Seoul Vlog – Chicken & Beer, Namdaemun Market, Myeongdong Nyunyu, Mapo Cafe & Soul Food

📌 Google Maps https://maps.app.goo.gl/pMLiTKMgHxggSe9M8
📌 Naver Maps https://naver.me/Ig4Ba7GK

Chasing sunsets with chicken & beer by the Han River, treasure hunting in Namdaemun, and cooling down with iced mugwort tea, soft blankets, and sparkly jewelry at home. From a Hapjeong roastery and soul food to cold noodles, flowers, and street snacks in Namdaemun—then off to Myeongdong for a French luncheon for my birthday. Just trying to stay cool in a Seoul summer.

📍Featured Spots
00:47 Identity Coffee Lab (Roastery Cafe)
02:11 Okdongsik (Modern Korean Pork Broth – gomtang)
03:48 Mangwon Han River Park (Sunset, Chicken & Beer)
07:13 Eunharu (Black Bean Noodles, Mapo Tofu)
08:46 Vin V x Marne Pop up (Natural Wine)
09:56 Spacca Napoli (Pizzeria)
11:08 Kyobo Book Center Hapjeong (Bookstore)
12:03 Quench Coffee (Cafe)
13:11 VVS (Demi Fine Jewelry)
14:38 Icila Maison (Home Fabric)
15:34 Magpie & Tiger (Mugwort Tea)
16:50 Namdaemun Buwon Naengmyeon (Cold Noodles)
18:24 Namdaemun Jungang Shopping Mall (Bedding)
19:46 Namdaemun Flower Market (Flower Wholesale)
20:46 Namdaemun Kitchenware Market (Wholesale)
21:51 Namdaemun Myeongmul Hotteok (Street food)
22:54 Pierre Gagnaire à Séoul (French)
24:59 Myeongdong Nyunyu (Fashion accessories)

📍 This video includes products that were provided by the following brands for review.

✔️Omemo x VVS (30% sale)
Black Onyx Cube Bangle*
Simple Cross Ring in Silver*
Pave Cubic Slide Ring in Gold*
https://litt.ly/vvsshop
https://www.instagram.com/vvs_seoul/

✔️Icila Maison
Stitch Blanket*
Ecru Tassle Cushion Cover*
https://icilamaison.com/BLANKET/?idx=2377
https://icilamaison.com/shop_view/?idx=2394
https://www.instagram.com/icilamaison/

✔️Magpie & Tiger
Waterbottle 500ml & Teabag Set (Mugwort)*
https://www.magpie-and-tiger.com/product/%EC%9B%8C%ED%84%B0%EB%B3%B4%ED%8B%80-500ml-%ED%8B%B0%EB%B0%B1-%EC%84%B8%ED%8A%B8/295/category/64/display/1/
https://www.instagram.com/magpie.and.tiger/

📩 Contact
7olivia.official@gmail.com
https://www.instagram.com/oliviasdwelling/

🎬 Filmed with iPhone 13pro, Sony A6400

#korea #seoul #seoulvlog #seoultravelguide
#koreatravel #koreavlog #koreanfood
#seoulcafe #koreacafe #hanriver

Hapjeong A tree-lined neighborhood perfect for summer walks Dropping by our go-to roastery for beans They roast clean blends perfect for daily sipping A minimalist space to really focus on coffee Their main espresso blends are Kitsch and Mid-Century I grab a window seat to soak in the seasonal light First up, an iced latte with their dark blend Notes of popcorn, dark chocolate, and a smoky finish 🙂 It’s been a while, so I stayed a bit longer Added a fruity Ethiopian filter coffee Served in a fun two-way cup with two flavor profiles Use the round side when it’s hot for more aroma As it cools, switch to the straight spout for more body At home, we always go with No.1 Chillin blend Wanted something hearty to shake off the summer heat Took my friend to our favorite pork bone soup spot Used to come here often with JY before it got popular Only about 10 seats—expect a wait but it’s worth it Even the regular size is quite filling Help yourself to kimchi and spicy pickles Didn’t get to eat ginseng chicken on the traditional day, so this will do A beautifully plated meal in traditional brassware Clear like Pyongyang cold noodles, lighter than pork stew They only use Berkshire pork from Jirisan Topped it with spicy pickles—refreshing and clean The kimchi adds extra umami to each bite Still warm even after ten minutes Thinner than sliced ham! Folded neatly and scooped up with broth in one big spoonful A comforting meal that really settled my stomach A clear July sky Went for a walk at Mangwon Hangang Park Planning to catch the sunset and enjoy some chimaek The sky was so clear, it felt surreal Heading toward Yanghwa Bridge for the best sunset view Stopped at a few mini docks along the way Picture perfect, right? This shaded stretch with trees is my favorite part Scenes like this feel unique to Korea Past the bridge, you’ll see the National Assembly building And the Yeouido skyline opens up in full view We’re probably near Jeoldusan Martyrs’ Shrine now Took a quick break under the bridge Thought the sunset might be prettier back at Mangwon So we made our way back to the pier Glad we did, right? Found a shady spot with a view of Gayang Bridge Champagne outdoors—such a treat 🙂 Brought a half bottle, perfect for two Cheers to all of us making it through each day One more toast Waiting anxiously for our delivery near the underpass It’s chicken, and it’s Byun Woo-seok on the bag. Say no more. Maybe life really is that simple Everything feels okay with chicken in front of you As a carb addict, I go for the wedges first The honey combo was hot and extra crispy Shoutout to JY for lugging the chairs and table Chicken and pickled radish—classic combo The pier is packed with people waiting for sunset Not an ad, I promise ㅎㅎ It’s chimaek, so of course we got convenience store beer No time for our hands to rest The red sky makes me unexpectedly sentimental Buildings glowing gold in the sunset light We didn’t leave until night finally fell Dinner meet-up at a Chinese restaurant after work One of the top hotel-style Chinese spots in Hapjeong It’s a weekday night, and it’s already packed We went with mapo tofu and tangsuyuk Still thinking about what to order for mains Maybe a bit much for two, but worth it You really can’t skip the tangsuyuk here Chewy yet crispy batter, really well done The pork is thick, almost like tonkatsu Of course we had to get a beer with this Next up, their signature mapo tofu That hit of mala spice kicks in right away One bite over white rice, and yep—this is it Ended up adding uni jjajang too… no regrets The sauce was thick, almost like a ragù or mazemen We polished off three dishes without hesitation Stopped for a glass of natural wine on the way home Marnaé is a pop-up wine bar and bottle shop Usually you just pay for the glass after buying the bottle Tonight’s VIN V pop-up features 15 natural wines Browsing tasting notes as we slowly sip No rules here—go at your own pace Snacks between glasses help keep things smooth Jotted down a few wines I want to remember Tonight, the Italian reds stood out most Feels like I’m finally getting to know my palate Stopped by a Neapolitan pizza spot I’d been eyeing A Hapjeong classic since 2011 Got lucky with a weekday lunch—no wait at all Baked for just 90 seconds in a 400°C oven The owner actually won first place in Naples in 2015 Started with a light salad to warm up our appetite Then a classic Margherita Bufala, Neapolitan style The dough was savory, chewy, and full of depth Tomato sauce tasted like it had been slowly simmered Ordered a rucola pizza for my veggie-loving parents Now I get why people say one pizza per person Hapjeong Station On rainy days, bookstores are the best escape Thought about reading essays to slow my mind Then pulled out The Prince for a classic moment But ended up just browsing magazine covers 🙂 Travel and art sections are always my favorites Spotted a cookbook I really wanted Picked one with an interview and recipes by Monk Jeong Kwan Watched her Chef’s Table episode so many times Book in hand, I headed to a favorite café Rainy days make me lean into quiet moods ㅎㅎ A kissaten-style space with jazz or classical music And their cappuccino never disappoints Can’t believe it’s been over six years since my first visit The owner’s passion for coffee hasn’t changed And it comes through in every cup Flipping through my new book slowly Sipping coffee A quiet afternoon, just for grownups On hot days, home is the best place to be Even small changes can lift your mood Here are some of my favorite summer items 🙂 Starting with jewelry that’s easy to style or gift This is the Black Onyx Cube Bangle from demi-fine brand VVS Sleek and slim, with emerald-cut black onyx at the center Just slide it sideways onto your wrist Looks great for both formal and everyday wear This one’s a smooth silver ring with two intersecting bands It fits multiple fingers securely thanks to the design Perfect for layering: Pave Cubic Slide Ring in gold Set with tiny zirconia stones Even with puffy hands, it fits so well A little news in case you’re curious! We’ve got a great summer promo going on with VVS Check the description box for all the details 🙂 Second item to refresh your summer space—something for the living room A summer blanket from La Maison by Lee, known for their rugs Turkish waffle knit with fringe details Lightweight enough for summer and soft to the touch Matched it with an ecru boucle cushion—love the texture The tassels are such a nice touch Covers are removable and washable too Just drape the blanket over a chair—it becomes a statement No more dragging your bedroom comforter to the couch 🙂 On muggy days, nothing like a cup of mugwort tea This one’s from Magpie & Tiger, a brand for East Asian teas Made with young mugwort leaves from Hadong, caffeine-free so good at night Steeped it for 3 minutes in my favorite cast-iron teapot Poured it slowly and savored the quiet It’s afternoon tea, so I added a sweet little financier 🙂 That soft mugwort aroma always calms me down After steeping at 90°C for 3 minutes, I added ice It gave off this deep, earthy note like a steamed rice cake Poured the rest into a clear water bottle to chill for later It’s from KINTO—light, sturdy, and well-designed The handle makes it portable, and the clear bottle looks great too Gonna keep this out in the kitchen and drink it often Namdaemun Market Even in the rain, the place is buzzing Stopped by a famous Pyongyang cold noodle spot before shopping Up a narrow stairway between clothing shops to the 2nd floor This noodle place has been run by three generations At the entrance, savory pancakes sizzling on the griddle The 2nd floor was full, so we grabbed a cozy corner upstairs Mom got spicy noodles, dad got classic, I tried the chicken mix Thin slices of beef, pickled radish, and cucumber on top The chicken dish was shredded and tossed with veggies in tangy sauce A touch of mustard and vinegar takes it to the next level The broth was savory and refreshingly cold Paired with crisp veggies, it’s tangy and spicy The pancakes smelled too good—we had to order one Topped it with a spoonful of the chicken salad—perfect bar food Stopped by for Dad’s new hiking hat With his high standards, we basically did a full shop crawl ㅎㅎ Then headed to the central mall to look at blankets It’s been a while since I went bedding shopping with Mom We came to find a good summer blanket Found one made of eco-friendly modal from beech trees Cool and silky—felt like I could fall asleep instantly Would’ve bought it if not for the cherry print ㅎㅎ Looked through a few more with simpler patterns Got stuck choosing between rayon and cotton blends In the end, I gave in to the cherry pattern A few days later After a great sleep with the new blanket, I went to find pillow covers Was looking for a cooling fabric that doesn’t stick to your neck The banded design makes it easy to put on and wash In summer, cool comfort is everything Two for 20,000 won—not bad at all Found a great mid-season blanket too—might come back this fall 🙂 Came to buy some cheerful sunflowers for the house Namdaemun Flower Market sells fresh flowers till 3 PM on weekdays Always miss out at the early-morning terminal market ㅎㅎ This market is just the right size for a relaxing browse Picked a bunch of teddy bear sunflowers from a friendly vendor Only 6,000 won to brighten up the whole room For larger ones, went next door to check their stock So pretty, right? Picked up two bunches—happy with this little splurge Peeked into the dishware wholesale arcade behind the door Thought they were separate buildings, but all connected You name it, they have it Definitely bringing JY next time for a proper treasure hunt Outside, the market spills into yet another alley The busiest shop was Hyundai Kitchenware Lots of younger folks thanks to their modern designs If you like Korean-style designs, definitely check this one out It’s a really fun place to browse Dropped by the hairtail alley while we were nearby Planning to come back in fall for braised hairtail Tried on a few hats Then grabbed a snack at a hotteok stand our guide recommended The veggie hotteok near Exit 2 was closed, so we went with Myeongmul Hotteok No.5 japchae hotteok is their most popular of 11 options! Can’t believe this place has been around over 30 years Just watching them flip the hotteok is oddly soothing The oil surprised me for a second—but I was already excited to dig in Looks more like a full meal than a snack In the end, I went with the classic honey one Bold move eating hot hotteok in this weather! Found shade and cooled it down with a few puffs Glutinous rice dough is chewy, the seeds nutty and sweet Full belly, full heart—thanks to the market stroll Myeongdong It’s my birthday today 🙂 JY and I came to Myeongdong for a quiet lunch First time back at Lotte Hotel since a stay with my grandma 10 years ago We got here early and wandered the classic lobby Felt like a scene from an old romance drama at the Peninsula Lounge Passed by a Kim Tschang-yeul painting on the way to lunch The view of the city skyline was stunning Used to be a go-to spot for proposals, too Lunch began with a charming welcome dish Delicate starters that slowly awaken your appetite With warm bread and that view, I was already sold They served five different amuse-bouches Loved the unique design of each plate and cup Next was grilled butterfish—tender and rich Then came port wine sorbet as a palate cleanser Main dish: chicken breast, lobster tail, and artichoke mousseline Happy birthday to all the fellow July babies out there! Wrapped up with their signature chocolate and petit fours Light, well-balanced French course—just right for summer lunch Took a walk around Myeongdong to digest Had one spot I really wanted to check out A four-story wholesale accessory shop You’ll regret it if you don’t grab at least one thing here ㅎㅎ Never knew shoe charms were a thing—so fun Thinking of getting one for my niece Anyone else need one of these? ㅎㅎ Went up to the second floor A full-on summer hat paradise Now I really want a vacation The accessory variety here is kind of wild So many keychains sorted by color and material They joked this one looked just like me Found the long-legged Hello Kitty I couldn’t even find in Japan Thought it’d look cute on my bag—had to get it The fashion floor on 3F was buzzing too Finally reached our main destination—4F New New Gift Shop Bright and playful, totally different from the floors below Curated mostly with local lifestyle brands Lots of witty designs that younger folks would love We completely lost track of time browsing around Also found some more minimal, grown-up brands we liked This one’s called CECILE & CEDRIC—planning to visit their showroom in Dongdaemun too If you’re after useful souvenirs, their city-themed towels are a great pick!