This article is intended to provide an overview of Seoul for those of you who are not really familiar with Seoul. Also, if you are looking for information to do your homework, such as the population and size of Seoul, you won’t find any in this. Instead, what you can expect is a brief overview of key areas in Seoul that, if you visit Seoul, you should definitely not miss out on.

Center

This is one of the oldest and most developed areas of Seoul. The palaces of the ancient Chosun dynasty still remain here. In the center of the city, you will find not only a busy commercial district where the ‘suits’ busily walk to advance the economy of this country, but also a vibrant commercial district and many places to enjoy Korean cuisine and other international cuisines.

Myeong-dong

Mye0ng-dong is where you will find a large area of ​​shops and eating shelters hidden behind the oldest skyscrapers that powered South Korea during the 70s and 80s. It is also a street for young people, especially on weekends when the suits are off the street. So what’s good here? Well, the best thing to do is to shop for clothes and taste some well-known Korean restaurants that are 50 years old or older.

Insa-dong

Insa-dong is the place where traditional Korea is found. Its streets are lined with places that sell and display traditional Korean arts and crafts. It is also famous for having many art galleries. Your best option in Insa-dong is to try traditional Korean food and tea while shopping for small souvenirs for your friends and family back home.

Samcheong-dong

Samcheong-dong is where you will find an eclectic collection of restaurants and cafes representing traditional Korean and Western cuisine. It’s a bit difficult to get to Samcheong-dong as the nearest subway station will still leave you a 10-minute walk away. Samcheong-dong is home to small art galleries and fancy little restaurants.

Hongdae

Hongdae is considered a symbol of the youth of Korea. It is located near 4 well-known colleges and is home to youthful indulgence – rocking, dancing, drinking, and having fun. Friday nights are ‘club day’ and you can easily identify lineup after lineup of young people trying to break into their favorite clubs. Friday nights in Hongdae don’t end until the sun goes down.

Eating in Hongdae is also one of the must-see experiences. All Hongdae restaurants have evolved to cater for young taste buds and light pockets. That is, you will find the tastiest and cheapest places in Soeul to satisfy your taste buds and fill your stomach.

Sinchon

Sinchon ranks between two of the best universities in Korea: Yonsei University and Ehwa Woman University. If you think that means that the neighborhood would be populated with bookstores and libraries, you are completely wrong.

Sinchon is full of small shops catering to female students who are extremely interested in accessories and dressing well. The items are sometimes original, sometimes fake, but most of the time they are cheap and pretty.

Sinchon is also the place where alcohol reaches the bodies of Korean students. You can’t walk a hundred meters without going through 30 bars, izayakas, hofs or pochas (all are places where alcohol consumption is your main business).

Garosugil

Garosugil, which means a tree-lined street, is where the young and the hip meet for dinner and espresso. The tree-lined street is also lined with shops and excellent restaurants that are more European than almost anywhere else in Seoul. On a sunny weekend day, the street fills with well-dressed young ladies who gather to enjoy international cuisine and their dose of expensive caffeine.

Cheongdam-dong

Cheongdam-dong is also known as the Beverly Hills of Seoul. As the name implies, it is a shopping district where, if you have the means, you can immerse yourself in the life of luxury with brands like Chanel, Gucci, D&G, Prada, Armani and more available at a slow pace from each other. Cheongdam-dong also offers some of the best dining experiences you will have in all of Korea. As it caters to the younger (20 ~ 40) wealthy segment of Seoul’s upper class, you won’t always find restaurants with stiff upper lips that insist on tradition. Rather, you will find excellent fusion restaurants that infuse various styles from the West and the East, the old and the young. However, be careful, as the prices will be high. Luxury is not cheap!

Itaewon

Itaewon was formed long ago when the only foreign presence in Seoul was that of the US Army stationed near Itaewon. Itaewon was formed due to its proximity to the base to entertain and serve US military personnel stationed in Seoul. However, many things have changed since then. Yes, Itaewon is still frequented by US military personnel, but now it’s going through something of a renaissance as the international district of Korea.

At Itaewon, you will find the best (or most authentic) international cuisine in all of Seoul. The variety of food you can find is wide, from the Middle East to Belgium. It is also home to many expat bars where you will find the atmosphere of the pub next door and the nachos and buffalo wings just as they are made at home.

In Itaewon, you will also find many small shops for clothing, leather goods, and souvenirs to take home. (If you search hard enough, you will also find very real fake luxury items.)