{"id":266120,"date":"2025-10-15T12:00:56","date_gmt":"2025-10-15T01:00:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.russh.com\/?p=266120"},"modified":"2025-10-15T10:23:33","modified_gmt":"2025-10-14T23:23:33","slug":"tamsin-johnson-sends-postcards-from-seoul-south-korea","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.russh.com\/tamsin-johnson-sends-postcards-from-seoul-south-korea\/","title":{"rendered":"Tamsin Johnson sends postcards from Seoul, South Korea"},"content":{"rendered":"

Balancing old-world charm with a contemporary edge that cuts through, Seoul has a humble panache that is making it a certified hot spot \u2013 and one that has cropped up on seemingly on everyone\u2019s must-visit list. Whether you\u2019re looking to board the plane home with a glass-like epidermis<\/a> or to eat your body weight in kimchi, Seoul has it all, and then some.<\/span><\/p>\n

Traversing along the Han River, Seoul awakens its inhabitants with a hum of street traffic, an all-too-familiar alarm clock to city dwellers. For Tamsin Johnson, mornings here are the prelude to a throng of Korean beauty treatments<\/a>, whilst evenings warmly welcome ceaseless plates of Hanwoo beef, with intermissions fuelled by sips of soju.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ahead, she walks us through her Seoul checklist \u2013 take notes.<\/span><\/p>\n

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To stay<\/h3>\n

Stay at The Shilla Hotel<\/a>. Perched on a hillock with East and West views, it has an old-world, classical confidence and subtle, glamorous feeling to it and is owned by the Samsung Group. It has a sprawling and impressively decorated traditional-style building annexed to the hotel, featuring a beautiful garden perched on the knoll. It is also home to some incredible restaurants, including<\/span> Ariake<\/a>,<\/span> which is the best Japanese restaurant in Seoul, and has abundant facilities, including a golf driving range.<\/span><\/p>\n

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To eat<\/h3>\n

Eat at the Hyundai food court. Take a breath, it is extensive, almost too many options and amazing groceries to peruse too\u2026 Find your sweet spot; there are no bad options in here.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Omiga Sinsa in Gangnam was another favourite spot for dinner or lunch; it is very authentic and perfect as your initial exposure to traditional Korean cuisine. It\u2019s a set menu of about 20 small plates, beer and soju that entirely fill the table until you can\u2019t see the timber.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n

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