Seoul Searching

Fifty years ago, South Korea was one of the world’s poorest countries. Now it is a global player that is experiencing a meteoric rise in cultural ‘soft power’ – making it a must-visit for design lovers

- Catherine Franklin

The capital of South Korea, Seoul, is locally known as the New York of Asia – and make no mistake – this city is overwhelmingly rich in its diverse offerings. From highly decorated temples and intimate hanok (traditional houses) to contemporary skyscrapers and a new wave of pop culture, Seoul has something for every traveller.

EAT & DRINK

Food and drinks are the main platform for every form of social interaction in Seoul. As a result, the culinary scene is awe-inspiring. Every street corner boasts at least one stall emitting enticing scents of fried doughy delights or spicy snacks. From tteokbokki (spicy sweet rice cakes) and hotteok (pancakes) to ice cream wrapped in ‘goldfish’ waffles, Seoul’s street food is a smorgasbord of unique flavours and textures. To escape the crowds, step off the street into one of

Seoul’s many restaurants for a taste of Korean favourites such as bibimbap, ramen, Korean BBQ and fried chicken. For a taste of the high life, make a booking at chef Tae Hwan Ryu’s fine-dining establishment in Sinsa-dong. After working around the world and alongside culinary legends such as Gordon Ramsay, Ryu returned to his home country to open Ryunique. The tasting menu offers 10 courses of contemporary gastro-scientific creations reminiscent of those by famed gastronomic chef Heston Blumenthal. If you’re short on time, get a  bite-sized sampling of chef Ryu’s famous fare at his sister eatery, Normal by Ryunique, also in Sinsa-dong.