10 things to do on a Solo Trip to Seoul

When Hong Kong lifted its hotel quarantine requirements last year, the travel bug hit hard. There were so many places I wanted to go, but for my first solo travel trip in Asia, I wanted to get lost for a week in a place that was historic, interesting and offered delicious food. Since I would be traveling alone, I also prioritized choosing somewhere safe, convenient and easy to get around. After some research, this led me to Seoul, Korea.

While I had an idea of what Seoul would be like, there were dishes, places and experiences that surprised me in the best way possible. If you're visiting Seoul for the first time, here are 10 of the top things I did that you should add to your Korea bucket list.

1. Nourish your soul with ginseng chicken soup

I can't believe I had never heard of samgyetang, or ginseng chicken soup, before planning this trip. It was the first recommendation that I received when asking friends about what to do in Seoul, and after one bite, I understood why. Samgyetang is a dish consisting of a whole young chicken stuffed with glutinous rice, garlic, chestnuts, dates and ginseng - all served in a ginseng broth. At Tosokchon Samgyetang, the chicken falls off the bone and the soup is delicious and nourishing.

2. Step into the library of your dreams

Starfield Library is a book lover's and architect's dream. Located in the center of COEX Mall, this two-story library features 42-foot bookshelves, plenty of natural lighting and more than 50,000 books. As an open, public space, visitors are welcome to sit down, relax and read to their hearts' content. I was in awe of the design of this entire space and could have spent the whole day here.

3. Try Korean street food at Gwangjang Market

Gwangjang Market is one of the oldest and largest traditional markets in South Korea, and an incredible destination to try Korean street food. I learned about Cho Yoonsun's inspiring story on Netflix Street Food Asia, so her shop was on the top of my list. She serves kalguksu, fresh, knife-cut noodles in a flavorful broth, dumplings and kimchi - all with an infectious smile and spirit. I also went out of my comfort zone and spontaneously approached a shop that specializes in raw marinated crab. I was hesitant to try it, but it was sweet, juicy and smothered in sweet soy sauce - a dish I still dream about to this day!

4. Transport back to 1400s Korea at Gyeongbokgung Palace

Built in 1395, Gyeongbokgung Palace was the main royal palace of the Joseon dynasty, serving as the home of the royal family. It's one of the most iconic and beautiful sights in Seoul, and tourists will often wear hanbok, or traditional clothing, when visiting the palace. There are many corners of the grounds to explore, and walking through it all feels like stepping back in time.

5. Then, transport to a 2D world

I had come across videos of the viral 2D cafes in Korea and knew I had to experience it for myself. I went to visit Greem Cafe and it looked like it came straight out of a cartoonist's notebook. Everything from furniture to plants appeared like sketched pencil drawings, and even the food and coffee were served in the decor!

6. Fall in love with Korean comfort food

I visited Seoul in October, just when the weather was getting crisp and chilly. Luckily, Korea is known for delicious comfort food that will immediately warm you up. Some of my favorites on a rainy day were tteokbokki, rice cakes simmered in a spicy broth, at Namdobunsik, soft tofu stew at Jungwon Soondubu and authentic, homemade cooking at Parc. Another special dish I tried was raw beef bibimbap at Soonwoo Black. If you're looking for a more traditional bibimbap, I also enjoyed Grandma Yu's Bibimbap.

7. Spend a morning getting lost at Bukchon Hanok Village

Looking for a peaceful morning in Seoul? Look no further than Bukchon Hanok Village. Known as the village in the city, Bukchon Hanok Village is a residential neighborhood in Jongno District, known for the many traditional Korean houses, called hanok. While its unique architecture has made it a popular destination, I loved getting lost on the side streets of the village, and mornings are the best time for the most peaceful experience. After spending the morning exploring, stop by Cha-teul, a traditional tea house with delicious snacks, fragrant tea and a stunning view of the mountains.

8. Visit the Leeum Museum of Art

With more than 100 museums in Seoul, it's hard to choose which one to visit first. I decided on visiting the Leeum, Samsung Museum of Art, as it has a good mix of traditional Korean art and international, contemporary art. The architecture of the museum itself is already visually stunning, and there are temporary, special exhibits, so be sure to research and book in advance.

9. Relax at a traditional bathhouse

One unique experience I wanted to try was visiting a jjimjilbang, a traditional bathhouse that offers a range of spa services and facilities, including saunas, steam rooms, body scrubs and more. With food stalls, sleeping rooms and common areas, it's not surprising that people can stay at a jjimjilbang for hours to relax and unwind. I went to Insadong Hanjeungmak and got an exfoliating body scrub from an ajumma, and watched as she scrubbed away layers of dead skin. It was a fun experience, but worth noting that it may seem foreign or awkward, especially to Westerners, as many areas are separated by gender and strangers are completely naked in front of each other. As long as you do research on the etiquette beforehand, I suggest giving it a try!

10. Try the fluffiest soufflé pancakes

If you have a sweet tooth, DongBaek Bakery is a must for soufflé pancakes. As the orders are made fresh and take about 20 minutes to prepare, it's best to line up before the restaurant opens. I ordered the cream coffee with strawberry soufflé pancakes and after patiently waiting and admiring the open kitchen, the pancakes arrived. I was blown away. Not only are the pancakes beautiful, they're fully, airy and melt in your mouth, and come with a perfectly sweet strawberry sauce. With its warm, homey decor and soufflé pancakes that I could talk about for days, this is the type of cafe I would be a regular at if I lived in Seoul.

For more everyday videos and clips from my trip to Seoul, check out my Instagram Story Highlights.