Discover Seoul’s hot spots with the help of Balming Tiger. This forward-thinking music collective shares their favorite hometown spots, giving a pulse on where to eat, play, and enjoy the the city’s unique beauty.
LessFrom Sogumm: “월하보이 is located on the old Insadong-gil in Jongno. Spot’s name means ‘drinking pu’er tea under the moon,’ and it is a teahouse built with a 120-year-old wall and filled with old teacups and antiques. You can enjoy a tea course where you can slowly taste the tea that you recommend to suit your mood and condition on the day. You can taste good-quality tea leaves in old teacups and experience drinking tea in traditional Asian ways.”
From Jan’ Qui: “This is a trail along the Han River that locals love to jog and ride their bicycles on in the early mornings and evenings. However, I found this place to be truly special when I stumbled upon it during the spring season when cherry blossoms bloom. The road is not very wide, and cherry trees grow on both sides, creating a cherry blossom tunnel that spans about 0.6 miles. The view was simply breathtaking and overwhelmed me with its beauty.”
From Chanhee Hong: “IRASUN is a photo book store located right next to Gyeongbokgung Palace. You can browse through the books at your own pace in a serene and peaceful atmosphere. Although it’s not a large bookstore, I often visit it because of the cozy atmosphere. You’ll find a diverse collection of photo books, from popular titles to rare and hard-to-find editions. It’s the perfect place to spend a rainy day.”
From Leesuho: “This is my favorite café and restaurant in Seoul. What I love about this place is the casual atmosphere that makes it so inviting, and the food is truly luxurious. Whenever I take people here, I always recommend the potato soup. In fact, I come here quite often, sometimes four or five times a week. The coffee is also superb, so if you’re a coffee lover like me, you won’t be disappointed. The two owners of the café are friendly and cool, and the music selection is always on point.”
From Omega Sapien: “This club is the home of subculture in Korea. It’s one of the places that shaped my sound as an artist!! Always plays banger music, none of that hot 100 playing there. If you want to take a look at what the left-field scene is like in Korea, this place is a MUST-visit.”
From bj wnjn: “Let me introduce you to 두꺼비식당 in Itaewon, Seoul. When I used to live in Itaewon, it was a Korean restaurant that I would always visit when I craved homemade-style food with some liquor, just like my mother’s cooking. I highly recommend the kimchi stew, which boasts a delicious combination of plentiful pork and deeply flavored kimchi. Why not enjoy some kimchi stew and soju tonight while taking in the panoramic view of Seoul and Namsan Mountain?”
From Mudd the student: “This is the place where I used to take a walk every day when I lived alone in Haebangchon. On sunny days, you can enjoy a beautiful view of the Korean city. Haebangchon Village is situated on a hill, so it can be challenging to reach without a bus, but there are many spots with stunning views. The night view is especially captivating when you take a solitary walk on a clear night.”
From San Yawn: “EP COFFEE N BAR is a local bar where you can find room for a glass of whiskey during a noisy trip to Seoul. It is located in a quiet alley at the corner of Yeonnam-dong, creating a comfortable atmosphere. This place mainly sells whiskey, and if you want to experience a new whiskey you’ve never drunk before, ask the owner for recommendations along with today’s mood or the taste you want to enjoy. Then they will recommend it with an interesting explanation.”
From Abyss: “It is a bridge installed very low on the Han River, a river that crosses the center of the north and south of Seoul, and is submerged in the event of a flood. The bridge has pedestrian sidewalks and bicycle lanes as wide as roads. Especially in the evening, you can encounter countless Seoulites who came out to enjoy walking and exercising. On a nice day, you’ll find people eating chicken and beer with food trucks in Hangang Park on the Gangnam side, with even no space to sit down.”
From Unsinkable: “It’s an ordinary snack bar near our studio. At the height of our studio album work, I found out about it at Leesuho’s recommendation. There are so many options on the menu, but whatever you choose, it tastes above average. So when it’s hard to choose a lunch menu that day, I just go in with the members. While ordering menus evenly among the members and sharing delicious things together, we can create a simple party atmosphere.”