Gangnam and Banpo Bridge

This post is going to be a long one - we did so much in Gangnam alone, but I wanted to include the Banpo Bridge show to this as well as we went there after touring Gangnam.

Korean Bathhouse, Jjimjilbang (찜질방)

One of the experiences we wanted to have while in Korea, was to go to a Korean bathhouse, jjimjilbang. It is a traditional spa with hot tubs, showers, kiln saunas and massage tables. It is very common to enjoy the bathhouse for a long period of time - buy snacks from the reception and take a nap on the heated floors of the common areas.

After some research we decided to go to Spa Lei (스파레이) in Gangam. It was women only, and seemed welcoming and nice. Of course, I don't have any pictures from inside the spa but below is a picture from outside.

When we entered, we removed our shoes and put them in a locker by the door. We took the key from the locker and gave it to the receptionist and paid for the spa. The entrance to Spa Lei was won16000 so about €11. After that, we got a key to our lockers, a towel and a bath robe.

We spend a few hours in the bathhouse, even took a nap on the common room floor with many other people, while the Korean News channel was on telling us about the recent events. I also paid for a seshin, a scrubbing off of all dead skin cells, performed by one of the ajummas (korean older lady) from the spa. It took around 45 minutes and I enjoyed it fully. It was not a gentle scrub, but very thorough and I am not sure if I have ever felt that clean. We also chit chatted a bit and talked about different places in Korea.

After the spa we got some dinner at a restaurant I can highly recommend - one of the best Korean BBQ experiences during our trip. We did arrive just on time and added are names on the list before another 30 people appeared to line up for the food. We did have to wait for our turn for about an hour, but it was worth it. The place is called kkupdang (꿉당) and it was recommended by the Michelin Guide in 2022. We just happened to walk past it and got our chance.

COEX Mall and Starfield Library

One day was for shopping. A few of the biggest sights in Gangam area are the amazingly beautiful Starfield Library book shelves in the middle of the COEX mall and the big 3D led screens for advertising close by. Unfortunately, this time the Samsung 3D screen didn't have an advert as amazing as this, but the whole area looked quite spectacular during night time anyways.

Sinsadong shopping area

One evening we quickly walked by the Sinsadong shopping area of Gangam. I had seen an picture on a local jewelry craftsman page of a flipflop (sandal) necklace I wanted to get. This jewler became popular from making similar jewelry as the members of the band BTS has worn, but to my knowledge none of them have been seen wearing the flipflop (yet?), so this was most likely from their own collection.

Sinsadong seems like a great area for finding clothes and jewelry from small butique style shops. I didn't have enough time to explore the area to the fullest, but if you visit, let me know what you find.

Banpo bridge night market and the bridge show

I had waited for a Korean Night Market, where I could taste different Korean flavours and the opportunity came as we took a subway from our shopping trip in Gangnam to the Banpo Bridge. The Night Markets had been cancelled during Covid and were also cancelled just the previous weekend because of the rains the Hinnamnor typhoon caused in Seoul. But now they were up and going again.

A few other people had noticed it as well. We lined up to three different food stalls and gathered us some tteokbokki, chicken skewers and hotteok with honey and chocolate, and sat down by the river to admire the show on the bridge which started every 30 minutes and lasted for about 25 minutes.

I recognised a few songs they played, last one being BTS's Spring Day. The show was amazing and there were some people showing off their skills with jet skis as well.

More of Seoul stories to come!