Seong Su, often known as the Brooklyn of Seoul and known for its many handmade shoe stores, is filled with recycled spaces that hold some of the most beautiful cafes, streets, and stores. Hidden amongst auto shops, storage spaces, and factories, these locations embody the rustic environment round them in an artistic and modern way. Take a stroll or grab a coffee while taking in a glimpse of the history of industrialization in Korea.

Feel free to comment more locations and/or questions!

1. Seoul forest 서울숲

Seoul Forest is like the Central Park of Seoul (but like, a third of the size). Seoul Forest is a full 297 acres of chill spaces, playgrounds, trails, and cool exhibits , and a sports center. This park holds so many different kinds of scenery that you can have such a diverse array of photos. It’s an amazing location for a photoshoot, but you can do other things like hiking, sight seeing, or going on a romantic date.

check out: the butterfly exhibit, deer feeding station

find it: 273, Ttukseom-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul

2. Cafe Onion 카페어니언

 Cafe Onion is a bakery and cafe. Once a metal factory in the 1970’s, the space gives off a abandoned house vibe, with weed like plants growing alongside decayed concrete walls and cracked tile floors. The colors of every wall, ceiling and floor complete this rusty, monochromatic aesthetic that was literally jaw dropping. Instagrammers will have a FIELD DAY in this building.

find it: 8 Achasan-ro, 9-gil, Seongdong-gu

3. daerim warehouse 대림창고

This rennovated warehouse is a gigantic Italian restaurant/cafe with a partly opened ceiling. There are full grown TREES inside. The space doubles as an seasonal art gallery that displays truly unique pieces. They serve an array of beers, coffee and tea drinks, pastas, pizzas, and salads. I’ve had the Rose Pasta, Meatball Pizza, and Beef Ragu Pasta and all of them were amazing. While you wait for your food/drink, take time to walk around and enjoy the art and the beautifully rustic interior. The space is really comfortable and good for studying as well.

find it: 78 Seongsui-ro, Seongsu 2-ga 1-dong, Seongdong-gu

4. MATCHACHA 맛차차

Matchacha is a truly unique experience in itself. The small, intimate space, the view of the trees through the large glass wall, and the meticulous preparation of matcha drinks creates this therapeutic aura that was spiritually fulfilling. Walking to the location past other cafes, cute murals, and aesthetic buildings is also its own aesthetic journey. Fans of nature, zen, green vibes and matcha MUST visit Matchacha.

find it: 685-254 Seongsu-dong 1-ga, Seongdong-gu, Seoul

5. Common Ground 커먼그라운드

Have you ever seen something so Instagrammable? Common Ground is a shopping mall constructed with 200 gigantic, beautiful, blue shipping containers. Random Fact: The company that created this work of art, Urbantainer, is also known for desigining Club Octagon in Gangnam! Outside, you can take amazing pictures with the steel blue background and explore the many food trucks in the center of the plaza. Inside, you can shop for streetwear brands like Cresc. E Dim., Vans, Covernant, and Dr. Martens, eat cake at Dore Dore, or eat at one of my many restaurants on the top floor.

find it: 200, Achasan-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul

6. Share D Table 쉐어드테이블

Share D Table is not just a cafe, but a shared unit for different types of eateries. It’s basically a food court with a Thai, Italian, and Tapas section, all of which require separate transactions. There is also a cafe in the front that serves drinks and pastries. The cafe itself is quite large. The front holds a VERY insta-worthy seating area with white tile seats, walls decorated with small potted plants, and copper and wood coffee tables. In the back, there’s also a cute turquoise camper and a display of pink and white reeds. The large windows let in ample lighting for a perfect Instagram photo.

find it: 47 Yeonmujang-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul 

Other Aesthetic Places I Would Like to Visit:

Urban Up Project - Murals Hanil Pibok. 5, Wangsimniro 4-gil, Seongdong-gu. Mi Bakery Machinery. 37, Seongsuiro 18-gil, Seongdong-gu.

Center Coffee - 28-11 Seoulsup 2(i)-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul

Person B - 53 Seoulsup-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul

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