For a city that’s famous for its bustling cityscape, delicious street food and fascinating culture, Seoul is one of the best destinations for Muslim travellers. Always surprising us with new attractions and experiences, there’s no guessing why everyone is excited to visit this captivating city.
If you’re travelling to Seoul, 2019 Halal Restaurant Week Korea is happening from 1 September to 31 October! Besides discounts for popular halal Korean eateries in Seoul, Halal Restaurant Week also has fantastic deals for various sightseeing and shopping spots!
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To get started, here’s a round-up of ten awesome things to do in Seoul during the 2019 Halal Restaurant Week Korea! If you’re already excited, be sure to watch this teaser to see what’s in store for you ?
P.S. Want to find out more about Halal Restaurant Week? Check out our article for all the information you need! Make sure to collect your Halal Restaurant Week coupon booklet (full of discounts to halal restaurants and popular attractions!) from Korea Plaza. Just approach the friendly counter staff and enquire about the Halal Restaurant Week booklet (while stocks last)
Address: 3 Church Street, #01-02 Samsung Hub (Korea Plaza), Singapore 049483
Opening Hours: 10am – 7pm (Mon – Fri), 10am – 1pm (Sat), closed on Sundays and P.H.
Collection Period: From 9 September onwards (while stocks last)
1. Savour yummy halal Korean food and more
What’s a visit to Seoul without savouring halal Korean food? Whether you’re craving for some bibimbap, bulgogi, Korean fried chicken or Korean barbecue, Seoul’s halal eateries have them all.
Credit: @convo.flower on Instagram
Besides delighting your taste buds with these wonderful flavours, you can save some money and use discount coupons worth 3000KRW or 10,000KRW once you sign up for an account on the Halal Restaurant Week website. Check out the list of halal restaurants here! Head over to Itaewon where you’ll find many halal Korean eateries such as Makan Restaurant ? Their signature dishes include Grilled Short Rib Patties and Grilled Fish that have a delicious home-cooked flavour you can’t get anywhere else.
#HHWT Tip: You can also get the coupons from the Halal Restaurant Week booklet at any KTO office in Korea and overseas.
Credit: @zhafzhar on Instagram
Once you’ve arrived in Itaewon, you won’t want to leave because it’s full of delicious halal eateries! Best of all, many of these are just a short walk from the Itaewon Mosque so you won’t have any trouble completing your prayers before or after your meal. For some delicious Dolsot (Stone hot pot) Bibimbap, Seafood Pancakes, and Spicy Tofu Stew, make sure to visit Hajj Korea Halal Food. The restaurant is run by a local revert so you can be sure that it’ll have that authentic Korean taste ?
Credit: @jzihwa on Instagram
The good news is that the list includes more than just Korean food. Whether you’re craving for some Turkish, Malay, or even international food, they’ve got you covered! Did you know that you can find The Halal Guys in Seoul? This popular New York eatery specialises in chicken and gyro kebabs with signature red and white sauce. The good news is that you can use the discount coupons at both their Gangnam and Itaewon outlets!
Credit: @kervanbakery on Instagram
Looking for some desserts after all that shopping and exploring? You’ll definitely want to head to Kervan Bakery in Itaewon for some Turkish sweet treats. Kervan operates several outlets in Seoul (all of which are offering great discounts for Halal Restaurant Week!) and its bakery is where you can find authentic and delicious Turkish Delight and Baklava to sweeten your day. Make sure to wash it down with a warm cup of Turkish coffee and you’ve got the perfect afternoon tea ready to go!
2. Admire a bird’s eye view of Seoul
If you’re familiar with the N Seoul Tower, perhaps it’s time to catch a bird’s eye view of Seoul from another spot in town, the Seoul Sky observatory at Lotte World Tower. At a towering 555 metres, it’s the tallest building in South Korea and fifth tallest in the world, so you won’t want to miss the view here!
Believe it or not, you can take in the view here from the 117th to 123rd floors and ride up one of the fastest elevators in the world which goes as fast as 600 metres per minute. The Sky Terrace on the 120th floor has an open-air concept which lets you breathe in the fresh air ?
If you’re up for a challenge, try standing on the transparent glass floor at the Sky Deck on the 118th floor. We can’t guarantee that you won’t get goosebumps here! It’s definitely an experience that’s not for the faint-hearted.
#HHWT Tip: Get a 10% discount off ticket prices when you use the promo code on the Halal Restaurant Week website. Find out more here!
Address:300 Olympic-ro, Sincheon-dong, Songpa-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Opening hours:Sun-Thur, 10am-10pm, Fri-Sat, 10am-11pm
Admission fee: 27,000 KRW (Adult), 24,000 KRW (Child), 50,000 KRW (Fastpass) (10% discount with promo code on Halal Restaurant Week website)
Directions: Take Seoul subway line 2 (exit 1 and 2) or 8 (exit 10 and 11) to Jamsil Station
3. Experience a VR theme park
For your next trip to Seoul, time to give outdoor theme parks a miss and head over to a virtual reality (VR) theme park instead! And what better way to have some VR fun than by heading to the first-ever Kakao Friends theme park, the Ryan Cheezzzball Adventure Park?
Try out the rides at 3 different VR zones and snag some limited Ryan Cheezzzball merchandise at the Sunday Cheezzzball Box. Not only will you get to see Ryan Cheezzzball on the rides, but also other Kakao Friends characters like Apeach and Muzi. Perfect for those of you travelling with kids. The best part is that it’s located on the fourth floor of N Seoul Tower so you can visit both attractions on the same day!
Address: 4F, N Seoul Tower, 105 Namsangongwon-gil, Yongsan 2(i)ga-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Opening hours: 10am-10pm
Admission fee: 10,000-20,000 KRW
4. Catch a performance
Want to do more than just the usual sightseeing and shopping while in Seoul? Why not catch a performance instead? With a variety of world-class performances in Seoul, you’ll be spoilt for choice. In case you’re wondering, you won’t need any knowledge of the Korean language to enjoy them!
What’s more, you can enjoy amazing discounts (up to 50%) on several performances during Halal Restaurant Week too. One of the iconic performances you need to catch is JUMP, a comic martial arts show based on Taekwondo and other forms of martial arts. This action-packed performance combines comedy, acrobatic and live-action, and it’s been well-received in London’s West End and New York’s Broadway!
Another show that’s not to be missed is Fanta-Stick, the longest-running Korean folk music show which is a modern Korean take on Romeo & Juliet. What’s special about this show is that it’s a non-verbal show so you won’t need to know any knowledge of the Korean language to enjoy it. Be prepared to be wowed by breakdancing, martial arts, traditional Korean percussion and string music.
#HHWT Tip:Check out this link to find out more discounts on performances!
5. Experience wearing a hanbok
For any traveller visiting Korea, wearing the hanbok is probably one of the things to check off their travel bucket list. Not only will you get to immerse yourself in Korean culture, but the elegant traditional dress is really stunning too ?
If you’re visiting one of Seoul’s many palaces, we recommend renting a hanbok for the most complete experience. The gorgeous and intricate design of the hanbok will complement the elaborate architecture of the palaces. Not to mention that during Halal Restaurant Week, you’ll get to enjoy up to 40% discount off hanbok rental when you rent from Hanboknam. They have outlets near Gyeongbokgung Palace, BukchonHanok Village and Changdeokgung Palace which is really convenient!
P.S. Hanboknam is available in Busan too but if you’re heading to Jeju and thinking of trying on a hanbok, head over to Gogung Hanbok for a 5,000 KRW discount!
What’s more, if you’re donning a hanbok, you get to enter the palaces for free, so that means you can even save more when you’re sightseeing in Seoul! Whether it’s your first time trying out a hanbok or your umpteenth time, this experience is not to be missed ?
Check out the address and opening hours of Hanboknam’s various outlets here!
6. Go shopping with great discounts
No trip to Seoul is complete without shopping! From trendy affordable clothes to cosmetics, skincare, souvenirs and more, Seoul is a shopping haven. No matter how many times you’ve visited the city, trust us, shopping will always be in your itinerary ?
Walk through the 24-hour malls and wholesale stores of Dongdaemun or go on a hunt for cheap, trendy fashion items at Hongdae or Edae. If you prefer something more upscale, then head over to Garosugil in Gangnam where you’ll find upscale brands and luxury boutiques.
#HHWT Tip: Want more shopping tips in Seoul? Check out these 7 shopping hotspots in Seoul near Muslim-friendly eateries!
But if there’s one place that fits all, it has to be Myeongdong! Snag the best deals on skincare and cosmetics here or buy anything under the sun from socks to bags, clothes, shoes and more. Don’t miss out on a visit to Talent Cosmetics while you’re in Myeongdong as you can enjoy discounts of 30-50% during the 2019 Halal Restaurant Week. You can even get discounts on face masks if you spend more than 100,000 KRW. Did we mention that they have 150 items which are halal-certified by JAKIM too? Time for a shopping spree!
P.S. Get the best out of shopping in Myeongdong with these 11 insider tips.
Talent Cosmetics
Address: 145, Toegye-gu, Seoul
Opening hours: 9am - 10.30pm daily
Directions: From Myeongdong station exit 10, walk for 1-minute till you reach the shop located at Sejong Hotel.
7. Explore Ikseon-Dong Hanok Alley
You’ve probably heard of the famous BukchonHanok Village but this time, why not head over to Ikseon-Dong Hanok Alley instead?
Credit: @sovelyyou on Instagram
This village is one of the oldest neighbourhoods in Seoul and the buildings here have been largely unchanged since the 1920s! Many locals still live in these houses but in recent years, this largely hidden gem has been gaining popularity for its charming cafes, restaurants and shops - many of them with unique concepts and designs ?
Wander along the streets of Ikseon-dong and you might just chance upon interesting stores selling handicrafts, clothes, kitchenware, household items, knick-knacks and more. Make a stop at one of the many cafes here for a cup of coffee or two, or take some photos at the Instagrammable alleys!
Address: Around Supyo-ro 28-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Directions: Take the Seoul subway line 5 to Jongno 3(sam)-ga station and take Exit 4. Cross the street and walk straight along Donghwamun-ro 11-gil Street
8. Be awed by the Seoul International Fireworks Festival
Every year in October, Seoul’s Yeouido Hangang Park will be filled with spectators who want to catch a glimpse of the annual Seoul International Fireworks Festival. This year, you can expect an equally spectacular show but this time, it’ll be stretched over a period of 6 days from 30 September to 5 October, which means more excitement! The best part is that it’s in conjunction with the Halal Restaurant Week too.
Watch in awe as fireworks light up the sky and the area around Seoul’s beautiful Han River, and soak in the atmosphere with thousands of other locals and travellers. What’s special about this event is that there are both nighttime and daytime fireworks with works from artists all around the world. So, you can expect a real treat!?
#HHWT Tip: Check out updated information and schedule for the festival here!
9. Snap photos at trending Instagram spots
One of the things that we absolutely love about Seoul is that there are plenty of Instagrammable spots. Whether it’s stunning natural sights, hipster cafes, bookstores or murals, it’s not hard to find a spot that’ll make an amazing backdrop for the ‘gram.
Now you wouldn’t want to miss that opportunity, do you? Head over to some of Seoul’s trending Instagram spots like the Arc N Book bookstore in Euljiro. Recently in the limelight for this beautiful archway of books that goes right up to the ceiling, you can’t help but pose for a picture here!
P.S. Find out more about Arc N Book here!
If you love pink, then the Stylenanda Pink Hotel will be right up your alley. We do have to clarify that this isn’t an actual hotel though but popular Korean fashion brand Stylenanda’s flagship store in Myeongdong ? With 6 themed floors decorated in various hues of pink, you can go shopping for the coolest fashion items while stopping for a photo or two at one of their many Instagrammable spots.
Arc N Book
Address: 29 Eulji-ro, Euljiro 1(il)-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Opening hours: 10am-10pm daily
Directions: Take subway line 2 to Euljiro 1(il)-ga station and take the 1-1 exit.
Stylenanda Pink Hotel
Address: 37-8 Myeongdong 8-gil, Chungmuro 2(i)-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Opening hours: 11am-11pm daily
Directions:From Myeongdong station, take exit 6 and walk along Myeongdong 8-gil before turning right into Myeongdong 8-gil. Stylenanda will be on your right.
#HHWT Tip: Can’t get enough of IG-worthy spots? Check out these 10 Instagram spots in Seoul near Muslim-friendly eateries!
10. Go on a day trip to Nami Island
Nami Island is known as one of the most picturesque spots for a day trip out of Seoul but did you know that it’s even more remarkable in autumn? Experience the lovely fall foliage when you visit from late-September to November. What’s amazing is that it coincides with the Halal Restaurant Week so you can enjoy the beauty of autumn in Nami Island!
The gingko tree lane is a must-visit while you’re in Nami Island as the leaves will turn yellow and brown, making it the most amazing sight ever. If you’re in Seoul with your partner, you definitely need to add Nami Island into your itinerary. Don’t forget to drop byGongsaengwon Garden for the famous Winter Sonata statue ☺️
#HHWT Tip: Dine at Muslim-friendly restaurants in Nami Island and its surrounds! Use the Halal Restaurant Week coupons when you dine at Asian Family Restaurant Dongmoon and NamisumKkokkoChuncheonDakgalbi. Find out more in the Halal Restaurant Week list here!
Credit: @luvurself1314 on Instagram
While you’re at Nami Island, don’t miss out on the chance to visit Petite France. With colourful buildings resembling a French village, this is a great place to hang out and you might even forget that you’re in Korea for a moment. Plus, thanks to Halal Restaurant Week, you get to enjoy 20% discount off admission tickets to Petite France, so it’s definitely worth a visit!
With plenty of yummy halal food options, gorgeous sightseeing spots, discounts on shopping and more, your visit to Seoul during the 2019 Halal Restaurant Week Korea will definitely be a memorable time! Time to round up your travel buddies and plan your Seoul trip. And of course, don’t forget to use the discounts and coupons for Halal Restaurant Week for your most amazing Korea trip yet!
To get ready for your trip, make sure to collect your Halal Restaurant Week coupon booklet so that you’ll have plenty of discounts lined up for you once you arrive in Seoul! All you have to do is approach the counter staff at Korea Plaza and request for a Halal Restaurant Week booklet (while stocks last).
Address: 3 Church Street, #01-02 Samsung Hub (Korea Plaza), Singapore 049483
Opening Hours: 10am – 7pm (Mon – Fri), 10am – 1pm (Sat), closed on Sundays and P.H.
Collection Period: From 9 September onwards (while stocks last)
P.S. If you're from Malaysia instead, check out our guide on Halal Restaurant Week to find out where you can get your booklet.
This article is brought to you by Korea Tourism Organization (Singapore).