Electric is the capital of South Korea. With its neon lights, K-pop and fast-paced energy, you can feel the current, the buzz of activity moving through the streets. Nowhere is this more evident than in Itaewon, Samcheong-dong and Hongdae, neighborhoods popular with the city’s creatives.
The sprawling city is not always the easiest to navigate for visitors with mostly Korean signs and a complex transportation system, but two Michelin-starred chef Mingoo Kang Mixing; the contemporary artist wona cho; and Hakjun Leethe general manager of Christie’s Korea, do some of the work for tourists by sharing their favorite spots in these neighborhoods and the surrounding areas.
Itaewon
As Seoul’s art scene grows more international, such as galleries Lehmann Maupin and Pace has established outposts in the foreign part of this city, adjacent to a former American military base, known for its nightlife, restaurants and shopping.
Ms. Cho, 41, who lives nearby, said it’s a place to see what’s trendy and popular among young people in South Korea. “I am often in Itaewon,” said Ms. Cho in a telephone interview. “You can see what young people are into today, what style of clothing they’re wearing.”
For him, this was his most enjoyable brunch scene. He often oasis, an all-day brunch cafe; the Baker’s Table, a German bakery; and Pancake Shop. He also enjoys walking with his dog in the Namsan Park.
Mr. Kang, 39, who also opened up Hyodo Chicken, a collaboration between him and chef Chang Ho Shin who specializes in Korean fried chicken, said the three Michelin-starred is his local favorite. Moses, chef Sung Anh’s contemporary fine-dining restaurant; and the American casual dining restaurant Cesta.
If guests need a good coffee after a meal, he says they should go Hell Cafe. Mr. described Lee the coffee there as “a constant, old friend.”
For cultural experiences in the area, both Mr. You and Mr. Lee the Leeum, Samsung Museum of Art, which showcases traditional Korean art as well as contemporary Korean and Western art.
Mr. also recommended Lee, 58, the Hyundai Card Music Library. It houses more than 10,000 vinyl records, including rare releases, which can be listened to on-site on turntables. Adjacent, the Art Library contains thousands of art books and the Storage exhibition space presents contemporary visual art. The two libraries are part of a series of five cultural spaces created by credit card company Hyundai Card. (Call ahead for entry and admission information.)
If you’re hungry after taking in all that, Mr. Lee to go to Love Bulgogi, a restaurant famous for its thinly sliced marinated beef, as well as Pyongyang-style naengmyeon, which are cold buckwheat noodles. The restaurant serves “very decent, authentic and simple Korean dishes,” Mr. Lee in an email.
Samcheong-dong
This neighborhood is a maze of centuries-old houses, artisan workshops, museums and some of Korea’s most famous galleries. “It’s hip, but it’s also quite peaceful, quiet, with a quaint, old-fashioned feel,” Ms. Cho. The place is nearby Gyeongbokgung Palacethe home of the last Korean royal dynasty, and here you can find many of the city’s hanok, or traditional Korean houses.
Here, Ms. suggests Cho and Mr. Lee is gallery and museum hopping. The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary ArtKorea, is a must see for its international and Korean art, as well as longtime players in the Korean gallery scene, Kukje, Gallery Hyundai, Hakgojae and PKM Gallery. (Ms. Cho also recommends trying to get a reservation at PKM’s restaurant, which serves Italian and cafe fare.)
There are also newer galleries along the main stretch of Samcheongdong Road, including afternoon gallery, that Ms. Cho exhibiting works by young emerging artists.
Mr. recommended You’re going to Fritz Coffee Company’s Wonseo branch, located within Arario Museum in Space. He often finds himself there on his days off, he said, taking in the atmosphere in the building’s courtyard, which is part modern and part traditional hanok.
Also close, said Mr. Kang, yes Haap, a cafe selling traditional Korean desserts and snacks, as well as a modern Korean fine dining restaurant Yea-ok and Onjium.
And for those looking for a drink, it is Bar Cham which he recommended. It makes creative cocktails with Korean ingredients and traditional alcohol, such as soju, as a base.
Hongdae
Home to one of South Korea’s top fine-arts colleges, Hongik University, this buzzing neighborhood has been where young artists and musicians have gathered for decades to relax, unwind and be- inspire. There’s a distinctly bohemian feel to the busker-friendly area, Ms. Cho, who recommends wandering the streets near the school to immerse yourself in the college environment. “There are many bars and restaurants here, just like Itaewon, but it’s different from Itaewon,” he said. “There’s a sense of freedom.”
Mr. recommended Kang who went nearby Mangwon market, a traditional Korean market that has been modernized but is still loved by locals and tourists alike for its mix of modern and classic offerings, such as fried chicken, pork feet, knife-cut noodles.
He also recommended Miro Sikdang for its homestyle Korean food, including spring-onion pancakes, marinated meats and savory rice cakes; Soi Yeonnam for its Thai rice noodles, Izakaya Robataya Caden for affordable Japanese and Ongo Patisserie for pastries.
If you’ve had your fill of food and are looking for something good for the soul, Mr. Lee to go to Hongdae is unplugged to meet and listen to young, talented, independent music artists. There is a cafe on the ground floor and a small concert hall underground.
“It’s a very interesting, unique place that’s like a safe house for musicians,” he said.
