Today's Flow

Mangnidan-gil

Mangwon Market

Han River

Picnic

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You might like this if...

Sometimes, even on a trip, you just want to lie down and look at the sky.

You'd have fun picking your picnic one snack at a time from a local market.

One thing people keep saying...

Can we just stay here for a while?

Before you go...

Check the weather before you go.

This is a clear-sky kind of day — save it for one.

Going on a weekend?

Start about an hour earlier. Mangwon Market gets busy, and you'll have more choice when it's time to pick your picnic spot.

Bring something to sit on.

A picnic mat or light blanket is all you need, but you'll be very glad you packed one.

Don't fill up before Mangwon Market.

Walk around first, see what looks good, then start building your picnic.

Bring sunscreen if the sky is doing its job.

You'll probably spend much more time by the river than you planned.

  1. 11:30

    See what catches your eye

    Start around Mangnidan-gil and browse the small cafés, bakeries, and shops tucked into the neighborhood. Step into whatever catches your eye — you don't need much of a plan here.

    tipSave your appetite. Mangwon Market is next, and that's where the picnic really starts.

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  2. 12:30

    Build your picnic

    Walk through the market once before you start buying. Then go back for whatever made you stop — a few snacks here, something fried there, maybe gimbap for the mat.

    tipWant a place to start? Look for gochu twigim (고추튀김), mukeunji gimbap (묵은지김밥), or a freshly made croquette — then ignore us if something else looks better.

    altMarket shopping sound like too much work? Head straight to Starbucks Mangwon Hangang Park instead. Grab a drink and something to eat, then take it to the river.

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  3. 13:30

    Head for the river

    Picnic packed? Walk toward the Han River. The busy neighborhood starts opening up into grass, sky, and water as you get closer to the park.

    noteBefore you settle down, grab any drinks or extras you still want. Once the mat is down, you probably won't feel like getting back up.

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  4. 14:00

    Put the mat down

    Find a spot you like, unpack the market haul, and stay awhile. Around you, Seoul is cycling, running, playing badminton, reading, eating, chatting — or doing absolutely nothing.

    tipDon't schedule the end too tightly. The best part is when the food is mostly gone and you're still sitting there.

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