Winter in Korea is COLD, with temperatures remaining at or below -10 °C for days in a row. The biting wind and treacherously icy roads definitely give winter more negative points in many people’s perspective. If you’re in Korea on a day when there are severe cold warnings, you can still enjoy your time by visiting green spaces, perfect to transport your mind to a tropical paradise.

Seoul Botanic Park

Calling the Seoul Botanic Park large is an understatement; two times the size of Yeouido, the first urban arboretum in Seoul is gigantic! The park is comprised of Yeollinsup, an open forest; Jujewon, a theme garden; Hosuwon, a lake park; and Seubjiwon, a marsh eco park. The most popular attraction is the greenhouse in the theme garden, which is filled with plants from twelve countries in the Mediterranean and tropics regions. Be sure to head up to the skywalk for a bird’s-eye-view of the entire layout.

All Day Fresh Kitchen

Yeouido is one of busiest areas of Seoul, being the center of the commercial industry. Perhaps this non-stop rush was the driving force behind the opening of All Day Fresh Kitchen, a beautiful restaurant perfect for taking things slow. The restaurant is located on the 50th floor of the Federation of Korean Industries (FKI) building, providing views of the surrounding city through the floor-to-ceiling windows. It is popular for taking in the nightscape, as well as for hosting wedding ceremonies due to the all-white interior design.

As the name implies, All Day Fresh Kitchen serves brunch menus from various countries including France, England, and Greece. Additional menus include desserts, coffees, and wines. No matter what time you visit, you can enjoy a delicious meal in an interior that is equally scrumptious.

Grand Greenhouse of Changgyeonggung Palace

The Grand Greenhouse of Changgyeonggung Palace was the first greenhouse in Korea. Built in 1909 just before the Japanese colonial era, the greenhouse was designed after the Crystal Palace from the Great Exhibition of 1851 in London. Although rather small in size, the greenhouse is filled with over 70 different types of plants. There is no separate fee charged, but visitors must pay admission to Changgyeonggung Palace to access the greenhouse.

Urban Plant

Urban Plant is a café filled with greenery! The tasty brunch menus are a perfect match to the cozy interior. The signature Urban Omelet is stuffed with avocado, tomato, and bacon for a filling meal. To go with this, we recommend the fresh grapefruit juice.

With various potted plants creating a cozy atmosphere, dining at Urban Plant will give you some time to relax and enjoy a meal. The café has plenty of seating, taking up three floors, with terrace space as well. The home-like interior will have you wanting to never leave.

Alex the Coffee – Seongbuk Branch

The Seongbuk branch of Alex the Coffee is located in a quiet neighborhood of Seoul. One wall of the café is entirely made up of windows overlooking a small garden, while the café interior is filled with various potted plants. The interior makes this café popular, but the coffee flavor is most important! All the coffee beans used are directly purchased and roasted for a high-quality flavor. To satisfy a sweet tooth, we recommend Charlie Choco, served with ice cream and chocolate cake topped with a marshmallow.

* This column was last updated in January 2021, and therefore information may differ from what is presented here. We advise you to check details before visiting.