JSCONF KOREA 2019
KR / EN

Places to enjoy when you’re in Seoul for JSConf Korea.



Attractions

  • MMCA -Map(Link)

    • "The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea (MMCA) is a contemporary art museum" - Wiki

  • Gyeongbokgung - Map(Link)

    • Gyeongbokgung also known as Gyeongbokgung Palace or Gyeongbok Palace, was the main royal palace of the Joseon dynasty. Built in 1395, it is located in the old city center of Seoul, South Korea. The largest of the Five Grand Palaces built during the Joseon dynasty, Gyeongbokgung served as the home of Joeson’s kings, the Kings' households, as well as the government of Joseon." - Wiki

  • National Museum of Korea - Map(Link)

    • "The National Museum of Korea is the flagship museum of Korean history and art in South Korea and is the cultural organization that represents Korea. Since its establishment in 1945, the museum has been committed to various studies and research activities in the fields of archaeology, history, and art, continuously developing a variety of exhibitions and education programs." - Wiki

  • Bongunsa Temple - Map(Link)

    • Buddist temple in the middle of the city. Right outside Coex. Great place to get away from the city a little bit.

  • Seoul Forest Park - Map(Link)

    • Seoul’s central park. A large green space with sculptures and even a deer park.

  • Gwangjang Market - Map(Link)

    • "Gwangjang Market, previously Dongdaemun Market, is a traditional street market in Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea. The market is one of the oldest and largest traditional markets in South Korea" - Wiki

  • Hongdae - Map(Link)

    • "Hongdae is a region in Seoul, South Korea near Hongik University, after which it is named. It is known for its urban arts and indie music culture, clubs and entertainments. Recommendation for K-POP fans" - Wiki

  • Lotte Sky - Map(Link)

    • An observation deck on the 6th tallest building in the world

  • Gwanghwamun square - Map(Link)

    • "In 2009, the square was redeveloped into a space of historical revival, culture, and relaxation. The focal point of the square is the statue of King Sejong the Great. During the day, the square is always busy with people but at night it is a tranquil and beautiful tourist attraction. Gwanghwamun Square, with Inwangsan Mountain just behind it, is not just a beautiful tourist locale. The square has over 600 years of history and it is a place where the spirit of the Korean nation can be felt." - Visit Seoul

  • Bukchon Hanok Village - Map(Link)

    • "Bukchon Hanok Village is a Korean traditional village in Seoul with a long history located on the top of a hill between Gyeongbok Palace, Changdeok Palaceand Jongmyo Royal Shrine. The traditional village is composed of lots of alleys, hanok and is preserved to show a 600-year-old urban environment." - Wiki

Coffee

Great coffee is everywhere in Seoul! Korea is home to many award-winning baristas, including the 2019 World Barista Champion. Here are our recommendations on some of the best coffee places in Seoul.

  • Fritz Coffee Company(Link)

    • One of the best coffee shops in Seoul has a few locations. Coffee here is superb. The Yangjae location’s ambiance is a mix of traditional Korean tableware and office building while the Mapo location is in a traditional hanok building. Anything and everything on the menu is recommended.

  • Café Namusairo - Map(Link)

    • A great coffee shop in a quaint little hanok. Quite famous among Seoulites for their solid selection of beans and good coffee. If you're near Gyeongbokgung and want to skip the chains, take a slight detour and visit! p.s. Watch your head when you go down to sit. I (Soeun) bumped my head on the door frame a bunch of times.

  • Coffee Montage - Map(Link)

    • Small, modern coffee shop with amazing summer drinks. Amazing hand-made sodas and their coffee is not bad either ;) They usually purchase the best (and sometimes quite expensive) green coffees and make it available to consumers at a reasonable price.

  • Coffee Libre (Yeonnam) - Map(Link)

    • A tiny cafe that had the best latte I have ever had in my life. They do have unconventional hours so check before you make the trip. There are other Coffee Libre locations, but this is the only one that blew my socks off.

  • Anthracite Coffee Roasters (Seogyo) - Map(Link)

    • Anthracite is the most hip cafe around in Seoul. Probably the best designed cafe that also serves single malt whiskey.

  • Center Coffee(Link)

    • Great coffee in the lobby of a business building. Has two more locations, the original near Seoul Forest and the newest near Myeongdong. Close by to the conference venue so check it out!

  • Osulloc - Map(Link)

    • A convenient place to try Korean green tea and green tea desserts. Many locations all around Seoul.

Beer

The Best Places to Grab a Craft Beer in Seoul

Gone are the days when beer brewing was “just about the only useful activity at which North Korea beats the South". After a new law that passed in 2014, craft beer in Korea has gone through a revolution, with a host of idiosyncratic microbreweries springing up across the country.

  • Amazing Brewery (Gundae) - Map(Link)

    • Recently opened tap room of one of the best craft brewers in Korea. A large space where you can help yourself through an RFIDbased payment system.

  • The Hand and Malt Brewing TAPROOM (Jongno) - Map(Link)

    • A great microbrewery in a quaint little Hanok

  • Kiwa taproom (Jongno) - Map(Link)

    • This cozy Hanok-turned-taproom is hidden away in the winding alleys surrounding the MMCA. A great place to wind down.

  • Magpie Brewery (Itaewon) - Map(Link)

    • One of the original craft brewers in Korea. Makes great consistent beers while also trying out new ideas.

  • Anthracite Coffee Roasters (Seogyo) - Map(Link)

    • Anthracite is the most hip cafe around in Seoul. Probably the best designed cafe that also serves single malt whiskey.

  • The Booth (Gangnam) - Map(Link)

    • Cheap Korean craft brews in a camping-inspired, casual space.

  • Mikkeller (Garosu-gil) - Map(Link)

    • Mikkeller has a Seoul branch! Great beers from one of the world’s best breweries.

Food

vegetarian/vegan

famous food

  • Korea is famous for a lot of different food nowadays. If you need any recommendations for korean fried chicken, Kimbab, tteokbokgi, kbbq or anything else, ask us and we can help you out!

Shopping

  • If you want to do some shopping, Seoul has many many malls and shopping districts. For luxury shopping, check out Lotte World Mall in Jamsil. For a more inexpensive option, the underground mall in the Express Bus Terminal has pretty much everything.
  • For k-pop goods, check out COEX Artium SMTOWN next to the Coex Mall. There are also many shops in the Myeongdong Underground Mall as well.

Data/SIM

You can pick up a prepaid sim card with unlimited data for about 25 USD for 5 days at Incheon Airport at KT, SKT or LGU+ stalls. They’re also sometimes available at convenience stores in the airport as well. More Info

Power (Socket)

Korea uses 220v/60Hz 2-pin type-C or type F plug. This is similar to what is used in Europe.

Tipping

There is no need to tip anywhere in Korea.

Communication

Everyone uses Korean in Korea but almost all the important signage in Korea also has English and usually Chinese and Japanese. At tourist attractions, there will be tourist information helpers that can always help you out.

What to Bring Back Home

Usually, people like to buy face masks and Korean cosmetics to bring back home to their friends. Red ginseng and K-pop goods are also very popular.

Getting Around

Seoul has great public transportation. The subways are clean and quick. Taxis are fairly inexpensive. Since Google Maps is mostly useless in Korea, get the Kakao Maps or Naver Maps applications to figure out directions.

Taxi

Taxis are fairly inexpensive in Seoul and easy to find. Most taxi drivers will not understand english but you should be able to communicate with them using your phone. Try Kakao Taxi to hail cabs if you can’t find a cab on the street. Uber is not commonly used in Seoul. They just got un-banned recently so their service is not as widespread as other countries but you can give it a shot.

Subway

There are many subway lines in Seoul. Most people orient themselves by the closest subway station. Try the Kakao Metro or Naver Map apps to view subway maps in English. The subway stations have numbered exits as well for easier navigation. You can view the map on your computer here.

Currency

Korea is moving towards a mostly cashless society. Besides some street vendors, most places take credit cards. There are global ATMs available at most banks. Make sure they say “Global” somewhere on the ATM as not all ATMs can handle foreign cards.

Coworking Spaces

If you need to do some work, Seoul has many coworking spaces such as WeWork and the local version, Fast Five. There are many more if you search online.