Seoul · SEOUL CRAFT AND PERFUME WORKSHOPS
Good seoul craft and perfume workshops fill up weeks ahead and the great ones go first. Below: the 8 to book early, what each includes and how they differ.
In a traditional Korean hanok near Anguk Station, an English-speaking perfumer guides you through 30 natural essential oils and absolutes. You will test top, middle, and base notes, adjust your blend, and leave with a 10ml tester, 50ml Eau de Parfum, recipe, box, and bag.
“the activity was so nice and the girls were so informative and sweet”
At Baekusaeng Makgeolli in Seoul’s Ahyeon-dong, Joe leads a two-hour, hands-on class in traditional Korean rice-wine brewing. You’ll taste several makgeolli styles, learn about nuruk and fermentation, make your own batch, and take home about 1.2 liters to finish fermenting.
“Great experience when visiting Korea. You learn about what traditional Makgeolli is, in comparison to what you can buy in the supermarkt or drink in a restaurant. Very interesting and Joe can answers all your questions. You can take the makgeolli home with you so you can do the rest of the process yourself. Thanks again!”
At Casamu in Apgujeong, you’ll learn scent basics, taste Korean tea and snacks, test 40 selected accords, and blend three trial perfumes before bottling your own 50ml fragrance. English-speaking instructors, including Henny, guide small groups of up to four people through this relaxed two-hour class.
“This class was a super fun, interactive, interesting, and memorable experience for me, my teenage kids (ages 18 & 15), and my brother. Our instructor (Henny) was very personable, knowledgeable, and supportive - lots of interesting scents and info unique to Korea. We had a lot of fun creating our own scents and naming them - terrific souvenir from our trip!!”
At Hwiho Craft in Mapo, you’ll learn the basics of Najeon Chilgi, then choose a mirror, keychain, hair accessory, or box and decorate it with shell pieces, Korean patterns, initials, or Hangeul. The small class takes about one to one and a half hours.
“This experience was amazing. Highly recommended to anyone traveling to Seoul, South Korea. The instructor and the place are well prepared to make your experience unforgettable. You are not going to regret learning and understand how people make this amazing craft. If you want to see more go and visit the instagram page @hiwocraft”
In a cozy perfume house in a Hongdae alley, a professional perfumer guides you through 30 Korean-inspired natural scent bases. Over 90 minutes, you blend your own fragrance and leave with a 10ml tester, a 50ml Eau de Parfum, and gift-ready packaging.
“This was an amazing and informative experience. The staff was super friendly and helpful, they know their stuff and make you feel very comfortable during the process. It was also a different kind of creative activity.”
At Baekusaeng Makgeolli in Ahyeon Market, Joe Kim teaches you how Korean rice wine is made, from ingredients and tools to fermentation. You will sample commercial and craft makgeolli, try soju, make your own batch, and take home a kit for about 1.5 liters.
“The owner and class leader Joe was super nice and had much knowledge. The class was very informative, interesting and super fun. The process of making makgeolli was explained in detail and we could do our very own. Before the making of makgeolli we had the tasting of different tastes of makgeolli. thank you very much for this experience :)”
Travel from Seoul to Yeongneung, the forest tomb of King Sejong and Queen Soheon, then enjoy an Icheon rice lunch and paint a ceramic mug in Icheon Ceramic Art Village. English, Chinese, and Korean guides lead this 10.5 to 12-hour trip, with guides such as NamMin, Jongkuk, JK, Chuck, and Stella assigned by date.
“It has been the best tour ever! JK is a great professional, he explained everything so well. I've learned a lot with him and he drives very good too. The tour is so great, the Royal Tomb, the Icheon Ceramics, the food, everything! was a very lovely day. I really recommend the experience. Thank you for everything, JK!”
At Mano Lab in Seoul, Alexis and the workshop team guide you through saddle stitching and help you make a leather item in about two hours. Choose from cardholders, passport holders, wallets, tags, pencil cases, AirPods cases, or plant-based leather options, with initials available for engraving.
“Very organized with clear instructions and great pacing! Great instructor, very nice! I look forward to coming back and making other projects!”
Pick a palace, a market, a border or a slope.
