The Ultimate Apgujeong Guide: From its Rich History to Trendy Hotspots

 

Apgujeong-dong: From a Peaceful "Seagull Pavilion" to Korea’s "Beverly Hills"

If you visit Apgujeong-dong today, you’ll see sleek skyscrapers, luxury flagship stores, and the trendiest fashionistas in Seoul. But did you know this place was once a quiet riverside village where scholars came to watch seagulls? Let’s dive into its fascinating 600-year journey!

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1. The Joseon Dynasty: The "Seagull Pavilion" (1400s–1800s)

The name "Apgujeong" (압구정) actually comes from a beautiful riverside pavilion built by a powerful politician named Han Myeong-hoe in the 15th century.

• The Meaning: "Ap" (狎) means to be close to, and "Gu" (鷗) means seagulls. Han Myeong-hoe wanted a place where he could retire and spend his days becoming friends with the seagulls by the Han River.
• A Hidden Irony: Despite this peaceful name, Han Myeong-hoe was a master of political power. While he sat in his pavilion watching seagulls, he was actually controlling the fate of the nation.

2. Early 20th Century: The Quiet Pear Orchards

For a long time after the Joseon Dynasty, Apgujeong remained a rural outskirts of Seoul. Imagine this:

• Before the luxury cars, this area was famous for pear orchards.
• The area was so quiet that it was hard to imagine it becoming the heart of a mega-city. It was just a place where people farmed and looked out at the wide Han River.

3. The 1970s: The Great Transformation (The Apartment Boom)

The biggest turning point came in the 1970s during the "Gangnam Development."

• Hyundai Apartments: In 1976, the massive Hyundai Apartment complex was built. It was the first time "luxury living" in apartments was introduced to Korea.
• The New Elite: Wealthy families and influential people began moving here, turning the former pear orchards into the most expensive real estate in the country.

4. 1990s to Today: The Fashion & K-Beauty Mecca

By the 1990s, Apgujeong evolved into the epicenter of Korean pop culture and luxury.

• Rodeo Street: Inspired by Beverly Hills’ Rodeo Drive, this became the place to see and be seen. It gave birth to the "Orange-jok" (wealthy youth who drove foreign cars and wore luxury brands).
• The K-Wave (Hallyu): Apgujeong and the neighboring Cheongdam-dong became home to major entertainment companies (like SM Entertainment) and world-class plastic surgery clinics, forming the "K-Beauty Belt."

In Summary:

Apgujeong’s history is a mirror of Korea's rapid growth. From a solitary 정자 (pavilion) where seagulls gathered, to pear orchards, and finally to the glitzy center of global fashion, Apgujeong continues to define the "modern" image of Seoul.

Apgujeong Best Restaurants List

1. Furato Shokudo Sinsa Branch (Japanese)

Address: 2F, 43 Apgujeong-ro 10-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul (562m from Sinsa Station Exit 8)

Directions

• Located on the 2nd floor, behind the Sinsa-dong Garosu-gil Apple Store and across from the Tamburins Flagship Store.
• Parking: Use Sinsa Station Public Parking / Garosu-gil Parking / Singoo Elementary School Parking.

Hours: 11:00 - 22:00 (Break Time 15:00 - 17:00) Phone: 0507-1464-0635

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2. Seongssine Samjangjib (Grilled Pork)

Address: Unit 111, 1F, 28 Apgujeong-ro 50-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul (372m from Apgujeong Rodeo Station Exit 6)

Directions

Located 372m away from Apgujeong Rodeo Station Exit 6 (Suin-Bundang Line).

Hours: 11:00 - 05:30 (Next day)

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3. Conque Apgujeong Main Branch (Brunch)

Address: 1F, 4 Apgujeong-ro 54-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul (86m from Apgujeong Rodeo Station Exit 6)

Directions

Apgujeong Conque Brunch & Dining Rodeo Main Branch (Near Apgujeong Rodeo Station Exit 6).

Hours: 11:00 - 23:00 (Break Time 15:00 - 17:00, Last Order 21:00)

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4. Heokuijeong Apgujeong Rodeo Branch (Grilled Beef)

Address: 2F, 7 Dosan-daero 57-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul (454m from Apgujeong Rodeo Station Exit 4)

Directions

[By Car] Free parking is available in front of the restaurant.

Hours: 11:00 - 22:00 (Last Order 21:30)

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5. Jigang Hansikdang Apgujeong Main Branch (TV Show Featured)

Address: Units 111, 112, 104-1, 17 Apgujeong-ro 30-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul (79m from Apgujeong Station Exit 3)

Directions

• By Bus: 82m from Apgujeong Station Exit 3 / 128m from Apgujeong Station Exit 4.
• By Subway: Come out of Apgujeong Station Exit 3, go back 28m, walk 47m towards the left of Andaz Seoul Gangnam Hotel; it's on your right.
• By Car/Taxi: Search 'Jigang Hansikdang Apgujeong' on navigation. 1 hour free underground parking (No SUVs or large sedans).
• Parking Hours: Weekdays 06:00-22:30, Weekends/Holidays 06:00-18:30.

Hours: 11:00 - 22:00 (Last Order 20:50)

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6. Not Bad Coffee Dosan (Cafe, Dessert)

Address: 21-3 Eonju-ro 164-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul (601m from Apgujeong Rodeo Station Exit 5)

Directions

• 8-minute walk from Apgujeong Rodeo Station Exit 5.
• 10-minute walk from Apgujeong Station Exit 3.
• 2-minute walk from Dosan Park.

Hours: 09:00 - 20:00 (Last Order 19:30)

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7. Dosan Bunsik Dosan Park Branch (Korean Snack/Street Food)-TV Show Featured

Address: Jello Building, 10-6 Dosan-daero 49-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul (443m from Apgujeong Rodeo Station Exit 5)

Directions

• Take Apgujeong Rodeo Station Exit 5 and walk for about 500m.
• Located between K-Hyundai Museum of Art and CGV Cheongdam.

Hours: 11:30 - 20:30 (Break Time 15:00 - 17:00, Last Order 14:30 / 20:00)

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8. Mild High Club Apgujeong Branch (Brunch Cafe)

Address: 1F, 22 Eonju-ro 170-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul (501m from Apgujeong Rodeo Station Exit 5)

Directions

• Parking: 5,000 KRW discount on meal menu if you bring an external parking ticket.
• Navigation: Search '22 Eonju-ro 170-gil'.
• By Foot: 9 mins from Galleria Dept. Store, 12 mins from Apgujeong Station Exit 2, 30 mins from Garosu-gil, 10 mins from Dosan Park.

Hours: 11:30 - 23:00

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9. Mutan Apgujeong Main Branch (Chinese)-TV Show Featured

Address: 1F, 22 Nonhyeon-ro 176-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul (195m from Apgujeong Station Exit 2)

Directions

• By Bus: 4-minute walk from Hyundai Apartment Stop.
• By Subway: Exit 2 of Apgujeong Station, turn left at Daiso, walk straight for 200m. Located next to CU Sinsa Hyundai.
• By Car/Taxi: Search 'Mutan Apgujeong' on navigation. Valet available behind the building (Fee applies).

Hours: 11:00 - 22:00 (Last Order 20:50)

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10. Show Me The Crab Apgujeong Branch (Crab Dishes)

Address: 1F, 22-6 Apgujeong-ro 28-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul (160m from Apgujeong Station Exit 4)

Directions

• Subway: Line 3 Apgujeong Station Exit 4 > about 5 minutes on foot (160m).
• Bus: Convenient via buses toward Apgujeong Station/Sinsa-dong.
• Parking: Valet service available.

Hours: 17:00 - 22:00 (Last Order 21:00)

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11. Kkaffom (Thai Food)

Address: B1, 18 Seolleung-ro 153-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul (350m from Apgujeong Rodeo Station Exit 5)

Directions

Walk 30m towards Hakdong Intersection from Ilchi Art Hall (23-160) bus stop, then turn right into the alley.

Hours: 11:30 - 22:00

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12. Standard Bread Dosan (Bakery)

Address: 1F, 13 Dosan-daero 53-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul (390m from Apgujeong Rodeo Station Exit 5)

Directions

Located 390m away from Apgujeong Rodeo Station Exit 5 (Suin-Bundang Line).

Hours: 08:00 - 21:00

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13. Bomui Jeongwon Garosu-gil Branch (Western Fusion)

Address: B1, 58 Apgujeong-ro 2-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul (237m from Sinsa Station Exit 8)

Directions

• By Subway: Located 150m from Sinsa Station Exit 8.
• By Car: No parking space available. Please use nearby paid parking lots (Seunyeong Private Parking or Singoo Elementary School Public Parking).
• By Foot: Walk about 30m behind Sinsa McDonald's. Located in the basement (B1) of the Kimbap Cheon-guk building.

Hours: 11:30 AM - 21:00 PM

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Recommended Accommodations 

Hotel Sunshine Seoul (3-Star)

📍 205 Dosan-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul

⏰ Check-in 15:00 | Check-out 12:00

☎ 02-548-8222

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Hotel La Casa Seoul (3-Star)

📍 83 Dosan-daero 1-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul

⏰ Check-in 15:00 | Check-out 11:00

☎ 02-6711-9000

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Hotel Anteroom Seoul (3-Star)

📍 153 Dosan-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul

⏰ Check-in 15:00 | Check-out 11:00

☎ 02-542-2300

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Princess Hotel (2-Star)

📍 17 Apgujeong-ro 46-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul

⏰ Check-in 15:00 | Check-out 12:00

☎ 02-544-0366

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Hotel Riviera Cheongdam (4-Star)

📍 737 Yeongdong-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul

⏰ Check-in 15:00 | Check-out 12:00

☎ 02-3438-4000

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The Riverside Hotel (3-Star)

📍 6 Gangnam-daero 107-gil, Seocho-gu, Seoul

⏰ Check-in 15:00 | Check-out 11:00

☎ 02-6710-1100

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Aiden by Best Western Cheongdam (3-Star)

📍 216 Dosan-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul

⏰ Check-in 15:00 | Check-out 12:00

☎ 02-6711-1234

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La Tree Hotel (3-Star)

📍 77 Naruteo-ro, Seocho-gu, Seoul (2F–5F)

⏰ Check-in 22:00 | Check-out 12:00

☎ 0507-1482-0459

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Tyrol Tourist Hotel (2-Star)

📍 64 Naruteo-ro, Seocho-gu, Seoul

⏰ Check-in 15:00 | Check-out 12:00

☎ 0507-1383-1004

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