The City That Never Sleeps

OFFICIAL TOURIST GUIDE ’s Top Night-time Picks ...... 04 CNN once stated that sleeping in Seoul is for losers. City Center: City Hall, Myeong-dong, Euljiro, Namdaemun Market...... 06 With so much to do in Korea's capital after sundown, Palace Quarter:., , Insa-dong, Bukchon ...... 10 they argued, hitting the pillow could only be a waste of time. Dongdaemun & Around:.Dongdaemun Market ...... 14 For Seoul is a new world at night: as its glittering lights pop on to University Quarter:.Hongik Univ., Sinchon, Ewha Womans Univ...... 18 hail the onset of evening, a whole other urban landscape awakes Yongsan:.Itaewon ...... 22 where shining shopping malls, steamy saunas, and lively clubs Gangnam:.Apgujeong-dong, Cheongdam-dong, Sinsa-dong, Seocho ...... 26 and bars can be enjoyed round the clock. Relish the refreshing Seoul Travel Information ...... 30 breeze while cycling along the riverbanks at night, and when hunger calls, enjoy a generous and delicious late night meal. Seoul — the city that never sleeps — shows a beautiful new side at night, and is full of shimmering and mesmerizing lights. Seoul Never Sleeps

Seoul: The City That Never Sleeps

Publishing Date JanuaryFebruary 2014 2014 Published Published by by Seoul Seoul Metropolitan Metropolitan Government, Government, Tourism BusinessPolicy Division Division Planning Planning & Design& Design Design Design Soomokwon Soomokwon * For further information on Seoul Tourism, visit our website (www.visitseoul.net) or mobile application iTourSeoul.i Tour Seoul. · The shops recommended in this guide book have been carefully selected by a panel ofby expertsa panel andof experts consultants and consultants in the field. in the field. · Copyrights to content and images in this book belong to Seoul Metropolitan Government and pertaining organizations and individuals. This book may not be reproduced in part or in whole without the express permission of the copyright owners.

©Korea Tourism Organization 2 3 S eoul’s Top Night-time Picks 1 2 3 4 5 Hot Nights at Night Shopping for Music, Drinks, Tasting the Traditional Korean Hongdae’s Hottest Full Fashion and Gangnam Style World at Itaewon’s Music for Passionate Clubs at Dongdaemun Bars Late-night Modern Audiences see p19 see p15 see p28 Restaurants see p7 see p25

©Korea Tourism Organization ©Korea Tourism Organization ©Korea Tourism Organization ©Korea Tourism Organization

©Korea Tourism Organization ©Korea Tourism Organization ©Korea Tourism Organization ©Korea Tourism Organization 6 7 8 9 10 Getting the Star See Seoul’s Colorful Discover Traditional Sing and Dance Soak in the Stunning Night Views of Treatment: a Night Lights aboard Korean Spirits and Like a Star the Hangang River Massage a Cruise Ship Cuisine at a karaoke see p29 at a Jjimjilbang see p30 see p13 see p21 (Korean Spa) see p24

4 5 City Center City must Center do

City Hall, Myeong-dong, Euljiro, Namdaemun Market

The true historical heart of Seoul, with City Hall Where standing at its center. Spend the day at Myeong-dong or Namdaemun Market, then enjoy tradition a fabulous dinner and dessert at the new landmark Office Building Arcade. Traditional Nanta and Another great option is to watch performances of This non-verbal performance is based on the modernity modern reinterpretations of traditional Korean Korean Music traditional Korean rhythms of samulnori. music. Or visit the N Seoul Tower Observatory, for Passionate Myeong-dong Nanta Theater co-exist where the entire city can be seen glittering after ..Premium 70,000 won, VIP 60,000 won, S-Seats 50,000 dark. Modern won, A-Seats 40,000 won ..5pm, 8pm (100 minutes) Audiences ..Euljiro 1(il)ga Stn (Line 2), 5-minute walk from Exits 5 or 6 ..02-739-8288 ..http://nanta.i-pmc.co.kr 26, Myeongdong-gil, Jung-gu Recommended Course Dinner at Office Building Arcade Miso Catch a performance or visit Deoksugung Palace A traditional arts performance that unfolds See Seoul from the N Seoul Tower Observatory like a drama, featuring Korean dance, instrumentals, and folk dances such as pungmulnori, pansori, and more. .R-Seats 50,000 won, S-Seat 40,000 won ..4pm, 8pm (80 minutes, no performances on Mondays) ..City Hall Stn (Lines 1,2) Exits 1 or 12, Seodaemun Stn (Line 5) Exit 5, walk 5 minutes .02-751-1500 ..http://www.chongdong.com 43, Jeongdong-gil, Jung-gu

Take an evening Deoksugung Palace This palace is the only one in Seoul to stroll at a regularly remain open late at night. Its architecture spans traditional Korean Royal Palace through to recognizably-modern designs. There are live performances of traditional ©Korea Tourism Organization Korean arts (song, dance, and music) every Thursday from May through September at Jeonggwanheon, where Gojong, Korea’s last king and first emperor, often used to rest. ..1,000 won for adults above 25 years old (500 won for foreign visitors 7-24 years old) .9am-9pm (Closed on Mondays) ..City Hall Stn (Lines 1,2), 5-minute walk from Exits 1 or 2 ..02-751-0734 ..http://www.deoksugung.go.kr 99, Sejong-daero, Jung-gu ©Korea Tourism Organization 6 7 City Center City Center must must eat see ©Korea Tourism Organization Eat kalguksu Myeong-dong Gyoja In business since 1966, this restaurant was and dumplings one of CNN’s “50 reasons why Seoul is the world’s greatest city” in 2011. at Myeong-dong .Kalguksu 8,000 won, Dumplings 8,000 won .10:30am-9:30pm ... Gyoja (Closed on Lunar New Years Day and Chuseok) ..Myeongdong Stn (Line 4), 5-minute walk from Exit 8 ..02-776-5348 29, Myeongdong 10-gil, Jung-gu

©Korea Tourism Organization Visitors to the Cheonggyecheon Stream N Seoul Tower Dine at the Office between Euljiro 2-ga and Euljiro 3-ga subway See Seoul’s Night stations will not fail to notice a long line of tall Located atop Seoul’s centrally-placed Building Arcade skyscrapers by the urban waterway. Within their Lights from Namsan Mountain, N Seoul Tower is the walls can be found many of Seoul’s famous city’s most iconic landmark, allowing visitors restaurants and cafés serving everything from N Seoul Tower to enjoy spectacular panoramic views of the Korean, Chinese and Japanese to Thai and capital. Italian. Expect impeccable service and a great ..Observatory: Adults·Youths 9,000 won, evening’s dining. Seniors·Children 7,000 won Combined entry to the Observatory and Alive Museum: Adults·Youths 15,000 won, Center One Building Seniors·Children 11,000 won .Varies ... by restaurant, though most operate until 10pm . Observatory 10am-11pm (Saturdays 10am-12am), (Closed during Lunar New Years and Chuseok holidays) Restaurants 11am-11pm (Some from 10am-10pm), ..Euljiro 1(il)ga Stn (Line 2), 5-minute walk from Exits 3 or 4 Alive Museum 10am-9:30pm Top Restaurants: Gosang, Chai 797, Blooming Garden, ..Namsan Sunhwan Shuttle Bus 2·3·5, or take the Warai, Noodle Box, Tomatillo, Gangnam Namsan Cable Car Gyoja ..02-3455-9277 Ferrum Tower ..http://www.nseoultower.co.kr ..105, Namsangongwon-gil, Yongsan-gu ..Varies by restaurant, though most operate until 10pm (Closed during Lunar New Years and Chuseok holidays) ..Euljiro 1(il)ga Stn (Line 2), 5-minute walk from Exits 3 or 4 Top Restaurants: Paul Bassett Espresso, Yamaya, Manten Boshi, Pho Bay, Menmusha, Hanilkwan Pine Avenue ..Varies by restaurant, though most operate until 10pm (Closed during Lunar New Years and Chuseok holidays) ..Euljiro 3(sam)ga Stn (Lines 2, 3), 2-minute walk from Exit 12 Top Restaurants: Changgo 43 - Specializing in Korean beef, Bentorang - specializing in Japanese lunch boxes, Ogada - Korean herbal tea café Seoul, My Story Signature Tower ..Varies by restaurant, though most operate until 10pm When thinking of somewhere to enjoy a night view of Seoul, (Closed during Lunar New Years and Chuseok holidays) the first place that comes to mind for most people - including ..Euljiro 3(sam)ga Stn (Lines 2, 3), 5-minute walk from Exit 1 myself - is N Seoul Tower. Also, because it is so popular, Top Restaurants: La Citta, Brunch Café, London Tea, Hako, China Story, Pho Bay, O’Sulloc the place is always filled with life. Tea House RAVIPA CHONGVERUWON From Thailand

8 9 Palace Quarter Palace must Quarter do

Gwanghwamun, Jongno, Insa-dong, Bukchon

Spread in front of majestic Gyeongbokgung Seoul’s Oldest Palace, Gwanghwamun and Cheonggye Square mark the beginning of the Street Cheonggyecheon Stream. Here, Seoul’s historical character has been well ©Korea Tourism Organization preserved, including the Joseon-era palaces like Gyeongbokgung itself, and a hanok (traditional Korean housing) village. Take a night-time Cheonggyecheon Stream This translucent stream, flowing through stroll through central Seoul, offers a walking trail ideal for strolling at night. The tasteful and subdued the city along the lighting along the stream illuminates the city’s Recommended Course history and stories as seen in murals along the Gwanghwamun Square Cheonggyecheon way, as well as the various wetlands dotted Cheonggyecheon Stream by night Stream throughout the urban landscape. Visitors can also enjoy laser light shows at the Digital Traditional Korean meal and spirits Garden or get romantic at the Proposal Wall, where couples frequently pop the question. .Free .[Digital Garden] Dec-Feb 6pm-8pm, Mar, Apr, Oct, Nov 7pm-9pm, May-Sep 8pm-10pm [Proposal Wall] Mar-Dec on Wed-Sat 6:40pm-10pm .Jonggak Stn (Line 1) Exits 4, 5; City Hall Stn (Lines 1, 2) Exit 4, Euljiro 1(il)ga Stn (Line 2) Exits 2, 3; Gwanghwamun (Sejong Center for the Performing Arts) Stn (Line 5) 3-minute walk from Exit 5; Dongdaemun History & Culture Park (Lines 2, 4, 5) Exits 1-14 .02-2290-7111 .http://www.cheonggyecheon.or.kr To propose at the Proposal Wall http://propose.sisul.or.kr

Watch a Sejong Center for the performance at the Performing Arts Located off Gwanghwamun Square, the Sejong Center Sejong Center is Korea’s top performing arts venue open every day of the year, offering a wide range of shows. The Center has a total of three state-of-the-art concert halls, including a Grand Theater that can seat up to 3,000 guests on three floors. An ensemble affiliated with Seoul City (Traditional Music Orchestra, Seoul City Dance, Opera, Orchestra, Chorus, and etc.) offers an ongoing series of high- quality performances at regular intervals. .Gwanghwamun (Sejong Center for the Performing Arts) Stn (Line 5), 5-minute walk from Exits 1, 8 .02-399-1114–6 .http://www.sejongpac.or.kr .. 175, Sejong-daero, Jongno-gu ©Korea Tourism Organization 10 11 The Stories of King Sejong and Discover Baekseju Maeul Admiral Yi Sunsin Traditional Korean This bar-restaurant serves traditional Korean This exhibition hall showcases the lives and achievements rice wines produced by the brewer of two of Korea’s greatest figures: King Sejong, who Spirits and Cuisine Kooksoondang. Menu items include oversaw the invention of hangeul, the Korean alphabet, and luxurious rice wine (or ale) and makgeolli Yi Sunsin, the nation’s most celebrated naval commander. cocktails, served with traditional Korean Information is freely available in five languages: Korean, seasonal sides as well as a variety of fusion English, Japanese, Chinese, and Spanish. There are also dishes. The tables next to the windows are free hands-on programs for international tourists, including popular, overlooking the scenic Bosingak. card-making, letter-writing, and writing names in hangeul. .4:30pm-12am .Jonggak Stn (Line 1), 5-minute walk from Exit 4 10, Ujeongguk-ro 2-gil, Jongno-gu ..Free ..11am-10:30pm, 4D Experience Hall 11am-9pm (Closed on Mondays) *Last entry at 10pm Pub of the Blue Star ..Sejong Center for the Performance Arts Second Basement Floor, accessible from Gwanghwamun Square This pub is located in a remodeled hanok ..02-399-1114-6 (traditional Korean home). Worn wallpaper, ..http://www.sejongstory.or.kr old movie posters and antiques placed Jiha175, Sejong-daero, Jongno-gu here and there create a unique atmosphere. The pub serves makgeolli (rice liquor) and schisandra wine made using traditional Palace Quarter brewing methods from a farm house in Gangwon-do. Sundubu (soft tofu) and jeon (pancakes) are popular side dishes. must .4:30pm-12am .Anguk Stn (Line 3), 5-minute walk from Exit 6 17-1, Insadong 16-gil, Jongno-gu eat Ssaripmuneul Milgo Deuleoseoni (Upon Entering a Thatched Gate) This bar, serving traditional spirits, is popular for its pine dongdongju (rice liquor similar to makgeolli), made using freshly-ground pine needles. The interior is decorated like an old- style Korean home where guests sit on the floor. There are also traditional Korean musical instruments such as gayageum and daebuk on display that further add to the vintage décor; ©Korea Tourism Organization sometimes the owner even plays them for the guests! .3pm-12am .Jonggak Stn (Line 1), 5-minute walk from Dine Around the Sejong Center Exit 3 15-11, Insadong-gil, Jongno-gu The Sejong Center is located near several Like a Local government buildings, the National Museum of Korean Contemporary History, and several newspapers. Catering to the many white Seoul, My Story collar workers to be found here is a selection There was a full moon over the Cheonggyecheon Stream, where many of excellent restaurants in the alleys behind different people from different backgrounds were passing by and the Center. Although some may look shabby enjoying one of the last warm nights of the year. There were office from the outside, they attract long lines during employees who had come here to relax after a busy day. Children were meal hours filled with workers waiting to eat playing near the water accompanied by their parents, who were busy kimchijjigae (kimchi stew), sundaeguk (blood worrying they didn’t fall into the gushing stream. Beautiful young sausage soup), gulgukbap (oyster soup), couples, completely in love, were engulfed within their own universe and budaejjigae (army base stew) and the like. not paying attention to anyone besides themselves. Birds were flying in the evening sky and even the fish could be seen in the lucid waters. ..Hours vary by restaurant, though most are open until 10pm SALAMAT SADYKOVA From Kyrgyzstan ..Gwanghwamun (Sejong Center for the Performing Arts) Stn (Line 5), Exits 1,8

12 13 Dongdaemun & Around Dongdaemun must & Around do

Dongdaemun Market

After midnight is when Dongdaemun Market Shop until really comes to life, a time when business seems to pick up in earnest. Because you drop at Dongdaemun is the epicenter of Korea’s fashion industry, any item related to fashion can be ©Korea Tourism Organization this all-night purchased here. In fact, there are so many large- fashion town scale shopping complexes in the area that it is better to pick out one or two suitable to one’s Night Shopping Dongdaemun Fashion Town tastes rather than trying to see all of them. From product design to production and The area is packed with simple meal choices for Full Fashion sales, Dongdaemun is the heart of the for late-night snacking, including topokki and Korean fashion industry. Anything related to at Dongdaemun fashion may be purchased here. Recently shish-kebabs. When shopping begins to take the area has seen a surge of up-and-coming its toll, then a massage at a 24-hour young designers that have set up shop and jjimjilbang (Korean spa) or watching a movie at the area has been receiving the attention of an all-night movie theater is recommended. the city’s most ardent fashionistas. Various events such as fashion shows, dance competitions and B-boy shows are held Recommended Course often, and when hunger calls one can simply Shop for clothing and accessories enjoy a meal at one of the pojangmacha (tented street restaurants). Dine at a pojangmacha (tented street restaurant) ..Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Stn (Lines 2, 4, 5); Relax at a jjimjilbang (Korean spa) nearby Dongdaemun Stn (Lines 1, 4) ..http://www.dft.co.kr

For first-time shoppers in Dongdaemun: Migliore Dongdaemun’s leading fashion mall. This shopping mall is suitable for beginners because prices are fixed. ..10:30am-4:30am (Closed on Mondays) ..Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Stn (Lines 2, 4, 5), 5-minute walk from Exit 14 ..02-3393-0001 263, Jangchungdan-ro, Jung-gu

Doota Shopping mall, specializing in up-and- coming designer boutiques ..10:30am-5am; Mondays 7pm-5am; Sundays 10:30am- 11pm (Closed Sundays 11pm to Mondays 7pm, also during Lunar New Year and Chuseok holidays) ..Dongdaemun Stn (Lines 1, 4), 5-minute walk from Exit 8 ..02-3398-3333 ..http://www.doota.com ©Korea Tourism Organization 275, Jangchungdan-ro, Jung-gu

14 15 Dongdaemun & Around For shopping and more: Hello APM Dakhanmari Kalguksu Features many small-scale select must (Whole chicken and noodles) merchandisers. There are also live This is a type of baeksuk (boiled meat dish) performances every weekend at the outdoor featuring an entire chicken boiled together stage near the entrance. eat with potatoes, spring onions, and tteok (rice ..10:30am-5am (Closed on Tuesdays) cakes). In general, once all of the chicken ..Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Stn (Lines 2, 4, 5), has been eaten, hand-kneaded noodles are 5-minute walk from Exit 14 Must-try late cooked in the remaining broth as a second ..02-6388-1114 course. Koreans also like to add garlic sauce, ..http://www.helloapm.com 253, Jangchungdan-ro, Jung-gu night menu at kimchi and other seasonings to the soup. The restaurant Jinokhwa Halmae, open since 1978, Dongdaemun was included in the Michelin guide for Korea. .11am-10:30pm .Dongdaemun Stn (Lines 1, 4), Goodmorning City Market 5-minute walk from Exit 9 Shopping mall - try a jjimjilbang (Korean (Spicy mixed noodles) spa) or visit a multiplex movie theater. Bibim Guksu ..10:30am-4:30am (Closed on Tuesdays) This canteen has received much fanfare over ..Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Stn (Lines 2, 4, 5), the years, and is located on the basement 5-minute walk from Exit 14 floor of Jeil Pyeong Hwa Market. It is highly ..02-2118-8700 popular, with lines of people waiting to eat ..http://www.goodct.co.kr its signature noodles with spicy and sour 247, Jangchungdan-ro, Jung-gu sauce 24 hours a day. Since the restaurant is small, it is considered proper etiquette to fin- ©Korea Tourism Organization ish one’s meal in 20 minutes or less to make way for other customers. .Always open .Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Stn (Lines 2, 4, 5), 10-minute walk from Exit 1; Located on the basement floor of Jeil Pyeong Hwa Market

Topokki and Eomuk, Various Shish-Kebabs Synonymous with easy-to-eat street food. Popular with Koreans of all ages, topokki (spicy For shoppers more familiar Designer Club soft rice cake), eomuk (fish cake) and grilled with Dongdaemun: shish-kebabs can be spotted frequently on Shopping mall, specializing in large-size Seoul’s streets, where topokki is often eaten clothing, general merchandise and together with eomuk soup. Grilled shish-kebabs © K accessories. Especially popular with women o re of chicken, rice cakes or dongaseu and other in their 30s. a T our options with spicy and sweet gochujang (Korean ism Organization ..8pm-7am (Closed on Saturdays) chili paste) are especially recommended. ..Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Stn (Lines 2, 4, 5), 5-minute walk from Exit 2 ..02-2237-2503 72, Eulji-ro 45-gil, Jung-gu Seoul, My Story Straight from a 4-hour flight we are all tired and starving. So we started our Nuzzon night with a street food stall hopping in and around the Dongdaemun night Shopping mall specializing in women’s market area. We had topokki (Spicy Rice Cake), one of the staple Korean apparel. The handmade shoes on the fourth street foods. Rice cakes cooked in chili paste. It was so good and perfect for floor are especially popular. the weather. Coming from a tropical country makes us limited to winter ..8pm-8am (Closed on Saturdays, Lunar New Year holiday clothes but it was never a problem because Dongdaemun night market has period, Chuseok holiday period) ..Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Stn (Lines 2, 4, 5), the answers to all we need. Open til 4am the next morning, you’ll be going 5-minute walk from Exit 2 gaga over the hundreds of shops to choose from. ..02-6366-3110 ANGELO CARLO CATIVO From the Philippines ..http://www.nuzzon.co.kr 62, Eulji-ro 45-gil, Jung-gu

16 17 University Quarter Hongdae is a major hotspot for Korean club University must culture. During bulgeum, the Korean slang for “fiery Fridays” (roughly similar to TGIF) and Saturdays, visitors will be able to see do clubbers lining the streets hoping to enter Quarter one of the many establishments. The best time to visit is after midnight until 2-3am. All the latest hip hop, electronic and house Hongik Univ., Sinchon, Ewha Womans Univ. music will be spinning for dancers all through the night. This is the place to find youth culture cel- Round-the- ebrated by all the senses. Some of Seoul’s Bahia (Salsa) best universities are also to be found in Hot Nights at ..Admission 5,000 won clock dancing the area, so it is full of great clubs, bars, ..Mon-Thu 8pm-12am, Fri 8pm-6am, Sat 8pm-2am Hongik Univ. Stn (Line 2, Gyeongui Line, A’REX), and boutiques ideal for those in their 20s Hongdae’s Hottest .. and music in 5-minute walk from Exit 9 or 30s. The area around Sinchon or Ehwa Clubs ..02-393-0127 between clubs University is ideal for shoppers looking for 38, Hongik-ro 6-gil, Mapo-gu beauty-related goods or services. Hong- Club Cocoon and cafés dae’s clubs and live cafés, Seoul’s mecca ..Admission 15,000 won (20,000 won after 11pm) for Indie music, are a must-visit. There are ..9pm-5am many unique cafés in this area due to the ..Hongik Univ. Stn (Line 2, Gyeongui Line, A’REX), 10-minute walk from Exit 9 co-development of street and café cultures. 31, Wausan-ro 21-gil, Mapo-gu Club Mansion ..Admission 20,000 won ※Free entry before midnight with reservations; after midnight 10,000 won ..Wed-Thu 8pm-6am, Fri-Sat 10pm-6am ..Hapjeong Stn (Lines 2, 6), 8-minute walk from Exit 3 ..010-9740-4015 32, Jandari-ro, Mapo-gu Macondo (Salsa) Recommended Course ..Admission 7,000 won ..Mon-Thu 7:30pm-11:30pm, Fri-Sat 7:30pm-5am Seonyudo Park ..Hongik Univ. Stn (Line 2, Gyeongui Line, A’REX), walk 5 Sangsu-dong Café Street minutes from Exit 9 ..010-6655-0956 Clubs around Hongik University 20, Yanghwa-ro 18an-gil, Mapo-gu M2 ..Admission Sun-Thu 10,000 won; Fri-Sat 20,000 won ..Sun-Tue 9:30pm-5am, Wed-Thu 9:30pm-6am, Fri-Sat 9:30-7am ..Hapjeong Stn (Lines 2, 6), 10-minute walk from Exit 3 ..02-3143-7573 20-5, Jandari-ro, Mapo-gu

©Mapo-gu ©Korea Tourism Organization 18 19