Green, quiet, and somehow still Seoul.
Why SEOULSSUP, why now
The Seoul International Garden Expo opened at Seoul Forest on May 1, 2026 and runs through October 27, drawing sustained foot traffic alongside Musinsa's Seoul Forest Project, which converted around 20 vacant storefronts into fashion and lifestyle boutiques this spring. The district is shifting from an F&B strip to a fashion-forward walk with new cafes and pop-ups opening on the surrounding blocks.
1. Koowookhee
- 12-22 Seoulsup 4-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul
- 4.7 · 540 reviews · 데이트 장소
I start here because it opens the course without forcing anything heavy on you. A cafe with a bakery component gives you a place to sit and settle into the neighborhood while the morning is still loose. The high rating across more than 500 reviews tells me it handles volume without collapsing, which matters when you land during Expo season and the blocks are busier than usual.
Crew's note
The strawberry one. I already know.
What visitors say
Except the location, I think the cafe should pay more attention on making the cookie - the significant item. I ordered 1 cookie and 1 scone…
Nice decor and cute menus !!! I love this place of atmosphere 🧡🧡🧡 Sweet and unique cookies!
2. Choigane Shabu Beoseot Kalguksu Seongsu
- 668-99 Seongsu-dong 1(il)-ga, Seongdong-gu, Seoul
- 5.0 · 1248 reviews · 맛집
Ending at a noodle and shabu-shabu spot with a perfect rating across more than 1,200 reviews closes the route with something filling and warm. After the Garden Expo crowds and the fashion boutiques, you'll want a table where the staff walks you through the menu and no one's trying to flip the seat. This is the kind of meal that stretches into the late afternoon if you let it.
Crew's note
I called ahead. We're not waiting.
What visitors say
The broth is incredibly flavorful and has the perfect amount of spice. The beef is fresh, and the handmade kalguksu noodles are so chewy and…
Really great shabu shabu restaurant. It was recommended online so we came to try it out. The staff were all very nice and patient and walked…
The walk between
Between the two stops, you're moving through the blocks where Musinsa converted the old vacancies into boutiques. The strip feels different now: less pure cafe crawl, more browsing and window-shopping layered into the green.
- Order the cookie and a drink at the first stop, but keep expectations calibrated: atmosphere is the anchor here, not the bake.
- At the noodle spot, save room for the fried rice at the end of your shabu service. The reviews are consistent on that finish.
FAQ
- Does this course work if I'm visiting the Garden Expo the same day?
- Yes, the timing layers well. Begin at the cafe before the Expo opens or after you've walked the grounds, then close with the meal once you're ready to sit for a longer stretch.
- How does the price level feel across these two stops?
- The cafe skews mid-range for the neighborhood, standard for a high-rated date spot with decor investment. The second stop is volume-friendly and accessible, which explains the staff's patience with walk-ins.
Ask Ethan
Seoul
