Being a tourist and getting around Seoul isn’t an easy job, the touristy areas like Itaewon, Myeongdong and Gangnam are usually super-crowded. Sure the shopping and the food is great, but there is more to Seoul than just that. So join me as I take you around Sinchon!! ?

Credit: Giphy P.S. Remember to download our HHWT Travel Planner App available on Google Play for Android and Apple App Store for iOS, to plan your next holiday to Seoul! It'll make your planning go so much smoother ?

Sinchon area is known for some of the biggest universities including Yonsei, Sogang and Ewha Woman’s university. As you emerge from the subway exit 2 of Sinchon Station, you will see a huge street in front of you with rows of coffee shops, fast food, cosmetic stores and more shops. This is Yonsei Street. [caption id="attachment_12110" align="alignnone" width="1200"]

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Live performance at Sinchon[/caption] This street is popular among students and young people, and you can watch live street performances too. There will always be someone singing soulfully with a guitar in their hand, or someone performing magic tricks and occasionally, a group of boys break dancing to the latest k-pop number. Rest assured, all of them are budding artists.

Shopping

Credit: Giphy Sinchon area is a shopping-hub for students from the surrounding universities. Everything from Korean brand cosmetic stores that we love, to clothes, shoes and accessories; you can find almost everything in Sinchon. The plus side of shopping here is that the streets are wide and there is a lot of space to walk freely without getting pushed or shoved (Myeongdong is a classic example). [caption id="attachment_12111" align="alignnone" width="1200"]

Street Food Stall[/caption] Almost all the brand coffee shops have a branch here, along with a variety coffee shops like cat cafes, book cafes, board game cafés and even manhwa cafes. I walked past a fishing café which opened recently, which has live fishes that you can catch while enjoying a cup of coffee. Although I have never tried cycling here, there are rental bicycles available for those of you would like to cycle around. The rates start from 3,000₩ per hour.

1. Artbox

One of my favourite haunts in Sinchon is the brand store Artbox. They have a huge outlet there, and never fail to entertain me with their collection of cute school stationary, toys and household items.

There are cute stuff everywhere!

2. U-Plex Shopping Mall

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When you get out of Sinchon station exit 3, walk straight ahead until you reach the cross road and you will see the U-plex shopping mall standing on your left. U-plex mall has a good collection of fashionable clothes and accessories, including big name brands like Uniqlo.

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Don’t miss walking around the underground floor. You’ll find the cute Kakao store there and also an outlet store featuring Line characters.

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Now that you are almost done with your shopping spree, its time to relax, eat and drink something refreshing. If you are still inside U-plex, I recommend the outlet of MOS burger located underground.

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You can find some seafood and cheese options there and there is a Jamba Juice outlet nearby. They have some unique fruit juices and smoothies although they may be a bit pricey; one drink can be anything between 5,000-7,000₩.

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Of course, there are a lot of options once you come out of U-plex. Just opposite U-Plex shopping mall, there is a Juicy, a fruit juice shop outlet. You can get a nice fresh fruit juice for as little as 1,500₩. There are street food carts, which have non-meat snack options too!

Opening Hours: 10.30am-10pm Directions: Walk straight ahead after coming out of Sinchon station exit 2/3. U plex will be on your left.

Food

1. Jyoti Restaurant

Jyoti Restaurant serves Halal Indian cuisine, the best in Seoul that I have tasted. A bit pricey but definitely worth it. I ordered the Thali set for 15,000₩. [caption id="attachment_12123" align="alignnone" width="1776"]

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Thali Set Menu[/caption] [caption id="attachment_12124" align="alignnone" width="1776"]

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Special Lunch Menu[/caption]

Opening hours: 11.30 am- 10pm Directions: Get out of Sinchon exit 5. Walk straight past the pet shop, take the first right, walk a few steps and you will see a coffee shop on your right, Jyoti Restaurant is on the third floor of this building so take the stairs behind the coffee shop.

2. Amma Restaurant

Credit: SoulFanda This is another halal Indian cuisine restaurant. The food menu is close to that of Jyoti. I have not been there personally but the reviews look good.

Opening Hours: 11.30am-11pm Directions: Follow the map below

3. Baku Restaurant

Credit: hongkong38 Baku restaurant claims to be Seoul’s first Azerbaijani restaurant. The food is Halal, but quite expensive and the portions are quite small. If you are still curious and want to try something new, you can give it a shot!

Opening hours: 10am - 10pm daily Directions: Follow the map below

4. Dolkemaeul Tofu House Korean Restaurant

UPDATE (21 Dec 2017): A reader has informed us that some of the dishes contain pork ? ~~Sundubu Jjigae with Side Dishes~~If you came all the way to Korea, you obviously have to have some Korean food! Well, Dolkemaeul Tofu House has some non-meat options in their menu. You can spend less than 10,000₩ and still enjoy a good meal. I ordered Sundubu Jjigae (spicy tofu stew), the serving size is good and they provide tons of side dishes, so you can enjoy a hearty meal. [caption id="attachment_12136" align="alignnone" width="4096"] ~~Side Dishes~~[/caption] ~~Don’t be shy to ask for a second helping of side dishes; Korean restaurants are quite generous when it comes to that ?~~ [caption id="attachment_12135" align="alignnone" width="4096"] ~~Fresh rice in stone pot~~[/caption] Opening Hours: 24/7 Directions: Follow the map below

Opposite U-plus shopping mall, there will be a line of shops. Look for 7/11 which should be on your right. Dolkemaeul Tofu House on your left. Its very hard to miss!

Other things to check out in Sinchon

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Balloon Shooting Game with prizes ?[/caption] What is so special about Sinchon is, you will find not only karaoke shops where you can have a good time with your friends, but also arcades, balloon shooting booths where you can win prizes, and even digital photo booths where you can take goofy photos with your friends and have them printed out as stickers. Just keep walking and exploring and you will definitely find something to do. Along the way, you might even come across some of the places that I will mention to you ? [caption id="attachment_12138" align="alignnone" width="4096"]

Digital Sticker Photo Shop: Design your own photos![/caption]

1. Board game café: Board School

Credit: gunfried77 What better way to spend some good quality time with your friends and family than to play board games? Playing board games while having some lovely coffee of course! And here in Sinchon, you can head to Board School Board Game Café to do just that! Be it a rainy day or a chilly winter Sunday morning, the perfect place to chill with your close buddies would be the this place. There is a huge collection of board games you can choose from, and also many different drinks and coffee. Snacks are available as well. Opening Hours: Weekdays 1PM to 11.30PM, Weekends 12- 11.30PM Directions: Follow the map below

2. Korean Karaoke/ Noraebang : Su Noraebang

Going to the noraebang with friends is the ideal Korean past time. Singing is therapeutic and Sinchon is the place to go singing! Among the many Noraebangs here, Su Noraebang has great reviews, and is one of the largest ones in the vicinity. It is a coin noraebang, so you can sing as many songs as you like each for just 500₩. Opening hours: 24/7 Directions: Follow the map below

So when you are in Sinchon, plan your whole day around the area. There is just so much to explore! If you walk straight ahead to the end of Yonsei Street, you will pass by one of the big churches on your right. Cross the street and you are in Yonsei University campus. #HHWT Tip: Every other Saturday; there is a flea market from 10am to 5pm on Yonsei street which adds to the festivity of this place. So plan your trip well, and visit Sinchon next time you are in Korea! ? P.S. Remember to download our HHWT Travel Planner App available on Google Play for Android and Apple App Store for iOS, to plan your next holiday to Seoul! It'll make your planning go so much smoother ?

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The Muslim-Friendly Guide To Exploring Sinchon - Seoul’s Coolest University Town