About Korean Fashion ~ Cheongdam-dong, the Mecca of high fashion and fine dining

Cheongdam-dong, the Mecca of high fashion and fine dining

Nov 29, 2012

10 Million Foreign Tourists Series

The lights illuminating the street from Cheongdam-dong Intersection to Galleria Department Stores in southern Seoul look like white balloons hanging on trees. The decorations are reminiscent of the Champs-Elysees in Paris. Now the 1.37-kilometer-long street has been decorated with balloon-shaped LED lights, which will continue to brighten the street till the end of March. Near the Galleria Department Store East, a large transparent ball has been installed with reindeer pulling Santa Claus inside.

The street can also be compared to the Fifth Avenue of Seoul as it is lined with luxury brand shops including Salvatore Ferragamo, Escada, Loro Piana, Ermenegildo Zegna, Gucci, Cartier, Giorgio Armani, and Jil Sander. The flagship stores in Cheongdam-dong are all there because of the prestige which the street is associated with. After all, this is the Mecca of luxury and high fashion in Korea.

Cheongdam-dong has been the center of high fashion for a long time. After the high-rent district was formed around Apgujeong-dong in Gangnam-gu, luxury brand stores started opening up along the street. It is obviously the place where the money is.

Christmas decorations near the Galleria Department Store East in Cheongdam-dong attract many people every year (photo by Jeon Han).

Though the nearby Apgujeong-dong lost its allure to the street of Garosu-gil, which is located only a couple of blocks away, or Hongik University area in western Seoul, Cheongdam-dong has remained intact as the place for ultimate luxury.

People come here for exclusivity. They buy bags or clothes that cost millions of won, or other things that most people cannot afford.

Cheongdam-dong is also known for fine dining. Expensive restaurants, cafes, bars, and bakeries offer the kinds of services, foods and atmosphere that cannot be found elsewhere in the country. One drawback is these restaurants are hidden within the blocks of Cheongdam-dong, and unless people know exactly where they are located, it is hard to find them.

Luka 511, a high-end restaurant that can be found up in the street located between Prada and the Rolls-Royce dealership, is situated in a luxurious granite stone building with Greek columns. The restaurant serves brunch, Italian, and French cuisines and is often recommended as a place for making a marriage proposal. There is also a garden inside that is suitable for outdoor weddings.

The lights illuminating the street of Cheongdam-dong are reminiscent of the Champs-Elysees in Paris (photo by Jeon Han).

The nearby Palais de Gaumont, or Gaumont Palace in English, is one of the oldest French restaurants in the country. Housed in a stylish building that looks like an old little castle, the restaurant has a luxurious interior decorated with red velvet and chandeliers. Course meals for two cost hundreds of dollars.
The bakery Guilaume le pain veritable is located in an alley beside Burger King. It has a pink facade with a large window. The place is famous for its French owner Guilaume who only uses organic materials for his breads. He said he opened the bakery to offer authentic tastes of French breads unlike what he describes as Koreanized breads sold in local bakeries.

The 10 Corso Como cafe, located in The Trinity Place building across from the Galleria Department Store East, boasts a vibrant and colorful facade.

Congbuin is an Italian restaurant with a terrace. When the weather is good, people can dine outside. The restaurant is in the same Table 2025 building with Buon Posto, another Italian restaurant. The cafe Onl with its large terrace, the Queen's Park steak and pasta restaurant, the Anna Bini Italian restaurant, the 74 cafe, and the Vecchia and Nuovo bakery are also worth visiting.

Map of Cheongdam-dong (photo courtesy of Gangnam District Office)

[Apgujeong-dong]Apgujeong-dong is not as popular as it used to be but it is still bustling with young people. Compared to the nearby Cheongdam-dong, Apgujeong-dong caters to much younger crowds with less expensive casual brands and restaurants. There are denim brands like Guess and Diesel, the Sketchers snickers, and casual brands including Codes Combine, Club Monaco, Tommy Hilfiger, and the Accessorize accessory shop.

The popular Amapola Factory bakery is more affordable than those in Cheongdam-dong. The pastries offered here are exceptionally delicious.

The Macos Adamas accessory shop in Apgujeong-dong in southern Seoul was the filming location for a number of popular dramas including Iris (photo by Jeon Han).

[Area around Dosan Park]This area is actually the northern part of what is known as Apgujeong-dong. After the ultimate luxury Maison Hermes opened in the area, other high fashion stores such as Ralph Lauren followed suit. Now there are many galleries including Horim Museum, Gallery Simon, and Space*C as well as fancy cafes and restaurants.

The Gorilla in the Kitchen Italian restaurant is famous as it is owned by Hallyu star Bae Yong-joon. Buono Sera is a high-end Italian restaurant housed in a beautiful Mediterranean-style building. In the main hall, a small garden is situated under a glass ceiling and the pale yellow interior creates a cozy and pleasant feel.

Map of Apgujeong-dong (photo courtesy of Gangnam District Office)

The Kitchen Salvatore Cuomo, famous for its Neapolitan pizza, was opened by Italian chef Salvatore Cuomo in cooperation with Maeil Dairy Co.

By Limb Jae-un
Korea.net Staff Writer
Jun2@korea.kr


Source:
http://www.korea.net/NewsFocus/Travel/view?articleId=103981