Find 'berry' good vibes in acai bowl
If life gives you berries, try going for an acai bowl filled with fruit and your favorite toppings.
Every weekend, a large crowd usually spills into the streets of Apgujeong Rodeo, a popular neighborhood in the posh Gangnam district of southern Seoul, which boasts streets full of luxury brands, curated shops and fine dining restaurants.
In a small alley there, you can also find a dessert shop called A-ha Dosan that offers a frozen acai bowl with oats, honey, strawberries, bananas and choco loops.
Made of pulped and flash-frozen acai berries, the bowl is cold yet refreshing, with a deep fruity flavor.
The bowl is priced at 12,500 won ($8.08). You can pair it with a coco latte made from coconut water and cream, matcha latte, blueberry hibiscus tea, peach-flavored green tea, chamomile tea or lavender peppermint tea.
So, why not step out of the house this weekend and head to Apgujeong for a day filled with good vibes, great company and zero stress?
A-ha Dosan
27-6 Seolleung-ro 157-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
Jimbba: Local Korean liquor shop worth the detour
For those seeking authentic Korean alcoholic beverages — the kind that are hard to find and thoughtfully crafted — Jimbba might be your new favorite local secret.
Tucked away in an alley near Sindang Station in Seoul, the compact bottle shop stands humbly with its clean, white facade and minimal signage that reads simply: “Korean Sool Bottleshop.” “Sool” is the Korean word for alcohol, and Jimbba offers it in great variety — from soju and makgeolli to locally produced wines, sourced from all over the country. A row of illustrations on a board outside hints at what’s inside, and visitors are welcome to request tastings from the friendly staff.
What makes the experience even more special is Jimbba’s unique pairing suggestion: head over to the nearby Sindang Jungang Market, pick up some freshly prepared anju -- Korean dishes typically served with alcohol -- and enjoy regional food with regional drinks. It’s a thoughtful way to experience the diversity of Korean liquor and cuisine without leaving the capital city.
Of course, Jimbba says the best way to enjoy Korean liquor is to travel to the regions where it's made — to take in the history, culture and landscape while enjoying local food and drinks. But if that's not possible, this little shop is the next best thing.
Jimbba
15-10 Toegye-ro 87-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
A breath of green at the Korea National Arboretum
Spring brings a quiet vitality to the world around us: flowers begin to bud, fresh new leaves peek out from branches, and a lush palette of green slowly returns to the landscape. While popular flower-viewing spots are bustling with visitors, the arboretum offers something quieter.
Located between the cities of Pocheon and Namyangju in Gyeonggi Province, the Korea National Arboretum spans 102 hectares of protected forest. Designated as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, this arboretum is one of the country's most significant natural preserves -- a rare pocket of old-growth forest that has remained virtually untouched for over 540 years.
Depending on the path you choose, a visit can take from one to five hours. Whether you opt for a short loop or a deeper walk into the forest, the highlight for many is the fir tree trail. This shaded path is a chance to experience the rich scent of phytoncides, the gentle give of the earth beneath your feet and the kind of breeze that lifts your spirit.
The arboretum is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets are 1,000 won for adults, 700 won for teens, and 500 won for children. If you're driving, be sure to make a reservation; entry to the parking area is not permitted without a booking.
Korea National Arboretum
415, Gwangneungsumogwon-ro, Soheul-eup, Pocheon-si, Gyeonggi Province
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