Ask Locals Anything in Seoul!
Get authentic advice or meet people in Seoul for travel tips, best food recommendations or hangouts from locals, guides and travelers.
Trends in Seoul
Seoul Date Night
A Chinese-Korean and Filipino-White couple has a free evening in Seoul and wants to meet up. They'll be in Gangnam earlier in the day, then hitting the bars/clubs at night.
Start with dinner in Garosu-gil. Lots of cool, trendy restaurants there with a good mix of cuisines, so you should find something everyone likes. Then, depending on your vibe, Itaewon has a ton of bars and clubs – more international feel – or Hongdae if you prefer a younger, more alternative scene. Gangnam's club scene is pretty upscale, but if you're already there earlier, it might be a bit much for the whole night.
Suspicious Kindness in Suwon?
Family outing near Hwaseong Fortress led to an unexpected encounter with a helpful stranger who guided us to a restaurant. Her overly helpful nature and slightly off-putting behavior leave us questio… more
Suwon can be a bit… intense, tourist-wise. Overly helpful strangers near Hwaseong Fortress aren't unheard of, especially if they're trying to steer you towards a specific, possibly overpriced, restaurant. It's not necessarily sinister, just… aggressive hospitality. Did the restaurant seem unusually empty or tourist-trap-ish? That would be a bigger red flag than the helpfulness itself. Next time, maybe stick to more established places with lots of visible reviews.
Yeah, that makes sense. It was weirdly empty, and the menu was all in Korean with pictures of… things I couldn't quite place. Definitely felt tourist-trappy. Thanks for the heads-up; I'll be more cautious next time. I guess overly friendly in a tourist spot isn't always a good thing.
Seoul Trip in March: Seeking Recommendations
A mother and her 18-year-old daughter are visiting Seoul from March 25th for a week. They're interested in historical sites, shopping, high-end beauty treatments (facials, makeup, professional photos… more
March in Seoul is lovely! For history, the Gyeongbokgung Palace is a must, especially with the cherry blossoms possibly starting to bloom. Afterwards, wander through Bukchon Hanok Village for charming traditional houses and tea houses. For high-end beauty, head to the Gangnam district. Lots of upscale salons offer amazing facials and makeup services. For professional photos, look into studios specializing in portraiture – many will offer packages including hair and makeup. Shopping wise, Gangnam is again a great bet, but Myeongdong offers a more vibrant, younger vibe with tons of cosmetic shops and street food. Food-wise, try some upscale Korean BBQ in Gangnam – there are some fantastic places with amazing cuts of meat and side dishes. For cocktails, check out the bars in Itaewon; they often have a more international flair. Have a great trip!
Thirty-something French couple seeks Seoul companions
Visiting Seoul until the 1st, we're looking to meet people for drinks and conversation. We're open to exploring more of the city together. Locals especially welcome, but anyone is welcome! Beer's on… more
Hit me up! We're a group of friends who love showing off Seoul to visitors. We're free most evenings this week. Let's grab some soju and share stories.
That sounds fantastic! What kind of things do you usually show visitors? And how many people are in your group? We're pretty easygoing and up for anything – museums, markets, nightlife, whatever!
Hair salon recommendations in Seoul
Looking for a cool, alternative salon in or near Hongdae to touch up my partially bleached hair and add some subtle two-tone highlights. Tourist-friendly location a plus.
Check out 'Myeongdong' for a ton of options. It's a bit outside Hongdae, but super accessible by subway and packed with salons catering to all styles, including plenty with English-speaking stylists. You'll likely find something that fits the "cool, alternative" vibe you're going for there, especially if you poke around a bit beyond the main streets.
That's great advice, thanks! Myeongdong is definitely on my list now. I hadn't considered how accessible it would be by subway, that makes a huge difference. I'm mostly looking for a place that does well with shorter, more textured cuts – hoping to avoid the whole "one-length, blunt cut" look that seems common in some places. Any idea if that style is easier to find in certain areas of Myeongdong, or is it pretty evenly spread across the salons there?
Luxury Seoul Golf Hotels
Looking for a five-star hotel in Seoul with a nearby or on-site golf course?
The Grand Hyatt Seoul is a solid five-star option, and while it doesn't have its own course, there are several high-end courses within a short taxi ride. Consider looking into their concierge services – they'll likely have connections and tee times readily available.
That's great, thanks! I hadn't thought about using the concierge service – that's really helpful. Any idea on the typical cost of a taxi to those nearby courses? Just trying to get a sense of the overall budget.
Christmas Photo Booth Lines
Saw ridiculously long lines at photo booths in Seongsu on Christmas. Why the huge wait?
Probably a combination of factors. Seongsu's already a trendy area, so it attracts a lot of people on any given day. Add Christmas, the desire for cute photos, and maybe some specific photo booth with a particularly popular theme or prop – that's a recipe for a massive queue. It's the perfect storm of holiday hype and Instagrammability.
Bachelor Party
Looking for bachelor party ideas.
Hit up Gangnam for some upscale clubs and a killer night out. Alternatively, explore Itaewon – it's got a more diverse bar scene and is great for exploring different vibes. If you guys are into something a bit more unique, check out a noraebang (karaoke room) session – it's a quintessential Korean experience.
New Seoul resident guitarist seeks collaborators
Thirty-four-year-old guitarist and SNU student seeks fellow musicians (metal/rock) for songwriting and potential band formation. Extensive experience (10 years). Equipped with guitar and amp.
Check out the music departments at SNU – there are bound to be bulletin boards or online forums where students post about forming bands. Also, look into open mic nights at Hongdae clubs; that's a great place to network with other musicians. Good luck!
Volleyball court rentals in Seoul
Looking for indoor volleyball courts to rent in Seoul during our New Year's trip.
Check out some of the larger gyms and sports complexes in Seoul. Many of them offer court rentals, even if it's not explicitly advertised on their English websites. You might have better luck calling them directly or using a Korean translation app to search online for "실내 배구장 대여" (indoor volleyball court rental). Happy New Year!