When I travel abroad, I tend to go there on purpose. Of course, it’s not an ordinary Starbucks, but a little unusual Starbucks store in the country.
There is a unique Starbucks store in Korea that is not found in other countries. Among them, I would like to introduce some places I have been to recently. I think it is a place worth visiting if you are a Starbucks enthusiast who has visited Korea.
1. Gyeongdong 1960
Gyeongdong Market is a market located at the eastern end of Seoul, and is a fairly large market among the markets in Seoul, selling herbal medicine, fruits, vegetables, meat, etc. Compared to Namdaemun Market, I would say it is a more local market.
Many foreigners also visit this place because they can buy fresh ginseng at a low price without being ripped off.
Gyeongdong 1960 is located in the Gyeongdong Market where fresh ginseng is sold, so you have to pay a bit of attention to get there.
When you enter the entrance, you will be surprised by the size of the store, which is larger than expected.
Gyeongdong 1960, measuring a total of 1206 square meters, is a renovated space on the 3rd to 4th floors of the Gyeongdong Market building, the site of the old Gyeongdong Theater.
Instead of a theater screen at the front of the store, there is a Starbucks store ordering and manufacturing counter, and tiered seating on both sides and the back. The wooden structure of the Gyeongdong Theater built in the 1960s has been preserved on the ceiling.
2. Starbucks bukhansan
Starbucks Bukhansan branch, located at the northern end of Seoul, bordering Gyeonggi-do, is a place where you can escape from the stuffy city center and rest your brain for a while.
On the second floor of the store, you can enjoy the scenery comfortably while looking out at Bukhansan Mountain through the floor-to-ceiling glass window.
It is said that the second floor is usually full of visitors, but rather than waiting for a seat, if you go up to the third floor, a cool view of Bukhansan Mountain awaits you. If the weather is not hot or cold, I think it is a place where you can enjoy the scenery to some extent.
Bukhansan Starbucks is close to Eunpyeong Hanok Village, so it might be a good idea to visit while stopping by Eunpyeong Hanok Village.
3. Starbucks Bukhangang R
A particularly eye-catching space at The Bukhangang R branch is the 330 square meter ‘Pet Park’ located outdoors on the first floor.
Visitors can enjoy a walk with their pets here. The Bukhangang R branch is the first Starbucks branch in Korea to have a dedicated space for pets.
As the name suggests, it is a Bukhan River Starbucks, so there are seats where you can view the river and mountains through the glass windows.
It’s located in Yangpyeong, so it takes a bit of a detour, but I think you can stop by on the way to Nami Island or Chuncheon.
