Jamsil is made up of Seoul’s largest cultural and artistic neighborhoods with many fun places to visit, including shopping malls, entertainment facilities, parks, famous eateries, and so much more.

Lotte World has a central presence in Jamsil and you’ll find three large Lotte complexes - Lotte World Tower, Lotte World Mall and Lotte World. As there are so many things to see and do, it’s worth planning ahead before your visit. Here are some of the great places in Jamsil to visit while you’re in Seoul!

Although the Tower and Mall are in different buildings, it’s easy to visit both thanks to their connecting passageway.

Lotte World Tower is a significant landmark and, at 123 stories tall, is the sixth tallest building in the world. In addition to office space, the tower has a luxury hotel and, more importantly, Seoul Sky, an attraction offering a 360-degree view of Seoul from high above.

For lunch and some shopping, hop over to Lotte World Mall. The busy shopping destination has shopping, restaurants and cultural and art experiences. Visitors can shop for luxury goods at Avenuel and Lotte Duty Free Shop, home appliances at Hi-Mark and enjoy the hundreds of other shops inside. Lotte World Mall even has an aquarium, concert hall and cinema. You’ll run out of time long before you run out of fun at this mall!

• Address: Line 2 & 8. Jamsil station exit 1-2

Seoul Sky (117-123F in Lotte World Tower)

• Hours: 10:30 a.m. –10 p.m. (Sun-Thu) / 10:30 a.m.–11 p.m. (Fri-Sat)  

This is a large tourist complex consisting of Lotte World Adventure, Folk Museum, an ice rink, Lotte Department store, and Charlotte Theater. Lotte World often refers only to Lotte World Adventure, an indoor and outdoor theme park, but in fact, the theme park is one of the facilities belonging to Lotte World.

The area is a great one-day trip for families to enjoy the Lotte World Adventure theme park and Folk Museum. The educational museum features displays of Korean daily life starting from the Stone Age to Japanese occupation.

• Address: Line 2 & 8. Jamsil station exit 3-4

• Note: For discounted attraction tickets, check Naver Map or browse online travel platforms like Klook and Trazy.

• Naver Map for Lotte World

• Naver Map for Tower & Mall

Seokchon Lake is a wonderful spot to visit year-round, but especially during the cherry blossom and fall foliage seasons. The lake brings nature in the midst of the hustle and bustle of the busy city. While walking through the trail, you’ll find a great view of Lotte World Tower and Lotte World Adventure Magic Island across the beautiful lake. In addition, the lake is a famous spot for various public art projects and cultural festivals.

• Address: Line 2 & 8. Jamsil Station Exits 1-3

Just east of Seokchon Lake, Songridan-gil Street is a lively neighborhood filled with stylish cafés, bakeries and restaurants. It has become one of Songpa’s trendiest spots for a great meal and dessert after a walk around the lake.

• Address: Seokchon lake café street (East Seokchon lake) – Line 9. Songpanaru station exit 1

If you’re looking for a relaxing walk and plenty of good food, head to Songridan-gil Street near Seokchon Lake. Many of these places are popular among locals for picture-worthy desserts and stylish interiors.

Take a peaceful stroll around the lake, then explore the cafés, bakeries and dessert shops that have made this area one of Jamsil’s most popular spots.

Ginger Bear Pie Shop (진저베어)

This café has plenty of pies that are as delicious as they look. It is one of the busiest cafes on Songridan-gil Street, so expect to wait at least 30 minutes to grab a slice. You can make a reservation and go scope out the rest of the area while you wait.

The best items on the menu include the meat pie with marinated beef and cheddar cheese, rhubarb cheese pie topped with a generous heap of strawberries, and chocolate mousse pie.

• Hours: Noon - 9 p.m.

• Address: 43-7 Baekjegobun-ro 41-gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul (near Line 8 & 9. Seokchon St Exit 1), Naver Map

Café Pepper (카페페퍼)

This café is famous for its vintage interior, pretty desserts and gluten-free rice flour cakes. Make sure to try the lemon cream cake, caramel scones, and Mont Blanc cake.

• Hours: Noon - 9 p.m.

• Address: The 2nd floor, 12 Baekjegobun-ro 45-gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul (near Line 9. Songpa-naru St Exit 1), Naver Map

Bontemps (봉땅)

This donut café serves various types of twisted Korean donuts (Kkwabaegi). Each donut costs between 3,000-4,000 won, so I recommend trying several. Bontemps’ beautiful outdoor terrace is also pet-friendly. 

• Hours: 10:30 a.m. – 11 p.m.

• Address: 42-8 Baekjegobun-ro 41-gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul (near Line 8 & 9. Seokchon St Exit 1), Naver Map

HAN-JEONG-SIK FULL-COURSE MEAL TASTY WAY TO EXPERIENCE KOREAN CUISINE

If you are an adventurous eater, I highly recommend you try han-jeong-sik, a premium and traditional Korean full course meal. During a han-jeong-sik, you’ll try over 20 different Korean dishes, including rice, soup, seafood and meat dishes, and vegetable side dishes. The colorful and neat presentation of dishes covering the entire table will amaze you!

Through Han-jeong-sik, you are not only going to experience the true taste of Korea, but also discover many cultural aspects of Korean food. While a bowl of rice is served for each person, soup and other dishes are shared with others. Sharing dishes is a big part of Korean food culture.

There are many restaurants specializing in han-jeong-sik and these are a great place for Koreans to bring their important guests. Koreans culturally believe the quantity of side dishes can determine a well-prepared and dedicated meal table. Setting the table full of various plates is a way to show affection or respect for their guest. Also, as the harmony of colors on the table is significant in Korean culture, the meal course table is truly a feast for the mouth and the eyes.

San-deul-hae (산들해)

San-deul-hae, only a 10-minute walk from Jamsil Station, is a terrific han-jeong-sik restaurant for friends to enjoy some tasty Korean dishes together in Seoul!

The staff at San-deul-chae literally brings a tabletop with 24 different traditional Korean dishes and slides it in front of you. Try them all, and if you want more, don’t hesitate to call the staff. They will keep bringing your favorites because unlimited refills are available for all the dishes. This full-course meal is about $17 and there’s no time limit!

This restaurant is very popular among locals so expect to wait about 20 to 30 minutes for a table. According to the staff, between 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. is the best hour to avoid the long line. Reservations are available for groups of 5 to 8 people a week in advance.

• Address: Line 8, Mongchon Toseong Station Exit 2 or 2F Hyundai Topics, 6 Wiryeseong-daero, Songpa-gu, Seoul, Naver Map

• Hours: 11:30 a.m. – 9 p.m. (Break: 3-5 p.m.)

• Cost: 23,000 won per head

• Phone: 02-448-3457

• Parking: 2 hours free

Words

• Korean full course meal: Han-jeong-sik (한정식)

• Rice: Bap (밥)

• Soup: Guk(국)

• Side dish: Banchan (반찬)

• Water: Mul (물)

• Bowl / Plate: Geu-reut(그릇)

• Ladle: Gukja(국자)

• Delicious: Masisseo-yo (맛있어요)

Ordering something

• Excuse me (When calling a server): Jeogi-yo (저기요)

• Give me please: Juseyo (주세요)

• Can I have a Korean full course meal?: Han-jeong-sik juseyo (한정식 주세요)

• Can I have more of this?: Igeo deo juseyo (이거 더 주세요)

Greetings at a meal table

• I’m going to eat well. (Before eating): Jal meok-get-seup-ni-da  (잘 먹겠습니다)

• I ate well. (After eating): Jal meo-geo-sseum-ni-da  (잘 먹었습니다)

USAG Yongsan

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