The editors’ selection

Looking for a place to relax and unwind? Head to Spa 1899, which specialises in treatments infused with red ginseng – a Korean favourite. Choose the targeted one-hour treatment for a quick wind down, or else opt for the full-body spa package, a rejuvenative 180-minute therapy.

Housed in a charming hanok (a traditional Korean house), Bar Cham is an intimate cocktail lounge where master mixologist Lim Byung-jin crafts one-of-a-kind cocktails using local ingredients. Each drink pays homage to a region of South Korea, from Yeoju and Damyang to Hamyang and Jeju Island. We recommend Jeju, one of the house’s signature cocktails, which mixes the citrusy flavour of ripe tangerines with umami notes from traditional flower liqueurs.

New York may be out of reach but its bagels just made their way to Seoul. Lots O Bagels owner Sarah Lee – who purchased the New York shop in 2010 – was eager to bring its offerings to Asia. The Seoul outpost carries 14 varieties of hand-rolled and baked-on-site bagels, 14 varieties of homemade cream cheese and a nice array of sandwiches – perfect for a grab-and-go lunch.  28 Apgujeong-ro 48-gil, Sinsa-dong, Gangnam-gu