Since Yoo Ah In is one of my bias, visitting his restaurant & art gallery is one of mandatory list in my itinerary when I travel to Seoul. I specifically put TMI (Too Much Information) and Studio Gallery as places to be visited to. Luckily, both of locations are near other places that I would like to visit and easy to reach as well. I would like to share my experience visitting these places during my Seoul Trip :)

TMI: Too Much Information



TMI is a small vegan/vegetarian friendly restaurant owned by Yoo Ah In. They serve western foods; such as mushroom burgers, shrimp burgers, and french fries. They only use organic products, by the way. The location is in Itaewon area, but however the nearest subway station is Noksapyeong station.

I went to this restaurant on Friday, since there is a mosque (the only one in Seoul actually!) in Itaewon where my husband did his friday pray there. So after dropping him to Seoul Mosque, my son and I went to TMI right away. I relied on Google Maps a lot to this place.

TMI is behind me

The restaurant is quite small, but the interior is stylish and modern--all in black and white. If you came from Itaewon Station, this restaurant will be on your left. I ordered green mushroom burger package and water, and it was good. I like the fried vegetables that come with this package too. One of the staff used to work in Indonesia, so I had a little chit chat while enjoying their meal. As I visit this restaurant in the afternoon, and I don't drink alcohol, I didn't try their cocktails or beers. FYI, this place will "change" its role as small pub in the night.


This place is also one of the place that Songsong Shipper must visit! If you remember once Song Joong Ki showing his photo with Yoo Ah In and Song Hye Kyo during his Fan Meeting, this is the place where the photos were taken hahaha.

How to get there:
Noksapyeong station Exit 3 or Itaewon station Exit 3. Then, follow direction from Google Maps ;)


Studio Concrete



Studio Concrete is an Art Gallery where Yoo Ah In becomes its CEO. As it's a gallery, you will see different exhibition from time to time. Sometimes in between, Studio Concrete will be closed for few days when installing the upcoming exhibition--so better you check to their instagram before visitting.

Beside enjoying arts here, you can also enjoy their coffee and rest your legs for a while. I tried their vanilla latte and it was good. I enjoy my time here, it reminds me of my hipster days lol. The location itself is only 2 stations away from TMI, so I visitted Studio Concrete after lunch at TMI.

Studio Concrete's coffee

PS: Studio Concrete is also famous with their T-Shirts and Sweatshirts. You might see Song Joong Ki and Song Hye Kyo (again, I know) wearing their designs several times. Yoo Ah In even wore it in his Like for Likes movie.

How to get there:
Hangangjin Station, Exit 2. Google Maps here

Sakura, atau Cherry Blossom memang lebih identik dengan Jepang. Tapi di negara tetangganya, Korea Selatan, juga ada Sakura yang cantik banget. Katanya sih Sakura-Sakura ini ada karena dibawa oleh orang Jepang ketika mereka menjajah Korea dulu.

Tahun kemarin, kami sengaja travelling ke Seoul pas Sakura lagi mekar-mekarnya. Ketika memilih waktu travelling, kita lihat dulu jadwal puncak mekarnya Sakura di internet. Salah satu yang bisa jadi acuan juga tanggal Cherry Blossom Festival beberapa tempat di Seoul. And it was really beautiful! Taman-taman dan bunganya memang tidak seheboh kalau kita lihat foto orang-orang yang lagi hanami di Jepang, sih. But, still, it was such an experience.

Berikut ini tempat-tempat yang kita datangi di Seoul tahun lalu:

Cherry Blossom Festival

Yeouido Cherry Blossom Festival, Seoul.

Yeouido Cherry Blossom Festival ini letaknya ada di pinggiran Han Gang (keluar subway: Yeouido). Ini juga tempat pertama yang kita datangi di hari kita baru sampai Seoul, karena festivalnya udah tinggal 2 hari lagi. Oh iya, kalau di Seoul, bunga Sakura mekarnya memang lebih pendek daripada di Jepang, katanya hanya sekitar seminggu.

Jadi, di festival ini ada berbagai macam activity sepanjang jalan pohon sakura; ada yang nyanyi ala Korea Klasik (tahu kan musik-musik yang ada di Serial Korea jaman Joseon gitu?), dance k-pop, jualan, sampe anak-anak indie pada ngeband. Kebetulan, minggu depannya itu ada Coldplay mau main di Seoul, jadi banyaaak banget yang milih untuk nyanyi Coldplay.

Karena judulnya adalah festival, dan kita datang di weekend, apalagi itu Sabtu malam Minggu, otomatis di sana rameeeee banget. Tapi menurut gue, malah itu yang bikin berasa 'festival'-nya. Sayangnya, pas ke sana itu langit Seoul lagi mendung, jadi foto-nya kurang colourful dan cenderung galau.

Gyeongbokgung Palace

I read somewhere kalau sakura di Gyeongbokgung Palace juga bagus-bagus. Takut momen sakura-nya keburu hilang, besokannya kita langsung milih untuk datang ke Gyeongbokgung. Dan ternyata emang beneran bagus banget! Dari taman luar, sampai ke dalam palace, ada Sakura yang wajib diajakin foto. Karena cuacanya cerah, jadi hasil fotonya pun lebih cantik dibanding pas lagi di festival sebelumnya.

Seokchon Lake, beside Lotte World

Ini adalah lokasi sakura paling favorit. Bagusnya tuh benar-benar bagus banget banget! Foto di sini masih jadi profile picture gue dimana-mana dan background di berbagai gadget (+laptop kantor! jadi kalau lagi presentasi suka ada yang bilang 'wah sakura di korea bagus juga yah!' lol) karena sebagus itu, dan serasa Spring bangetnya gitu.

Jadi, di sekeliling danau buatan Seokchon Lake ini ada taman sakura yang super duper cantik. It was the best of sakura sight-seeing ever. Kalau datang ke Seoul pas lagi sakura season, wajib banget-banget datang ke sini. Karena, sekali lagi, sebagus itu. XD




Nami Island

Agak geser dikit dari Seoul, pulau kecil yang terkenal gara-gara serial Winter Sonata ini juga punya beberapa spot sakura. Gak sebanyak pohon-pohon tinggi besar khas Nami itu sih, tapi kita menemukan beberapa spot yang cantik di sini.


Naksan Park

Niat awal ke sini sesungguhnya gara-gara pengen nemuin shooting location-nya Doctors dan Do Bong Soon (penting banget kan!), sekalian liat Ihwa Mural Village yang lagi itu udah dihapus street art-nya. Tapi setelah mendaki gunung dan lewati lembah (itu nanjaknya gila banget, bok!), bukannya nemu rumah Park Shin Hye atau Park Bo Young, eh malah nemu taman sakura di sepanjang tanjakan yang MasyaAllah cantiknyaa! Apalagi pas itu ada angin sepoi-sepoi (cenderung menusuk sih ya) berhembus jadi bunga sakuranya tuh berguguran berasa lagi shooting k-drama.
Jadi tipsnya untuk bisa lihat Sakura selama di Seoul adalah: pastiin datang ketika Sakura lagi mekar (ya iyalah!), dan banyak-banyak googling untuk cari tahu best sakura location. Kalau inget betapa cantiknya Seoul pas full bloom Sakura itu, jadi pengen balik lagi, deh. Semoga kesampaian, ya. Amiin.

Currently I am on my 7th month pregnancy.