[비즈한국] It is the season for strolling and outdoor dining. Unfortunately, this time passes in the blink of an eye. This means you must be diligent enough to actively savor the present. In Seoul, there is no place like the Han River for walking, jogging, and enjoying food while taking in the sunset and night view. Today, I recommend Nodeulseom, which opened its waterfront cultural space on September 18.
Nodeulseom opened in 2019 as a music-focused complex cultural space, but it was often criticized for being used primarily for its facilities, leading to a lack of foot traffic from citizens. In response, the Seoul Metropolitan Government selected a design by world-renowned designer Thomas Heatherwick in May 2024 to transform it into the "Nodeul Global Art Island," a space where one can enjoy the Han River's scenery and nature in three dimensions. The newly opened area is a waterfront cultural space, which transformed existing parking lots, trash collection areas, and underutilized waterfront zones into gardens and walking paths. Although the final version of Nodeulseom is scheduled to be completed by 2030, it is currently the perfect spot for enjoying the sunset and night views of Seoul.
Above all, it is impressive to see young people in their 20s and 30s busy heading to Nodeulseom. Recently, the sunset time has been just past 6:00 PM, and by around 4:00 PM on weekdays, the Nodeulseom Ecological Park is already packed with people sitting on mats. Given the geographical proximity to Noryangjin Fisheries Wholesale Market, the so-called "Hoecnic" (sashimi + picnic)—enjoying packed sashimi while watching the sunset at Nodeulseom—is popular. They rent picnic sets and buy bokbunja wine, soju, and cider at convenience stores to mix their own "Boksosa." Note that "Nodeul Picnic Day" is also operated every Sunday, where you can rent picnic mats and board games (Jenga, Halli Galli).
Of course, a change in the newly opened Nodeulseom is that you can visit with a light heart without elaborate food or picnic preparations. Whether it's young people huddled together on broad, natural stones like flat wooden floors, couples taking photos against a backdrop of sulfur cosmos while sitting on stone steps overlooking the river, or runners leisurely jogging along the open walking paths, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Food trucks selling handmade burgers, hot dogs, and more are also operating until October 31, so light snacks are plenty.
You cannot miss the time spent sitting in the Nodeulseom Ecological Park, watching the sunset slowly dip behind the 63 Building in the distance. If you have young children, they can run around in the Play Garden, which has been transformed into a nature-friendly space. After the sun has completely set, try taking photos at the Gap Garden, an exotic structure that connects the ground to the waterfront between the retaining walls of Nodeulseom. As you walk down the slightly twisted, three-dimensional stairs, you can watch the Han River scenery change gradually. Atelier Nodeul, a media art space set up under the southern end of the Hangang Bridge next to the Gap Garden, is another place that makes the night view of Nodeulseom fulfilling. You will find yourself mesmerized by the sight of Seoul's mascot, Hachi, and friends running through nature in the media art that utilizes light and video. Walking or running along the 1.5 km circular trail while enjoying the sunset and night view is another reason to visit Nodeulseom.
While the newly opened waterfront cultural space is an outdoor area, there are also indoor spaces such as Nodeul Bookstore, Nodeul Gallery, Nodeul Lounge, and Live House. On afternoons with intense sunlight, it's nice to read a book leisurely at the Nodeul Bookstore or check out the permanent exhibition operated in the corner space. Some exhibitions are completed by the records of visitors, so it might be a good idea to soak in the soft emotions and take some time to press your thoughts into paper. The indoor spaces are open until 9:00 PM.
From October 2 to 11, the "2026 Seoul Light Han River Light Island Festival" will be held throughout Nodeulseom. Running from 6:30 PM to 10:30 PM, it will feature laser art under the theme of "Epic of Light," the "Accompanied Light" which combines performances with donations, and "Light Island Lectures," outdoor performances by experts. It is the largest waterfront laser art festival in Korea staged on the Han River in Seoul. Admission is free, so if you want to see a fantastic night on the Han River, it's worth braving the crowds to visit.
Once you’ve enjoyed the sunset and night view of Nodeulseom, it’s time for "yajang" (outdoor dining). Since there are only simple food trucks inside Nodeulseom, I recommend crossing the Hangang Bridge to visit the area around Hangang-ro, Yongsan-gu, commonly known as "Yongnidan-gil," to enjoy the season of outdoor dining. In particular, the Baekbin Railway Crossing, also known as Ddaengddaeng Street, which is familiar as a major location from dramas like "My Mister," is one of Yongsan's landmarks. There are still many people who take photos of the railroad tracks, remembering Park Dong-hoon (the late Lee Sun-kyun) and Lee Ji-an (IU) from the drama.
The reason people visit Ddaengddaeng Street is not just for the lingering memories of the drama. The neighborhood is full of great spots to enjoy an outdoor dining atmosphere. I recommend enjoying 12-hour aged barbecue and beer at "Changju Land," a landmark of outdoor dining with its spacious interior and vintage-style outdoor seating, or savoring aged sashimi at "Bamnoeul," which served as a filming location for various dramas like "Vincenzo" and "Good Partner." "Orno Sinyongsan," which offers menus like wood-fired pizza and pasta and features folding doors that open wide for a sense of openness, is considered a popular place for social gatherings due to its romantic atmosphere. If you need to head toward Nodeul Station instead of Yongsan from Nodeulseom, there is also "Nodeulseom Sori Punggyeong Shop." It is a cafe-cum-bar that offers barbecue menus, snacks, various drinks, and bar menu items. For runners who don't want alcohol or caffeine, the "Runner Pick" combo of a hot dog and a special energy drink might be appealing.