Shinsegae Department Store Gangnam Branch One-Day Food and Shopping Tour: Unlocking Alternative Ways to Enjoy Shinsegae Department Store

It has been over two years since I came to study in Korea. I usually enjoy going to Shinsegae Department Store Gangnam Branch with friends to shop, stroll, and eat delicious food, but recently I have been staying at home studying and rushing to finish my thesis, stuck indoors until I felt moldy and sprouting mushrooms. Suddenly I wanted to invite a friend to Shinsegae Department Store Gangnam Branch to go shopping, eat some good food, and soak up the sun. You might ask: can you eat good food at a department store? Of course you can, and not just food—there are also cozy little spots with a lovely atmosphere. If you don't believe me, follow me and take a look.

Shinsegae Department Store Gangnam Branch often sees celebrities. As luck would have it, that day we ran into TV star Jo Se-ho. Jo Se-ho is a famous Korean comedian who has appeared in many variety shows, such as the ones I usually watch: "Roommate," "Happy Together," and "Infinite Challenge." He's full of funny bits on those shows and also made a guest appearance in the wildly popular Korean drama "My Love from the Star," playing a regular at a comic book store. In person he looked a bit thinner than on TV—it's true that TV adds pounds. I’m a celebrity-encounter black hole; I often hear classmates say they ran into some star while shopping in Gangnam, but I had never met one. People say Shinsegae Department Store Gangnam Branch is a place where stars often come to shop, and it seems that's true. Running into a celebrity made me a little excited.

After finishing shopping at the department store, I wanted to buy some plants and flowers to decorate my home and make it feel livelier, and also to add a bit of refinement and charm to life. So my friend and I went to a flower market near the department store.

The flower market is right next to Shinsegae Department Store Gangnam Branch, about a ten-minute walk away. Suddenly I was surrounded by a sea of flowers. Looking at the colorful blooms, my mood blossomed like a bouquet of flowers. I bought yellow tulips, which symbolize elegance and preciousness. Their buds were just about to open—so beautiful.

After walking around a lot, our stomachs were growling with hunger. We headed to our next destination: CHA R, a Chinese-American restaurant at FAMILLE STATION, to eat! FAMILLE STATION is also located in Shinsegae Department Store Gangnam Branch; it's a food street that gathers a wide variety of cuisines from around the world. "FAMILLE" means "family" in French, and combined with "STATION" (like a train station), it conveys the meaning of "a departure point for enjoying a journey of food and beautiful scenery with friends as precious as family." Many of the restaurants on this food street require queuing for a table—they're very popular. My most frequented spot is a Chinese-American restaurant called CHA R. The longer I study abroad, the more I miss the taste of home. The shop has a simple, stylish design, half-restaurant, half-bar, creating a unique blend of elegance and trendiness. Let me introduce CHA R's signature dishes, which are also the two dishes my friend and I love to order most.

The roasted chicken is eaten in a way very similar to Peking duck, but the flavor is quite different. The chicken is taken from the part with the most muscle, excess fat is removed, and after marinating, it's carefully roasted in the oven to release the extra oil and fat. It looks plump and tender, but it’s not greasy when eaten. The thin, soft pancake has a slight sweetness. You spread sauce on it, add a piece of meat, along with cucumber, cilantro, and other side dishes, then roll it all up in the pancake. One bite—the pancake is sweet and soft, the meat rich and succulent. In two words: truly delicious!

My friend and I both love the chow mein. For us, chow mein is the perfect combination of a main dish and stir-fried vegetables—tasty and nutritious. Making a plate of chow mein seems simple, but it's not something you can just stir-fry and have it taste good. The simpler the dish, the harder it is to make it delicious.

CHA R's chow mein has noodles that are just the right texture, not too soft or too hard. Rich seasonings coat every strand, with green peppers and other vegetables adding color. The meat and vegetables are balanced, giving it a chewy, refreshing taste and a perfect blend of color, aroma, and flavor.

After eating and drinking our fill, we felt a bit sleepy, so my friend and I went to S-GARDEN on the 11th floor of Shinsegae Department Store Gangnam Branch to rest.

The garden was lush with verdant plants and trees, not too crowded, very peaceful. Pigeons were strolling on the lawn. The whole garden seemed to block out the noisy, busy city, creating a natural sanctuary.

Though it looks ordinary at first glance, around every unexpected corner and in every inconspicuous little nook, you can see the garden designer's ingenuity. Surrounded by green vegetation, there are brick paths, wooden garden benches, and some sculptures—all very refreshing. The stress from studying and writing my thesis eased a lot, and my anxiety was greatly relieved. S-GARDEN is also a perfect rooftop garden for stopping and taking photos. I quickly picked up my beautiful tulips and asked my friend to take a picture of me—make sure to make me look thinner!

A whole day passed, and though the schedule seemed packed, I didn't feel tired at all. If you have plans to travel to Korea for shopping and food, and want to experience the unique upscale vibe of Gangnam in Seoul, then Shinsegae Department Store Gangnam Branch is worth a visit. Here you can save yourself the hassle of traveling around, won't get dizzy from winding streets, and can relax your body and mind. It's truly a great place for a full day of eating, drinking, and having fun.