The Best Kept Secrets Of Seoul

Often referred to as the ‘Party City of Asia’, Seoul is a popular destination for tourists from all over the globe. With world-famous restaurants and internationally renowned shopping, it’s not hard to see why. But for the independent tourist who wants to try something a little different, we’ve rounded up these secret gems hidden away in Seoul, South Korea.

10th Floor of The Express Bus Terminal

If you’re thinking that this sounds like a strange name for a rooftop bar, you’d be right. Technically, the 10th Floor isn’t a rooftop bar at all, but rather an unofficial gathering place for trendy young Seoulites during warm city nights. The 10th floor of the Express Bus Terminal hosts two Korean BBQ restaurants, from which guests can buy drinks or even food with which to enjoy their view, but the true attraction is the gorgeous view of Seoul and the unexpected garden that wraps around the building. Random plots of grass are sprinkled with benches and seating areas from which patrons can enjoy a casual drink or two while ten storeys above the city of Seoul. As it is not an officially owned business, there are no real hours, but elevators operate only until midnight.
194, Sinbanpo-ro, Seocho-gu, Seoul, South Korea

Gangnam Gjoya

Sahara Café

This tiny, bookish café is hugely popular among the Soongsil University students in the know, but with no official website or travel guide listing, it’s almost impossible to find for the casual tourist. A simple café that offers just a few different types of teas and Americano and espresso brews, the Sahara is easy on the pocket. Almost everything on its concise menu is under 5,000 won. Beautifully yet minimalistically designed, the café is lined with hundreds upon hundreds of books, any of which can be taken down and read at the patron’s discretion. With pillowed chairs, long tables lit by study lamps, and a quiet, dreamy atmosphere, the Sahara Café is perfect for the book-loving tourist.
501-2Beonji Sangdo-dong, Dongjak-gu, Seoul, South Korea; +82 2 822 0111

Sigol Bapsang

Koreans have perfected the art of side dishes, or, as they call them, banchan. Any restaurant you go to will offer a dizzying array of small portions of side dishes to complement your meal. At Sigol Bapsang, however, the restaurateurs have taken it one step further and made the banchan the focus of their simple yet genius meal. You can buy at least 20 different kinds of banchan, supplemented with a steaming hot bowl of rice and soup. With just five tables, the place is the definition of hole-in-the-wall, and its atmosphere matches its quirky menu. One wall is even laminated with pages from a book or newspaper, and chopped firewood is stacked alongside the front wall. Open 24 hours and seven days a week, this is the perfect place to pop in if you’re jet lagged or late-night festivities have you wandering Seoul hungry at unusal hours.
738-17 Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea; +82 2 793 5390

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.