Seongsudong, a district in Seoul well known for its eco-friendliness and zero waste culture. It was filled with old and outdated manufacturers but urbanized with attractions for all ages. This is the place where you can go anytime for a one day adventure. As we walk the streets, we can see how the area is filled with manufacturers.
The places that I will be introducing to you today in Seongsudong are all within walking distance. So it is very convenient! Let’s see what you can explore in Seongsudong, Seoul.
1. LEMONGRASS THAI RESTAURANT
A quaint little thai restaurant. Located in the streets of Seongsudong. Being a Thai restaurant, their specially is obviously to serve Thai food. Now there are many thai food restaurants around Korea. This one however, is quite special. The exquisite taste, environment and service. I really reccomend coming here when you’re in Seongsudong!
As soon as we enter the restaurant, the table settings are already set up with utensils. The waitress then came to give us each tea while we wait for our order.
This place is famous for their curries. They have 3 curries on their menu, the green curry with prawn, red curry with chicken and their latest curry! (I forgot the name of it..) The best part of the rice that comes with the curries is that it is made with jasmine tea! How appetising is that?
Besides the curry they also have other thai menus like pad thai, pineapple fried rice and many more! They even have thai coffee.
They also provide you a small plate. Because here’s how you’re supposed to eat it, you put the rice of the plate and put the gravy of the curry on top of it and eat it like that instead of the traditional korean way where they would dip the rice into the gravy. I’m guessing that’s how Thai people eat their food. I’m from Malaysia and we eat the similar way as well.
The taste – (10/10) the flavour of the curry is so so rich and satisfying. The combination of the rich flavour combined with the rice made with jasmine tea is really good.
The price – (9/10) 14,000KRW for each of our curry sets, including the rice. It’s not on the cheap side, but it’s worth the price for trying once in a while and also you get quality taste! So it lives up to the price.
The ambiance – (10/10) I like how they put in effort for the interior. The wooden themed tables and chairs to match the feel of being in Thailand.
DIRECTIONS:
41-26 Yeonmujang-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul
서울 성동구 연무장길 41-26 1층
Business Hours:
Weekday (Wednesday/ Thursday/ Friday 11:30 – 21:30
Breaktime: 15:00-17:00
Weekend (12:00-22:00)
Breaktime: 15:00-17:00
CLOSED ON MONDAY & TUESDAY
2. SEONGSU FEDERAL 성수 연방
Like I said everything is within walking this distance. This next stop is called the Seongsu Federal.
This place is the landmark representing Seongsudong. It was built in the 1970s by the remodelling of an old factory. Here you can find pop up stores of various companies coexist. Like restaurants, a cafe and a book store. Besides that, they also have a store whose brand is named “Ahaba”, a vegan & paraben free brand that uses israeli dead sea ingredients in their products.
From the Lemongrass thai restaurant to here was approximately only a 6 minute walk.
On your way to the place, the first thing you would notice is this giant poster of some random badges. The sign actually has nothing to do with the actual place but I’m assuming it has something to do with the bookstore that’s there. Anyway, when you see this giant poster, you’re just a few steps away from the Seongsudong federation!
LEVEL 1
Seongsu Federation! Now, you have arrived. This is the first thing you will see the hip and trendy walkway with little pop up stores on the sides. Taking photos here would be really pretty too! Down there, they even have a Japanese restaurant just in case you go hungry. The place consists of 3 levels. The picture above is level 1.
LEVEL 2
You head upstairs to level 2 and you will find this view. At level 2, they have a cute pop up book store to the right and a classy butcher shop to the left.
The bookstore with the pretty interior. Al though you might not have any intentions to buy a book but a walk in there is healing. I’d have to add that the books are all in Korean.
We came across this suit perfume. The packaging for starters is something I’ve never seen on a perfume which is very special and pretty! The scent is pretty good as well.
The Seongsu Federation sign that can clearly be seen from level 2 of the building. Photo ops here are pretty too!
LEVEL 3
On this level, you will discover a really pretty cafe. It’s called 천상가옥 (Cheonsang Gaok) in Korean.
It is really pretty, the cafe inside is wide and it gives off a very refreshing vibe. Unfortunately, Korea was and now currently is implementing the stage 2 social distancing corona virus, so we aren’t able to sit down at the cafes and only take aways are allowed.
If you ever find yourself there, do have a try at the cafe!
Now we’re back at level 1 and the end of our stroll at Seongsu Federation.
DIRECTIONS:
14 Seongsui-ro 14-gil Seongdong-gu Seoul
서울 성동구 성수이로 14길 14
Business Hours: Everyday
Entrance fee: free
3. CHICK PEACE
Vegetarians and non vegetarians gather round. A place for all to enjoy a satisfying meal.
This restaurant serves New York style Mediterranean pita salad, rice balls and sandwiches. They sell both vegan and non vegan dishes!
Their signature dishes include The Vegan Salad (8000KRW) and the Falafel Salad (6000KRW). One of the things worth nothing too is the fact that the lamb is halal. So, muslims are safe to consume that if they feel like they want a little lamb~!
My friend and I ordered the Falafel salad (above) and the vegan salad (below). As you can see, they’re not holding back on the quantity. It is worth the price of 8000KRW. They have a section of sauces with siracha and Heinz’s tomato ketchup, which was convenient and nice.
This place is perfect for both breakfast, lunch, snack and even dinner!
To summarise everything about this restaurant:
The taste: (10/10) I don’t think there’s any more to say. I love how every single vegetable is cooked to perfection and they all go well with each other joining flavors with the humus when you put them into the pita.
The price: (10/10) it lives up to the taste.
The ambiance: (10/10) A wide and bright restaurant with colourful colours that lightens the mood.
DIRECTIONS:
9-16 Yeongmujang 5-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul
서울 성동구 연무장 5길 9-16
Business Hours – Everyday 11:30 – 21:00 / Last order – 20:30
I hope you enjoyed reading this blog and know of the places that you should visit when in Seongsudong, Seoul. Have fun exploring!
Read more: Amore Pacific Seongsu
