Have been staying in Seoul for more than a month and wondering where else to go after travelling to all those typical tourist hot spots in Seoul? Don’t worry! Seoul definitely offers more than you think! In this post, I am going to bring you to explore one of the trendiest neighbourhood in Seoul, Sinsa-dong.
Sinsa-dong
Sinsa-dong has emerged as one of the hot places in Seoul, as a neighbourhood that is constantly catching up with new trends. In Sinsa-dong, there is 700 meters-long road lined with gingko trees named Garosu-gil. It is a hip area that is not well-known for travelers but frequented by locals and youngsters.
Sinsa-dong Garosu-gil area, you can find tons of well-known brand stores, local designers store as well as SPA fashion brands like SPAO and 8seconds. Although the price range is a bit higher compared to that of other places, boutiques in Sinsa-dong offers good quality clothings with unique and stylish designs. It is also much less touristy compared to other shopping streets like Myeongdong and Ehwa Womans University Shopping Street. If you are a shopping lover, get ready to shop until you drop!
In addition, Garosu-gil also homes a lot of cafes, bars and restaurants. Everything looks fancy and high-end here.
89 MANSION
89 MANSION is a double story cafe located at Garosu-gil, Sinsa-dong. The cafe was opened in 2017 in Garosu-gil in by the Korean actor Lee Jong Suk. The actor once mentioned in an interview saying that starting up a cafe was his dream.
The outer of the building is in all black. The cafe is really big and it looks luxurious.
We had hot americano (6000 won), ice chocolate (7000 won) and 89 Latte (7000won). The 89 Latte, as known as the cafe’s signature menu, a latte with rich flavor topped with a layer of cream. The drinks taste good but I personally think that they are a bit overprice.
On your way up the stairs to the second floor, there is a calligraphy painted by Lee Jong Suk himself. The words mean “Although the flower is withering, the heart will not wither away. The heart that dances along with the falling petals, charmingly stacked up at noon.”
The interior is full of lots of artistic elements. Colourful paintings and furniture cheer up the space well. I feel like I visited to an art gallery.
A space that is covered in intense red.
There is a terrace on the second floor. The terrace does not really offer nice view, but good for getting some fresh air.
If you are lucky enough, there may be a chance for you to meet Lee Jung Suk in person! He works as a barista or a cashier sometimes.
Astro’s Cha Eun Woo and actor Lee Tae Hwan had been to here also.
Operating Hours: 11.00 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Address: 25, Apgujeong-ro 4-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
Restaurant: 고래회관
Last but not least, before leaving Sinsa-dong, we had our dinner at 고래회관.
We had salmon sashimi rice bowl 생연어덮밥 (9000 won). It taste fresh and delicious.
The interior is so comfy and cozy. Not to mention, the restaurant owner is friendly too! I enjoyed my time having meal here.
Address: 11 Nonhyeon-ro 171-gil, Sinsa-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
Read more: THE 7 BEST Place to Go Near Sinsa Station