Korea: Ancestral-Meets-Modern Wellness Sanctuary

Rooted radiance: Red ginseng therapy

Spa 1978: The moment I walked into the gorgeous, modern sanctuary, the rich, slightly sweet aroma of red ginseng immediately shifted the vibe to incredibly cozy and comforting. Known as the holy grail of traditional Korean wellness, this restorative plant is the star of the show. After unwinding over warm tea and a relaxing foot bath to melt away tension, it was time for the main event: a dedicated red ginseng therapy session. From start to finish, it was a total sensory experience where you can genuinely feel, smell, and absorb its healing power with all five senses.

The art of deep rest: Wave therapy on Tera Stone Bed

MYGB Spa: Named after the initials for "Immune System Salon" (Myun Yeonk Gong Bang), this spa hooked me with its unique, waterless detox method. Inside a semi-private wave therapy room, you lie on a special "Tera-stone" bed for a dry heat session that gets you sweating profusely to flush out toxins. Afterward, they hand you a glass of Tera-stone enriched water—which feels like absolute heaven—designed to eliminate active oxygen and instantly rehydrate you. To take it further, you can add on a customized one-on-one session tailored to your body's needs (like weight management or extra detoxing) or opt for a premium massage to really pamper yourself.

Mat work and mindset: A yoga day inside Hannam's exclusive wellness space

Spa Sagehill: Tucked away in Hannam-dong, Sagehill is an exclusive membership wellness center that the public can access via a prepaid, one-day experience pass. The moment I stepped inside, the gorgeous, minimalist interior set a tone of quiet luxury and calm. I began my retreat with an instructor-led, 70-minute Ashtanga yoga session; the intimate class size provided a deeply focused, encouraging space to re-engage with the flow. Afterward, I pampered myself with a 90-minute bespoke body massage. The gorgeous treatment room offered absolute privacy, and the seamless layout ensured I didn't cross paths with a single other person—making it a truly secluded, intentional escape in the heart of Seoul.

Shaping the clay, centering the mind: One-day pottery class

Doteon: During my last visit to Seoul, I discovered a lifestyle studio that beautifully bridges traditional craft and modern mindfulness. I spent a sublime afternoon in a pottery wheel workshop where, even as a beginner, I was guided to shape a traditional mini moon jar and a Maebyeong-inspired vase using refined white porcelain clay. The studio adds an incredibly thoughtful touch: every guest receives a handcrafted moon jar by a Doteon artist as a keepsake. Afterward, the experience transitioned into pure relaxation with a curated tea service and refreshments, enjoyed while listening to music through a world-class Goldmund audio system. It is an absolute must-visit for a deeply grounding, intentional cultural experience in the city.

You are what you eat: Temple cuisine lecture

Temple Cuisine Culture Experience Center: Tucked away in Seoul's historic Jongno District, the Temple Food Culture Experience Center is dedicated to a centuries-old culinary art. Here, temple food is celebrated as the ultimate mindful, plant-based cuisine—focusing strictly on vegetables, grains, and clean, natural flavors without meat or artificial seasonings. At the center, I got to dive into the rich philosophy behind this traditional way of eating. But the real highlight was stepping into the kitchen for an authentic cooking class. It's a deeply grounding experience that completely reframes how you look at nourishment and intentional cooking.

Let go and love yourself: Combination of temple stay, temple cuisine, meditation & forest bathing

Baegyangsa Temple: If you like to go further on your wellness journey, this Buddhist temple, nestled within Naejangsan National Park, is famous for its breathtaking scenery. Historically, it was regarded as one of the Eight Scenic Views of the Joseon Dynasty. As you restfully stay in the temple, you will experience a priest-guided meditation rooted in the philosophy of finding your true self and attend a program where you can listen to Venerable Jeong Kwan's teaching while tasting exquisitely prepared temple food. Ven. Jeong is a master of Korean temple cuisine and also a recipient of the James Beard Award.

Real inner beauty: Mugwort steam sitting bath therapy

Yakseokwon: I took a quick trip out of Seoul to Ganghwado Island—only about an hour and a half away, but a total escape. I went specifically for a traditional sitting bath therapy using Ganghwa Sajabalssuk, a special local mugwort prized for generations for its rich, earthy aroma and immune-boosting properties. I tried their signature 100-minute treatment, "Raise Your Body Temperature by 1°C," which is based on the philosophy that a slight temperature increase boosts metabolism and circulation. By the time I left, I felt an amazing, deep warmth and total relief. It is absolutely worth the trip.

A mountain retreat in the capital: Hiking through the nature above the city

Bukhansan: Seoul is one of those rare capitals where you can step off a city street and onto a mountain trailhead in minutes. For locals, hiking is an essential way to reset, and whenever I needed a break from the fast pace, I headed to Bukhansan National Park. A day out here offers the perfect contrast to the bustling streets below, featuring beautiful forested paths, dramatic granite peaks, and sweeping city views. Whether you want a gentle walk or a challenging climb, a trip to Bukhansan delivers fresh air, a good dose of perspective, and the perfect introduction to Korea's amazing outdoor culture.

Balwoo Gongyang

Located next to the Temple Food Culture Experience Center and operated by the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, Balwoo Gongyang offers one of the most authentic introductions to Korean temple cuisine. The restaurant serves beautifully prepared dishes based on recipes that have been preserved in Korean temples for generations. If you're unsure what to order, I always recommend the Youmi set menu, a nourishing, medicinal-inspired meal that I find myself returning to every time I visit Seoul.

Seongwan Myeonok

If I had to choose a single Korean dish to eat for the rest of my life, it would be Pyeongyang naengmyeon. Seongwan Myeonok serves one of my favorite versions of this deceptively simple dish: delicate buckwheat noodles in a clear, deeply flavorful beef broth. Although naengmyeon is traditionally enjoyed during Korea's hot summer months, devoted fans happily eat it year-round. The clean, subtle flavors may surprise first-time visitors, but they are exactly what make this dish so addictive.

La Yeon

Whenever someone asks for the absolute pinnacle of Korean hospitality, my mind goes straight to La Yeon at The Shilla Seoul. To locals, it's the quintessential venue reserved for life's most important moments—like a formal Sang-Gyeon-Nye (the pre-wedding family meeting)—and booking a table here is a profound sign of respect. I highly recommend their lunch course menu, which is beautifully paced, spectacular in flavor, and perfectly light for midday. If you want to experience true, uncompromising Korean fine dining, La Yeon is worth every moment.

Namsan Winery

Whenever I return to Korea and want to catch up with friends over a good bottle of wine, Namsan Winery is often my first choice. This cozy Portuguese wine bar and restaurant offers a relaxed atmosphere, excellent hospitality, and an impressive selection of Portuguese wines. The menu features a variety of small plates and dishes designed for sharing, though the team can also create a more structured dining experience upon request. It's the kind of place where a casual evening can easily stretch into hours of conversation.

Madame Mimi

Tucked away in the charming neighborhood of Seorae Village, often referred to as Seoul's French Quarter, Madame Mimi feels like a little slice of France. Nearly half of Seoul's French residents live in this area, and the surrounding cafés, bakeries, wine bars, and restaurants contribute to its distinctly European atmosphere. The restaurant specializes in classic French bistro fare, from onion soup gratinée and terrines to beautifully executed seasonal specials. Save room for dessert—the pastry selection alone is worth the visit.

Bar In House

Hidden away in the upscale neighborhood of Cheongdam, Bar In House is one of those places you are unlikely to stumble upon by accident. The intimate cocktail bar offers an extensive whisky collection, highly skilled bartenders, and genuinely warm service. Whether you're in the mood for a perfectly executed classic cocktail or something crafted specifically to your tastes, the team consistently delivers. It's an excellent place to end an evening in Seoul.