Gwanghwamun, the very spot for a date in seoul
Hey everyone! 👋 How is your week going? Honestly, I have been feeling so overwhelmed lately. You guys know I’m in the middle of wedding planning, and let me tell you—the mental pressure is no joke. 😭 Even on weekends, when I should be relaxing and recharging, I feel like I’m working a second shift. It’s just list after list, budget after budget… I seriously needed a break. This is so called Wedding Prep Burnout.
So, this past weekend, I decided to unplug (mostly) and dragged my fiancé out to Gwanghwamun for a much-needed movie date and some carbs. If you’re looking for a chill date course in Seoul, keep reading!
🎬 Morning Movies: “The World of Love”(2025)
We started the day with an early morning screening. We finally—finally—went to see Director Yoon Ga-eun’s film, “The World of Love.”
I remember reading an article a while back where the legendary Bong Joon-ho (yes, Parasite director Bong Joon-ho!) said he was actually jealous of Yoon Ga-eun’s talent. When a legend praises a director like that, you have to see their work, right? I had “watch this movie” on my bucket list for ages, and we finally crossed it off now that the new year has turned.
It was… wow. It’s been such a long time since I saw a movie with this kind of delicate, emotional vibe. Also, the lead actor? It was their debut work, which is insane because the performance was so impressive and natural. It totally took my mind off the wedding stress for two hours. Highly recommend if you love Korean indie cinema!
Watch Ga-eun Yoon’s acclaimed masterpiece, The World of Us, right here on Amazon Prime Video.
Craving a deeper look into the ‘Bong-high-on’ universe? Discover the secrets behind his vision here.
🍕 Lunch at Dochi Pizza, Gwanghwamun
After “The World of Love,” we were starving (emotional movies make me hungry, okay?). We decided to check out Dochi Pizza, which is pretty famous in the area.
Okay, first impression: The building looked a little… shabby? I was kinda skeptical standing outside. But as soon as we walked through the entrance, the vibe did a complete 180.
The interior is super vintage and moody—lots of wood and warm lights. It feels very “classic Italian spot in Seoul.”
The Menu Check ✅
Ordering is done via a tablet kiosk at your table (super convenient if your Korean isn’t perfect!). Water and pickles are self-service.
For pasta,
I am a total oil-pasta girlie. 🍝 We went with the Gamberi e Rucola. It’s a shrimp and arugula oil pasta. It was savory, light, and honestly hit the spot.
For pizza,
I have major decision paralysis, so I ordered the Quattro Stagione (Four Seasons). It gives you four different flavors in one pizza.
Here is my honest review though: I’m not a huge fan of eggplant, and this pizza had it. Also, most of the flavors were cheese or oil-based without a strong tomato base, so halfway through, I was kind of craving something spicy or more tangy. If I go back, I might order a spicy pizza just to balance out the oil pasta.
But… did I finish it? Yes. Yes, I did. Not a crumb left. 😂
🚩 A Few Things That Could Be Better
I want to keep it real with you guys because this place isn’t exactly cheap.
- The Plates: When they brought us our sharing plates, the edges were all chipped. 😕 Like, noticeably chipped. For a nice date spot, they really need to replace their dishware. It kills the vibe a little!
- Storage Space: This was my biggest pet peeve. We sat at a 2-person table, and there was absolutely nowhere to put our coats or bags.
I had to put my bag on the floor, which I hate doing. The place was packed by the time we left, so it felt even more cramped. Given the price point, I wish they would provide a small stool or a coat rack for customers. It’s a small detail, but it makes a huge difference in comfort!
Final Thoughts 💭
Despite the chipped plates and the bag struggle, the food was tasty and the atmosphere was cozy enough for a date. It was nice to just sit, eat good food, and pretend I didn’t have a wedding to plan for an hour or two.
If you’re in Gwanghwamun, it’s worth a visit—just maybe ask for a bigger table if you have a lot of winter coats!
Let me know in the comments: What’s your go-to comfort food when you’re stressed? I might need some suggestions for next week! 👇