Hidden Seoul: 17 Secret Spots in Bukchon

Seoul’s Best-Kept Secrets: 17 Must-Visit Spots in Bukchon, Samcheong-dong & Anguk

Seoul is a city where tradition meets modernity in the most unexpected ways. Whether sipping tea in a century-old hanok or indulging in French pastries inside a traditional Korean house, the city offers experiences you won’t find anywhere else.

If you're looking for Instagram-worthy spots, hidden cafes, or just a peaceful escape from the city’s hustle and bustle, Bukchon, Samcheong-dong, and Anguk are the places to be. Here are 17 must-visit locations that locals love—some so exclusive they still feel like a secret!

1. BEURRE BEURRE Anguk: Gelato That’s Basically Art 🎨🍦

Hidden Seoul: 17 Secret Spots in Bukchon

📍 Location: Jongno-gu, Seoul
⭐ Must-Try: Chapssal Tteok Gelato (chewy rice cake-inspired ice cream)

Ever tried gelato made with 82% French butter? This luxurious spot serves up ultra-creamy, rich flavors inside a charming brick-and-wood hanok. Don't leave without a taste of their signature Chapssal Tteok Gelato—a perfect blend of chewy rice cake and creamy indulgence.

2. Zamyeong-Seosil: A Hanok Tea House Straight Out of a Movie 🍵🏯

📍 Location: Jongno-gu, Seoul
🌿 Must-Try: Traditional Korean teas with a bamboo grove view

Want to feel like you’ve stepped back in time? This serene hanok tea house lets you sip on premium teas while gazing at lush bamboo gardens. The wooden interiors, delicate teacups, and mountain views make it the perfect escape from the city’s chaos.

3. Hati Hati House: Where Egg Tarts Steal the Show 🥧☕

📍 Location: Jongno-gu, Seoul
🔥 Must-Try: Honey Cinnamon Latte + Crispy French-Portuguese Egg Tarts

This cozy, rustic hanok-turned-café serves up the crispiest, most buttery egg tarts in town. Pair one with a Nutty Latte and get ready for a food coma you won’t regret. Bonus: The vintage decor makes it 100% Instagram-approved.

4. IRASUN: A Paradise for Photography Lovers 📷📚

📍 Location: Jongno-gu, Seoul
📖 Must-See: Curated independent photo books

If you love photography, this minimalist hanok bookstore is a hidden gem of inspiration. Flip through stunning photography books in a calm, sunlit space, where every corner feels like an art gallery.

5. Gonggongjae Coffee Club: Seoul’s Coziest New Café ☕🌞

📍 Location: Jongno-gu, Seoul
💡 Coming Soon!

Designed as an open, free space for everyone—like a park or a library—this upcoming café will serve its signature Gonggongjae Latte, made with roasted barley tea for a nutty, creamy sweetness.

6. Sinora Bukchon: Coffee + LP Records = Pure Vibes 🎶☕

📍 Location: Jongno-gu, Seoul
🥖 Must-Try: Pumpkin Butter Bread

Love coffee, vinyl records, and cozy interiors? This LP café lets you sip on specialty coffee while listening to old-school music. Their Pumpkin Butter Bread is a fan favorite—soft, fluffy, and full of nostalgia.

7. Pyunkang Yul Flagship: A Skincare Store That’s Also an Art Gallery 🏯🎨

📍 Location: Jongno-gu, Seoul
🆓 Must-See: Free exhibitions in a stunning hanok setting

This isn’t just a skincare store—it’s a design masterpiece. The hanok-style interior, minimalist skincare line, and rotating art exhibitions make it one of the most aesthetic places in Seoul.

8. HAAP Wonseo: The Prettiest Rice Cake Café Ever 🍡✨

📍 Location: Jongno-gu, Seoul
🍯 Must-Try: Honey Rice Cake & Seasonal Tteok

Forget everything you know about rice cakes—HAAP reinvents Korean tteok with modern flavors. Enjoy them with a scenic hanok view, and don’t skip the limited-edition white danpatjuk (sweet red bean porridge) in winter!

9. Tartine Bakery Bukchon: San Francisco Vibes in a Hanok 🇺🇸🥐

📍 Location: Jongno-gu, Seoul
☕ Must-Try: Croissants + Americano

A little slice of San Francisco’s famous Tartine Bakery, but inside a traditional Korean hanok. Their croissants? Flaky, buttery perfection.

10. Museum Hanmi: Korea’s First Photography Museum 🎨📸

📍 Location: Samcheong-dong, Seoul
🔥 Must-See: Digital photography exhibitions

If you love art, photography, or anything aesthetic, this museum is a must-visit. The current exhibit features iconic magazine photography from legends like Arnold Newman.

11. Bukchon Lounge: Hanok Tea Experience Like No Other 🍵🏯

📍 Location: Jongno-gu, Seoul
✨ Must-Try: Traditional tea & yakgwa (honey cookies)

Operated by the city of Seoul, Bukchon Lounge is a beautifully preserved hanok tea house where you can experience traditional Korean teas and snacks in a serene courtyard setting. Sunlight filters through wooden window frames, creating a peaceful atmosphere perfect for unwinding.

✔️ Pro Tip: Try the chapssal-tteok (glutinous rice cake) and dried fruit pairing with your tea!

12. Tteoksan Anguk: The Ultimate Tteokbokki Experience 🌶️🔥

📍 Location: Jongno-gu, Seoul
⭐ Must-Try: 72-hour fermented gochujang tteokbokki

Tteoksan Anguk takes tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes) to the next level with its rich, umami-packed sauce, made by fermenting gochujang (red chili paste) for 72 hours. The result? A deep, complex spiciness that lingers in the best way.

✔️ Pro Tip: Pair your tteokbokki with their crispy tempura for the perfect balance of textures!

13. Le Contoyel: Where Pies Tell a Story 🥧☕

📍 Location: Jongno-gu, Seoul
🔥 Must-Try: Handmade seasonal pies + specialty coffee

Le Contoyel is a hidden dessert haven offering handcrafted sweet & savory pies that taste just as good as they look. The warm wooden interiors make it extra cozy, and their specialty coffee pairs perfectly with a buttery pie slice.

✔️ Pro Tip: If you're visiting in fall, don’t miss their cinnamon apple pie! 🍏

14. Perment Anguk: Seoul’s Prettiest European-Style Bakery 🍞🥐

📍 Location: Jongno-gu, Seoul
⭐ Must-Try: Ferment Cream Latte + flaky croissants

Perment Anguk is an artisan bakery with over 20 varieties of freshly baked bread. The circular window design and rustic hanok interiors make it one of the most aesthetic cafés in Seoul. Their pastries? Crispy, buttery, and 100% worth the calories.

✔️ Pro Tip: Their signature Ferment Cream Latte is a must-try—rich, smooth, and creamy!

15. Dot Blanket Samcheong: Brunch in a Sunlit Hanok ☕🍽️

📍 Location: Jongno-gu, Seoul
🌞 Must-Try: Ice Supernova + Vanilla Bean Latte

Dot Blanket Samcheong blends hanok charm with modern brunch vibes. The glass ceiling floods the space with natural light, making it one of the dreamiest brunch spots in Seoul. Their Ice Supernova latte is a refreshing, milky coffee drink that pairs perfectly with their fluffy pancakes.

✔️ Pro Tip: Get there early for brunch, as seats fill up fast!

16. Amor Napoli Gye-dong: A Slice of Southern Italy in Seoul 🇮🇹🍕

📍 Location: Jongno-gu, Seoul
⭐ Must-Try: Granita + Italian pastries

Amor Napoli brings authentic Italian bakery culture to Seoul, serving over 70 types of Italian baked goods. The vibrant yellow facade and Mediterranean decor transport you straight to Naples. Their Granita (Italian shaved ice dessert) is light, refreshing, and the perfect palate cleanser.

✔️ Pro Tip: Try their handmade cannoli for the ultimate Italian experience!

17. Sansooin: Seoul’s Most Unique Hanok Wine Bar 🍷✨

📍 Location: Jongno-gu, Seoul (Temporarily Closed)
⭐ Must-Try: Nakji-Bokkeum Fettucine (spicy octopus pasta)

Sansuin redefines the wine bar experience by blending traditional hanok architecture with fusion cuisine. Think spicy stir-fried octopus pasta, water parsley salad, and carefully curated wines. Even though it's currently on a temporary break, this spot remains one of Seoul’s most sought-after culinary gems.

✔️ Pro Tip: Follow their Instagram for reopening updates—it’s worth the wait!

Why You’ll Love These Spots

✅ Traditional Meets Modern – Hanoks turned into trendy cafés, bakeries & wine bars
✅ Instagram-Worthy – Every spot is aesthetic overload 📸
✅ Unforgettable Flavors – From tteokbokki to French pastries, there’s something for everyone

📍 Pro Tips for Exploring Bukchon, Samcheong-dong & Anguk

🔹 Go early – These places get crowded fast, so morning visits are best
🔹 Plan your route – These spots are all within walking distance, so explore on foot!
🔹 Bring a camera – Trust me, you’ll want to capture these hidden gems 📷

💬 Which spot are you adding to your must-visit list? Let us know in the comments! 👀✨