| This article is meant to provide an overview of | | | | the cheapest places in Soeul to satisfy your taste |
| Seoul for those of you who are not really familiar | | | | bud and fill your stomach. |
| with Seoul. Also, if you're looking for information | | | | Sinchon |
| to do your homework such as the population and | | | | Sinchon is located between two of the best |
| the size of Seoul, you won't find any in this. | | | | universities in Korea -- Yonsei University and Ehwa |
| Instead, what you can expect is brief description | | | | Woman's University. If you think that means the |
| of Seoul's key areas that, if you're visiting Seoul, | | | | neighborhood would be populated with book |
| you should definitely not miss. | | | | stores and libraries, you're dead wrong. |
| Downtown | | | | Sinchon is filled with little shops that cater to |
| This is one of the oldest and the most developed | | | | female students who are extremely into |
| part of Seoul. The old Chosun dynasty's palaces | | | | accessorizing as well as dressing themselves well. |
| still remain here. In the downtown, you will find | | | | The items are sometimes original, sometimes |
| not only a busy business district where 'suits' walk | | | | fake but most of the times cheap and pretty. |
| busily to move this country's economy along but | | | | Sinchon is also where alcohol finds its way into |
| also a vibrant shopping district and a plenty of | | | | Korean student bodies. You can't walk a hundred |
| places to enjoy Korean and other international | | | | yards without passing by 30 bars, izayakas, hofs |
| cuisines. | | | | or pochas (they're all places where alcohol |
| Myeong-dong | | | | consumption is their major business). |
| Mye0ng-dong is where you will find a large area of | | | | Garosugil |
| shopping and eating haven hidden behind older | | | | Garosugil, which means a tree-lined street, is |
| skyscrapers that propelled South Korea forward | | | | where the young and the trendy gather for fine |
| during 70's and 80's. It is also a street for the | | | | dining and espresso sipping. The tree-lined street is |
| young crowd, especially on weekends when the | | | | also lined with shops and fine restaurants that are |
| suits are off the street. So, what's good here? | | | | more European than almost any other places in |
| Well, your best bet is shopping for cloth and | | | | Seoul. On a sunny weekend day, the street gets |
| tasting some well-known Korean restaurants that | | | | filled with well-dressed young ladies that gather |
| are 50 years old and more. | | | | for the international cuisine and their dose of |
| Insa-dong | | | | expensive caffeine. |
| Insa-dong is where you meet the traditional | | | | Cheongdam-dong |
| Korea. Its streets are filled with places that sell | | | | Cheongdam-dong is also known as the Beverly |
| and exhibit traditional Korean art and craft. It is | | | | Hills of Seoul. As the name suggests it is a |
| also famous for having many art galleries. Your | | | | shopping district where if you have the means |
| best bet in Insa-dong is tasting the traditional | | | | you can wrap yourself in the life of luxury with |
| Korean food and tea while picking up small | | | | brands like Chanel, Gucci, D&G, Prada, Armani and |
| souvenirs for your friends and family back home. | | | | more available within a slow walk from each |
| Samcheong-dong | | | | other. Cheongdam-dong also caters to some of |
| Samcheong-dong is where you will find an eclectic | | | | the finest dining experiences you will have in all of |
| collection of restaurants and cafes representing | | | | Korea. As it caters to the younger (20~40ish) |
| the traditional Korean and the Western cuisine. It | | | | affluent segment of Seoul's high class, you won't |
| is somewhat difficult to get to Samcheong-dong | | | | always find restaurants with stiff upper lips |
| as the nearest subway station will still leave you a | | | | insisting on tradition. Rather, you will find fine |
| 10-minute walk. Samcheong-dong is home to small | | | | fusion restaurants that infuse various styles of |
| art galleries as well as neat little restaurants. | | | | the West and the East, the Old and the Young. |
| Hongdae | | | | Beware, however, as the prices will be high. |
| Hongdae is considered a symbol of Korea's | | | | Luxury doesn't come cheap! |
| youthfulness. It is located near 4 well-known | | | | Itaewon |
| universities and is home to youthful indulgence -- | | | | Itaewon formed way back when the only |
| rocking, dancing, drink and partying. Friday nights | | | | foreigner presence in Seoul was that of the US |
| are 'club day' and you can easily spot line-ups | | | | army stationed near Itaewon. Itaewon formed |
| after line-ups of young people trying to get into | | | | due to its close proximity to the base to entertain |
| their favorite clubs. Friday nights in Hongdae don't | | | | and serve the US military personnel stationed in |
| end until the sun set. | | | | Seoul. However, a lot has changed since. Yes, |
| Eating in Hongdae is also one of the can't-miss | | | | Itaewon is still frequented by the US military |
| experiences. Every restaurant in Hongdae has | | | | personnel but it now is going through a |
| evolved to cater to the youthful taste buds and | | | | renaissance of a sort as the international district |
| their light pockets. i.e. You will find the tastiest and | | | | of Korea. |