Garosu-gil / 가로수길

청수장 Once the hub of Korean design, this ginkgo tree-lined strip is now more global big-brand fash than artsy studios, but plenty of sip-and-supsters remain. Get dropped off at the start of Garosu-gil near Sinsa station exit #8 /신사역8번출구 / on the right hand side of the street next to black-glassed J Tower. 20m down on the left is famous Coffeesmith / 3446 9383 / coffeesmith.co.kr / the java see-and-be-scene. Next door is the highly covetable Simone Handbag Museum / 3444 0912 / simonehandbagmuseum.co.kr.

Further down waits the Korean equivalent of H&M, Eight Seconds / 3448 4089 / 8seconds.co.kr, and Å LAND / 070 7820 7549 / a-land.co.kr / stocking the latest Korean m/w runway highlights. Onwards till the three-way street points left to Apgujeong-ro 8-gil. Push on for the hipster-frequented Outlab / 546 1553 / a trendy shop-cum-bakery-book-caff for chic fashion finds and pop-up events; or if you’re pecky follow your nose to the street parallel, with gastro pleasures aplenty. At the deadend, turn back to the main drag and look up – Thai Healing is on the 3/F / 3448 1313 / to soak tired trotters, or for power shoppers a short cab ride will take you to the Apgujeong/Cheongdam-dong itin.