Apgujeong guide
Apgujeong is one of the most affluent neighbourhoods in South Korea as it’s home to some of the wealthiest citizens. Here’s a comprehensive Apgujeong guide so that you get a taste of what’s trending in the country. Who knows, you might just find something that tickles your fancy.
1. NUDAKE Cafe
Image credit: Gentle Monster
NUDAKE Cafe was opened by the Korean eyewear brand Gentle Monster in 2021 and serves artisanal desserts.
The cafe is situated in the Haus Dosan store, a 5-storey building that features Gentle Monster, NUDAKE Cafe, as well as the cosmetic brand, Tamburins.
The cafe has an open display for its desserts and artsy interiors.
Image credit: @_ye.bari_ via Instagram
To order the desserts, simply grab a pencil and an order sheet. Write down the dessert number and quantity, then hand it to the counter to make payment.
Each dessert has a placard with its allocated number, price and a brief description.
Image credit: @daybyday_.8 via Instagram
The most popular dessert at NUDAKE Cafe is PEAK (KRW39,000, ~USD30.60), which is a black pastry that resembles a croissant, and it’s packed with a generous amount of matcha cream.
Customers visiting in smaller groups can get the PEAK Small (KRW23,000, (~USD18.03), which is a smaller version of the Peak dessert.
To complete your matcha meal, get the signature PEAK Green Tea Latte (KRW7,000, ~USD5.48), which is available both hot and iced.
Image credit: @23fuu_ via Instagram
Another interesting dessert to try is FOG (KRW57,000, ~USD44.67), a sponge cake with olive bits and fresh cream.
Also available in a smaller portion, FOG Small is sold at KRW13,000 (~USD10.19) each, and it’s suitable for sharing between 2 persons.
Address: 50, Apgujeong-ro 46-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
Opening hours: 11am-9pm, Daily
Contact: 070-4128-2125
2. JIAN Perfume
Image credit: @kimjianperfume_official via Instagram
Discover your favourite scents and customise your perfume at JIAN Perfume.
Package 1 includes the necessary materials and a 30ml bottle, and it’s available at KRW50,000 (~USD39.25). At KRW60,000 (~USD47.10), you can opt for Package 2, that includes materials and a 60ml bottle.
JIAN Perfume also has diffuser-making classes. Make your reservations in advance here.
Image adapted from: @kimjianperfume_official via Instagram, @kimjianperfume_official via Instagram
JIAN Perfume was also visited by the famous South Korean national basketball players Heo Ung and Heo Hoon.
The Heo brothers filmed a personal perfume-making video for their YouTube channel, where they often show what they do in their day-to-day lives when they’re not training. Fans of the brothers also made their way down to JIAN Perfume to recreate the perfumes made by Heo Ung and Heo Hoon.
Watch Heo Ung and Heo Hoon make their perfume here:
Video credit: 코삼부자 by 허웅 허훈 허재 via YouTube
Address: 13-4, Nonhyeon-ro 163-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
Contact: 010-2869-4147
3. Dal Paeng E Pocha
Image credit: @k08084 via Instagram
Opened in June 2022, Dal Paeng E Pocha is a restaurant decorated with bright neon lights, and it’s designed to function as a pocha (Korean street food vendor).
Image credit: @dal.paeng.e_pocha via Instagram
Dal Paeng E Pocha is a great location to spend your Friday night drinking away with your friends. Its vibey music and colourful lights make it a cosy yet fun space to hang out with your homies.
Dal Paeng E Rose Tteokbokki.
Image credit: 햄언니 via Naver
The restaurant serves local Korean food such as Stir-Fried Chicken Feet (KRW22,000, ~USD17.26) and Army Stew (KRW25,000, ~USD19.62), which are ideal for sharing.
The signature menu at Dal Paeng E Pocha is their Dal Paeng E Rose Tteokbokki (KRW23,000, ~USD18.04), which pairs perfectly with alcohol.
Address: 28, Apgujeong-ro 50-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
Opening hours: Sun-Thu 5pm-4am, Fri-Sat 5pm-5am
Contact: 0507-1364-6669
4. K Museum of Contemporary Art
Image credit: K Museum of Contemporary Art
The K Museum of Contemporary Art is a 6-storey private art museum large enough to hold multiple exhibitions simultaneously. Depending on your visit, at least 3 to 4 exhibitions are usually ongoing during the same period.
Image credit: K Museum of Contemporary Art
Most exhibitions last over 6 months, so you won’t have to worry about missing out on most of them if you’re planning to visit South Korea soon.
Even though there are many exhibitions held inside the K Museum of Contemporary Art, the admission tickets are bought separately, and the prices of the tickets may differ.
Check out the museum’s website to view current exhibitions and ticket prices.
Image adapted from: @_minzy_mz via Instagram, @_minzy_mz via Instagram
2NE1’s Minzy also made her way to the K Museum of Contemporary Art for the “Numen/For use: TUBE SEOUL” and “Numen/For use: TAPE SEOUL” exhibition.
Address: 807 Seolleung-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 10am-7pm (Closed on Mondays)
Contact: 0507-1405-0952
5. Happy Food
Image credit: @bycdol_happy_food via Instagram
Happy Food serves authentic Chinese cuisines cooked by chefs flown in from China. The interior gives off old-school Chinese restaurant vibes with its dim red lights and vintage-looking wooden furniture.
Image credit: @yeee_v109 via Instagram
One of its bestselling items is the Tomato Egg with Rice (KRW12,000, ~USD9.41), which has silky scrambled eggs with tomato served with white rice.
Also, get its signature Sichuan-style Fried Pork, which is available in small and large sizes. The small serving is KRW19,000 (~USD14.90) and the large serving costs KRW29,000 (~USD22.74).
Image credit: @bycdol_happy_food via Instagram
If you love noodles, get the Beef Noodle Soup (KRW12,000, ~USD9.41), which has slices of beef, egg noodles and rich beef bone broth.
Address: 36, Dosan-daero 51-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 11.30am-10pm (Closed on Sundays)
Contact: 02-514-0200
6. Nol Soop
Image credit: @nolsoop_apgujeong via Instagram
After a long day of walking and shopping, take a break and chill at Nol Soop.
Nol Soop is a cartoon and book cafe with a library of books, including comics and story books.
The admission fee is also very affordable. You can read for an hour at only KRW5,500 (~USD4.31) and get a complimentary drink too.
Image adapted from: 쫑알 via Naver, 롱롱 via Naver
Nol Soop has individual booths for those who want to enjoy a private and comfortable reading experience.
Each booth has a small side table for you to put your food and drinks while you read. When visiting with friends, you can sit at the bigger table for more space.
Image credit: 꾸꾸 via Naver
An unspoken rule is to eat a bowl of Ramyun (KRW4,000, ~USD3.13) when you visit book cafes like Nol Soop.
The book cafe also has other kinds of food like rice dishes, tteokbokki (Korean spicy rice cakes) and pastries that will satisfy your hungry stomachs.
Address: 22-6, Apgujeong-ro 28-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
Opening hours: 11.30am-9pm, Daily
Contact: 02-544-6250
7. Park 913
Image credit: @s.cooing via Instagram
Park 913 is an aesthetic and classy rooftop bar and restaurant with floor-to-ceiling windows and a beautiful city skyline view.
Image credit: @hiiiiiiiiiw via Instagram
The restaurant is located at a prime location with gorgeous views of sunsets that envelope the restaurant in a warm and cosy atmosphere during the golden hour.
Image credit: @onlyoon.jihye via Instagram
One of the bestselling dishes at Park 913 is the Scoglio Pasta (KRW34,000, ~USD26.62), which is a dish with mixed seafood, including squid and mussels. The pasta is available in 3 different bases, cream, oil and tomato.
Image credit: 짱수 via Naver
Park 913 also has a wide selection of alcohol, from champagne to whiskey, wine and many others.
Get the Champagne Set Menu (KRW300,000, ~USD234.89), including a bottle of Luc Belaire champagne and a side dish of your choice.
Address: 30, Seolleung-ro 152-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
Opening hours: 12pm-11pm, Daily
Contact: 0507-1489-8490
8. Simmons Grocery Store
Image credit: @hejmerry via Instagram
The Simmons Grocery Store is a 3-storey building housing a grocery store, burger shop and exhibition space.
Image adapted from: 옷이 via Naver, @minnnji_via Instagram
The store sells various products, from interesting knick-knacks to clothing and food.
Many of its products are designed to look like food items. For example, its film camera (KRW15,000, ~USD11.74) and kitchen sponge (KRW4,000, ~USD3.13) are shaped like pieces of raw meat.
Image adapted from: @jeongdu_film via Instagram, @seon9092 via Instagram
Level 2 is occupied by the Burger Shop, which is a famous burger brand from Busan.
Get the Bacon Cheese Burger (KRW10,900, ~USD8.53), which has a juicy handmade patty and crispy bacon. Top up KRW5,500 (~USD4.30) for half a serving of fries and a cup of coke.
Image credit: @gosimamasayuki via Instagram
Level 3 is an exhibition space where you can admire digital artworks displayed on LED screens.
Address: 14-1, Seolleung-ro 158-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
Opening hours: 11.30am-8.30pm, Daily
Contact: 02-541-6574
9. Dosan Mamma
Image adapted from: @mammamiadosan via Instagram, Audrey Kawasaki via Naver
Enjoy an afternoon break at Dosan Mamma, which is famous for its hot pink walls and fairytale-like interior.
Image credit: 연찡 via Naver
Dosan Mamma specialises in fruit crepe cakes and fruits-infused desserts, including tarts and croissants.
The most popular item at Dosan Mamma is the Strawberry Crepe (KRW8,500, ~USD6.66), with layers of fresh cream, strawberry slices and crepe.
Another must-try is the Mont Blanc Tart (KRW7,500, ~USD5.87), which has a sweet chestnut-flavoured cream and baked meringue on top of the tart base.
Image credit: 지르밍 via Naver
Pair the sweet desserts with a can of cold brew (KRW5,500, ~USD4.30), available in 3 different flavours, Nigreos, Rubrum and Viridi.
Address: 2, Apgujeong-ro 45-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
Opening hours: 10am-11pm, Daily
Contact: 02-511-0620
10. Galleria Department Store
Image credit: 트렌드DA via Naver
The Galleria Department Store at Apgujeong is a luxury shopping mall, and it is split into 2 sections – east and west.
Image credit: 푸린 via Naver
The department store houses a wide variety of luxury brands, including Celine, Louis Vuitton and Tag Heuer.
Image credit: 꽈토리 via Naver
Besides shopping, there is a Gourmet 494 section located in basement 1 of the west building.
Many food options are available at Gourmet 494, including Brownie and Flying Scones and famous donut cafe, Cafe Knotted.
Address: 343, Apgujeong-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
Opening hours: Mon-Thu 10.30am-8pm, Fri-Sun 10.30am-8.30pm
Contact: 02-3449-4114
Spend a fulfilling day at Apgujeong
The Apgujeong neighbourhood is a vibrant place to hang out alone or with friends. It is packed with shops, museums and fun activities that will entertain you for an entire day.
If you’re travelling to South Korea, check out our things to do in Mangwon, things to do in Jeju, things to do in Suwon, trendy neighbourhoods in Seoul, cherry blossom festivals in Korea guides and articles.
Cover image adapted from: @hejmerry via Instagram, @daybyday_.8 via Instagram, @bycdol_happy_food via Instagram