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Maureen O’Crowley, Vice-President Seoul Convention Bureau of the Seoul Tourism Organization
My favourite spots: Top restaurants:
The Kitchen: The restaurant serves up organic, home-style cuisine prepared with a world variety of influences. The Kitchen is located at the very-trendy W Seoul, and it recently came in third on the Miele Guide’s Top 20 South Korean restaurants. Stop here for dinner before relaxing with clients at the nearby Woo Bar.
Samwon Gardens: My absolute favorite barbecue restaurant in Seoul. The place for meat-lovers, and ideal for group dining as well.
Gosang: If you’re going to try Buddhist temple cuisine, this is the place to do it. Great vegan food, Buddhist inspired presentation, chic décor, and the private rooms are perfect for business dinners.
Best bars:
The Timber House: Their sake and soju cocktails, live music, fresh sashimi and close proximity to our Coex convention center make The Timber House perfect for visitors to Seoul looking to unwind after a meeting.
Craftworks Taphouse & Brewery: Famous for brewing their own beers, though they have plenty of other libations, including an impressive whiskey menu. Plus they have mouth-watering Brunch and Dinner menus for people looking for a taste of home!
Bar Rouge at the JW Marriott Seoul: offers Korea’s largest wine buffet, which boasts a large spread and a wide variety of cheeses. The bar also offers live music and unique, award-winning cocktails.
Hot spots:
Seonyudo Park: An eco-friendly island out on the Hangang River that used to house a chemical plant. After the plant was taken down, beautiful botanical gardens and purification systems were built around the remains, and the onsite Hangang River History Museum details the ways in which the area and many other parts of the Hangang river have been revitalized. The nearby rainbow-colored Seonyudo Bridge is beautifully lit up at night.
Cheongwadae Sarangchae: This is a museum near the Blue House where you can see Korea’s modern history on display. It’s a wonderful way to see just how Korea has become the economic powerhouse it is today, with Seoul at the center of the action.
Deoksugung Palace: My personal favorite of Seoul’s Five Royal Palaces. It’s right in the heart of the city and so surrounded by tons of attractions, but it’s also a very vibrant palace, still very much alive with traditions such as the regular Changing of the Royal Guard ceremony and live traditional Korean music in the warmer months.
The Seoul Convention Bureau offers a wide range of services to event planners who choose Seoul for their international meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions, including comprehensive financial support, professional on-site staff, bidding and event promotion assistance, information, and much more. www.miceseoul.com