My kind of day in Apgujeong starts with a skincare appointment and ends with food to take home. In between, there is a bowl of sundubu, a coffee break on an upstairs patio, and a sandwich I would happily recommend to a friend visiting Seoul.
I live in Seoul, and this Apgujeong itinerary follows places I have actually visited around Apgujeong Rodeo and nearby Cheongdam. Some were practical stops. One meal was perfectly fine without being especially memorable. The sandwich is the place I am most enthusiastic about sending you to try.
That is the approach behind Gangnam Local: sharing the details I would tell someone I know, including the small inconveniences.
Online place information checked September 14, 2026. The experiences below are from my own visits; this is not the date of my visit. Prices I paid are historical, and opening hours and menus can change.
My Apgujeong Day at a Glance
| Part of the day | My stop | Why it made the day |
|---|---|---|
| 10:30 a.m. | Abijou Clinic, Cheongdam | My booked skincare appointment |
| After the appointment | Cheongdam Sundubu | A sit-down Korean lunch |
| Afternoon | Starbucks Cheongdam Star R | A coffee break and an upstairs patio |
| Before heading home | Apgujeong Sandwich | My strongest personal food recommendation on this route |
| Takeout stop | Seogangsoe Tteokbokki | Rice cakes, fish cakes, and fried snacks to take home |
| Optional extra | Galleria’s food hall | A browse for something sweet |
Use this as a flexible route. You can skip the clinic and begin with lunch, or choose a sandwich and coffee for a shorter outing. The takeout stops are food for later, so there is no need to fit several full meals into one afternoon.
For a weekend visit, check the sandwich shop before settling in for a long coffee break. Its online listings show an earlier weekend closing time, so I would move that pickup ahead of coffee.
10:30 a.m.: My Skincare Appointment at Abijou Cheongdam
I had a 10:30 a.m. appointment at Abijou Clinic’s Cheongdam branch, where I had toning and vitamin skincare for about ₩40,000 at the time.
My impression was of an affordable clinic with a streamlined approach. It was clean and not crowded when I went, which made the visit feel more comfortable than I had expected. That describes my experience on that visit; I would not assume every appointment is equally quiet.
The price also needs context. My ₩40,000 was what I paid then, not a current package offer or a quote for international visitors. Before booking, ask the clinic about the exact treatment, total price, and whether a consultation in your preferred language is available.
Find it: 아비쥬의원 청담점 — 4F, Hanyang Town Building, 823 Seolleung-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul. Google Maps – Abijou Cheongdam
Abijou’s English website provides booking information; select Cheongdam and confirm your appointment details directly. Abijou’s official website – Abijou Cheongdam
This is a personal account of a clinic visit, not a treatment recommendation. Discuss suitability and aftercare with the clinician, including whether your plans for the rest of the day are appropriate.
Lunch at Cheongdam Sundubu: A Practical Stop for Korean Food
After the appointment, I went to Cheongdam Sundubu’s main branch and spent about ₩15,000 on lunch.
Sundubu is soft tofu; sundubu jjigae is the stew many English-speaking visitors know as Korean soft tofu stew. If you have never tried it, a lunch like this gives you a chance to make it part of your day in Seoul.
My honest take? It was fine, but it did not stand out to me. I would not build a whole trip around this meal. If you are already nearby and want to try sundubu for the first time, though, I think it is a reasonable option.
That is a useful distinction when you are planning a day: a convenient lunch can have a place on the route without being the highlight.
Find it: 청담순두부 본점 — 19 Dosan-daero 53-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul. Google Maps – Cheongdam Sundubu
Coffee at Starbucks Cheongdam Star R: I Liked the Upstairs Patio
My afternoon coffee stop was Starbucks Cheongdam Star R.
What I liked was the setting. The café was in a standalone building, and going upstairs led to a patio that gave the coffee break a different feel. For me, that space was the reason to stop here.
There was one small inconvenience: carrying my drink upstairs was a little awkward. If you are already carrying shopping bags, it is something to keep in mind.
I cannot promise the same patio access or seating on your visit. Ask what is available when you arrive, especially if the outdoor space is your main reason for coming.
Find it: 스타벅스 청담스타R점 — 24 Dosan-daero 57-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul. Google Maps – Starbucks Cheongdam Star R
Apgujeong Sandwich: The Place I Would Send a Friend
Before heading home, I pick up food from Apgujeong Sandwich. Of the food stops in this story, this is the one I most want to recommend to someone visiting Apgujeong for the first time.
The sandwich I buy has ham, cheese, vegetables, and a little dressing inside a baguette. It is a straightforward combination, and it is the one I enjoy.
A sandwich might not be the first thing you plan to eat on a trip to Korea. But it belongs in this account of my Seoul life because it is something I actually choose to take home. I would happily point you here when you want a change of pace from a sit-down meal. One small local tip: If you eat in, just ask for water—they’ll give you a glass for free.
I am describing the sandwich I have eaten, rather than promising a particular current menu name. If you want something similar, show the staff a photo or ask about a baguette sandwich with ham, cheese, and vegetables.
Find it: 압구정샌드위치 — 1F, 27-3 Seolleung-ro 157-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul. Note: Google Maps may still show an outdated location, so use the street address above when navigating.
Seogangsoe Tteokbokki: One More Takeout Stop
I also stop at Seogangsoe Tteokbokki in Apgujeong Rodeo for food to take home.
I usually order seokkeo (섞어), which literally means “mixed.” Here, it’s a mix of tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes) and eomuk (Korean fish cake) served together. I also get twigim, assorted Korean fried snacks, on the side.
If you want to try the same combination, order seokkeo and add twigim separately. It’s a simple, very Korean-style takeout meal—and a much more everyday side of Apgujeong than the luxury boutiques the neighborhood is known for.
A useful phrase is “포장해 주세요” — “To go, please.” You can point to the items you want and ask the staff to confirm the order.
Find it: 서강쇠떡볶이 — 22 Apgujeong-ro 50-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul. Google Maps – Seogangsoe Tteokbokki
An Optional Sweet Stop at Galleria’s Food Hall
Sometimes I finish by buying a sweet red bean bun, or patppang, at Galleria’s food hall.
I have not confirmed the bakery’s name, so I cannot point you to a particular counter or promise that the same bun is available. Think of this as an optional browse if you still feel like something sweet.
For this route, the food hall is GOURMET 494 in the basement of Galleria’s Luxury Hall WEST, at 343 Apgujeong-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul. Google Maps – Galleria Luxury Hall WEST
What I Spent—and What I Would Prioritize
The two costs I can share from my visit are approximately ₩40,000 for the clinic appointment and ₩15,000 for lunch. Together, that was about ₩55,000, before coffee, takeout, sweets, and transportation. It is a partial record of my spending, not a current budget for the whole route.
If you only have time for one food stop, my personal pick is Apgujeong Sandwich. If you want a sit-down introduction to sundubu, add lunch. If you want a longer break, consider the Starbucks patio, subject to access on the day.
Save the Korean names and street addresses before you go. Opening hours deserve a fresh check, particularly for weekend sandwich pickups and department store closure days.
These are the details I want to share through Gangnam Local: where I spend an ordinary day, what I think is worth your time, and what I would tell you before you go.
Which would you like to know more about: the skincare visit, the food stops, or shopping around Apgujeong? Let me know in the comments.