A Design Lover's Guide to Seoul

As one of Seoul’s most eccentric modern architectural structures, the Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) is without a doubt the epicenter of all things design in South Korea. Appealing particularly to young trendsetters with its wide variety of attractions, the neo-futuristic complex is a fully equipped facility where visitors can enjoy food, shopping, and entertainment all in one place.

The DDP hosts international events such as the bi-annual Seoul Fashion Week; showcases of renowned fashion brands, including Chanel and Louis Vuitton; and art exhibitions featuring the works of Alessandro Mendini, Paik Nam-June and Kim Young-Won, among other notable artists.

281 Eulji-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea, +82 2 2153 0000

View this post on Instagram

Illuminate

A post shared by Joyce (@joycehlng) on Jul 3, 2017 at 6:14am PDT

Design enthusiasts should not miss the DDP Design Shop, a store dedicated to the Seoul Living Design Fair, itself an event hosted by Design House and organized by the monthly magazine House Full of Happiness. Open throughout the year, the store features eye-catching products created by local designers in an airy, contemporary space. From sensible home décor items and modern Korean handicrafts to quirky apparel by up-and-coming designers, there’s something for everyone.

The architectural embodiment of industrial chic, Café Onion is housed in a converted metal factory that was built in the 1970s. Since then it has been reincarnated in the form of various businesses, including a supermarket, restaurant and even personal residence. Despite being one of trendiest hangouts of the moment, the ultra-modern Café Onion still retains traces of the building’s industrial past, incorporating many of the factory’s rustic design elements into its aesthetics.

With wide windows, minimalistic furniture and a well-curated garden, the coffee house is a designer’s dream, while its specialty coffee and homemade pastries keep loyal patrons coming back for more.

Situated at the foot of trendy Gyeongnidan-gil, Petit Ballon specializes in authentic French meals. Its eye-catching façade, seemingly plucked straight out of a quaint alley in Paris, intrigues passersby while its tantalizing menu attracts foodies from all over the city. Reservations are a must at this cozy spot, which only boasts a handful of tables in its delightfully decorated, modern Victorian dining room. Groups of five or more can also reserve the private second-floor space for an even more intimate dining experience.

228-1 Noksapyeong-daero, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea, +82 2 790 2277

View this post on Instagram

. 오늘은 하루종일 먹방이네요😆 가족들과 한남동 #쁘띠발롱 에 식사하러 왔어요. 1층에 단체석이 없어 아쉬웠는데 2층에 8인까지 수용 가능한 프라이빗 룸이 마련되어 있다는 사실!! 우리끼리 떠들어도 눈치보지 않고 오랜만에 시끌벅적했던 하루였습니다. 음식맛은 이미 검증된 곳이니 모임 있을 때 이용해보세요 🙂 .

A post shared by мιѕeo parĸ🍊 (@miseo_0526) on Apr 12, 2017 at 4:24am PDT

Advance reservations are required for guided tours of the Korea Furniture Museum, one of Seoul’s most beautiful but off-the-radar exhibition spaces. The museum showcases the personal collection of a former Yonsei University professor, and includes some 2,500 pieces, of which around 500 are on display at any one time. Works include masterfully crafted chests, bookcases, chairs and dining tables, made from various kinds of wood such as persimmon, maple and paulownia, some decorated with lacquer, mother of pearl or tortoiseshell.

Just as impressive are the complex’s wooden buildings, such as the kitchen house with its seemingly contemporary design of windows, and the villa that was once part of Changdeokgung Palace.

Part café, part gallery, b2project is a haven for both coffee lovers and design aficionados. Here, colorful paintings adorn the walls and quirky lighting fixtures hang from above, while mismatched chairs and tables create a comfortable environment for chatting or reading a book. The gallery downstairs, which features an array of modern Scandinavian furniture, is a feast for the eyes. If you’ve got (a lot of) cash to burn, you can also purchase the wares on display. Pieces start at a whopping one million won (US$1,000).

130-11, Dongsung-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea, +82 2 747 5435

View this post on Instagram

북유럽디자인은 우리에게 익숙하게 다가오는데요, 한번씩 시선을 흔들어 놓기위해 새로운 동유럽의 디자인을 접해보는 것은 어떨까요? #프라하디자인숍 #동유럽의레트로 #동유럽디자인 #투박한디자인 #체코디자인 #정감있는디자인 #새로운스타일을찾아

A post shared by b2project <비투프로젝트> (@b2project_gallery) on May 30, 2017 at 12:23pm PDT

Takeout Drawing is as much a design space as it is a café – so much so that food and drink sales here fund the exhibitions, talks and artist residencies that the café hosts. With its concrete walls, window scribblings, minimal décor, and rotating artworks, Take Out Drawing is the ideal environment for finding inspiration and experiencing the creative process firsthand.

Even the menu items, inspired by past and present works on display, are inventive and playful. The Jindallae Ade, for example, is a refreshing twist on a traditional Korean fruit punch that combines the delicate flavors of azalea petals, lemon, cinnamon, and plum. Paul’s Meringue Factory, meanwhile, is the most Instagram-worthy option; a cup of smooth espresso is topped with peaks of melt-in-your-mouth meringue which is sure to satisfy a sweet tooth.

Dongsung-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea, +82 2 745 9731

View this post on Instagram

맛이 요상한 아이들 ٩( ᐛ )و❕평일 오후라 사람 없어서 좋다 #폴의머랭공장#티라미수#takeoutdrawing

A post shared by 짐니 (@therococoproject) on Jun 8, 2017 at 1:50am PDT

This gallery-store situated in trendy Sinsa-dong aims to help up-and-coming artists foster relationships with both collectors and the general public. Fifty Fifty’s gallery features pieces by local and international artists and holds events that offer the public opportunities to interact with the artists and their work. Meanwhile, its store boasts an eclectic mix of products such as paintings, figurines and clothing so that art enthusiasts can take home the works of their favorite creatives.