Korea Day 2: Shopping in Seongsu & Cute Bear Breads at Dalim Bread
Updated: 23 hours ago
15 March 2026
Day 2 began exactly as a relaxing holiday should: with a lie-in that turned breakfast into lunch. My only real plan afterwards was to explore Seongsu, browse a few shops and stop for something cute to eat. Little did I know that “a few shops” would keep me occupied for the rest of the day!
BREAKFAST AT JOJO KALGUKSU CITY HALL BRANCH
The motto for this Korea trip was to chill and relax, and I clearly took that seriously. I woke up so late that breakfast became lunch! I headed to Jojo Kalguksu near my hotel for a bowl of clam noodles.
It was an okay meal for me, though not particularly memorable. The broth had enough salt, but I felt it lacked the depth of flavour I was hoping for. I much preferred the hearty chicken kalguksu I’d had at Hyodam the day before. Perhaps a lighter clam broth simply wasn’t what I was craving that afternoon.
Jojo Kalguksu’s City Hall branch, my lunch stop after a very leisurely start to the day.
Clam kalguksu for lunch.
Jojo Kalguksu City Hall Branch (조조칼국수 시청점)
Address: 27 Sejong-daero 11-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
Opening hours: Daily, 10 am–9:30 pm; last orders at 9 pm. Break time: Weekdays, 4–5 pm
SHOPPING AT SEONGSU
After lunch, I headed to Seongsu and somehow spent the entire remainder of the day there. I hadn’t expected to spend quite so long shopping, but there was so much to browse! I ended up buying plenty of clothes and bags. Quite a few brands overlapped with those I’d seen in Myeongdong, but I preferred the atmosphere here. The mix of old brick buildings, beautifully designed shops and distinctive cafés gave the neighbourhood so much character. There were also a number of pop-up stores. There was always an interesting storefront or little detail catching my eye, which made wandering between shops just as enjoyable as the shopping itself.
Pink doors, flower-framed windows and a little balcony at Marylebone.
Cups, plates and little decorative pieces filling every corner. So much to browse in Marylebone! It's definitely one of my favourite shop in Seongsu.
Baskets of cutlery and colourful tableware against white brick walls. The displays were so thoughtfully arranged.
There were even little outfits and accessories for some very stylish four-legged companions.
Snoopy, a giant pink heart and a patterned umbrella. An adorable display at Margesherwood. I bought a bag here!
Plenty of shoppers exploring the displays at Hetras. I bought the diffuser, and was surprised that you need to buy a set of 5. The price is rather reasonable so I bought them anyway. The queue for the cashier was super long. It's a really popular store.
A giant slice of colourful toast outside Secondaire. Hard to walk past without a second look!
A very y2k corner in Seongsu.
Curved pink counters and rows of beauty products at a Dasique x Letter From Moon pop-up store.
Pastel cushion compacts and pink bottles lined up for testing. Such pretty packaging!
Many pretty pieces from Letter From Moon.
I also stopped at Dalim Bread. There was no queue when I visited, so I could take my time deciding which adorable bread to choose. Not that this made the decision any easier! I eventually settled on the cream bread and a milk tea, complete with a little bear-shaped bread perched on the straw.
The cream bread was lovely. The cream tasted light and fresh, and went so well with the bread. The little bear on my straw was a bit dry, but it was almost too cute to eat anyway. Such a fun little break before carrying on with the shopping!
A whole gathering of little bear breads, each striking its own pose.
Bears lounging in cream bread and perched on drinks. Cuteness everywhere at Dalim Bread.
My cream bread and milk tea, with a little bear that looks like it’s dancing on the straw!
Dalim Bread (달임막)
Address: Ground floor, 38-2 Yeonmujang-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Opening hours: Daily, 9 am–10 pm
It wasn’t particularly crowded in the afternoon. Although it got busier towards the evening, I still found it manageable. A few shops I’d wanted to visit were closed that day, though, which was disappointing. It’s worth checking individual opening days when planning around a particular store.
Seongsu getting busier as the afternoon turned into evening. Somehow, I still found the crowds manageable.
A glowing façade wrapped around the Dior store, with a little star perched above.
Exposed concrete, glass and a giant sculptural display at Tamburins. The shops here were an experience in themselves.
I was expecting the poster of Jennie. However, it was already replaced by another artiste when I visited.
A giant mushroom-like installation blowing out smoking rings taking centre stage at Tamburins. Quite a backdrop for fragrance shopping!
Banila Co wrapped up like a giant pink present, complete with an oversized bow.
Rockfish weatherwear, another popular store in Korea.
I bought the flats from Rockfish. They were really comfy!
SOMUNNAN SEONGSU GAMJATANG
After spending the day shopping, I stopped for dinner at Somunnan Seongsu Gamjatang. There was a bit of a queue, and a Korean uncle seated beside me was enthusiastically telling me how good the pork bone soup was, especially how tender the meat was and how easily it fell off the bone.
His enthusiasm certainly raised my expectations! Personally, though, I found it just okay. It was a filling meal, with a generous pile of pork bones served alongside rice and side dishes, but it wasn’t something I found myself craving afterwards. Still, the uncle’s glowing recommendation made it a memorable little dinner encounter.
A queue outside Somunnan Seongsu Gamjatang, my dinner stop after a full day of shopping.
Pork bone soup piled high, with rice and side dishes. A filling dinner, though it was just okay for me.
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Somunnan Seongsu Gamjatang (소문난성수감자탕)
Address: 45 Yeonmujang-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul
Opening hours: Open 24 hours daily
BY THE TIME I FINISHED DINNER...
I’d spent far longer in Seongsu than expected and collected quite a few shopping bags along the way. The shops, interesting little corners and adorable bear breads made it such an enjoyable place to wander at my own pace. No packed itinerary needed. This was very much the kind of day I’d wanted for this trip, although my feet and wallet might have preferred a little less shopping!
Love,
Shu
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