필수NON-NEGOTIABLEIf you don't go here, you didn't really go to Korea
Hongdae
NEIGHBOURHOODS 동네
MATT SCORE
FAME
OEGUKIN-FRIENDLY
MATT SAYSOPEN IN MAPS ↗It's whats up, such a vibe, so much action, would be best student life on earth imo
MATT PRESENTS · A FIELD GUIDE FOR A FIRST-TIMER
JACKSEOUL
Around Seoul in 31 spots — everywhere I’d actually take you, rated honestly, tourist traps clearly labelled. It’s a stamp rally: hit a spot, stamp it. Clear every NON-NEGOTIABLE or you didn’t really go to Korea.
31SPOTS
10CATEGORIES
2NON-NEGOTIABLES
0STAMPED
凡例 HOW TO READ THIS GUIDE
SCORES
★ MATT SCORE is how good it actually is. ★ FAME is how famous or hyped it is. They are not the same thing — a high score with low fame earns HIDDEN GEM, and the reverse earns TOURIST BAIT (STILL GO).
한국도 KOREANITY
How local the experience is:
- OEGUKIN-FRIENDLY easy mode — English will get you through.
- KINDA KOREAN the real thing — pointing and Papago may be involved.
- ⸜(｡˃ ᵕ ˂ )⸝♡ SUPER AEGYO cuteness so extreme it transcends the scale entirely.
OBLIGATION
The coloured strip on every card — how strongly Matt is ordering you to go:
- 필수 NON-NEGOTIABLEIf you don't go here, you didn't really go to Korea.
- 가야지 DO THISYes, you should definitely do this.
- 아마도 PROBABLYKinda, like you probably should.
- 자유 DEALER'S CHOICENot at all, totally up to you.
필수NON-NEGOTIABLEIf you don't go here, you didn't really go to Korea
Gyeongbokgung Palace
SIGHTSEEING 관광
MATT SCORE
FAME
OEGUKIN-FRIENDLY
MATT SAYSOPEN IN MAPS ↗Obligatory tourist spot, kinda cool but imo not particularly interesting
가야지DO THISYes, you should definitely do this
Tera Gimbap
RESTAURANTS 밥
MATT SCORE
FAME
KINDA KOREANHIDDEN GEM
MATT SAYSOPEN IN MAPS ↗Iconic 24h gimbap spot on Hongdae street, the 5am crowd is a sight to behold
가야지DO THISYes, you should definitely do this
URT Vegan Restaurant & Bakery
RESTAURANTS 밥
MATT SCORE
FAME
OEGUKIN-FRIENDLYHIDDEN GEM
MATT SAYSOPEN IN MAPS ↗My favourite restaurant in Seoul, excellent vegan options and friendly staff. Anything thick, like stews/ragus, always hits the spot
가야지DO THISYes, you should definitely do this
Shitty Park
PARKS AND GARDENS 공원
MATT SCORE
FAME
KINDA KOREANHIDDEN GEM
MATT SAYSOPEN IN MAPS ↗Called NPC Park in Google Maps, a large concrete slab where delinquents congregate for drinking and fighting
가야지DO THISYes, you should definitely do this
Yeouido Hangang Park
PARKS AND GARDENS 공원
MATT SCORE
FAME
OEGUKIN-FRIENDLY
MATT SAYSOPEN IN MAPS ↗A good hangout spot by the river for groups of friends
가야지DO THISYes, you should definitely do this
Bukhansan
PARKS AND GARDENS 공원
MATT SCORE
FAME
KINDA KOREAN
MATT SAYSOPEN IN MAPS ↗Mountain climb, not too challenging but very enjoyable
가야지DO THISYes, you should definitely do this
Itaewon
NEIGHBOURHOODS 동네
MATT SCORE
FAME
OEGUKIN-FRIENDLY
MATT SAYSOPEN IN MAPS ↗Hongdae's older brother
아마도PROBABLYKinda, like you probably should
Chicken In The Kitchen
RESTAURANTS 밥
MATT SCORE
FAME
OEGUKIN-FRIENDLYHIDDEN GEM
MATT SAYSOPEN IN MAPS ↗Most of the customers are foreign, but this is as close as you can get to the Korean Fried Chicken experience without animal abuse
아마도PROBABLYKinda, like you probably should
르 쁠레지흐 뒤 빵 (Le plaisir du pain)
CAFES 카페
MATT SCORE
FAME
OEGUKIN-FRIENDLYHIDDEN GEM
MATT SAYSOPEN IN MAPS ↗Good baguettes from a friendly Korean bitcoin bro
아마도PROBABLYKinda, like you probably should
Gabie Cafe
CAFES 카페
MATT SCORE
FAME
OEGUKIN-FRIENDLYHIDDEN GEM
MATT SAYSOPEN IN MAPS ↗24h, hella convenient. Full of students, often sleeping, often hungover
아마도PROBABLYKinda, like you probably should
T1 Basecamp
MISCELLANEOUS 이것저것
MATT SCORE
FAME
KINDA KOREANHIDDEN GEM
MATT SAYSOPEN IN MAPS ↗PC bang in Hongdae built by T1, the e-sports team. A mecca for League of Legends players, definitely worth. ⚠️ If you use Steam, log in with the QR code — lots of people (including a friend of mine) have had their accounts compromised.
아마도PROBABLYKinda, like you probably should
The Climb Hongdae
MISCELLANEOUS 이것저것
MATT SCORE
FAME
OEGUKIN-FRIENDLYHIDDEN GEM
MATT SAYSOPEN IN MAPS ↗Excellent bouldering gym, so many people clipping their climbs it feels like a runway with all the tripods pointed at you
아마도PROBABLYKinda, like you probably should
Haebangchon
NEIGHBOURHOODS 동네
MATT SCORE
FAME
OEGUKIN-FRIENDLYHIDDEN GEM
MATT SAYSOPEN IN MAPS ↗Very scenic and underrated, good for views of N Seoul Tower
아마도PROBABLYKinda, like you probably should
Thursday Party
BARS 술
MATT SCORE
FAME
OEGUKIN-FRIENDLY
MATT SAYSOPEN IN MAPS ↗You are here to mingle and meet people, for better or worse most will be French
아마도PROBABLYKinda, like you probably should
B1
NIGHTCLUBS 클럽
MATT SCORE
FAME
OEGUKIN-FRIENDLY
MATT SAYSOPEN IN MAPS ↗Club in Hongdae, an absolute hellhole that is often open til midday. Grotto vibes, rampant SA, trap vibes typically. Not for the faint-hearted
아마도PROBABLYKinda, like you probably should
Namdaemun Market
SIGHTSEEING 관광
MATT SCORE
FAME
KINDA KOREAN
MATT SAYSOPEN IN MAPS ↗I really do not get the hype, just basic af food stalls with very little appeal
아마도PROBABLYKinda, like you probably should
Cheonggyecheon
SIGHTSEEING 관광
MATT SCORE
FAME
OEGUKIN-FRIENDLY
MATT SAYSOPEN IN MAPS ↗Skinny ass river you can walk along uninterrupted for hours, good for burning calories and listening to podcasts
아마도PROBABLYKinda, like you probably should
Bukchon Hanok Village
SIGHTSEEING 관광
MATT SCORE
FAME
OEGUKIN-FRIENDLY
MATT SAYSOPEN IN MAPS ↗Slightly more interesting tourist location, but once is enough
아마도PROBABLYKinda, like you probably should
Gangnam
NEIGHBOURHOODS 동네
MATT SCORE
FAME
OEGUKIN-FRIENDLY
MATT SAYSOPEN IN MAPS ↗Wealth, surgeries and PSY. Mid if you don't have a reason to be here
아마도PROBABLYKinda, like you probably should
Myeongdong
NEIGHBOURHOODS 동네
MATT SCORE
FAME
OEGUKIN-FRIENDLY
MATT SAYSOPEN IN MAPS ↗Touristy, but otherwise pleasant
자유DEALER'S CHOICENot at all, totally up to you
Analog Garden
CAFES 카페
MATT SCORE
FAME
OEGUKIN-FRIENDLYHIDDEN GEM
MATT SAYSOPEN IN MAPS ↗Cute Korean cafe with some vegan options. Excellent coffee and good location
자유DEALER'S CHOICENot at all, totally up to you
Sourdough Lab (Hongdae)
CAFES 카페
MATT SCORE
FAME
OEGUKIN-FRIENDLYHIDDEN GEM
MATT SAYSOPEN IN MAPS ↗Bread here is absolutely fire, but typically sold in complete loaves
자유DEALER'S CHOICENot at all, totally up to you
Cafe Namsanarae
CAFES 카페
MATT SCORE
FAME
OEGUKIN-FRIENDLYHIDDEN GEM
MATT SAYSOPEN IN MAPS ↗Amazing view from the rooftop, such a vibe when there are few customers around. Could kill hours up there
자유DEALER'S CHOICENot at all, totally up to you
Bibiri
RESTAURANTS 밥
MATT SCORE
FAME
KINDA KOREAN
MATT SAYSOPEN IN MAPS ↗Cheap, convenient DIY meals. Nothing special, but handy when you just wanna eat anything
자유DEALER'S CHOICENot at all, totally up to you
Cafe Coin
CAFES 카페
MATT SCORE
FAME
OEGUKIN-FRIENDLY
MATT SAYSOPEN IN MAPS ↗There are 2 Cafe Coins in Myeongdong, very aesthetic and good for study/work
자유DEALER'S CHOICENot at all, totally up to you
Corner Pub
BARS 술
MATT SCORE
FAME
OEGUKIN-FRIENDLY
MATT SAYSOPEN IN MAPS ↗You are here to mingle and meet people, for better or worse most will be French
자유DEALER'S CHOICENot at all, totally up to you
M Playground
MISCELLANEOUS 이것저것
MATT SCORE
FAME
OEGUKIN-FRIENDLY
MATT SAYSOPEN IN MAPS ↗Cheap, good clothing, I often stock up here when I'm back in Seoul
자유DEALER'S CHOICENot at all, totally up to you
The One Hostel
ACCOMMODATION 숙소
MATT SCORE
FAME
OEGUKIN-FRIENDLY
MATT SAYSOPEN IN MAPS ↗I had excellent experiences here, though you really need to get lucky with the other guests. Great location, terrible beds and shower lol
자유DEALER'S CHOICENot at all, totally up to you
Hongik University campus
SIGHTSEEING 관광
MATT SCORE
FAME
OEGUKIN-FRIENDLY
MATT SAYSOPEN IN MAPS ↗Just a calm walk in the city, so close to the action but so quiet
자유DEALER'S CHOICENot at all, totally up to you
Gyeongui Line Book Street
SIGHTSEEING 관광
MATT SCORE
FAME
OEGUKIN-FRIENDLY
MATT SAYSOPEN IN MAPS ↗An old train line that has been turned into a scenic walk, very chill
빙고 SEOUL BINGO
MARK THEM AS THEY HAPPEN · NO LINES YET — GET OUT THERE