This is your guide to experiencing every Korean bucket list item in just 4 days in Seoul in November. My Seoul travel guide includes Korean BBQ, noraebang (or karaoke), Korean body scrubs, themed cafés and more fall itinerary ideas.
In my mind, Seoul ranks up their alongside Tokyo as one of the most fun cities in Asia. What I mean by fun is that there is something quirky, animated, new, and interactive on every corner. You’ll never meet people as kind, humble, interesting and animated as the Koreans. A dessert is transformed into a work of art, coffee shops are turned into trending pop up locations, clothes are affordable, well-made, and fashionable, the spa services and beauty products are top notch, and the food is unique and flavorful. The perfect Seoul travel guide would require a minimum 4 days in Seoul in November to explore all of its marvels and get to know the population and its unique mannerisms. When I visited Seoul in November, I put together the perfect fall itinerary…
Quick Navigation: Seoul in November: 4 Day Fall Itinerary
4 Days In Seoul in November Itinerary Map
Where to Stay In Seoul
How To Get Around Seoul
Important Things to Keep in Mind
DAY 1
FIRST STOP: DINNER AT BAENGNYEON SAMGYETANG
Korean Ginseng Chicken Soup at Baengnyeon Samgyetang, Seoul
Within minutes of landing in Seoul post-flight, we were famished and looking for a warm hearty traditional meal (after all, it was a chilly night in November). Luckily, right across from our Hanok, we were recommended to visit Baengnyeon Samgyetang, a Michelin Guide restaurant serving traditional Samgyetang, or ginseng chicken soup. If you have a food bucket list in the works for Seoul, start adding this to your list. It’s a must in any Seoul travel guide.
SECOND STOP: STREET FOOD IN INSA-DONG
Bungeoppang Street Food: Korean Fish-Shaped Pastries
Dinner was filling, but we still had room for dessert. On our way to the annual Seoul Lantern Festival on Cheonggyecheon Stream, we walked by a street food vendor selling traditional Korean treats. I had a good “filling” about this vendor. The old lady behind the cart was baking freshly made Bungeoppang, or basically waffles with a hot sweet red bean or custard filling. Needless to say, we spent 4 days in Seoul and went back every night for a full bag of Bungeoppang. Street food is another must add to your Seoul travel guide and there is no shortage of options.
THIRD STOP: SEOUL LANTERN FESTIVAL AT CHEONGGYECHEON STREAM
What to Expect at the Annual Seoul Lantern Festival
One of the benefits of traveling to Seoul in November, aside from the fall foliage, is the number of festivals happening. Experiencing one of these festivals is a unique addition to any Seoul travel guide itinerary. If you travel to Seoul in the fall, you might be lucky enough to experience the annual Seoul lantern festival. My mom and I were lucky enough that we were there for the last day of the festival. We couldn’t miss out on this huge and artistic event that literally lit up the town. The event is very organized, giving every one enough time to walk down Cheonggyecheon Stream and enjoy the paper lanterns commissioned to various countries exclusively for the festival.
DAY 2
FIRST STOP: BREAKFAST AT ANGUK 153
Where to Eat Breakfast in Seoul: Anguk 153
I was woken up at my Hanok at Cheong Yeon Jae by the delicious smell of a Korean traditional breakfast (which is what this traditional Korean home is known for!). Although it was beyond delicious, I was stil craving my daily coffee and croissant. I headed to a bakery nearby that had caught my eye the night before—Anguk 153. Of my 4 days in Seoul in November, there wasn’t one morning you didn’t find me in that bakery trying their latest and greatest pastry. The bakery offered over 10 different types of pastries every morning and you could smell the delicious baked goods from the end of the street. The place was hard to miss and is something you SHOULDN’T miss out on. Add this stop to your Seoul travel guide…
SECOND STOP: BUKCHON HANOK VILLAGE
What To Do In Bukchon Hanok Village, Seoul
We decided to spend the morning exploring the area where we were based out of—the old, restored traditional village in Seoul, also known as Bukchon Hanok Village. The maze-like village offers a ton of hidden gems from traditional tea houses to residential and architecturally marvelous streets and traditional Korean inspired clothing.
THIRD STOP: HAMU
Where to Shop in Seoul, Bukchon Hanok Village: HAMU
One of the stores that stood out to me more than any while in Bukchon Hanok Village was HAMU. Not only did it catch my eye because of it’s 20 foot door at the entrance, but because of the artistic and theatrical elements that made this clothing so one-of-a-kind. The clothing is made and designed by famous Korean costume designer Lee Jin-hee. Even if it may be out of your price range walk in to marvel at how each garment infuses elements that tie back to the essence of the traditional Hanbok.
LUNCH: BALWOO GONGYANG
Balwoo Gongyang: Michelin 1-Star Vegan Buddhist Restaurant
In my mind, food and travel are inextricably linked with one another. You can taste the influence that centuries of history and culture has had on places through food. A unique experience to add to your Seoul travel guide is this Michelin-starred vegan buddhist restaurant. Traditional, Vegan, Korean Buddhist Temple food was one of those experiences and culture influences I wanted to taste for myself. My mom and I went during lunch since the Michelin 1-Star restaurant Balwoo Gongyang is usually packed for dinner, requires a reservation, and is double the price. It was an enlightening experience full of interesting and new flavors.
FOURTH STOP: JOGYESA TEMPLE
As soon as you’re done with your meal at Balwoo Gongyang, you’ll find yourself in front of the origins of your meal—at the Jogyesa Temple. It’s the main temple and head temple of the Jogye order in Seoul. It was built in the late 14th century and rebuilt in 1910 following a fire with the help of monks. Dharma hall serves as the main venue for several Buddhist events. You may step inside to marvel at the three large golden buddha and prayers and lanterns hanging from the ceiling.
FIFTH STOP: STARFIELD LIBRARY
You Must Visit Starfield Library in Gangnam, Seoul
The Gangnam district was located on the other side of Seoul across the river, but we were on our way there anyway for our traditional Korean Spa experience. On the way there we stopped by COEX Mall, the largest underground shopping center in Asia. It even has an aquarium! But that wasn’t what we were there to see. We stopped by to marvel at the Starfield Library a public open library that is 13 meters or 42 feet tall and wraps around the glass enclosure that is COEX Mall.
SIXTH STOP: SPA LEI
Spa Lei: Best Korean Body Scrub In Seoul For Foreigners
There are a few things you can’t leave Seoul without absolutely doing and doing a Korean Body Scrub is a must add to any Seoul travel guide. We lost track of time at Starfield Library so hopped in a cab instead of a bus to rush to our 6PM appointment at Spa Lei. We had booked a traditional Korean body scrub at one of the hottest and cleanest spots in the Sinsa district. The experience was raw, intimate, and beyond fulfilling. You leave feeling like a whole new person. Combine my Korean Body Scrub, massage, and facial with the Vegan Buddhist Temple Food from lunch and I was feeling as cleansed and new as can be! If you don’t know what to expect, have sensitive skin (like me!), or want to understand why Spa Lei is better than other Korean bathhouses, continue reading below.
DINNER
I should’ve stopped for dinner in the Sinsa district following my Korean body scrub at Spa Lei, but instead, I chose to go back to Bukchon Hanok Village. Now that would not have been a problem, if it wasn’t for a couple of things:
It was a recipe for disaster. Needless to say, I ended up stopping by a grocery store and buying some sandwiches and snacks for dinner.
DAY 3
FIRST STOP: CHANGDEOKGUNG PALACE
There are up to five palaces in Seoul. Now you could see them all Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, Changgyeonggung, Deoksugung, and Gyeonghuigung. But to be honest, after you’ve seen one…they start to look all the same! Now, a history buff might gasp at what I just said, but in all honesty they are not as intricate as the ones in Japan or as grand as the one’s in Europe. They are ok. After you’ve seen one, you’ve seen enough. But what many people don’t explore are the areas around the palaces. After walking around Changdeokgung, we found a small park located right outside of the palace. And if you’re planning a 4 day fall itinerary in Seoul in November, like what i did, you can’t miss out on the fall foliage. We spent a lot of time here just taking in the numerous fall colors hanging from the trees and diving into the piles of leaves staggered around the park. There is no better time to visit Seoul, then in fall. I was there during Thanksgiving week and fall had just ended, but some parts still kept their vibrant colors.
SECOND STOP: IHWA MURAL VILLAGE
Exploring the Work Of Art that is Ihwa Mural Village
The outskirt village of Ihwa has risen to fame in Seoul, whether it’s wanted to or not. Its Instagram-worthy murals are worth a visit and have saved the sleepy town from desolation. Yet, it has also wreaked destruction on the tranquility of its people. My mom and I respectfully went for a stroll through the muraled walls of Ihwa Mural Village admiring the art that over 70 artists created to reinvigorate this star-crossed village.
THIRD STOP: JONGNO
7 Things to Do in Jongno, Seoul from Insadong to Myeongdong
After spending an hour or so exploring Ihwa and it’s fun murals, we headed to Jongno districts many neighborhoods for a mix of strange cafés, street food, shops, old bookstores and tea houses in Insa-dong, the quaint tree-lined streets of Waryongdong, and the high-energy nightlife in Myeongdong that includes Korean karaoke, Korean barbecue, arcade games, shopping, Times Square-like lights and more.
FOURTH STOP: KOREAN BARBECUE
Head to Wangbijib for Premium Korean Barbecue in Jongno, Seoul
You can’t visit Korea and say you didn’t have Korean Barbecue. Alongside the Korean Body Scrub, this is another essential add to Seoul travel guide. That’s like saying you visited New York and didn’t have a hot dog, or pizza, gelato, or pasta in Italy, or croissants and foie gras in France..you get the picture! With so many places to choose from and just one shot at having the best of the best, my mom and I decided to splurge at Wangbijib, one of the best Premium Korean Barbecue joints in Seoul in the heart of Jongno.
DAY 4
FIRST STOP: NORYANGJIN FISH MARKET
Alongside Korean BBQ, themed cafés, and Korean body scrubs, a trip to Noryangjin fish market is a must when in Seoul. This market dates back to 1927 when it was located in downtown Seoul. It is the oldest and largest seafood market in Korea with up to 700 vendors. The idea might gross you out or make you feel uncomfortable, but it’s a very important part of Korean culture. This is not your typical farmers market, it smells like fish and is wet so don’t come dressed to the nines. As you walk past each fish stall, admire the different types of sea creatures for sale, some of which I had never seen before. Something I did not experience but you could, was purchasing sea food and having them cook it for you right on the spot on the second floor and basement level.
The best time to visit and see the outdoor markets is between 1AM and 6AM, when the market is in full swing and the locals are bargaining and arguing.
SECOND STOP: KOREAN NATIONAL HISTORY MUSEUM
You’re steps away from the border of South Korea and North Korea. In fact, you can even go to the DMZ Border and see it for yourself. I am a bit of a coward and didn’t feel the need to go straight to the DMZ Border, but I still wanted to get a better understanding of the Korean War from South Korea’s perspective. This stop in my opinion is important and interesting for everyone, whether you’re a history buff or not. The Korean National History Museum is open to the public and can be seen within a couple of hours. You’ll leave feeling that you have a better understanding of what the people around have been and are going through.
THIRD STOP: C. THROUGH CAFÉ
C. Through Café is the Best Coffee Shop in Seoul
After leaving the Korean National History Museum, my mom and I needed a joyous pick-me-up so we headed to a café I had been dreaming about visiting since I was in New York. C. Through Café is latte art on steroids, although it’s technically creamart. Lee Kangbin’s designs can take anywhere from 5 minutes to an hour to create depending on the complexity of your beverage. If it’s super complex like Vincent Van Gogh’s The Starry Night (and yes he actually makes this) you have to order your creamart in advance. Why creamart and not latte art? Because his art can only be made on cold creamy drinks. It’s a place that both foodies, artists, and just anyone who is anyone should see with their own eyes. It’s truly a work of art!
FOURTH STOP: NAMDAEMUN FLEA AND STREET MARKETS
A Seoul Travel Guide to Namdaemun Market
Our last stop in Seoul was at Namdeamun Market, the oldest and largest traditional market in Korea. It is rich in food stalls, markets, shops, and more abound. But if you know me…I like to follow my nose and it led me right to Hyojason King Dumpling where I enjoyed a delicious to-go lunch. As I cut through the crowd and made my way to the front, I saw Ajummas, a respectful word for Korean married women, laying out mounds of piping hot and fresh Mandus, or Korean dumplings. The perfect way to end my trip to Korea, happy, satisfied, and carrying my latest fashion statement—a plastic bag full of Mandus.
4 DAYS IN SEOUL ITINERARY MAP
WHERE TO STAY
Cheong Yeon Jae: Stay in Bukchon Hanok Village, Seoul
Going to Asia for me was all about cultural immersion and getting as close to experiencing, understanding and living Korean everyday culture as I could. That to me is what a true Seoul travel guide, or any travel guide really, is all about. Cultural immersion. With that in mind, staying a Hanok, or traditional Korean home was essential to me. Luckily, I found a boutique hotel in Bukchon Hanok Village that was in fact a Hanok. It is called Cheong Yeon Jae. Cheong Yeon Jae means “a clear and clean connection that further advances to more precious and better relationships.” The boutique hotel’s number one goal is to get you closer to Korean culture through full cultural immersion, allowing you to foster a deeper relationship with the country and it’s traditions. What their known for more than anything is their famous traditional Korean breakfast…a must-stay and must-try when in Seoul!
HOW TO GET AROUND SEOUL
If there was one thing that made it harder for me to navigate around Seoul than in any other country, it is the fact that Google Maps does not work in Seoul. In fact, it is the only country in the world that doesn’t allow access to Google Maps. Even North Korea allows Google Maps in the country. The reason why is that following the Korean War, South Korea does not want anyone to know how it’s city is laid out to prevent sensitive information from falling into the wrong hands. Luckily, I was still able to locate the places I wanted to go to, just not see how to drive, walk, or get there. It was a bit of a guessing game, but we made it just fine.
Cabs in Seoul are cheap and the drivers are honest so if you feel like public transportation isn’t going to get you to your destination fast enough, this is a good choice. Just remember to have your final destination either on a map or written out in Korean since almost all of cab drivers don’t speak or read English.
While in Seoul I took both the public bus and subway system. The subway system in my opinion was awesome, clean, fast, and very spacious. The cool thing about the subways is the refund deposit machines! When you buy a single ticket, once you’ve arrived at your final destination if you return the ticket at these refund deposit machines, you get money back—approx. ₩500 (.50 cents). So don’t throw away your subway cards ever!
There were times however when taking the bus was easier and faster. The only difficult thing about the bus was that the bus driver didn’t speak english and figuring out were to get off was hard. My suggestion is to make sure you have Google Maps open at all times.
IMPORTANT THINGS TO KNOW
Don’t panic. I’ve already experienced all the culture shocks you can expect in Seoul, so here are Seoul travel guide tips to keep in mind before your trip so you don’t have to arrive unprepared like me:
Get insider travel tips and lifestyle content on the world’s most exceptional destinations, experiences and products directly to your inbox. Don’t miss out–sign up for travel blog SVADORE on the right hand side to stay up-to-date on where to go, what to do, what to see, where to stay, and where to eat around the globe.
Follow SVADORE on:
4 days in seoul 4 days in seoul 4 days in seoul 4 days in seoul
1 comment