Essentials
Money in Korea
Best exchange rates, ATMs & how to pay
Read guide →Western food has been localized in Seoul over decades, emerging as something distinctly Korean in the process. Demi-glace pork cutlets, cream pasta with kimchi, and French-style brunch menus sit alongside Italian pizza and American burgers in Seoul's eclectic restaurant landscape. Many younger Korean chefs trained abroad and returned to open restaurants that blend European technique with Korean ingredients and sensibility.
Yongsan-gu contains Itaewon — Seoul's most international neighbourhood — as well as the scenic Hannam district and Yongsan Electronics Market. Itaewon's food scene reflects its global community: Indian, Middle Eastern, African, and American restaurants share streets with high-end Korean and Japanese establishments. It's also where many of Seoul's foreign chefs have set up their most ambitious projects.
HBO1 Café is a very cute spot with three floors and a rooftop area. I visited in winter, so it was too cold to enjoy the outdoor seating, but the space itself is charming and set in a trendy yet classic neighborhood. As for the cakes, they are quite normal—nothing particularly new or unique—but the café’s overall atmosphere makes it a pleasant place to stop by and relax. A nice café to visit for the vibes and surroundings.
Perfect Vanilla Latte and kind service while we waited for more places to open.
Very cute Place. They have 3 floors and a rooftop with a nice view of Namsan tower. Staff is very nice and it smells heavenly inside. We really liked the chill atmosphere and good drinks. (And the small dog is adorable)
