Vacation calories don’t count, right? Asking for a friend.
Who doesn’t love to be on vacation? This was the first day of my 4-day (forced) vacation. Our company basically has two periods in the year: busy seasons and off seasons. For the most part, we can’t take vacations during the busy seasons, so they ‘encourage’ us to take our vacation days during the off seasons.
For me, that happens to be this week.
I had originally planned to travel somewhere (somewhere warmer..) but I decided to save some money and energy and spend my time in Korea instead. Luckily, I keep a decently busy schedule.
Planning around the existing
I head to the Sinnonhyeon (신논현) area every Monday for a vocal lesson with my singing coach. I usually come here during my mid-day break from work, so it was definitely nice having the leisure of not having to go back to the office.
We usually spend a couple hours at the practice studio. It’s 4000 KRW for the studio rental and my vocal coach charges like 70,000 to 100,000 per hour (but we have a bit of a special arrangement so I don’t pay that much).
Today wasn’t much different, but I felt like my voice came out a little better than usual. Maybe it’s because I’m on vacation and I’m less tired..
Unfortunately this area is kind of far from my place – about 40 minutes by subway and 50-ish by bus. At least the 420 (blaze it) bus comes right by my apartment and takes me directly to the station I need to go to. In order to make the most of these ‘trips’, I usually try to make plans with people I want to meet who are in this area.
Seorae Village
Luckily today, one of my close friends and mentors was free for dinner in the evening, so it worked out perfectly. We decided to meet in the Seorae Village area which is nearby. I took a quick 10 minute bus and walked over. It’s my first time here, but Kakao Map is pretty easy to use and is my go-to for directions in Korea.
Little France in Seoul?
Nestled in the Banpo-dong area, Seorae Village has earned the endearing nickname “Little France.” This title owes itself to the village’s unique fusion of Korean warmth and European sophistication. Strolling through its streets feels like traversing a miniature European enclave, with a distinct charm that captivates both locals and visitors alike.
A French Connection:
The French influence in Seorae Village is unmistakable. Charming bistros, patisseries, and cafes line the streets, offering an authentic taste of French culinary delights. It’s a haven for food enthusiasts, where you can indulge in delicate pastries, aromatic coffees, and gourmet meals that transport you to the heart of Paris.
Cozy Village Atmosphere:
Seorae Village radiates a cozy, village-like atmosphere. Narrow winding streets, lined with unique boutiques and quaint houses, create an intimate setting that contrasts beautifully with the bustling energy of the nearby metropolis. It’s a retreat within the city, inviting residents and visitors to escape the urban hustle and experience a slower, more relaxed pace of life.
Maillet
Cafe Details
106-6 Banpo-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul
(02) 749-1411
Open everyday from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
I had some time to kill before dinner so I wandered around before slipping into a cafe (Maillet). They have a few locations, but the one in Seorae Village is their main one.
I already had a cup of coffee before the vocal lesson, so I opted for tea instead. Seorae Village might be nice, but it’s definitely expensive – a cup of iced Darjeeling and a croissant set me back 15,000 KRW ($11.39 USD). I’m not really a pastry guy, but the cafe here requires each person to order one food item.
PAIN (any french pun enjoyers?).
Pretty pricy, but considering I planned to stay and work for a few hours, it was a little more bearable (just a little). Definitely wouldn’t spend this kind of money every day for just tea and bread.
I sat down and took care of some work. I was kind of determined to get stuff done after paying so much for my ‘entrance fee’.
Our dinner was scheduled for 6PM, so I had 2-3 hours to kill. Luckily (or maybe because of the price), the place was pretty empty so it was comfortable and quiet. After doing some work, I headed out.
Project Base
Restaurant Details
Open Mon-Sat 1 PM to 11:50 PM. Dinner might only be available after 6PM?
We decided to meet at a pretty cool ‘restaurant.’ The place is actually a tailor shop that sells custom suits (a la Kingsman), but the owner cooks and serves alcohol too. If you look them up on their Kakao page you’d have no idea they serve food and drinks too.
We had a pasta, chicken gizzards, fried rice and a bottle of wine.
The food was good, and the prices are pretty much standard for what you’d get these days (actually on the cheap side, considering location and atmosphere). I’d recommend this place as like an interesting place to go for a date, as it’s quite memorable. Also the owner is a really funny guy and quite social if you want to talk.
I’m still not quite sure what happened after dinner. The trip was supposed to take over an hour, but I somehow got lucky with trains and got home in just over thirty minutes.
All in all, I was pretty tired, so I just relaxed for the rest of the day.
It was actually my first time visiting Seorae Village, and I really enjoyed the vibe there. It’s a lot more secluded and peaceful than other parts of Seoul, and it really does live up to it’s little France nickname. Other than the price of stuff, it’s perfect, but these days most places in Seoul are expensive honestly.
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