Things to do in Seongsudong, 2025 Guide

Eat & Drink, Korea Travel, Things To Do / By /

Seongsu‑dong (성수동) in Seoul’s Seongdong-gu was once a bustling factory district. Today, it has transformed into a chic creative enclave with warehouse cafés, boutique shopping, and pop‑up art spaces. It’s widely referred to as the “Brooklyn of Seoul.” If you’re planning a visit, here are some of the best things to do in Seongsudong.

Table Of Contents
  1. How to get to Seongsudong
  2. Suggested one-day Seongsudong Itinerary
  3. Top things to do in Seongsudong
  4. Best cafes in Seongsudong
  5. Where to shop in Seongsudong
  6. Where to eat in Seongsudong

How to get to Seongsudong

By Subway (Best Option): Take Seoul Subway Line 2 (Green Line) and get off at Seongsu Station (Exit 3) or Ttukseom Station for easy access to cafés, boutiques, and Seoul Forest. From Seoul Station, the trip takes about 20–25 minutes.

From Incheon Airport: Take the Airport Limousine Bus to the Seongsu area (~50 minutes, ₩17,000), or ride the AREX Airport Train to Hongik University Station, transfer to Line 2, and continue to Seongsu (~90 minutes total, ₩5,000–7,000).

Suggested one-day Seongsudong Itinerary

  • Morning: Start at Seongsu Station → walk café street → try salt bread or matcha latte.
  • Midday: Visit Seoul Forest for greenery and picnic.
  • Afternoon: Browse boutiques, pop-ups, stationery shops.
  • Evening: Grab craft beer or dinner at converted warehouses; relax in bars or photo-friendly installations.

Top things to do in Seongsudong

Stroll and Relax at Seoul Forest

seoul-forest-park-in-Seoul

Seoul Forest Park is one of the best spots in Seongsu-dong to relax and enjoy some fresh air. With over 400,000 trees, open lawns, and animals to see, it’s a great escape right in the city. You can rent a bike, have a picnic, or explore the park’s five sections, like the Eco-Forest, Culture & Art Park, insect house, honeybee garden, and rose garden.

K-pop fans will also love the benches and gardens dedicated to BTS members and other idols, which make for fun photo spots. After a walk, you can grab coffee or food at one of the cafés and restaurants on Seoul Forest Café Street nearby. Check out “Best Cafes and Restaurants in Seoul Forest Cafe Street“

  • Address: 273 Ttukseom-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul
  • Open hours: 24/7
  • Admission: Free
  • Website: parks.seoul.go.kr

Check in at Common Ground

Kondae-common-Ground

This is a famous shopping complex built from bright blue shipping containers near Konkuk University and just minutes from Seongsu. Here, independent fashion labels and local designers showcase their work alongside rotating pop-up markets and food trucks. The atmosphere is lively, and the space is filled with Instagram-worthy corners, from street art murals to rooftop hangout spots.

  • Address: 200, Achasan-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul | 서울특별시 광진구 아차산로 200 (자양동)
  • Open hours: Shops: 11:00-22:00 | Pubs: 11:00-2:00
  • Website: www.common-ground.co.kr

Discover Seongsu’s Pop-Up Stores and Flagship Stores

Seongsudong is always buzzing thanks to its ever-changing pop-up scene. In recent months, brands like Fwee, HERA, Torriden, Coach, and even Oreo have hosted pop-ups here. Big names such as Dior, Tamburins, Gentle Monster, and Matin Kim also set up eye-catching flagship spaces that mix shopping with art installations and interactive displays.

Most pop-ups showcase limited-edition items and quickly become must-visit spots for Seoul’s trendsetters. If you want to catch the newest ones, search Instagram for hashtags like #성수팝업 before you go to see what’s open during your trip.

Explore Local Art Galleries

Art lovers will also appreciate Seongsu’s growing network of galleries and creative studios. Many former factories have been transformed into modern art spaces, hosting exhibitions by emerging Korean painters, photographers, and digital artists. Some galleries, like Daelim Changgo Gallery, D Museum, Gallery Kuzo, regularly rotate exhibits, while smaller spaces offer pop-up shows tied to fashion and lifestyle brands, creating a dynamic cultural scene.

Enjoy the Outdoors at Ttukseom Hangang Park

For those who want to spend some time outdoors, Ttukseom Hangang Park is another must-visit near Seongsu-dong. Located along the Han River, the park is a popular spot for picnics, bike rentals, and even water sports like kayaking during warmer months. As the sun sets, many visitors settle down with snacks from local convenience stores or riverside cafes to enjoy one of Seoul’s most scenic views.

  • Address: 139 Gangbyeonbuk-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul
  • Open hours: 24/7
  • Website: hangang.seoul.go.kr

Take Retro Photos in a Self-Photo Booth

Seongsu-dong is filled with retro-inspired self-photo studios where you can take fun black-and-white portraits or sticker-style prints. Popular options include 이터널로그 / Eternalog (for old school style), Photo Object Seongsu Branch  and Photoism.

These booths are affordable (usually ₩4,000–6,000 per session) and located near most major café streets.

Visit a Trendy Hair Salon

If you’re looking for a unique Seoul beauty experience, consider booking a session at one of Seongsu’s trendy hair salons. Many of these salons are frequented by influencers and locals alike, offering everything from stylish Korean haircuts and perms to bold color treatments in shades like ash brown or pink beige. 

Some salons even cater to travelers, with English-speaking staff and package deals for special occasions. You can refer to some popular ones like Juno Hair Salon, ONYAD, A KNACK Hair Salon,..

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Get a quirky caricature

Before you leave, make time for one last quirky experience: getting a caricature from a local artist. Around Seongsu’s main streets and near Seoul Forest Park, street artists and pop-up stands offer hand-drawn portraits in watercolor, marker, or digital styles. Prices are reasonable, often starting from ₩5,000 or ₩7,000, and the finished piece makes for a fun and personal souvenir from your day in Seongsudong.

Best cafes in Seongsudong

Standard Bread

This Seongsu-dong café feels like stepping into a charming village bakery, with a warm wooden design and plenty of greenery that make it a perfect photo spot. Although it’s already a hotspot for locals, it hasn’t been discovered by many tourists yet.

The salted butter bread is their most popular item, light, fluffy, and available in two sizes. They also serve the popular tissue bread, including a truffle version that’s best enjoyed straight from the oven while it’s warm.

  • Address: 37 Seongsui-ro 18-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul
  • Contact: +82 70-8835-5508
  • Open hours: 9:00 – 21:00 daily

Cafe Far Ben

Cafe Far Ben is the top café in Seongsu-dong for BTS fans, since it’s owned by RM’s sister, but it’s also a must-visit even if you’re not part of ARMY. 

The café is easy to spot thanks to its distinctive blue exterior and calming, airy interior. Inside, the space feels more like a giant, stylish living room than a typical coffee shop, with a mix of white, brown, and gray tones, plenty of greenery, and soft pops of blue that tie everything together. The menu is just as inviting, with its signature coffee topped with pistachio cream, creamy soft serve with strawberry sauce, and refreshing ginger-lemon ade.

  • Address: 65 Seongsui-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul
  • Open hours: 10:00 – 21:00 daily

Daelim Changgo

Daelim Warehouse is one of Seongsudong’s coolest landmarks, set inside a renovated 1970s rice mill. The space still has its red brick walls, steel beams, and old factory charm, giving it a cool, industrial vibe. It’s part café, part bar, part restaurant, and part gallery, so there’s always something to see and do.

The café serves fresh pastries like croissants, croffins, canelés, and pretzels. One of the highlights is the Croissant Carbo & Sausage, stuffed with cheese and sausage, then topped with even more cheese and black pepper. For drinks, the Strawberry Milk in a cute retro bottle and the iced Einspänner are both favorites.

  • Address: 78 Seongsui-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul
  • Contact: +82 2-499-9669
  • Open hours: 11:00 – 22:00 daily

Myosa

Myosa is a cozy coffee spot in Seongsu-dong with a sleek, minimalist design that follows the “less is more” vibe. The café is known for its seasonal menu, which takes inspiration from classic Korean snacks like bungeo-ppang (fish-shaped pastry). 

Each year, they add a creative twist by shaping it to match the year’s zodiac animal and pairing it with adorable Ang Cubes – bite-sized treats in flavors like chocolate, mugwort, and beetroot. Since Myosa is small with limited seating, it’s a good idea to arrive early if you want a table, especially on weekends.

  • Address: Seoul, Seongdong-gu, Seongsu-dong 1(il)-ga, Seoulsup 2-gil, 2 2층
  • Open hours: 12:00 – 22:00 daily
  • Contact:+82 10-2082-7495
  • Instagram: myosa_seoul

Cafe Onion Seongsu

cafe-onion in Seongsudong

Cafe Onion is probably the most famous café in Seongsu-dong, and for good reason. Opened in 2016 inside an old factory, it still keeps much of the original building’s charm with crumbling brick walls, a weathered steel gate, and rugged concrete floors that give it a cool, industrial vibe.

It’s a favorite hangout for young locals who come for the atmosphere as much as the food. The café serves fresh bread and pastries, including its popular sugar-dusted pandoro, along with drinks like carrot juice and coffee. It’s the perfect spot to grab a bite, chat with friends, and soak in Seongsu’s artsy feel.

5to7

Near Seoul Forest, 5to7 feels like a cozy cabin straight out of a storybook. Its warm wooden interior creates a calm, inviting vibe that makes it the perfect place to unwind in the middle of Seongsudong.

The highlight here is the Fruit Soufflé. Fluffy, jiggly, and melt-in-your-mouth soft, it’s topped with vibrant seasonal fruit and a bright mango purée that gives it a sunny, egg-like look.

  • Address: 44-13 Seoulsup 2-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul
  • Contact: +82 70-4127-7616
  • Open hours: 12:00 – 21:00 daily

LOWIDE Coffee Bakery

Lowide Coffee Bakery is one of the most popular cafés in Seongsu-dong for anyone looking to enjoy fresh pastries and quality coffee in a cozy, stylish space. Spread across two floors, the café has a clean, European-inspired design that feels both modern and welcoming. No wonder why it’s a favorite hangout for locals and visitors alike.

The bakery is known for its wide selection of treats, including sausage pastry danishes, custard cream tarts, and rich Earl Grey pound cake. Coffee lovers should try their signature Wide Latte with caramel and cream or the lighter Vanilla Latte Zero, both of which pair perfectly with their baked goods. 

  • Address: 685-290 Seongsu-dong 1(il)-ga, Seongdong-gu, Seoul
  • Open hours: 10:00 – 20:00 weekdays | 11:00 – 21:00 weekends
  • Contact: +82 70-4910-2217
  • Price range: 5,500 – 8,000 won
  • Instagram: lowidecoffee

Where to shop in Seongsudong

Olive Young N Seongsu

One of the most popular stops is Olive Young N Seongsu, a flagship branch of Korea’s biggest beauty and health retailer. Spanning five floors and 4,628 square meters, it feels more like a beauty mall than a regular shop. 

The Seongsu location feels more like a lifestyle playground, with Instagrammable interiors, exclusive products, and interactive displays where you can test out the latest K-beauty trends. There are also limited-edition collaborations and pop-up corners that change seasonally. Check out our detail guide here.

  • Address: 13 Yeonmujang 7-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul
  • Contact: +82 2-497-6589
  • Open hours: 10:00 – 22:00 daily

Musinsa Store Seongsu@DaelimChanggo

By official website

If fashion is more your style, head to the Musinsa Store Seongsu@DaelimChanggo, a massive, multi-level flagship from Korea’s leading online fashion platform. 

Set inside a renovated warehouse, this store is a haven for streetwear and sneaker fans, featuring curated collections, exclusive drops, and spaces where you can discover emerging Korean designers.

  • Address: 74 Seongsui-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul
  • Contact: +82 2-6459-7199
  • Open hours: 11:00 – 22:00 daily

Stand Oil

For those into chic, minimalist accessories, Stand Oil is a Korean handbag brand with a sleek showroom in Seongsu-dong. Their clean, modern designs and seasonal color palettes have made them a favorite among locals, and the showroom itself has a trendy, gallery-like atmosphere that’s fun to explore even if you’re just browsing.

  • Address: 19 Yeonmujang 11-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul
  • Contact: +82 70-7799-8310
  • Open hours: 11:00 – 20:00 daily

Seongsu Federation

This is a multi-brand concept store that highlights local fashion labels, lifestyle products, and rotating exhibitions. It’s a great place to pick up one-of-a-kind pieces, support Korean designers, and see what’s trending in Seoul’s creative scene. Even if you’re not planning to shop, the store’s unique displays and ever-changing themes make it worth a visit.

  • Address:14 Seongsui-ro 14-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul
  • Contact: +82 10-8979-8122
  • Open hours: 10:30 – 21:00 daily

Where to eat in Seongsudong

GLOW SEONGSU

In the middle of Seoul, Glow Seongsu feels like a tropical resort straight out of a Ghibli film. With its bright colors, plants, and chill music, it’s a fun place to relax, grab a coffee, and take photos while exploring Seongsu.

Glow isn’t just a café, it’s also home to ten different food spots under one roof. You can try Michelin-approved prawn noodles and soup at Tajima, crispy shrimp toast at Bus Menbosha, and creative egg dishes by a two-star Michelin chef at Mini Bungeo.

  • Address: 32 Seongsui-ro 16-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul
  • Contact: +82 70-4288-1269
  • Open hours: 11:00 – 23:00 daily

Schedule Seoungsu Restaurant

In Seongsu-dong, Schedule Seongsu feels more like a European garden than a typical restaurant. The dining area is spacious and full of greenery, with an indoor waterfall that adds to the calm, terrace-like vibe.

The menu leans toward Western favorites, with dishes like risotto, pasta, and steak, plus a selection of desserts and drinks. Thanks to its roomy layout, it’s a comfortable spot for group gatherings or date nights.

  • Address: 2F, 104, Achasan-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul
  • Contact: +82 2-466-0236
  • Open hours: 11:00 – 22:00 daily

Seongsu Darak

Seongsu Darak has been trending on social media for its cozy, minimalist vibe and two must-try dishes: the rich Omurice and the bold Spicy Cream Pasta. The bright, modern space with soft white and nude tones makes it perfect for photos, while the hearty flavors keep people coming back.

Just a short walk from Seongsu Station, it’s an easy spot to grab lunch or dinner when exploring the neighborhood.

  • Address: Seoul, Seongdong-gu, Ttukseom-ro 9-gil, 20 2층
  • Contact: +82 2-467-9197
  • Open hours: 11:30 – 21:15 daily

Grandma’s Recipe 할머니의 레시피

If you’re craving homestyle Korean comfort food, Grandma’s Recipe is a cozy spot worth checking out in Seongsu-dong. Run by a couple who lived abroad before returning to Korea, the restaurant feels warm and welcoming, with dishes inspired by their grandmother’s and mother’s cooking.

The menu is all about familiar, hearty flavors like beef bone soup, ssambap, bulgogi, spicy pork, and grilled fish. It’s even been featured in the 2018 Michelin Guide Seoul, so you know the food is the real deal.

  • Address: 44-12 Seoulsup 2-gil, Seongsu-dong 1(il)-ga, Seongdong-gu, Seoul
  • Open hours: 11:00 – 21:30 daily

Zesty Saloon Seongsu 제스티살룬 

For homemade American-style burgers in Seongsu, Zesty Saloon is the spot to try. The place is hard to miss with its quirky exterior, big signboard, and fun characters by the entrance, making it stand out on the street.

The menu is short and sweet with just five burgers, but each one is packed with flavor. The Wasabi Shrimp and Zesty Garlic Beef burgers are the top picks. There are separate lines for dine-in and takeaway across two floors, but it’s often busy, so expect a bit of a wait. The burgers are worth it, though.

  • Address: 13 Seoulsup 4-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul
  • Open hours: 11:30 – 21:00 daily
  • Contact:+82 2-2205-2622
  • Price range: 9,000 – 15,000 won
  • Instagram: zestysaloon

In short, we hope this guide to the best things to do in Seongsu-dong helps you plan your trip and discover some new favorite spots. If you’ve visited any of these cafés, restaurants, or shops, or have your own Seongsu recommendations, drop a comment below, we’d love to hear your thoughts!

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