Seongsu-dong is one of the most tagged location in Instagram in 2022, proving itself as currently the most trending neighborhood in Korea. World-famous luxury brands as well as up-and-coming local brand stores and select shops have settled in Seongsu-dong, making it a shopper’s haven. Exploring themed cafés and restaurants that serve delectable desserts and foods is another great way to enjoy what Seongsu-dong has to offer.

Another perk of Seongsu-dong is handmade shoes shopping. Handmade shoes business has deep roots in Seongsu-dong and you’ll find many well-established shoe shops scattered around the area. If you’re interested in finding or ordering one-of-a-kind shoes just for you, take the subway to Seongsu Station and take Exit 3 or 4 to find hipster shoe stores and workshops clustered together.

Recommended spots

Daelim Changgo Gallery

• 
• 

Daelim Changgo Gallery best represents the modern transformation of Seongsu-dong, which was once accepted as an industrial zone. A café and gallery renovated from a warehouse, Daelim Changgo Gallery has a unique atmosphere created by preserving the raw and bold interior from its original form. The unusual blend of exhibitions taking place in a café that resembles a warehouse pretty much sums up Seonsu-dong’s quirky charms!

Seongsu Yeonbang

Seongsu Yeongbang is a multipurpose culture center renovated from an old factory. The building is filled with diverse shops and stores ranging from handmade caramel shop, lifestyle select store, jewelry shop, cafés and restaurants. The most iconic shop can be found on the 3rd floor, a popular eco-friendly greenhouse café named Cheonsang Gaok. Seongsu Yeonbang has also earned some fame among K-pop fans for it was used as a birthday party event venue for Jimin of BTS.

Munchies and Goodies

• 
• 

Munchies and Goodies is a bakery and wine shop popular for its signature salted butter rolls, called sogeumppang in Korean. The salted butter rolls come out at 11:00 and 15:00, and both times usually require lining up by the store. The store has no seats inside and offers only take-out. Another dessert that’s worth a try is the shop’s original tigré, made using Korea’s traditional sweets called yakgwa (honey cookie).

DOOR to Seongsu

• 
• 

DOOR to Seongsu is a premium flagship store opened by the convenience store brand GS25. DOOR to Seongsu appeals to consumers through a unique concept that separates itself from regular convenience stores. The most eye-catching difference is the Drinking Zone where customers can enjoy a variety of beer and wine on tap. The store also sells bread and chicken that are prepared on a daily basis as well as their bestselling products. With chairs and tables, the store feels like a café by night and a bar by night.

LCDC Seoul

Once a building with a shoemaking factory and an auto repair shop, LCDC Seoul has transformed the place into a trending multipurpose culture center. The building’s façade shows a glimpse of the mini plaza encircled by concrete walls with stairways in between, which all make up to turning this place a reputed Instagrammable photo spot. Inside the building, you’ll find several quirky and adorable shops including select shops, cafés, and a rooftop bar. Seasonal pop-up stores that open occasionally are also fun to look around.

Onion Seongsu

• 
• 

Onion Seongsu is a bakery café renovated from a 1970s building that received much attention for its unique interior and tasty baked goods. Onion Seongsu added transparent glasses and metal frames onto the original old framework for an overall vintage look with a modern touch. You can try a variety of breads and desserts here, from ang-butter bread (red bean paste butter bread) that uses handmade red bean paste and chewy rye ciabatta to sweet, soft Pandoro.

Magpie&Tiger Seongsu Tea Room

• 
• 

Magpie&Tiger Seongsu Tea Room is a must-visit place for tea aficionados. This tea house specializes in East Asian tea, serving tea brewed from tea leaves grown and dried locally in Korea as well as other East Asian countries. You can pair your tea with a variety of tea foods available, from traditional Korean desserts like tteok (rice cake) and baked sweets to Western deserts and pound cake and cheese cake.

Peaches. by D8NE

Peaches. D8NE is an offline flagship store launched by Peaches., a lifestyle brand inspired by automobiles. The store uses cars as a theme to create a unique atmosphere both inside and out. Not only does the store sell and showcase products by Peaches., but also has well-known food franchises like Downtowner burger house and Knotted donuts.

Monami Factory Seongsu

• 
• 

Monami Factory Seongsu is where you can see, try, and buy a wide range of products by Monami, Korea’s prominent office supplies and stationery brand particularly well-known for their ballpoint pens. The store has a DIY station where you can make your very own ballpoint pen and fountain pen ink. Several packaged products are also available that make for perfect souvenirs.

* This column was last updated in December 2022, and therefore information may differ from what is presented here. We advise you to check details before visiting.