A street view near Yeoksam Station in Seoul, showing the typical Gangnam business district atmosphere.

A Foreigner’s Guide to One of Seoul’s Most Underrated Neighborhoods

Most people traveling to Seoul know Gangnam because of its bright lights, skyscrapers, and K-pop glamour.
But few visitors ever realize that right next to Gangnam Station—just one stop away—lies Yeoksam Station, one of the most important and interesting neighborhoods for foreigners who want to experience real Seoul life.

Yeoksam is not a tourist playground.
It’s where Seoul works hard, eats well, and drinks late.
It’s also where many global companies, law firms, startups, and foreign workers spend their days (and nights).
If Gangnam Station is loud, flashy, and chaotic, Yeoksam is more refined—
a place where professionals unwind, expats gather, and the city’s famous “after-work culture” becomes visible.

This guide is written for you—the traveler, the expat, the digital nomad, or the curious observer—
to help you understand what makes Yeoksam one of Seoul’s most underrated yet essential neighborhoods.

Nighttime view around Yeoksam Station, featuring bright street lights and calm urban streets.

🗺️ 1. Where Exactly Is Yeoksam? A Quick Overview

Yeoksam Station (Line 2) sits between Gangnam and Seolleung, making it the center of the “Gangnam Business Belt.”

✔ Walking time between stations

To Gangnam Station: 10 min
To Seolleung Station: 12 min
To Samsung Station (COEX): 20–25 min (walkable)

✔ The neighborhood identity

Yeoksam is known for four things:

Corporate headquarters
High-quality restaurants
Foreign-friendly bars and lounges
Hotels and business accommodations

It’s not as crowded as Gangnam Station, but not as calm as Seolleung.
It hits the perfect “city energy” sweet spot.

The business district near Yeoksam Station, surrounded by modern office towers and clean streets.

🏢 2. The Vibes: What Yeoksam Actually Feels Like

If Hongdae is youthful and Itaewon is international, Yeoksam is…
professional Seoul.

During the day, the streets fill with:

office workers in suits
interns holding coffee trays
foreign executives walking between meetings
delivery bikes weaving like neon darts

At night, something changes.
The suits disappear, and the neighborhood transforms into a cluster of dimly lit bars, cozy wine places, and stylish izakayas—many of them foreigner-friendly.

Think:

smart casual instead of street style
“quiet luxury” instead of loud clubbing
conversations over cocktails rather than heavy bass

If Gangnam Station is a party,
Yeoksam is an after-work ritual.

🍽️ 3. Where to Eat: Foreign-Friendly Spots That Don’t Disappoint

Many travelers make the mistake of eating only around Gangnam Station,
missing out on the superior food scene just one stop away.

Here are foreigner-approved, easy-to-order, English-friendly recommendations:

🍝 1. Brera (Italian)

Authentic pasta, pizza, burrata.
Popular among European expats and diplomats.
English menu ✔

🍣 2. Sushiro Yeoksam

High-quality sushi with minimal wait time.
A good “safe choice” for travelers.

🥩 3. Yeoksam Gogi Alley (고기 골목)

A three-block area full of BBQ restaurants.
If you want to try Korean BBQ with less noise and fewer crowds than Gangnam:
this is the place.

Try:

marinated galbi
beef brisket
pork belly with cold noodles

Many restaurants here are used to serving foreigners.

🍛 4. Tokyo Sirloin

Stylish Japanese steak bowls.
Very popular with foreign office workers.

☕ 5. Coffee shops for remote work

Back Number Coffee (quiet, laptop-friendly)
Coffee Bean Yeoksam (big tables, English-speaking staff)
Mega Coffee (budget-friendly)

Yeoksam is one of the best places to work remotely without the chaos of Gangnam Station cafés.

A quiet side street near Yeoksam Station, showing a more local and peaceful part of Gangnam.

🍸 4. Yeoksam at Night: Sophisticated & Foreign-Friendly

Nightlife in Yeoksam is unique.

It isn’t a “party scene.”
It’s more like a post-work oasis where professionals unwind.

Here’s where foreigners tend to go:

🍷 1. Avenue 52

A wine bar popular with foreign professionals.
Stylish, calm, high-quality wines.

🍹 2. The Octo

Cocktails, good lighting, English-speaking bartenders.
Not too loud, not too formal—perfect balance.

🍺 3. Craftworks Taphouse (nearby)

A craft beer bar with many expats.
A long-standing favorite among foreigners in Seoul.

🍶 4. Izakaya streets near Exit 3

A short alley full of Japanese pubs.
Great for small plates, grilled skewers, and quiet conversation.

🔥 Important Tip

Yeoksam is not the area where bouncers ask for passports.
Most casual bars and izakayas do not check ID at all—
this is not a “club district.”

So foreign residents and travelers feel more comfortable here.

🏨 5. Hotels Near Yeoksam Station: Best Spots for Foreigners

Yeoksam is one of the safest and most convenient base locations in Gangnam.

Best options:

🛏️ 1. Shilla Stay Yeoksam

Clean rooms, excellent service, English-speaking staff.

🛏️ 2. Provident Hotel

Apartment-style rooms ideal for long stays.

🛏️ 3. Hotel Cappuccino (nearby)

Trendy boutique hotel with strong foreigner reviews.

🛏️ 4. Somerset Palace Seoul (extended stay)

Perfect for business travelers needing kitchen space.

A walking path around Yeoksam Station where pedestrians pass through the business area.

🛣️ 6. What’s Around Yeoksam (Walkable Highlights)

✔ 1. Gangnam Station

Shopping streets, fashion stores, cosmetics, street performers, casual food.

✔ 2. Seolleung Royal Tombs (UNESCO-level historical site)

Just a 12-minute walk.
A calm forest inside the city.
A favorite spot for both locals and expats.

✔ 3. Teheran-ro

The Silicon Valley of Korea.
Filled with unicorn startups, global companies, and tech offices.

✔ 4. Samsung Station / COEX

Shopping mall, aquarium, Starfield Library, SMTOWN area.
One of Seoul’s top tourist zones.

Yeoksam sits perfectly in the center of all of these.

🧭 7. Why Foreigners Actually Prefer Yeoksam Over Gangnam Station

Many expats say:

“Gangnam Station is too loud, too crowded, too chaotic.
But Yeoksam feels balanced.”

Here’s why:

✔ quieter but not boring

✔ stylish but not pretentious

✔ full of restaurants but not overwhelming

✔ close to everything but more comfortable

✔ safer and easier to navigate

For foreigners who want to experience real Gangnam instead of TikTok-famous Gangnam,
Yeoksam is ideal.

👮 8. Safety, Cleanliness & Foreign Friendliness

Yeoksam is:

one of the safest neighborhoods in Seoul
well-lit at night
full of CCTV
located in an area with many foreign workers
easy for taxis and ride-hailing

Most restaurants and shops accept:

credit cards
mobile pay
zero cash

English communication is easier here than in many other Seoul neighborhoods.

An urban view near Yeoksam Station, featuring buildings, traffic, and typical Gangnam scenery.

💬 9. Common Questions Foreigners Ask

Q1. Is Yeoksam good for travelers?

Yes. Close to everything, but quieter than Gangnam.

Q2. Is Yeoksam safe at night?

Extremely safe. Many people walk late due to office hours.

Q3. Is it expensive?

Food is mid-to-high range. Drinks slightly pricey due to business district.

Q4. Is Yeoksam better than Gangnam Station?

For nightlife: maybe not.
For eating, drinking, staying, working: absolutely yes.

Q5. Is Yeoksam walkable?

Very. Gangnam, Seolleung, and COEX are all walkable.

🏁 10. Final Thoughts: Yeoksam Is Where You Understand “Real Seoul”

Gangnam Station is the face.
Yeoksam is the heartbeat.

If you want:

better food
quieter nights
foreigner-friendly spots
easy access to everything
a taste of the real working Seoul

Yeoksam is where you need to be.

It’s not Instagram Seoul.
It’s not tourist Seoul.
It’s everyday Seoul—
the version locals actually live in
and the version most foreigners end up loving.