Who says you can't eat halal food in Korea? If you will go around Seoul, you will see a lot of restaurants, cafes, and retail shops that offer halal food. You'll find a large concentration of halal establishments in Itaewon, Seoul's best-known multicultural neighborhood. As halal food becomes increasingly popular with the number of Muslims visiting Korea on the rise, there is no doubt that more and more restaurants in Korea will offer halal options in the near future. However, distinction should be made between an establishment serving halal food and a halal-certified establishment. For Muslims, you may wish to inquire whether or not the establishment is certified by the Korea Muslim Federation before visiting.

Here are three of some of Halal Restaurants that you can visit around Seoul.

• BabaIndia

    Address: 359 Gangnam-daero, Seocho-gu, Seoul

Conveniently located next to Seoul Subway Line 2 and the Shinbundang Line, BabaIndia serves up delicious Indian food using halal ingredients. The foyer of the restaurant greets customers with the wonderful aroma of Indian spices. The restaurant combines a pleasant dining experience with reasonable prices, quality food, and friendly staff. Order a set menu to try a variety of dishes and experience the best taste of India.

Being located in the heart of Seoul, the restaurant attracts customers from all different walks of life, ranging from business people to groups of travelers. A delicious and budget-friendly lunch menu draws young couples and students to the restaurant as well.

BabaIndia also allows customers to choose their level of spiciness, which helps first-timers who may find it daunting to order Indian or halal food. The homemade naan bread and chapati (unleavened flatbread originating in India), various house specials and desserts are sure to give those with homesickness a great treat.

• Kervan
  
  

                  Address: 190 Itaewon-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

Vegeterian isn't the only halal food option in Korea! Located on the main street of Itaewon, Kervan is a Turkish restaurant offering a variety of halal dishes made from beef, lamb and chicken, as well as seafood and vegetables. Prices are a bit on the steep side, but the quality of food is worth the money spent. Those on a tight budget can take advantage of the wallet-friendly lunch menu.

In order to better express the beauty of Turkey, the dishes are served with elegant silverware by the friendly staff. Also, the elegant interior and superior cuisine served by the restaurant will provide you with an excellent culinary experience, and is the reason that it attracts not just Muslim travelers but also locals with an adventurous appetite. Kervan has also opened a second restaurant located in COEX Mall.

• Persian Palace

Address: 9 Seonggyungwan-ro 6-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Persian Palace is located in the artsy neighborhood of Daehangno, near Sunkyunkwan University's main entrance. The restaurant has an elegant, distinct Middle Eastern dining ambience, and attracts a bustling mix of patrons. Since opening in 2002, the restaurant has focused on creating Persian dishes made from 24 spices, and meals have been developed to complement the Korean palate.

Though kebabs are the specialty, the menu contains seven pages of halal dishes and four separate dishes for vegetarians. The curries are popular for having an authentic taste unique to Persian Palace. Also, the lamb kebabs are tender and carefully roasted, tasting heavenly with freshly baked naan bread.

This restaurant is ideal for Muslim customers, vegetarians, and anyone interested in Persian cuisine. If you find yourself in the area for a theater performance or the well-known hiking trails, stop in at Persian Palace for some of its authentic ethnic cuisine, which will surely leave you wanting to come back again.

They are calling; find all you need at these one-stop shops in Korea!

Located in various suburbs of Seoul, mega shopping malls are reinventing themselves through continued innovation to keep pace with the ever-changing tastes of domestic and foreign consumers. These places are breaking away from the traditional role of shopping malls that simply meet the basic needs of shoppers; they are designed to cater to a broader array of services, such as fine dining, a wide-range of entertainment, and much more! These huge recreation-integrated shopping malls are truly a one-stop destination for all, and have been fervently welcomed by people of all ages and backgrounds.

Getting in tune with the latest trend of “malling,” the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) carefully selected four outstanding malls that are setting the standard. Two of them, Parnas and COEX Mall of Gangnam, have been seeing a dramatic rise in popularity among both domestic and international visitors through their multinational fashion brands and premium food and beverage outlets.

In addition to Parnas and COEX Malls, Famille Station, conveniently located between Shinsegae Department Store (Gangnam Branch) and Seoul Express Bus Terminal, carries an upscale feel suited to high-end consumers and has been gaining a reputation among many.

Yeouido IFC Mall, the largest mall in Korea, is situated in the west end of Seoul. After the recent renovation that included a variety of newly opened brands, IFC is now setting the latest malling trends through successfully launching their “total mall experience,” a concept that promotes visitors from all over the world to not just do their shopping, but also find high quality restaurants, entertainment centers, and a wide range of cultural experiences all under one roof.

Last but not least, AK Mall (AK Plaza Department Store - Suwon Branch), located in Seoul’s suburb of Suwon, has been recently nicknamed a “shopper’s paradise” for its perfect integration of first-class premium shops and large discount stores.

Pop-up shops, brand collaborations, and premium outlets draw the attention of those hunting for an impressive atmosphere and a trendy shopping experience. The most popular food and beverage outlets in Gangnam and Shinsegae Department Stores are part of these popular malls in order to entice shoppers.

One of the best parts is that these mega malls are all indoors, meaning good weather is no longer required to have fun all year long. Decorated with an assortment of themes, these malls have garnered considerable popularity even among window shoppers. Why not give yourself some time and go venturing out to these hotspots for the upcoming weekend?

Life is unfolding at COEX Mall

Photo: Main gate of COEX Mall (top left) / Inside view of COEX Mall & Pororo Park Flagship Store

Recently added to the list of Seoul’s landmarks, COEX Mall has been the heart of international conventions. Now the mall is entering a new era on a larger scale, equipped with assorted cultural facilities that are sure to please everyone’s taste. After twenty months of renovation, it has been turned into more than just an art and exhibition hall; it has created a multi-layered concept of shopping, tourism and entertainment, dubbed a “culture platform.”

The venue’s foot traffic now has a more optimized flow and is set to offer a refreshing cultural experience for shoppers who frequent the Gangnam area.

Establishing itself as Gangnam’s top shopping mecca, COEX Mall extends itself more to fashion, accessories, beauty and lifestyle brands that meet the global standard. It is also conveniently connected to the nearest major transportation hubs City Airport Terminal and Samseong Subway Station, as well as InterContinental Hotel, Hyundai Department Store, ASEM Tower, COEX Artium, and more.

☞ Address: 513 Yeongdong-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul

☞ Directions: Samseong Station (Seoul Subway Line 2) Exit 5 or 6. Enter COEX Mall through the connecting passageway. / Bongeunsa Station (Seoul Subway Line 9) Exit 6. Cross the road and walk left (south) for 120 m to reach COEX Mall.

☞ Hours: 10:00-22:00 / Open all year round (Hours may vary by store)

☞ Brand information: Zara Home, Jaju, Mamas & Papas, Lounge P, Kakao Friends, and more

☞ Website: www.coexmall.com (Korean, English, Chinese)

☞ Nearest attractions: COEX Artium, COEX Aquarium, Megabox COEX

☞ Inquiries: +82-2-6002-5300

☞ 1330 Korea Travel Hotline: +82-2-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)

Parnas Mall, Asia’s largest underground shopping center

Photo: Shops and connecting passage at Parnas Mall

Parnas Mall, located in the underground level of the Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas Hotel, features culture, shopping and a mass of good eats. In 2003, it claimed the title of largest underground shopping mall in Asia, and with its re-opening in October of 2014 with the renovations at neighboring COEX Mall, it now has extended its scale, being composed of dozens of shops carrying global fashion brands that were previously only available in duty free stores

Parnas is directly connected to Samseong Station, COEX Mall, a casino, and Hyundai Department Store, The mall claims to be a premium casual mall complimented with a sophisticated interior design, not to mention a luxurious and stylish atmosphere Also, cultural events are held regularly in the halls of this complex, which keep visitors pouring in.

More info

☞ Address: 521 Teheran-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul

☞ Directions: Samseong Station (Seoul Subway Line 2) Exit 5 or 6. / Bongeunsa Station (Seoul Subway Line 9) Exit 6. Cross the road and walk left (south) for 120 m to reach COEX Mall. Follow signs through connecting passageway to Parnas Mall.

☞ Hours: 10:00-22:00 / Open all year round (Hours may vary by store.)

☞ Brand information: [Fashion] Allsaints, Il Bisonte, Parsons. W, Millefiori, etc. / [Food and beverage] Junior’s Bakery & J’s Coffee, KuKuRuZa Gourmet Popcorn, Ramen Hansungmungo, etc.

☞ Website: www.parnasmall.com (Korean, English, Chinese)

☞ Inquiries: +82-2-559-7089

☞ 1330 Korea Travel Hotline: +82-2-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)

A must stop for K-Pop fans! SM Town@COEX Artium

S.M. Entertainment, one of Korea’s largest entertainment companies, unveiled the building to immense fanfare in 2015 following the re-opening of COEX Mall.

Boasting itself with its scale of 8,000 square meters, SM Town took the first step into this uncharted territory by inventing a multi-purpose hallyu culture space never before done. At the first floor’s “Welcome Zone,” visitors are welcomed by top SM celebrities and offered a variety of fun experiences as they walk up to the top for some shopping at SUM, a store filled with celebrity-related merchandises, then on to becoming a K-Pop star at SM Town studio, and finally winding down with some sweets or beverages at SM Town’s LIVErary Cafe. On the fifth and sixth floors is SM Town Theater, the first hologram theater in Korea, and is set to dazzle all its visitors with futuristic visual presentations.

SUM Cafe on the fourth floor, is a must-see spot for all who wish to visit SM Town. It features limited edition desserts inspired by SM artists in collaboration with a famous dessert brand, as well as showcases SM artists’ personal items. You can also create your own jukebox by recording your favorite songs here. Try not to lose track of time as you cruise along the lavish exhibit spaces and browse through the assortment of products.

More info

☞ Address: 513 Yeongdong-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul

☞ Directions: Samseong Station (Seoul Subway Line 2) Exit 5 & 6.

- Walk through the connecting passageway (Located next to COEX mall)

☞ Hours: 11:00-22:00 / Open all year round (Hours are subject to change.)

☞ Inquiries: +82-1644-0180 (Phone number differs by floor.)

☞ 1330 Korea Travel Hotline: +82-2-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)

Famille Station, the place to dine and drink

As an affiliate of the Shinsegae brand adjacent to Seoul Express Bus Terminal, Famille Station opened its doors to the public in November 2014 after a three-month renovation. To its credit, the area has now become more modernized and organized, as it houses famous food chains, allowing diners to cruise along the street and entertain great dining choices from the famous restaurants of Garosu-gil and Sinsa-dong, exclusive picks from restaurants and bars in Gyeongnidan-gil and Itaewon-dong, and hidden gems brought from Sangsu-dong in Mapo-gu. They are so irresistible that you won’t be able to leave the place on an empty stomach. For this reason, Famille Station it’s a common site to see heavy influxes of people making long lineups during lunch or dinner times.

A variety of cuisines are available throughout Famille Station, everything from buffet-style Korean dining and Hamburg steakhouses to those looking for health-food options. The amount of options for customers is the reason so many don’t mind waiting an hour or two to sit down for a bite at this gourmet paradise.

The mall is also situated in a convenient location, as it’s directly connected to Express Bus Terminal Subway Station, where Seoul Subway Lines 3, 7, and 9 intersect, making it even more appealing to tourists who look for a one-stop-for-all shopping experience.

More info

☞ Address: 205 Sapyeong-daero, Seocho-gu, Seoul

☞ Directions: Express Bus Terminal Station (Seoul Subway Line 3, 7, 9) Exit 3. Follow signs through connecting passageway to Famille Plaza.

☞ Hours: 10:00-22:00 (Hours may vary by store.)

☞ Inquiries: +82-2-6282-0114 

☞ 1330 Korea Travel Hotline: +82-2-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)

Enjoy smart, global trends at Yeouido’s IFC Mall

Located in Yeouido, the home of the National Assembly, various broadcasting corporations and financial institutions, IFC Mall is an international-style shopping mall containing various global brands.

On basement level 3 is a restaurant area with a European theme called Food Empire, where shoppers can satisfy their appetites with any kind of cuisine, including Korean, Indian, Southeast Asian, American, Japanese, and European. Across from Food Empire is CJ FoodWorld, owned and operated by CJ Group Across the street from IFC Mall is Yeouido Park, an excellent little haven to feel like you’ve escaped from the bustle of city life. And, if you walk just a little further, you will reach the Hangang River, an ideal place for family picnic.

More info

☞ Address: 10 Gukjegeumyung-ro, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul (23, Yeouido-dong)

☞ Directions: Yeouido Station (Seoul Subway Line 5, 9) Exit 3. Follow signs through the connecting passageway to IFC Mall.

☞ Hours: IFC Mall 10:00-22:00 / IFC Street Mall 10:00-21:00 (Hours may vary by store.)

☞ Website: www.ifcmallseoul.com (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)

☞ Inquiries: +82-2-6137-5000

☞ 1330 Korea Travel Hotline: +82-2-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)

Yeongdeungpo Times Square, Urban Entertaining Lifestyle Center

Located at Yeongdeungpo Station on Seoul Subway’s Line 1, Times Square serves the city of Seoul as a fully-equipped entertainment and culture space, with the Courtyard Marriot Hotel, Shinsegae Department Store, CGV Movie Theater, E-Mart, Kyobo Bookstore, Amoris Wedding Hall, as well as countless clothing stores and over 200 restaurants. Times Square also houses the world’s largest movie theater screen, as recorded by Guinness World Records.

Is the largest open space of its kind in Asia, and extends all the way to the roof. On Saturdays and Sundays, visitors can enjoy, and the venue also holds numerous launch events for global companies. You can also often find famous celebrities holding autograph sessions, and even TV broadcasts being filmed here, making it a place where shopping is only the beginning.

More info

☞ Address: 15 Yeongjung-ro, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul

☞ Directions: Yeongdeungpo Station (Seoul Subway Line 1). Leave the station through Lotte Department Store. Cross the street and continue (northwest) for 150 m. Turn left and Times Square will be on your left after another 200 m.

☞ Hours: 10:30-22:00 / Open all year round (Hours may vary by store.)

☞ Website: www.timessquare.co.kr (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)

☞ Inquiries: +82-2-2638-2000

☞ 1330 Korea Travel Hotline: +82-2-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)

From luxury shoppers to penny pinchers, Suwon AK Plaza

has it all!

AK Plaza, located at Suwon Station, has been Gyeonggi-do’s top shopping ground and one of the city’s landmarks. Since its opening in 2003, the shopping center has received much attention from both local and international visitors. AK Plaza embarked on a new plan to take another leap in December of 2014 after a huge renovation to offer even better shopping experiences for all. At the head of its renewal effort was the opening of the trendy AK &, AK Town and Novotel Ambassador Hotel, which has definitely added extra value and attracted additional visitors to the center.

This latest fashion district that also has dining establishments and many entertainment facilities, including a movie theater, lead to its shopping and culture image. It also makes it a popular place for young adults and teenagers to hang out. In particular is the basement level’s food street, which was designed to look like 1970s Korea, where you can check out all the cool retro artifacts after enjoying your lunch in a restored 1970s bus or train car.

More info

☞ Address: 924 Deogyeong-daero, Paldal-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do (18, Maesanno 1-ga)

☞ Directions: Suwon Station (Seoul Subway Line 1). Follow the passageway connected to the second floor of the plaza.

☞ Website: www.akplaza.com (Korean only)

☞ Inquiries: +82-31-1661-1114

☞ 1330 Korea Travel Hotline: +82-2-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)

Source: http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/

Bingsu, a classic Korean dessert, has been around since the Joseon era and was originally only served in the summer. However, as the summer grew longer and food culture changed, an increasing number of establishments are now selling bingsu year round. Originally, bingsu was just broken up ice topped with red azuki beans. This variety of bingsu is the most representative of Korean bingsu even today, but for young people who like to try new and unique desserts, this may not be enough. Read on for the Korea Tourism Organization’s top nine unique dessert treats in Seoul.

• Danggojip, offering various dango flavors

Danggojip is the only place in Korea that specializes in Japanese dango (also called danja), a type of rice cake made of glutinous rice flour that has been steamed and shaped into round balls, and then served on a skewer. These chewy desserts are often made without a filling, although peanut powder can be sprinkled on top according to one's preference.

The café's most popular item is the cherry blossom bingsu, which is a milk bingsu topped with cherry blossoms, red azuki beans, strawberries, and a pink sauce. The dish is a pleasure to both see and taste. Try their popular bingsu, and if you are still not full, add on one of their dozen varieties of dangos. Some of the café's clientele include artists from the Hongdae area and celebrity actor Cha Seungwon.

Address:(Hongdae branch): 5, Eoulmadang-ro 3-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul

• Sobok, healthy and delicious treats

An establishment that emphasizes natural flavors, Sobok first opened in the Hongik University area in early 2014. They offer fresh and nutty ice cream prepared daily every morning, mixing brown rice and various grains with milk.

In general, bingsu is made with shaved ice topped with various ingredients. In contrast, the bingsu at Sobok is made with grain ice cream topped with small amounts of sweet pumpkin, dried persimmon, rice cakes, grain syrup, and other natural ingredients. Each bowl of bingsu is garnished with a small chrysanthemum flower. The paper bowl the bingsu is served in is also environmentally friendly, as it is made of corn powder.

Address: 58, Eoulmadang-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul

Website: www.sobokorea.com

• Imi, where fresh cream and oranges meet

Imi is located in Seogyo-dong, a quiet neighborhood near Hongik University. This café is run by two brothers, one a barista and the other a baker. Imi serves a one-of-a-kind fresh cream orange bingsu. It is served in a large coffee mug and topped with so much fresh cream, you might mistake it for coffee at first glance. Take a spoonful of it, and you will instantly feel rejuvenated by the refreshing orange taste. Also popular, especially among the young female clientele, is the French-style cake made of oranges and cheese.

Address: 7, Donggyo-ru 25-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul

• Ice Cream Bunggeoppang, a delicious street snack

Bungeoppang, fish-shaped bread filled with red bean paste, is a common winter-time snack in Korea. At A-boong, this treat takes on a new spin during the summer. There are three flavors of ice cream bungeoppang, which became instantly popular online thanks to its pretty and unique shape. The big-size bungeoppang features red azuki beans, fresh cream or sweet potato sauce, and comes topped with ice cream and a skewer of chocolate-covered fruit.

Address: Ehwa University Branch: 10 Ewhayeodae 2-gil, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul

• Penguin Macaron, where lines form in an instant

Penguin Macaroon was the first ice cream shop to offer macaroon ice cream sandwiches in Korea. All the macaroons and ice cream sold at Penguin Macaroon are made the same day. In addition, there is a limited quantitiy of sandwiches sold each day, making these treats a hot commodity. Due to their limited numbers, a long line of people begins to form in front of the store as the store’s opening hour approaches, all hoping to get this sweet and fun morsel.

There are five flavors of ice cream: green tea, fresh cream cheese, strawberry, banana, and chocolate. When you order ice cream, it will be served between the macaroons that go best with it (the colors of the macaroons change every day). Some say that macaroons are too sweet, but eat it with ice cream and you will quickly agree that the two are a perfect match.

Address: Main Branch: 258-15, Changgyeonggung-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Website: www.penguinmacaron.com

• Gaongil, a trip to classic taste

Gaongill is a café similar to Ogada or Tea Oreum. It is a franchise café that sells traditional Korean snacks and beverages. Their traditional bingsu, the most popular menu item, is generously topped with red azuki beans, rice cakes, jujubes, chestnuts, and mung beans. Unique treats on their menu include Sujeonggwa bingsu, royal honey bingsu, and pea bingsu. The pea bingsu features peas boiled in sugar and is quite popular as it is low in calories.

Address: Doosan Tower Branch: 153, Daehang-ro, Jongno, Seoul

• Sammat Hootteok, a cozy and charming snack place

Sammat Hootteok is a snack place run by a young brother-sister duo. By opening this establishment, the pair bet everything on their hotteok, a variety of Korean fritters. Sammat, or three tastes, refers to the three varieties of hotteok filling they serve: red azuki beans, cheese, and seed.

Eventually, the owners developed an ice cream version. The ice hotteok features cold ice cream stuffed inside a hotteok that has just been deep-fried in oil. The taste is beyond description and amazingly good, earning this snack the chance to appear on many TV shows. Also highly recommended is Sammat Hootteok’s tteok-bokki, an all-time favorite Korean snack food, and the Italy hotteok that is full of cheese.

Address: 5, Wangsimni-ro 21-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul

Website: blog.naver.com/sammat1

• Tasting Room, serving elegant ice cream

Tasting Room is a restaurant run by a married couple, one is an architect and one is a lighting designer. The restaurant sells popcorn salt ice cream, which is vanilla ice cream covered in popcorn and served on a chilled dish sprinkled with salt. Dip the ice cream in some salt to enhance its sweetness, but be sure you don’t use too much salt or it will ruin the ice cream’s flavor. This combination of popcorn and ice cream has become more common on the Korean street food scene and you will also find similar ice creams at movie theaters.

Address: COEX Mall Branch: Asem Tower, 524, Bongeunsa-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul

Website: www.tastingroom.co.kr

• Bardot Bars, delicious and decadent ice cream bars

Bardot Bars is a decadent ice cream brand from California. With the motto "We sell Love on a stick," the store's main product is decadent ice cream bars. The shop interior is designed as if selling luxury goods and the packaging is also unique and lavish. The ice cream is coated with Belgium chocolate, while the inside comes in ten or so flavors, including walnut, cheese, and green tea.

The flagship store in Cheongdam-dong is run side by side with Klatch Coffee, a specialty coffee shop from the U.S. Bardot Bars was also featured several times in Korean dramas and Yoon Eun-hye, EXO, and 4minute also filmed here.

Address: 8, Dosan-daero 57-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul

Source: http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/

Poster credit: 2015 Incheon K-POP Concert


2015 Incheon K-pop Concert is to be held on October 17 at Incheon Munhak Sports Complex (Incheon Worldcup Stadium). The concert features 17 famous idol groups, including B1A4, 4minute, U-KISS, Seventeen and more who will present their best performances. In addition, non-verbal musical performance,Bibap and Incheon Food Culture Fair will be showcased for visitors to enjoy various events and attractions.

Seats can be booked through the website and tickets can be picked up on the day of the event. However, the tickets can only be received upon presenting photos taken from main tourist attractions in Incheon or receipts of expenses spent at accommodations and shopping centers in the city. More information on ticketing is available on the official website.


More Info
<2015 Incheon K-POP Concert>
☞ Venue: Incheon Munhak Sports Complex (Incheon Worldcup Stadium)
☞ Date: 18:00-22:00, October 17 (Sat)
* Ticket distribution: ticket booth by Gate A of Incheon Munhak Sports Complex, 09:00-16:00
☞ Website: kpopincheon.com/index (Korean, English)
☞ Inquiries: +82-32-899-7452 (English),
+82-32-899-7454 (Japanese), +82-32-899-7466 (Chinese)
☞ 1330 Korea Travel Hotline: +82-2-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)

Courtesy of Incheon Metropolitan City

Seoul has a great number of downtown areas across the city. In particular, university streets or the so-called ‘towns’ designed near schools are full of liveliness and energy, much thanks to the vast number of young crowd. One good example is the area surrounding Konkuk University Station (Seoul Subway Line 2, 7) located in the east of Seoul, where it has long been serving as a center for commercial activities.

However, the district serves just more than that. Also often referred as Kondae, it provides a chance to see for oneself the fast-changing trends of Korea in all sectors, including fashion, beauty, dining, and more. Hop on a trip to Kondae, the rising hot place among youngsters today!

Common Ground - Shops Packed with Energetic Personality



Common Ground, an eye-catching and large blue building, is the world’s biggest and Korea’s first pop-up container shopping mall. The place is garnering so much attention that the number of visitors exceeded a million in just 100 days since its opening, and has become the new landmark of the Kondae area. Unique and trendy small brands, new designers’ shops, and editorial shops pack the mall, adding to the enthusiasm of the lively youngsters.

On the central square (also known as Market Ground), the weekend market is held with different themes. In addition, it is the venue of diverse events such as exhibitions and performances, thereby playing its role as a cultural space.





If you are hungry while looking around the myriad of shops there, you can go to the Market Terrace, which is just a few steps up to the third floor. The terrace interestingly features a collection of famous restaurants from various parts of the city, such as Hongdae, Gyeongnidan-gil Road, and Sinsadong Garosu-gil Road. If you are up for a lighter meal, you can enjoy some snacks at one of the food trucks found on the Market Ground, where exotic gastronomic performance can also seen!

Star City Mall & Rodeo Street - One Stop Venue for Fashionistas




Star City Mall is a multi-shopping complex that houses a department store, superstore, movie theater, large-scale bookstore, along with a wide array of fashion boutiques and restaurants. In particular, there are many well-known franchise restaurants in the complex, so you can find a satisfying dining experience wherever you choose to go. The back street of Common Ground leads to Rodeo Street, which is flanked by various brands of fashion and sports shops, as well as, restaurants. It is an exceedingly fun experience to scour through alleys after alleys of roadside shops and tasty restaurants. Star City Mall

☞ Address: 262, Achasan-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul
☞ Website: www.starctmall.com (Korean only)
☞ Directions: Konkuk Univ. Station (Seoul Subway Line 2, 7). The mall is directly connected through underground passage.
☞ Operating hours: 10:00-23:00 (the hour varies by stores) Rodeo Street
☞ Address: 200, Achasan-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul
☞ Website: www.common-ground.co.kr (Korean only)
☞ Directions: Konkuk Univ. Station (Seoul Subway Line 2, 7), Exit 6. Walk for about 250m.
☞ Operating hours: 11:00-22:00 (Bars & pubs 11:00-02:00)

Kondae Taste Street - A Mecca for Your Taste Buds




Kondae Taste Street is filled with restaurants serving a diverse assortment of foods that are popular in Korea. Dining choices range from all-time favorite Korean dishes, such as samgyeopsal (grilled pork belly) and galbi (grilled beef ribs), to exotic Western cuisines. You can also find trendy dessert cafés that have recently gained huge popularity. Many of the restaurants and bars stay open till late night, so the street remains illuminated until dawn.
☞ Address: Hwayangdong, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul
☞ Directions: Konkuk Univ. Station (Seoul Subway Line 2, 7), Exit 2. Walk for about 30m. 

Norunsan Golmok Market & Yeongdonggyo Golmok Market
– Traditional Markets in Urban Areas

Now it’s time for a look around the heartwarming traditional markets hidden in the golmok (golmok means small streets in Korean), instead of the high-end shopping malls. Located about 10 minutes’ walking distance from Konkuk University Station are Norunsan Golmok Market and Yeongdonggyo Golmok Market, where you can purchase food as well as variety of inexpensive household items.

Savory snacks sold at reasonable prices lure travelers to try them and before you know, you will find yourself feeling full as you try one snack after another. Visitors are advised to bring cash as cards are not always accepted here.




☞ Address:
Norunsan Golmok Market - 491, Ttukseom-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul
Yeongdonggyo Golmok Market – Behind Norunsan Golmok Market
☞ Directions: Konkuk Univ. Station (Seoul Subway Line 2, 7), Exit 5. Walk for about 900m.

Ttukseom Hangang Park - Free Sightseeing along Hangang River




About a 15-minute walk or a one station ride on the subway from Konkuk University Station will take you toTtukseom Hangang Park, an ideal place to take in the gorgeous view of the Hangang River. The park serves as a resting place for the citizens of Seoul. On weekdays or weeknights, many visitors flock to the park to enjoy a leisure picnic. Bicycle rentals are available year round and the park opens an outdoor swimming pool in the summer and an ice skating rink in the winter.

The exquisitely unique structure that stands out even from a distance is a cultural complex called Jabeolle or J-Bug. It has become the symbol of Ttukseom Hangang Park and visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of the Hangang River, which is both a getaway spot and a residential site for Seoulites. The cultural complex also offers a variety of culture and art events free of charge.
☞ Address: 428, Jayang-dong, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul
☞ Directions: Ttukseom Park Station (Seoul Subway Line 7), Exit 3 

Children’s Grand Park - An Encounter with Nature in Downtown




Children’s Grand Park is where you can experience a wide stretch of nature in the downtown. Visitors will be amazed to find out what they can enjoy, free of charge. The park has a well-kept botanical garden and zoo, along with its picturesque scenery. The botanical garden features some 290 species of greenhouse plants and over 70 species of wild flowers, while the zoo is home to more than 4,100 animals of 95 different species, including elephants, tigers, and meerkats. The rides within the park are available at additional costs. Seoul Children’s Museum is also a must-visit attraction for visitors with children as it offers a range of hands-on activities and fun educational programs.
☞ Address: 216, Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul
☞ Website: www.sisul.or.kr (Korean, English)
☞ Directions: Children's Grand Park Station (Seoul Subway Line 7), Exit 1.
☞ Operating hours: 05:00~22:00 (Zoo 09:00-17:00 / Botanical Garden 09:00-18:00)
☞ Admission: Free

Source: http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/