7

Getting there
Qantas, Asiana and Korean Air fly direct
from Sydney to Seoul.

Stay
Four Seasons Hotel SeoulLocated in
the CBD, which might lack charm but
is convenient for sightseeing, this is an
exceptional hotel, with views across the
city and mountains, seven restaurants
and bars, helpful staf, and a Korean
sauna.97 Saemunan-ro, Jongno-gu,
+82 2 6388 5000, fourseasons.com/seoul
Signiel SeoulThe city’s newest luxury
ofering is perched on the 76th floor
and above in Lotte World Tower, the
world’s fifth-tallest building. Rooms
are spacious and make for a tranquil,
grown-up retreat from the city below.
76F-101F, 300 Olympic-ro, Songpa-gu,
+82 2 3213 1000, lottehotel.com/signielseoul

Eat
JungsikChef Jungsik Yim practically
invented modern Korean cuisine, and his
refined French-Korean fusion continues
to attract a moneyed international crowd
in the heart of fashionable Gangnam.
11 Seolleungro 158-gil, Gangnam-gu,
+82 2 517 4654, jungsik.kr
MokmyeoksanbangThis mountain
house specialises in bibimbap. Don’t
miss the acorn jelly salad for a traditional
taste of Korea.627 Namsangongwon-gil,
Jung-gu, +82 2 318 4790
Balwoo GongyangSeasonal vegetarian
fare is served in sparse private dining
rooms, prepared by monks from an
adjacent temple.56 Ujeongguk-ro,
Jongno-gu, +82 2 733 2081, balwoo.or.kr
Byeok-je GalbiThis highly regarded
chain specialises in beef ribs seared
over coals at the table. Also try the
vinegary Pyeongyang cold buckwheat
noodles, a North Korean favourite.
13-20 Changcheon-dong, Seodaemun-gu,
+82 2 392 8308, ibjgalbi.com
Yu YuanUpscale Cantonese restaurant
evoking 1920s Shanghai in the Four
Seasons, specialising in Peking duck.

Drink
Charles H.A New York-style speakeasy
bar with a Korean twist in the basement
of the Four Seasons has become the
city’s premier cocktail destination.
The Manhattan flight is particularly

well done.97 Saemunan-ro, Jongno-

gu,+82 2 6388 5000, fourseasons.com/

seoul/dining/lounges/charles_h/

Gwangjang Night MarketThis is where

locals come to relax, enjoying excellent

street food and plenty of drinks at trestle

tables.88 Changgyeonggung-ro,

Jongno-gu

AliceThis lounge-style bar serves

whimsical cocktails and equally outré

bar snacks such as caramel Pringles.

47 Dosandaero 55-gil, Gangnam-gu,

+82 2 511 8420, alicecheongdam.com

Shop

Garosugil“Café street”, as locals call it,

is lined with ginkgo trees and has some

of the city’s most interesting shopping.

At Line Friends Café & Store, emojis are

transformed into plush toys; hand cream

becomes high art at Tamburins.

National Souvenir CenterThis

government-run operation selects the

best versions of Korean handicrafts

including taekwondo socks, silver

teapots, mother-of-pearl wares, pottery

and textiles.14 Insadong 5-gil, Jongno-gu,

+82 2 756 3361, en.souvenir.or.kr

Stylenanda Pink HotelA high-tech, pink

concept store featuring on-trend denim

and cosmetics, as well as a fairy-floss

café stafed by K-pop lookalikes.

37-8 Myeongdong 8-gil, Chungmuro 2,

Jung-gu, +82 2 752 4546, stylenanda.com

See

Bukchon Hanok VillageThis upper-class

area once reserved for military oicials

is filled with traditional houses, charming

street scenes and city views.

Gyeongbokgung PalaceEstablished

in 1395 as the main palace of the

Joseon Dynasty, its gardens, filled

with lotus ponds and cherry blossoms,

are particularly pretty. The National

Palace Museum shows household

goods from the Royal Court.

161 Sajik-ro, Jongno-gu

Dongdaemun Design PlazaA Zaha

Hadid-designed exhibition centre

in the heart of the fashion district,

surrounded by malls that open until

5am daily.D281 Eulji-ro, Jung-gu,

+82 2 2153 0000, ddp.or.kr

More

visitkorea.org.au

Trip

notes

GOURMET TRAVELLER 143