiling at the Gyeongbokgung Palace provided insane color inspiration. There are many gorgeous hiking trails in Bukhansan, a national park in the middle of Seoul. One could easily spend hours sampling the snacks at the extensive food court at Shinsegae, one of the best department stores in Seoul. But don’t be confused—this is as gourmet as food courts come, serving everything from traditional Korean side dishes in to-go packs to fancy imported wine. One of the longest lines was for these delicately dusted Japanese mini cheesecakes. Insa-dong is a great neighborhood to find traditional and locally made home goods. We spent an afternoon walking in and out of antique shops. I picked up a set of 12 brass dessert spoons and am still kicking myself for not buying a hand-painted ceramic pitcher covered with a cherry blossom pattern. We spent one morning walking the cobblestone streets of Insa-dong and after, we tucked inside the locals-only restaurant Gondrebap that specializes in bulgogi stew. Diners sit on the wood floor and are brought dish after dish of fresh veggies, salads, and rice made with local ingredients. We all agreed that this unassuming lunch was the best meal of the whole trip. After popping in and out of shops at the epic Hyundai department store in Gangnam, we needed a blood sugar pick-me-up. Following a tip from a local, we scored a table at Konaya. The specialty there was Japanese curry noodles, and we all indulged in the cozy dish, which pairs perfectly with an iced cold beer. Is there a better name for a dessert spot than Meal Top? Full from bowls of curry noodles, we made our way up to Meal Top, a local favorite on the fifth floor of the Hyundai department store in Gangnam. We ordered the five-grain shaved ice and quickly understood why lines can be up to an hour long for this local dessert—it’s not too sweet and perfectly refreshing. While many people are flocking to Seoul for the cutting-edge beauty products, we were interested in unearthing handmade treasures. We popped into a tiny store in the shopping neighborhood of Insa-dong, and we all went a little nuts for these handmade brooches and hairpins. After exploring the popular concept shop QueenMama in Apgujeong-dong, we (luckily) stumbled into the charming café MoonJar. We each ordered octopus bibimbap, which we washed down with makgeolli, a slightly sweet fermented rice alcohol. Street food is big in Seoul, and these emoji-inspired sweet breads are all the rage. We passed over the traditional red bean and black sesame filling for the chocolate-filled pastry. The spectacular Leeum museum is on top of the hill overlooking the neighborhood of Itaewon. In addition to an incredible collection of Korean artifacts, the Leeum houses installations by contemporary Korean artist Choi Jeong-Hwa. The Rem Koolhaas–designed Leeum museum was a respite in the middle of a busy day of sightseeing. The museum houses impressive and immersive exhibitions in a spectacular setting. Outside the Leeum museum. After visiting the Leeum museum, we walked down the hill and got a table at Parc, which is an intimate restaurant specializing in “Korean Mother’s Recipes & More.” It was homey and clean, with creative food and a special set menu for only $15. This perfect bowl of pumpkin soup was our first course.