K-pop, K-beauty (sheet masks, yeah), K-fashion and K-barbecues. There are enough reasons to visit Seoul in South Korea. Where many of my colleagues use their Seoul layover to catch up on sleep (the time difference is 7 to 8 hours), I make sure I set my alarm. It’s the destination for me to stock up on the latest beauty products and of course to hunt for trendy hotspots. This time I wanted to visit the Seoungsu-dong area which is branded ‘The Brooklyn of Seoul’ by loacls. This area use to be the home to many artisan shoemakers. When the industry started to collapse many of these warehouses and factories were abandoned. How do you revive an area like this? Of course, you open up a couple of coffee places, boutiques and studios and don’t mess with the interior and exterior too much. And there you have it, an instant industrial look! Want to know what kind of cool places I spotted?
It doesn’t get grittier than this. The exterior might not show but inside Veranda Industrial you’ll find a very trendy studio where a lot of magazine shoots and exhibitions are held.
Next to the studio I spotted the first café. Because it was very early (and very empty) I decided to not hang out there and move along.
For those who are not a fan of pink and fluffy cafés, this would be the place for you to hang out.
Next on the list: Share D’ Table (‘shared table’ and not ‘share the table’ like I pronounced it ?). Make sure you keep you camera close because you’d want to take pictures. Not only a place to brighten up your Insta-feed but also to get a bite to eat. A couple of different restaurants share this space, (Shared table, get it??) so you can get Thai noodles, Italian pasta or fluffy pink desserts (if anyone knows where I can these pink poufs, holla at ya girl! ?).
You can also use Shared as a work/meeting place or to organize get togethers.
Mandatory: order an extremely sweet and pink ice coffee and ‘Gram’ it, 47 Yeonmujang-gil, Seongsu-dong.
Let’s continue the hunt for hip stuff. A while ago I bookmarked* this place on Instagram (there’s this very useful function on Instagram to safe pretty or inspirational pictures in customized maps)and I’ve been wanting to visit ever since. It’s probably the coolest coffee place I’ve been so far, café Onion.
On sunnier days you can also use the roof terrace at. When you walk across the other side you’ll find another more spacious sitting area.
You’re welcome to stop by on weekdays from 8 am to 10pm (last order at 9:30) and on weekends from 10 am to 10 pm and indulge on good coffee and sweet & savory snacks, 8 Achasan-ro 9, Seongsu-dong 2.
No trendy area is complete without some nice backdrops. So next to boutiques, bars and coffee places you’ll also find some nice backdrops in Seoungsu-dong.
Some other must visits in Seoungsu-dong:
- Daerim Warehouse, evenly cool as café Onion only bigger, 78 Seongsui-ro, Seongsu
- Urban source a café with a ball pool for adults, I mean.. 9 Yeonmujang 3(sam)-gil, Seongsu 2
xx Mishanou
