Seoul Travel: Your Guide to Korean Beauty Spas, Asian Cafe Culture and Photo Spots

Mar 19

My first visit to Korea!

Let me take you through my incredible 3-day journey in Seoul! From luxurious spa treatments to hidden food gems, I've got all the recommendations you need.

Where to Stay

We stayed at the UH Suite Seoul Square, and wow - it was absolutely stunning! The room featured gorgeous wood paneling throughout, two queen beds, a kitchen, and the showstopper: our own private hot tub. They even welcomed us with an adorable tea setup. The location in Myeongdong is perfect for shopping and exploring.

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Food & Drinks

Jongno 24 Hours Ramen: This might have been the best budget-friendly meal of the trip! For just $2.92, you can customize your perfect bowl of ramen with various toppings like beansprouts and chilies. Pro tip: Look for the helpful notes left by previous customers to guide your choices.
Eulji Darak: This was an intriguing lunch spot. You enter through an elevator door in a hallway covered in artwork—a playful reference to the famous "Ceci n'est pas une pipe" painting. The food was excellent, though there weren't many vegetarian or vegan options, and Korean cuisine here tends to be quite heavy on cream sauces. Everything was beautifully plated.

Cafes & Sweet Treats

The cafe scene in Seoul is unreal! Some must-visits include:

Soha Salt Pond: This hidden gem offers a serene atmosphere with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking a peaceful pond. Their signature salt cream drinks are a must-try!
Cheese Industry: Don't miss their famous burrata toast drizzled with honey - it's heavenly! While the burrata texture is more cream cheese-like than traditional Italian, it works perfectly with their fresh croissant bread.
Mont Blanc Som Ikseon: Located in the charming Ikseon-dong area, this 4.8-star rated café (₩10,000-20,000) serves up some of the most beautiful desserts I've seen. Their signature Mont Blanc dessert is as photogenic as it is delicious!
Café Onion: Housed in a converted industrial space, this trendy spot serves incredible pastries. Their croissants are cloud-like - perfectly flaky on the outside and pillowy soft inside. It was fun to select beautiful pastries and then eat them on the floor in a traditional tea setting.Self-Care Experience

A major highlight of my trip was experiencing Korean beauty treatments, particularly at ParkJun Beauty Lab in Gangnam. I treated myself to their renowned 15-step scalp treatment, and it was absolutely incredible! The experience starts with a microscopic scalp consultation where they analyze your hair and scalp health. What follows is pure bliss: a natural aromatherapy oil massage, an invigorating mint scrub, and various high-tech treatments including galvanic sealing, Y-stick metal detox and so much more.

The attention to detail was remarkable - from the therapeutic steam mist that left me feeling completely zen, to the essential oil neck massage that melted away all tension. They even use a special suction machine for neck muscle relaxation! My wonderful technicians, Rin and Ji Yeon, made sure I was comfortable throughout the entire process, even serving tea during the treatment.

One of my favorite parts was relaxing on their special Dohi spa bed while they performed the final steps: a nourishing hair treatment, growth tonic application, and T-stick infusion. They finished with a beautiful styling session that left my hair looking and feeling healthier than ever. Between the massage chair, hot towel treatments, and expert care, this wasn't just a hair treatment - it was a full-body relaxation experience that I can't recommend enough!

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I also had the incredible opportunity to visit Individuel Geneve, a cutting-edge skin clinic that takes personalization to the next level! The experience starts with an in-depth digital skin analysis that really shows you what's happening beneath the surface. What impressed me most was their scientific approach - they don't just recommend random products but actually analyze YOUR specific skin needs.

My personalized treatment included some seriously high-tech procedures:

Ultrasound Therapy for deep penetration of nutrients
MIT (Magnetic Infusion Technology) that felt like a gentle massage while infusing goodness into my skin
A luxurious peeling treatment with sweet almond oil and vitamin-rich exfoliants

The best part? They created a customized K-beauty routine specifically for my skin type and concerns. It's definitely worth visiting if you're serious about taking your skincare game to the next level! 🌟

Shopping Districts

Myeongdong is a shopper's paradise, especially for beauty enthusiasts. Here you'll find:

Olive Young - Korea's largest beauty retailer, perfect for stocking up on skincare essentials and trying new K-beauty brands
Laneige - Where I had the unique experience of creating my perfect foundation shade through their custom color matching service
3CE Pink Space - An Instagram-worthy pink paradise with their full makeup collection
All Mask Story - A heaven for sheet mask lovers with endless varieties to choose from

In the trendy Garosugil area, you'll find:

Tamburins - Known for their artistic perfume bottles and unique scents
FINDKAPOOR - A luxury bag brand with sleek designs
Kinfolk Dosan - A beautiful concept store perfect for lifestyle shopping

Customization Experiences

What makes Seoul special is the abundance of personalization options:

Adidas Custom Lab - I got my personalized keychain here! You can customize everything from keychains to shoes
Wappen House - Create custom patches and pins with your own designs
M Playground - A tech-forward beauty space where you can try virtual makeup looks

For the design enthusiasts: