KOREA
Club Espresso

Club Espresso ()

Buam-dong is famous for its charming mix of modern culture and traditional buildings. There are many famous restaurants and unique shops hidden along the twisting roads.

Map of Buam-dong attractions

Seoul Museum & Seokpajeong

Seokpajeong was once the royal villa of Heungseon Daewongun, father of Emperor Gojong. It is now located within the grounds of Seoul Museum. The museum does well to preserve traditional beauty while also showcasing the charms of modern art. Many exhibitions are held in the space in front of Seokpajeong. There are two main planned exhibitions held each year, and Seoul Museum tickets include admission to Seokpajeong.

You can reach Seokpajeong, surrounded by a cluster of pine trees, by coming out of the third floor of the museum. Located at the foothills of Inwangsan Mountain, the villa offers views of Bugaksan Mountain, as well as a lush Japanese red pine forest.

Seoul Museum & Seokpajeong

  • Address: 4-1, Changuimun-ro 11-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 종로구 창의문로 11길 4-1)

  • Directions: Take Bus No. 1711, 7016, or 7018 from Gyeongbokgung Station Bus Stop (Gyeongbokgung Station (Seoul Subway Line 3), Exit 3) → Get off at Jahamun Tunnel EntranceㆍSeokpajeong Bus Stop → Walk for approx. 2 min

  • Operating hours: Seoul Museum 10:00-18:00 (Last admission 17:00) / Annex & Seokpajeong 11:00-17:00 (Last admission 16:00) * Hours subject to change depending on exhibition * Closed Monday-Tuesday

  • Admission - Seoul Museum & Seokpajeong: Adults 11,000 won / Students 7,000 won / Children 5,000 won - Seokpajeong only: 5,000 won

  • Inquiries: +82-2-395-0100 (Korean, English)

  • Website (Korean only)

SCOFF

SCOFF sells crumbly scones and rich brownies, perfect for curing a sweet tooth. Despite being a rather small shop, this bakery has been featured on major food-themed programs in Korea, such as “Wednesday Food Talk,” making it extremely popular.

Each perfectly baked scone breaks into buttery soft pieces with each bite. You can make it even better with a dab of raspberry jam and clotted cream. If you’re looking for something a bit stronger, try the brownie, a decadent treat with a rich, bold flavor. The pound cake with a thin layer of lemon icing is another popular choice.

SCOFF

Address: 149, Changuimun-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 종로구 창의문로 149) Directions: Take Bus No. 1020, 7022, or 7212 from Gyeongbokgung Station Bus Stop (Gyeongbokgung Station (Seoul Subway Line 3), Exit 3) → Get off at Buam-dong Community Service CenterㆍMugyewon Bus Stop → Walk for approx. 2 min Operating hours: 11:00-20:00 (Early closure when sold out) * Closed Monday-Tuesday (Open if a public holiday falls on a closed day) Signature menus: Butter scone 3,300 won / Brownie 4,500 won / English lemon cake 4,000 won

Club Espresso

Club Espresso has been a key attraction in the Buam-dong neighborhood since opening in the 1990’s. The beautiful wooden interior resembles a cozy cabin in the mountains.

In order to preserve the unique flavor and scent of each type of coffee, individual machines are used for each blend. The café also sells whole coffee beans, ground coffee, and coffee supplies.

Club Espresso

Address: 132, Changuimun-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 종로구 창의문로 132) Directions: Take Bus No. 1020, 7022, or 7212 from Gyeongbokgung Station Bus Stop (Gyeongbokgung Station (Seoul Subway Line 3), Exit 3) → Get off at Jahmungogae HillㆍYoon Dong-ju Literature Hall Bus Stop → Walk for approx. 4 min Operating hours: 09:00-22:00 * Closed the day of Seollal (Lunar New Year’s Day) & Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving Day) Signature menus: Club Blend (hot) 5,000 won / Moon blend (hot) 6,000 won * 2,000 won discount for take-out orders Inquiries: +82-2-764-8719 (Korean, English) * Availability of language assistance varies by staff schedule

Sai Chicken

Sai Chicken is a fried chicken restaurant named for its location in a small alleyway between (‘sai’ in Korean) buildings. Easy enough to miss when you’re not looking for it, Sai Chicken has still become quite famous through word-of-mouth. Here, you can enjoy the unique taste of fried chicken with bean sprouts.

The chicken is good on its own, but becomes something extraordinary when paired with the crunchy bean sprouts. The servings of chicken are generous, and bean sprouts are unlimited, so you’re sure to get your fill!

Sai Chicken

Address: 1, Baekseokdong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 종로구 백석동길 1) Directions: Take Bus No. 1020, 7022, or 7212 from Gyeongbokgung Station Bus Stop (Gyeongbokgung Station (Seoul Subway Line 3), Exit 3) → Get off at Buam-dong Community Service CenterㆍMugyewon Bus Stop → Walk for approx. 1 min Operating hours: Weekdays 15:00-23:00 / Weekends 12:00-23:00 * Closed the day of Seollal (Lunar New Year’s Day) & Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving Day) Signature menus: Fried chicken & bean sprout set 28,000 won / Sai chicken & French fry set 27,000 won

Jaha Sonmandoo

Jaha Sonmandoo was recognized in the 2018 Michelin Guide for serving excellent mandu (dumplings). They do not use many seasonings, which gives the mandu a rather plain taste, but dip it in the in-house traditional Korean soy sauce and your taste buds will be awakened to a whole new world!

Each bowl of mandu guk (dumpling soup) is a pure expression of the chef’s efforts. The chewy mandu shell and mildly seasoned flavors are tempting. The restaurant features large windows so diners can enjoy their meal while gazing at the beauty of Bugaksan Mountain.

Jaha Sonmandoo

Address: 12, Baekseokdong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 종로구 백석동길 12) Directions: Take Bus No. 1020, 7022, or 7212 from Gyeongbokgung Station Bus Stop (Gyeongbokgung Station (Seoul Subway Line 3), Exit 3) → Get off at Buam-dong Community Service CenterㆍMugyewon Bus Stop → Walk for approx. 2 min Operating hours: 11:00-21:30 * Closed the day before and day of Seollal (Lunar New Year’s Day) & Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving Day) Signature menus: Mandu guk 15,000 won / Tteok mandu guk 15,000 won

Bugak Palgakjeong Pavilion

If you follow the road up Bugaksan Mountain from Buam-dong, you will reach Bugak Palgakjeong Pavilion, perfect for taking in the view of Seoul.

The pavilion offers a restaurant, café, and convenience store. The drive up is called Bugak Skyway, and has been a popular driving course for couples, and a riding course for bicycle clubs. Ending your day here is a great idea, as the nightscape is not to be missed.

Bugak Palgakjeong Pavilion

Address: 267, Bugaksan-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 종로구 북악산로 267) Directions: Take Bus No. 1020, 7022, or 7212 from Gyeongbokgung Station Bus Stop (Gyeongbokgung Station (Seoul Subway Line 3), Exit 3) → Get off at Buam-dong Community Service CenterㆍMugyewon Bus Stop → Walk for approx. 50 min or take a taxi for approx. 10 min

More Info 1330 Korea Travel Hotline: +82-2-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese, Russian, Vietnamese, Thai, Malay)

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