Inside Seoul’s Creative Scene With the Salt Salon Sisters

If you’ve got an eye for food and design, chances are, you’d have come across Salt Salon - the creative food studio by sisters Sarah and Sonia Tan. Increasingly, brands across the board have been tapping on the duo to create singular setups at their events - and for good reason, given that the two are known for melding beautiful visuals (Sonia’s a photographer and illustrator) with heartwarming dishes created by Sarah. 

A perpetual source of inspiration for Sarah’s cooking is Korean culture, art, craft and naturally, cuisine - so much so that it even pushed her to study Korean in order to better soak in the nuances of the culture, and the sisters have made more than 10 trips to the country in recent years. 

Seoul in particular has proven to be fertile grounds for them. Increasingly, they’ve been holding more events there, such as launching their SOUP cookbook there last April at Post Poetics bookstore, while Sonia has had her photos translated into prints by Seoul-based clothing label Poko Fosca. 

“I think it’s something about how active and open Seoul’s creative scene is that it allows these kinds of connections to happen quite naturally. It feels like people are constantly making things, sharing ideas, and working on something,” says Sonia. “Being around that, even from a distance, makes me want to keep creating and stay engaged with my own work.”

Here, the sisters jointly share some of their favourite spots around the city:

RESTAURANTS

Chebudong Sujebi and Boribap 

Sarah: “Located in the charming Seochon neighbourhood, this restaurant is always a non-negotiable stop for us. The place is famous for its sujebi (hand-torn noodles) and boribap (mixed barley rice prepared in a style similar to its more ubiquitous cousin, bibimbap). The flavours are especially comforting on a frigid winter day! We are creatures of habit here and usually order the deulkkae sujebi (noodles with perilla seed) and dotorimuk (acorn jelly salad). You really can’t go wrong with anything on this menu!” 

Address: 16 Jahamun-ro 5-gil, Chebu-dong, Jongno District 

Seochon Dining 

Sarah: “Our friend MJ (creative director of the jewellery brand Orto) took us to this family-run eatery that specialises in simple, comforting Korean food on our most recent Seoul trip. We liked it so much that we squeezed in another meal here just so we could try all the dishes before flying home. I am deeply affectionate towards Korean food because there is so much nuance that belies a simple dish. Arriving at the ‘perfect’ flavour is often dictated by intuition more than anything else. Koreans refer to this as ‘sonmat’, which quite literally translates to the ‘personal flavour or taste created by one’s hands”... The family matriarch is the chef here, making magic in the kitchen while also bringing attention to regional dishes from Chungcheong-do, such as jjageuli (a thicker, more concentrated stew that is loosely mixed with freshly steamed rice to create a porridge or risotto-like texture) — where she is from. Eating here feels like being in your grandmother’s dining room!”

Address: 19-50 Ogin-dong, Jongno District 

Pildong Myeonok

Sonia: Pyeongyang naengmyeon (cold noodles originally from North Korea) is my favourite dish in the whole world. Nothing else tastes like it and, unfortunately, I can’t get it anywhere other than Seoul. Whenever I touch down in the city, Pildong is the first place I have to visit. I always get the mul naengmyeon, and maybe a serving of suyuk or mandu (Korean dumplings) on the side. It’s also a great place to eat if you’re looking to dine solo.”

Address: 26 Seoae-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul, 04624

Sukseongdo Seoul

Sarah: The 0fr Seoul (an art bookstore) team brought us here for a celebratory team meal after we wrapped up our event (the sisters launched a placemat with them recently)! It’s always fun to do a BBQ meal with a large group because there are so many additional sides and accompaniments to share. This restaurant specialises in dry-aged Jeju black pork, best enjoyed with an assortment of interesting dipping sauces. Make sure to get the signature sauce, which is made with fish roe and freshly minced spring onion. Be sure to order the yeolmu guksu (cold radish noodles) as well — it provides a refreshing kick that pairs perfectly with the decadent cuts of pork belly.”

Address: Jung District, Samil-daero 10-gil, 362 

CAFES

Lots Of

Sonia: “We visited this cafe three times on our last trip as it was within walking distance of several of our regular spots in Seoul. It is just a stone’s throw away from Jem & Pebbles, a jewellery studio we really love. Surrounded by greenery and abundant light streaming in, it’s the perfect place to have a morning coffee before starting the day or a mid-afternoon pitstop for some respite. This cafe also serves a menu of sweet treats (we managed to try the Biscoff cheesecake!) alongside its coffee, making it the perfect pairing for an afternoon pick-me-up.”

Address: 220, Dongho-ro, Jung-gu

Arcade Tove

Sonia: “When I’m looking for a quiet place to wind down in the late afternoon, Tove is where I usually head. Arcade Tove is a tea space located in the basement arcade of the Press Centre building in Seoul. I love spaces that carry the ambience of “old Seoul” and this one feels just like that, as though time slows when you’re sipping your tea. They make really delicious and delicate desserts (their seasonal bingsu is amazing) that I can’t find elsewhere, so it’s all the more reason to return. The owner also has a beautiful collection of teaware which is fun to admire while you’re dining there.”

Address: B1 Underground Shopping Mall, Korea Press Center, 124 Sejong-daero, Jung-gu

SHOPS

Jaden Cho (Womenswear)

Sarah: “This is one of my favourite brands. The brand recently unveiled its new flagship store in the historic Anguk neighbourhood, located a stone’s throw away from Changdeokgung Palace. I adore it for its focus on craft, combining traditional Korean embroidery and techniques with haute couture methods. The pieces feel precious and intricate, yet can always be dressed up or down.

Interestingly, the brand sources deadstock silk from the 1970s–80s and reworks it into each collection. Jaden Cho’s creative director draws on his past as a florist and former set designer to create stunning floral motifs across the garments. His commitment to craft extends beyond clothing – the showroom feels almost like a small gallery, showcasing local Korean artists through ceramics, Lesage textiles, lamps made of vintage jacquard, and locally sourced bamboo works.”

Address: Garden Tower, 84 Yulgok-ro, Jongno-gu

Scho (Jewellery)

Sarah: “I’ve always been a bit of a maximalist when it comes to jewellery, but there are a few rings that are constant mainstays on my fingers. My current favourites are from Scho: an onyx ring finished with a cut ruby (my birthstone!) and a large silver crystal quartz statement ring that I always wear on my index finger.
The creative director and founder, Sarah Cho, is also a close friend.

I could spend hours in her showroom, getting lost in her intricate pieces displayed alongside her extensive collection of antiques amassed over years of living in Africa, the US, Paris, and finally back home in Seoul. She brings an artful, refined eye to everything she touches, shaped by her previous design experience at Balenciaga and Lanvin.”

Address: 1st Floor, 790-10 Hannam-dong, Yongsan District

Orto (jewellery for men & women)

Sonia: “Most people know I’m the ‘freaky ring-stack lady’ — I wear up to 11 rings a day. Among them, three are from Orto (on my fourth finger, in the picture!). Their studio also happens to be right above my favourite literary haunt in Seoul (OFR Bookshop), so I always make a point to visit.”

Address: 2f, 9-4, Jahamun-ro 10-gil, Jongno-gu

Ilsang Yeobaek (Korean craft)

Sarah: “I always make a pitstop here when I’m looking for a gift or souvenir. It’s located in Seochon, so I often spend an afternoon here after a leisurely lunch at either Seochon Dining or Chebudong Sujebi and Boribap, and sometimes end the day with dinner at natural wine bar Dekad if I want a break from Korean cuisine.
Tucked away in a small alley, part of the joy is wandering and stumbling upon other hidden gems like Mosi and Rama Home nearby. The gallery offers a wide selection of Korean craft and art objects, from white porcelain by ceramic artist Haeinyo to lacquer trays and hand-carved wooden spoons. It’s always hard to leave empty-handed.”

Address:19-46 Ogin-dong, Jongno District

Mosoon (Korean craft)

Sarah: “Over the years, I’ve discovered many emerging Korean artisans through Mosoon, which has now moved to a larger space in the Gyeongbokgung area. The space comprises Gallery Mosoon, which features rotating exhibitions, and Shop Mosoon, which presents a more permanent selection of ceramics and craft works by Korean artists, including buncheong ceramicists Hyunwoo Jeong and Park Sungwook. A great spot to spend an afternoon in a historic neighbourhood.”

Address: 4, Sajik-ro 10-gil, Jongno-gu

BOOKSTORES

OFR Seoul

Sonia: “The one destination I always look for in any city is a bookstore. It’s my favourite place to spend time when I’m out of an itinerary. OFR has a lovely curation of fashion books and magazines. I first visited during Sarah Van Rij’s launch of Louis Vuitton’s ‘Fashion Eye: Seoul’ in 2023 and immediately fell in love with the space. The store is run by a warm team who know their books well (our cookbook is stocked here!) and are great at making recommendations. It’s always a pleasure to return.”

Address: 9-4 Jahamun-ro 10-gil, Jongno District

Separate Spaces

Sonia: “Located in Jung-gu, Separate Spaces is a new bookstore founded by an alumnus of Post Poetics, which has since closed and where we first launched our SOUP cookbook in April 2025. It carries a diverse selection of titles across art, architecture, product, graphic design, fashion and photography.

It also operates as a small publishing house, focusing on art editions and artists’ books. We love visiting different bookstores in every city, and this is the kind of place where you could easily spend an entire afternoon flipping through titles. It’s about a 15-minute walk from our favourite cold noodle spot, Pildong Myeonok (mentioned above), so it pairs well as a stop afterwards.”

Address: 3rd floor, 20 Samil-daero 6-gil, Jung-gu

MUSEUM

National Museum of Korea

Sonia: “The National Museum of Korea is possibly one of the most memorable museums I’ve ever visited. I studied art history in college with a focus on East Asian art, so being there felt like a dream come true.
Walking through the museum is a beautiful way to experience Korea’s history through its craft and material culture — not just as objects to look at, but things that were made and remade by people over time. The collection is extensive and beautifully laid out, moving through each period back to the Neolithic era.”

Address: 137 Seobinggo-ro, Yongsan District

COCKTAIL BAR

West Wing

Sarah: “For most of my life, I’ve been quite the teetotaller, so I never had much interest in cocktails. West Wing changed that. I love it because the experience goes beyond the menu. The owner, Minseok, is an art enthusiast, and his collection of ceramics, sculpture and artworks is displayed throughout the bar. It’s a great spot for an early aperitif or late-night drinks.

We also recently hosted a Salt Salon event here in May, designing coasters in collaboration with the team alongside a bespoke duo of cocktails and canapes for one night only. Its sister bar, Ace Four Club, is also worth a visit just next door.”

Address: 105 Eulji-ro, Jung District

MARKETS

Marche Market

Sarah: “When Sonia and I lived in New York, we used to go to Union Square Farmers’ Market every weekend. It became a ritual — walking through the stalls just to look and soak it all in. We’ve replicated this ritual in Seoul with the Marche Market, which runs every weekend (it moves indoors in winter, so it’s worth checking the schedule). Farmers from across Korea gather to sell organic produce, including vegetables and flowers from regions as far as Jeollado.

I usually pick up condiments like pesto made from Korean greens, dried namul to rehydrate and season at home, and pastries from Leepicheep, a Yeonnam-based bakery that also participates. They tend to sell out, so it’s best to go earlier in the afternoon.”

Address: Various locations, check their Instagram for latest updates

Jungbu Dried Seafood Market

Sarah: “Regardless of country, we can easily spend hours in a market. I always think local markets reveal so much about daily life — they are like living vignettes of how people live. Seoul has many traditional markets, but I especially like this one for its focus on dried goods and seafood. There are countless aisles, including an ‘anchovy alley’ filled with dried anchovies of every size. I also like picking up locally milled perilla oil, gobchang gim (a type of seaweed from Wando in Jeolla-do, harvested briefly between October and November), and other staples for my pantry restocks.”

Address: 35 Eulji-ro 36-gil, Jung District