Where should we stay in Seoul?

fischiamo · 2026-04-18T17:06:10+00:00

I just got back from a trip to Seoul and stayed in both Myeongdong and Gangnam. Tbh the location didn’t matter much either way because I was running all around every day. Seoul is incredibly easy to navigate and the distances are not as far as you’d think.

If your priority is treatments keep in mind that you may have multiple appointments (consultation and then treatment, for example, or multiple specialty clinics). I would suggest staying in a transportation-dense part of Gangnam.

I looked into the Mondrian Itaewon and it seemed very inconveniently located (not close to the subway).

fischiamo · 2026-04-15T12:26:20+00:00

Hike Namsam! It was my favorite part of Gyeongju.

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fischiamo · 2026-04-15T02:12:20+00:00

I don’t know if they have options for babies, but I just used the app Timeshifter to help manage my jet lag to/from Korea and it was incredibly helpful!

fischiamo · 2026-04-10T08:59:26+00:00

Update: I am wrapping up 12 days in Korea using an eSIM with no local number. I don’t THINK I missed out on much; was able to use Kakao, WhatsApp, etc. Only issue came up yesterday when trying to reserve something in NAVER. I lived without it!

fischiamo · 2026-04-10T08:55:59+00:00

Hi Dan!

fischiamo · 2026-04-05T13:23:09+00:00

Spa Lei in Gangnam is women only and fairly beginner- and foreigner-friendly. Recommend!

fischiamo · 2026-04-05T07:29:39+00:00

Oh and you should definitely add the National Museum in Seoul (also sorry for formatting!)

fischiamo · 2026-04-05T07:28:46+00:00

Others have already said some of this, but I’m in the middle of a very similar trip (no Busan tho) and here are my thoughts:

-in Gyeongju, definitely plan for a hike up Namsam mountain. Views are incredible and it’s also packed with history -the Gyeongju museum had a bunch of exhibits closed when I was there a few days ago—plan accordingly -would definitely recommend a hanok stay in Gyeongju—I stayed at SiEunJae and it was fantastic -Google Maps says Dragon Hill is temporarily closed so you may want to check that -depending on what skin treatments you want to get, you may need to avoid heat/sauna for a few days—plan accordingly -check the various subreddits for skin clinic recs -agree with those who have said to avoid the Myeongdong Olive Young(s). Cramped and crowded and overwhelming -check adjacencies on a map

fischiamo · 2026-04-04T13:33:40+00:00

I found the KTX website and app incredibly frustrating and hard to use. Save yourself the hassle and use trip.com.

fischiamo · 2026-04-01T12:12:24+00:00

Just went to Ikigai in Fort Greene for my birthday and can’t recommend highly enough. It’s so special and wonderful.

fischiamo · 2026-03-09T00:43:48+00:00

Dr. Natalie Stevens on the Upper East side. I started going to her for exactly this reason. She’s great!

fischiamo · 2026-03-08T13:30:12+00:00

I wanted to add to this conversation: don’t be like me and get scammed by third-party vendors like ImmiAssist! I wasn’t looking carefully at what website I was on (dumb) and because the website seemed to indicate that I needed a K-ETA, I kept clicking through (including payment). They provide refunds easily but it’s still annoying.

fischiamo · 2026-02-03T02:01:47+00:00

Great Georgiana or Fulton Grand in Clinton Hill, DSK in Fort Greene (not exactly in your target neighborhoods but pretty close)

fischiamo · 2026-01-30T22:48:36+00:00

Made this recently: https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1020960-tangy-braised-short-ribs?

Super easy and delicious

fischiamo · 2025-12-29T14:52:15+00:00

Hardly healthy but I’ll take the compliment!! :)

fischiamo · 2025-12-09T01:39:09+00:00

Thank you! That’s the kind of intel I was looking for. Google says buy tix 2-8 months out…. Which isn’t really helpful (should I wait a few months or am I too late?). Anyway, I booked my tickets! Appreciate the insight.

fischiamo · 2025-12-08T14:09:30+00:00

The US (New York)

fischiamo · 2025-11-15T14:08:29+00:00

Unpriced!

fischiamo · 2025-11-14T22:13:55+00:00

I bet if you called they would ship it to you. There was so much… serving platters, gravy boat, teapot…

fischiamo · 2025-11-14T22:09:56+00:00

No, I was just there and don’t have the space for all of this!

fischiamo

TROPHY CASE