Near 뱅뱅사거리 (Baengbaeng Sageori) in southern Seoul, 무화잠 강남점 is a long-running Korean seafood restaurant specializing in 대게 (snow crab), 킹크랩 (king crab), and 랍스터 (lobster). The Gangnam branch is at 서울 강남구 강남대로 292, close to the office-heavy area between Gangnam and Yangjae.
During lunch in Yeoksam-dong Gangnam-gu Seoul, we visited 만인양화 (Manin-Yanghwa), a restaurant specializing in yukhoe (육회), Korea’s famous seasoned raw beef dish. The restaurant’s slogan suggests a place “everyone can enjoy beyond Daegu,” reflecting the dish’s roots in Korean culinary tradition.
I ordered the first item on the menu: 한우육회비빔밥 (Hanwoo Yukhoe Bibimbap) for ₩15,000. The meal arrived with fresh Korean beef, a large bowl of lettuce, rice, seaweed soup, side dishes, and a sunny-side-up egg served on a hot plate. Mixing the beef, vegetables, rice, and seasonings created a surprisingly balanced dish—fresh, savory, and slightly sweet.
There’s a special kind of calm that appears in Seoul during winter. The city stays busy, of course, but step inside a warm café in Gangnam, Hongdae, or even a tiny alleyway in Ikseon-dong, and everything slows down. The windows fog, the heaters hum quietly, and people wrap their hands around hot drinks like they’re holding onto little pieces of warmth.
Seoul’s art scene is abuzz as Frieze Seoul 2025 is unfolds this September, bringing over 120 galleries from more than 30 countries to COEX in Gangnam. Visitors can explore innovative 작품 (jakpum, artworks) ranging from cutting-edge installation art to retrospectives of masters like Lee Bul and Kim Tschang-Yeul.
Seoul is gearing up for its first-ever AI Robot Show (서울 AI 로봇 쇼) from September 30 to October 2, 2025, at COEX in Gangnam.
If you’re visiting the Hyundai Department Store in Apgujeong, Gangnam (강남) this summer, don’t miss a stop at 호과당 (Ho Gwa Dang)—also known as Tiger Pie House.
Nestled next to Dogok-dong, Gaepo-dong (개포동) is another affluent neighborhood tucked away in Gangnam, Seoul. Known for its top-tier public schools, lush parks, and the scenic Yangjaecheon Stream, Gaepo offers a peaceful charm with cozy coffee shops and tree-lined streets that bloom beautifully throughout the seasons.
