Today I headed to Gangnam to catch the Haruki Murakami exhibition — with just one day left before it closed.
Suggested route: Platform L → Nonhyeon Son Kalguksu (about a 10-minute walk) → Popular Coffee (about a 7-minute walk)
1. Meeting Murakami Haruki
My first stop today was Platform L Contemporary Art Center.
There was an exhibition themed around the novelist Haruki Murakami, and I’d been telling myself I should go, should go — and finally made it there, one day before it closed.
It’s a different kind of fun to experience, in physical space, a world I’d only ever encountered through his books. The exhibition touched on Murakami’s various interests and hobbies — running, jazz, cats — and it was a good show to walk through slowly, taking it all in. If you’re already a fan of his novels, it’s even more interesting to watch.
On display: the foods Murakami likes, his running habit, his relationship with jazz, his writing space, and copies of his books translated into different languages from around the world.
Moving between the exhibition rooms also meant getting to take in the building itself — a streamlined structure arranged around a central courtyard, so much so that the building itself feels like a piece of art.
There was also a section featuring the work of Mizumaru Anzai, the illustrator who collaborated with Murakami on his books, alongside pieces by other artists interpreting the inspiration they drew from his novels. Among these, an installation by artist Kang Ae-ran stood out the most — placing a model book on the table triggers a reading of the text with subtitles, using sound and visuals together in a way that felt like a genuine reinterpretation of Murakami’s work.
Last stop was the gift shop. There were some great goods on offer, but the prices were a bit much, so I passed.
2. A Hearty Meal at Nonhyeon Son Kalguksu
After the exhibition, I naturally worked up an appetite. Next stop was Nonhyeon Son Kalguksu, a place that’s been loved by locals for a long time.
I ordered the kaljjebi and the kong-guksu (chilled soybean noodle soup).
The kaljjebi combines hand-kneaded noodles with hand-torn dumpling dough, giving it a great texture — and what stood out most was the rich, deep broth. It’s not overly sharp or seasoned, but the savory depth is there, and I ended up finishing every last spoonful.
If it’s summer, kong-guksu is a must, too. The soybean broth was nutty and rich, pairing well with the noodles — a dish you can enjoy without feeling weighed down, even on a hot day. Good kong-guksu spots can be surprisingly hard to find, and this one is a genuine standout.
After the exhibition, having a proper, filling meal left me feeling full — both in body and in spirit.
3. Ending the Day at Popular Coffee
After the meal, I headed to nearby Popular Coffee. The atmosphere was calm and quiet, making it a good spot to unwind after eating.
It’s a good place to sit with a cup of coffee and let the afterglow of the exhibition settle in, and it works just as well for chatting with a friend or reading alone.
The coffee was good, too. Even right in the middle of Gangnam, the place had a relatively relaxed atmosphere, which made it a satisfying way to wrap up the day.
Honestly, I’d assumed Gangnam only had Western-style, modern spaces — so finding a kalguksu restaurant this good made today’s outing feel even richer.
Info
🎨 Platform-L Contemporary Art Center
• Address: 11 Eonju-ro 133-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
• Hours: 11:00–20:00 (closed Mondays)
• Murakami exhibition runs through Aug 2 (admission 20,000 KRW) — check the website for current exhibitions and ticket prices before visiting
🍜 Nonhyeon Sonkalguksu
• Address: 16 Nonhyeon-ro 111-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
• Hours: Mon–Fri 09:30–19:50, Sat 09:30–14:50, closed Sundays
• Break time: 16:00–17:00
• Phone: 02-517-6030
• Signature dishes: hand-cut noodles (son-kalguksu), kaljebi, kongguksu
☕ Popular Coffee
• Address: 6 Hakdong-ro 21-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
• Hours: Mon–Fri 07:30–20:30, Sat–Sun 10:00–20:00