It was time to start packing for the journey home. With a pick-up scheduled at 8 am the next day for the airport, we knew the night wouldn’t be too wild. Despite it being a Sunday and our previous dissatisfaction with Gangnam nightlife, we decided to explore the area around the hotel this time. I chose the hotel based on the map, which indicated many great restaurants in the Cheongdam area. As stated in a prior post, we were informed that Cheongdam is not a part of Gangnam, but we later found out that it is. Without specific plans, we walked from the hotel, hoping to find a nice place to eat on our last evening.
Wandering through the tall buildings and busy streets, we passed various appealing restaurants. Although we spotted some good-looking places, the exploration continued. The upscale side of Gangnam revealed itself – just as I had imagined, unlike the previous night. Even on a Sunday, the area was far from quiet. This area turned out to be quite charming, with many beautifully decorated restaurants. The updcale vibe, complemented by chandeliers hanging in the streets, was elevated with the presence of luxury cars like Ferraris and Rolls Royces – surprisingly, there were even more extravagant vehicles than I’ve seen in Miami or Dubai. This area was home to several Michelin-starred and globally renowned restaurants. Among these, we uncovered charming spots reminiscent of small French bistros surrounded by greenery and unique street food joints with a special touch.
Now this is when we decided to change our plans! Instead of sticking to one fancy dinner, we opted to explore the area further. We ended up enjoying tacos at a place that mimicked a street-style Mexican joint. The menu featured a blend of Korean and Mexican flavors, and every dish we tried was simply delicious. Sitting in this imitation Mexican street food spot, surrounded by authentic decor, and observing the lively and colorful street scene in Cheongdam, Gangnam, made for a truly cool experience.
Deciding to explore further, we ventured into some bars in the area. There were numerous fancy places, and we started with a tropical-themed bar/nightclub offering shisha. Despite its youthful appearance, the atmosphere was enjoyable, with delicious cocktails. The entire area had a positive vibe.
We walked a bit further and noticed a sign that said “Las Vegas.” Intrigued by the idea of a Las Vegas-themed bar, we decided to check it out. To our surprise, the place was in a basement. Upon entering, we encountered a beautiful bar with a couple of people playing poker at a table. My partner asked them about the game, and they explained it was just a friendly gathering. Initially planning to leave, they invited us to join. While I refrained from playing poker, I enjoyed a “rare” champagne and observed the game. Fortunately, the first few glasses were on the house. The group turned out to be friends, likely among the wealthier Koreans, with two of them being the owners. Later, we discovered that one of them was an opera singer. It was an amazing group of people, and I wished we had found this place earlier. Watching them play was incredibly entertaining; they laughed throughout the game. Initially planning to join for a short time, we got so engrossed that we went to an ATM for more money and ended up losing it. However, when one of the players left, he generously gave us all his chips, leading to an unexpected turn – we won back everything. It was a remarkably fun experience that kept us out way past midnight, despite our initial plan to be in bed.
We continued walking towards the K-pop Walk of Fame, then back to the tinier streets of Cheongdam, passing by some of the world’s best bars along the way. We witnessed young people arriving in golden Rolls-Royces. Our last stop was Zest, renowned as one of the top bars globally. This fine drinking spot is famous for its zero-waste policy and locally sourced ingredients. The modern and beautiful bar was lively with people from around the world. The bartenders crafted a special experience, engaging with guests and creating amazing cocktails tailored to individual preferences. It truly was a remarkable and unique experience.
After our late-night adventure, we reluctantly headed home for some much-needed sleep, even though it was tough to call it a night. Before calling it a day, we made a pit stop at Burger King since we hadn’t tried it in Korea yet. I know it might sound odd, but McDonald’s and Burger King have unique items in different countries, like the shrimp burger and mozzarella sticks here, although that’s not the case in Norway. We brought it back to the hotel, enjoyed it in bed as our final meal, and caught a few hours of sleep before the early pickup to the airport. Regrettably, I missed the chance to purchase the new Samyang basil and cream-flavored noodles, a plan I had for our last evening since they aren’t available abroad. Returning to the hotel too late, I hoped to find a 7/11 at the airport, but unfortunately, that wasn’t the case. The airport’s limited shopping options surprised me, given its positive reputation, though it could be specific to our terminal. Despite this, the night was undeniably enjoyable, leaving me with no complaints.
And with that, our South Korean adventure came to an end. We had an incredible time, experiencing so many wonderful things, meeting amazing people, savoring some of the best (and weirdest) food in the world, enjoying the nightlife, and immersing ourselves in nature. We truly had the full South Korean experience, and we’ll be back, especially considering we missed out on Busan this time. Next time, Busan it is! I wholeheartedly recommend this trip to everyone!
Anyah Mroz 