South Korea

Seoul

Cafe

 music scene, bringing the indie sleaze revival to South Korea with her electroclash-infused soulful pop. Raised in a creative household — her father a film director, her grandfather a makeup artist— the singer-songwriter's artistic roots run deep. Now, she channels that heritage into her music, reshaping the city’s underground culture with a blend of nostalgic and modern sounds.

But NECTA’s passion extends beyond music. A true Seoul local, she’s always exploring the city’s hidden gems, from late-night bites of squid sundae to DJ sets at intimate clubs. Her guide to Seoul shares the best of the city's vibrant food, nightlife and creative scene, offering a personal glimpse into her world.

It’s a modern Korean restaurant with Makgeolli pairings. If my friend visits me from abroad, I definitely want to take them to this place. You can try Korean food here easily and beautifully. They have a ‘by-the-glass’ tasting where you can try different Korean liquors paired with the food. I recommend it! My favourite dish is the ‘squid sundae,’ which comes in ink sauce and butter crumbs on top. If you choose based on your favourite ingredients, you can’t go wrong.

I heard that a lot of foreigners come to Korea looking for Dakhanmari (a whole chicken soup). Dakgomtang is a similar dish, but it’s a bit easier to eat. Koreans are crazy about the soup and rice combo. Here, you can order a dish called Dakgopjil, which is tender chicken skin and meat served with the soup. You can either eat it as a side dish or mix it into the soup – whatever you prefer. If you’re curious about what Koreans really eat daily, you should try this place!

It’s an organic-style café and wine bar with large windows, great for reading or chatting. The music selection is great, and the food is delicious too. The vibe changes between day and night – both are worth experiencing. The daytime is laid-back, while the evening feels more romantic. Sometimes they host parties at night, and enjoying the music with their ‘shiso gin tonic’ or ‘roasted sweet potato with ice cream’ makes for an unforgettable night.

Just a bit north of central Seoul, where the museums and the old city gates are, you’ll find this retro café with an ‘80s vibe. At night, they play music on LPs, creating a unique atmosphere. Their drip coffee is great, and their special ‘Himalayan Masala Chai’ – a spicy milk tea – is really interesting. It’s definitely worth trying.

Every weekend (Thu to Sun), they host a variety of events. They have a system that records DJ and artist performances, and the space is really friendly, so it’s easy to connect with people through the music. They also run a YouTube channel where you can check out mixes and shows from different people. I’ve hosted parties and performed here myself, and it’s always been a lovely experience.

It’s one of my favourite clubs in Seoul. They host a lot of curated parties and pull in a diverse crowd from the underground scene. The vibe is super chill, with a rooftop overlooking the Sang-su area and a separate dancefloor downstairs, so you can go back and forth between them and take breaks as needed. Some nights you’ll see breakdancing battles, and other times they’ve got hot dogs on the rooftop. It’s a fun spot, and even Peggy Gou has shown up for a surprise set!

It’s a book café/library for adults. They mainly feature graphic novels, but don’t worry if you don’t speak Korean – there are plenty of photo books, art books, and English titles available too. There are lots of interesting reads. You can enjoy a coffee or a drink while you read in a comfortable setting, and you can even buy any books you like.

It’s a bar and café run by a web magazine that’s all about South Korea’s underground scene. If you check their schedule ahead of time, you might catch local DJs doing special radio shows. They also have events like ‘Tekken tournaments’ and ‘record flea markets’ from time to time. It’s a great spot to grab a drink before you head out to the clubs in Itaewon on a weekend night. Plus, the bartenders are friendly.

It’s not in Seoul, but it’s pretty close and totally worth the trip. It’s a fantastic spot for enjoying classical, jazz, and opera. They play music on LPs and vintage gear, and you can move around the big space to see how the sound changes and how the view outside shifts. The place itself has a really cool vibe, and the view of the Imjin River is stunning. They don’t allow outside drinks and don’t sell anything but water. The atmosphere is so beautiful that I once dreamed of having my wedding here!

It’s not in Seoul, but it’s a great spot nearby where you can really enjoy nature. It’s a lookout point where you can camp and even stay overnight with a view of North Korea. The view changes a bit with the seasons, and it’s just a 10-minute walk from the parking lot to the lookout, so it’s super easy to get to. I think it’s perfect for bringing some coffee and snacks and just chilling out for a few hours.

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Squid Sundae and Potatoes with Ice Cream: NECTA’s Guide to Seoul’s Best-Kept Secrets

Paola Laf

"People who say that New York never sleeps have clearly not been to 

."

Paola Laf moved to South Korea's capital in 2021, drawn to it's fast-paced energy and booming pop culture. A DJ and radio host drawn to both niche and mainstream areas of culture, she was drawn to the city's unique mixture of underground experimental sounds and polished 

 industry. "I was eager to immerse myself in it," she says. "It feels like the future is unfolding here."

She's made a home for herself in Seoul, now working with an independent label 

. She knows how to thrive in the city's relentless energy, yet also afford herself moments of quiet respite. "The city offers pockets of calm, with nature always within reach that's hard to find elsewhere, and even harder to give up once you've experienced it.," she says. 

Read on for her guide on her adopted home city. 

If K-pop is what led you to Seoul, this is the real deal for music nerds. Established in 1979, this record shop boasts an impressive collection of K-pop albums, including vinyl, spanning decades.

A Seoul nightlife institution probably on everyone's list already but I had to include it anyway. It’s the best club in town - so many legendary DJs, both local and foreign, have played and keep playing here. It's the kind of place where you know the music is going to be good no matter who's on the line-up. 

One of Seoul’s best music venues, hands down. If you’re curious about the local scene, this is where you should go. They regularly host live concerts, but even when it’s just open as a bar the staff plays the best music in the background. I have discovered so much new music there. 

Again, one of Seoul’s best music venues. DIY, experimental, punk-spirited DJ sets and live concerts, where you’ll hear the wildest and most free-spirited mix of genres. Plus, a lovely community of people around it. Shout out to them. 

In all honesty, part of me wanted to gate keep this place, but on the other hand, I wanted to give it a shout-out. It’s a tiny, cosy whiskey bar with a perfect music selection, and I have some cherished memories attached to it.

Quest is the bar of Visla.FM, the radio station where I host my show. A cozy nook in the midst of the craziness of Itaewon where I often found myself shazamming what's playing in the background.

I’m a sucker for panoramic views and stunning sunsets. Comfort has a rooftop that, from afar, looks like a cliff. I often go there to watch the sunset.

A cozy café along the Inwang Mountain Trail that even won an award for Best Public Building and also offers a beautiful view of the city. With no bus stop nearby, you’ll need to walk along the trail for a bit to reach it (unless you take a taxi), but that makes it even better, in my opinion.

My Korean isn’t good enough to read entire books yet, so this is my go-to spot. This bookstore sells second-hand books in English and a few other languages. It has classics, books by Korean authors, and an interesting selection of books on Korea too. Avoid the big chains and support your local store! 

Café Gaeppul is a café, bar, and gallery nestled in the Ihwa Mural Village on the slope of Naksan. While most cafés in Seoul don't sell beer, this one does, on a terrace over a stunning panoramic view stretching across the city, from a new angle.

Quest

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