Arriate is a beautiful little independent flower café in the Yeoksam neighbourhood of Seoul, just one station along from Gangnam.
The main attraction of the place is, of course, the décor, and did it ever live up to our expectations. 

 

The whole shop is adorned with dried flowers and living plants, from ceiling to floor. Even the drinks come with their own tiny vase with a freshly cut flower alongside on the tray for decoration. The atmosphere is comfortable, relaxed, and peaceful.

How to get there:

:Yeoksam Station, Line 2, Exit 7 

Keep walking straight for 1,5 blacks until it comes up on your right hand side.

Sinsa-dong is one of the happening areas in the Gangnam district and one of its areas is Garosugil – a shopping/cafe haven that hipsters would love; the name actually means “Garosu” = tree lined “gil” = street. It’s also a common sight to spot street style photographers, celebrities and a regular stream of swanky cars zooming pass the streets.

 

 

Garosu-gil is the number 1 spot for fashion, but in its back alleys is another thriving street that is ushering in the golden age of business: Serosu-gil. Serosu-gil can be accessed from exit 8 of Sinsa Station (subway line 3) and by following the tree-lined streets that border Dosan park on each side.
The Gingko tree-lined street (Sinsadong Garosu-gil) that runs from Sinsa Station (Subway Line 3) to Hyeondae High School is a popular, upscale street in Seoul. The street (also known as ‘artists' street’) has an eccentric flair thanks to its variety of charmingly decorated coffee shops, and designer stores. Garosu-gil is particularly popular in autumn when the golden Gingko leaves begin to fall.

 

 

How to get there:
[Subway]
Sinsa Station (Seoul Subway Line 3), Exit 8.
- Go straight (250m), until you see the street on the left.

Insa-dong, located in the heart of the city, is an important place where old but precious and traditional goods are on display. There is one main road in Insa-dong with alleys on each side. Within these alleys are galleries and traditional restaurants, teahouses, and cafes.

The galleries are the heartbeat of Insa-dong. There are about 100 galleries in the area and you can see every example of traditional Korean fine art from paintings to sculptures. The most famous galleries are Hakgojae Gallery, which functions as the center of folk art, Gana Art Gallery, which promotes many promising artists, and Gana Art Center.

Ssamzigil, opened on December 18, 2004, has been called the "Special Insa-dong within Insa-dong." This unique area was designed in such a way as to connect each charming level together in the form of a spiraling walkway. Enjoy window-shopping in the cozy stores until you reach the top, where you will arrive at Sky Garden. Here, you can get a extraordinarily clear view of the sky. Ssamzigil covers 42,700sq. ft. with over 70 shops including handicraft stores, souvenir shops, art galleries, restaurants, and more. 

 

 

The teahouses and restaurants are the perfect complement to the galleries. At first they might be hard to find, but if you take the time to stroll around the twisting alleyways, the window shopping in itself can be very entertaining. The shops in Insa-dong are very popular among all age groups, because each one is unique.

Every Saturday from 14:00 to 22:00 and Sunday from 10:00 to 22:00, the main street is blocked off from traffic and it becomes a cultural space. Stores set up booths outside and Korean candy merchants and fortune teller stalls can easily be found; there are traditional performances and exhibits as well. Insa-dong is especially popular among international tourists. This is where they can experience and see traditional Korean culture firsthand, and also purchase pieces of fine art. On the street you can eat Korean taffy and traditional pajeon (green onion pancake), and lose yourself in all the joyous festivities of the street.

How to Get There

[Subway]

Anguk Station (Seoul Subway Line 3), Exit 6.

Go 100m straight, then turn left.

Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) is the newest and most iconic landmark of the Korean design industry. Located at the center of the Dongdaemun area, the DDP will serve as a key venue for design-related shows and conferences, exhibitions, and other events and gatherings. 

Designed by world renowned architect, Zaha Hadid, DDP is the world’s largest atypical architecture. The DDP is comprised of five halls: Art Hall, Museum, Design Lab, Design Market, and Dongdaemun History and Culture Park. The Art Hall is the primary launch pad for the Korean creative industry. The hall is a key venue for conventions, trade shows, exhibitions, fashion shows, concerts and performances. The Museum Hall brings together Korean design and global trends. The Museum Hall is comprised of five sections: Design Playground, Design Dulle-gil(trail), Design Museum, Design Exhibition Hall, and the Design Rest Area. The Design Lab serves as an incubator for rising Korean and international creative product designers. The Design Market is a multipurpose space that combines culture, experiences and shopping. This hall is open 24 hours a day to provide added convenience to visitors of Dongdaemun Market, the town that never sleeps.

The Dongdaemun History & Culture Park is the newest park in downtown Seoul. The park gives a glimpse of how the area was once used as a military training ground during the Joseon dynasty. The park seamlessly extends onto the rooftop of DDP, making it a truly unique park in Korea.

How to get there:
Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station (Seoul Subway Line 2, 4 ,5) and Exit 1.

Myeong-dong is one of the primary shopping districts in Seoul. The two main streets meet in the center of the block with one beginning from Myeong-dong Subway Station (Seoul Subway Line No. 4) and the other from Lotte Department Store at Euljiro. Many brand name shops and department stores line the streets and alleys. Common products for sale include clothes, shoes, and accessories. Unlike Namdaemun or Dongdaemun, many designer brands are sold in Myeong-dong. In addition, several major department stores have branches here, including Lotte Department Store, Shinsegae Department Store, Myeong-dong Migliore, Noon Square and M Plaza. The department stores carry many premium labels and other fashionable goods at reasonable prices. Myeong-dong also has family restaurants, fast food, plus Korean, Western and Japanese dining options.

 

The best time to experience Myeongdong is after the sun goes down when the streets are packed, the smells of street food make your mouth water, and the neon lights are brightly lit up.

You can enjoy street food here. 

 Tteokbokki (Spicy Rice Cakes)
Also known as teokbokki, ddeokbokki, topokki, these are cylinder-shaped rice cakes cooked in gochujang – a sweet, spicy red pepper sauce. Can be served in a bowl with ingredients such as egg, noodles or cheese, or in a stick. You almost find Tteokbokki EVERYWHERE.

Odeng / Eomuk Tang
These are fishcake on skewers served with hot broth. Best to have these skewers during the cold weather when you can keep warm by holding a cup or bowl in your hands. Note: “Odeng” is derived from the Japanese word of “Oden”, while “Eomuk” is the native Korean word. “Tang” refers to soup.

Fishcake (Eomuk)
The rectangular seafood skewer is typically made of ground white fish and other ingredients such as potato starch, sugar and vegetables, then deep fried. I liked those with some vegetables for the crunch.

Korean Grilled Cheese Lobster
Street food goes upmarket. New York has lobster rolls, Seoul has grilled cheese lobsters. Quite an indulgent snack at 15,000 Won.

Korean Spicy Chicken Skewers (Dakkkochi)
A type of Korean chicken kebab served on a stick. The meat is cut into narrow slices, grilled, then brushed on with spicy-sweet sauce.

Samgyetang 
Samgye-tang (삼계탕; 蔘鷄湯) or ginseng chicken soup,meaning ginseng (kor. sam) - chicken (kor. gye) - soup (kor. tang) in Korean, consists primarily of a whole young chicken (poussin) - filled with garlic, rice, jujube, and ginseng. Samgyetang (삼계탕), one of the most popular Korean cuisine dishes.

 

And many more...

How to get there:
    Take Subway Line 4 to Myeong-dong Station (Exit 6)

Stylenanda Pink Pool Cafe
Chungmuro 2-ga 66-2
Jung-gu, Seoul

Stylenanda is a South Korea-based clothes brand. The company was founded in 2004 by Nanda. It had further expanded internationally and established branches in several countries, namely Hong Kong, China, Singapore, Japan and Thailand. Located right in the bustling beauty and fashion hub in Myeongdong, Seoul, Stylenanda Pink Hotel stood out from the other buildings with its pink facade. With decos that bring us back to the '50s, and exuding a princessy charm, this is no doubt a must visit stop if you are heading to Seoul anytime soon.

Level 1: Lobby
Styled to look like a hotel lobby, level 1 has got all their 3CE makeup on the buffet table. There's a little concierge desk there with their staff behind it should you require any help. Look out for cute hotel room keys that are hung on the wall too.




Level 2: Spa
A makeup room for the ladies, with even more 3CE makeup to play around with. There's a row of mirrors right in the middle of the room that reminded me of the celebrities' makeup rooms at the backstage of the theaters in the good old days. With pink couches, marble tables, and a bathtub filled with water and topped with flowers, if you need some cam whore time, it has got to be right here.





Level 3: Rooms
What's a hotel without hotel rooms? Level 3 is made to be a corridor with rooms on both sides, and featuring Stylenanda's Nanda Made series of apparels. Walk right in to rest on the sofa area, which doubled up as a comfy seat to try your shoes on. Yes, the pretty shoes are displayed on the shelves just next to it.



Level 4: Laundry Room
Find your hats, socks, and jewelry here, and I love how the laundry machines are stacked together like how the real laundry shops do it. Walk further in to see all the detergent and washing powders displayed on the shelves. And, there are even plastic chairs stacked together for you to sit while "waiting for your laundry to be done"

Level 5: Pool
A pretend pool with a real cafe. Expect rows of nicely stacked denim, and a pool cafe inside. The cafe was very much like those in the '50s movies with its blue and pink tiles, outdoor chairs and tables with umbrellas to shelter you from the sun. Order some bites and drinks from the cafe to take a break after all the shopping.

Rooftop: Terrace Tired after all the shopping and photo-taking up the 5 levels? Take a break at the rooftop terrace. There are lots of giant pillows thrown all over for you to lounge around and chit-chat with your friends.

When I'm in Seoul, I visited Line Cafe & Store in 3 place, Itaewon, Myeongdong and Garosu-gil.

1. Line Friends in Itaewon.

The LINE FRIENDS flagship store in Itaewon is the largest LINE FRIENDS store in the world! Visitors can have an exciting experience at this fun store in Seoul. The first floor has toys and accessories, the 2nd floor has home living goods, and the 3rd floor is a cafe. There is an incredible array of items that have been designed in collaboration with LINE and international design companies and visitors are sure to have fun with a visit here.

How to get there:Itaewon Station (subway line 6) exit 3

2. Line Friends in Myeongdong

 

Outside of Myeongdong Station is the other Line Friends Flagship Store. Here you’ll see a huge Brown welcoming you into the store. If you want a picture with this superstar of the messaging world, you’ll have to cue up, though. Walk upstairs and you’ll have a few more photo ops in “Brown’s Room” as well. When you walk in, you’ll see dolls, stationary, tech accessories and some fashion items for you to purchase. For those looking for a place to buy souvenirs in Seoul, this is one of the best if your friends are Line users. They have a small take-out cafe where you can refill on caffeine on your way out as well.

How to get there:
Myeongdong Station Exit 6

3. Line Friends in Garosu-gil

LINE FRIENDS store and cafe in Garosu-gil Seoul is the first flagship and largest LINE Friends store in the world. If you are planning to travel to Seoul, this place could be one of your destinations.
Situated in Garosu-gil (check the end of this post for detailed address, map and direction), the flagship store occupies 3 stories of the building where you can find LINE FRIENDS products and character-themed items along with cute dessert and beverages.

How to get there:
Sinsa Station Exit 8, walk straight towards Garosugil street.