The Best Things To See And Do In Guui, Seoul

Seoul practically overflows with coffee shops. In Guui, there are plenty of options to meet your java needs, including JA:All cafe. JA:All’s interior is small, but the bright, airy atmosphere makes up for its size. Grab a magazine from a nearby stack and settle into one of the cushioned wooden chairs with a frothy mint mochaccino.

The decor of 9.3 Cafe is rustic with wooden tables and chairs upholstered in soft tan vinyl. Silver metal snowflake light fixtures hang from the ceiling. On the menu, there’s a variety of beverages: espressos, frappes, lattes and teas. In some Korean coffee shops, the music blares making conversation a bit problematic, but at 9.3 Cafe, the atmosphere is quiet enough to power up one’s laptop and work on that travel memoir or get absorbed in a good book.

Passing by the plump kitchen chef statue outside of Rice One buffet restaurant is enough to tempt one’s curiosity and venture inside for some Korean grub. Inside, the décor is simple yet comfortable. Long counters are lined up against the windows, while in the middle of the restaurant, brightly colored tables are arranged cafeteria style. On the opposite side of the room is where a Korean feast awaits – diners can fill their plates full of kimchi, seasoned bean sprouts, dried anchovies, vegetable pancake and spinach salad. It gets busy during the week’s peak lunch hours, so be prepared to wait a little while for a seat. Kimbap and Flour | Courtesy of Rebecca Biage

For a hearty Korean meal, Kimbap and Flour will leave your hunger pangs satisfied. It serves up Korean cuisine in a diner-style setting, with highlight dishes being the dolsot bibimbap and donkkaseu. Bibimbap is one of the most colorful Korean dishes, consisting of rice, sautéed veggies, chili pepper paste and topped off with a fried egg, all served up in a sizzling stone bowl. Donkkaseu is a robust meal of a pork cutlet smothered in sauce accompanied by rice and shredded cabbage. You’ll leave Kimbap and Flour feeling full and maybe even a bit more like a Guui native. Guui Park | Courtesy of Rebecca Biage

If you’re short on time and unable to hike one of the mountains on the outskirts of Seoul, then an outing to Guui Park should not be overlooked. Located across the street from both Dong Seoul bus terminal and the vast TechnoMart electronics building, Guui Park is filled with exercise enthusiasts during the evening making their umpteenth lap around the track, couples canoodling on park benches and rowdy youngsters climbing the jungle gym equipment. It’s best to visit in the morning hours to enjoy the park’s ambience.