honestly the European food scene here is pretty interesting because it's not trying to be authentic most of the time. there's a ton of Italian places but they're all doing their own thing, like pasta with cream sauce and corn or pizza with sweet potato mousse on the crust. if you want something closer to what you'd get back home, hit up Apgujeong Rodeo for higher-end French or Italian, places like Joo Ok or La Yeon are proper fine dining but pricey

spanish food is surprisingly hard to find but there's a tiny tapas bar in Yeonnam-dong called Bodega that does really good jamon and patatas bravas, the owner trained in Barcelona. for german food there's a spot in Itaewon called Gogi's that has legit schnitzel and spatzle, it's run by a korean guy who lived in Munich for 10 years

the most popular european dish among seoulians is prob pasta with cream sauce, everyone loves it but it's always sweeter than what you'd get in italy. pizza is also huge but it's the thick crust kind with corn and mayo, not really italian style at all

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fwiw there's a surprisingly solid French bistro scene in Hannam-dong, places like Les Pins or Bistro Le B for something casual. Italian is everywhere but the most authentic stuff is in Itaewon's back alleys, I like a spot called La Tavola for their handmade pasta. Korean palates tend to favor bold flavors so you see a lot of spicy reinterpretations of European dishes, like gochujang-infused pasta or kimchi cream sauce on pizza. For the anthropologic angle, check out a place called Pizza Hill in Hongdae, it's been around since the 80s and shows how Koreans adapted Italian food into something uniquely their own

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this is a solid list, one thing i'd add is that the t-money card also works for the airport railroad express (arex) and you can get a discount if you buy a "climate card" from the subway machines for like 62,000 won a month, unlimited rides on seoul metro and buses. also, for free stuff, the seoul city wall hiking trail from naksan park gives you amazing views of the city and bukchon without paying a thing, plus it's way less crowded than namsan. gwangjang market is great but go for the sundubu (7000 won) at the stalls in the back, not the front ones near the entrance which are pricier for tourists

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honestly the guide nails it, one thing i'd add is that the t-money card deposit is refundable at any convenience store when you leave, most people forget and just toss it. also for free stuff, the seoul philharmonic does free outdoor concerts at seoul plaza in spring and fall, just show up with a blanket. if you're near hongdae on a friday night, the playground area has buskers that are genuinely talented, way better than the overhyped clubs

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i live here and a few things this guide nails. one tip that saves me money is the "climate card" for 62,000 won a month, unlimited subway and bus, even works on the airport express if you're staying a while. for cheap eats, skip the main streets in hongdae and go into the alleys behind the art center, there's a place that does dwaeji gukbap (pork soup) for 7,000 won and it's way better than the tourist spots. also, the seoul city wall trail from naksan park is free and gives you killer views without the namsan tower price tag, way less crowded too

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