Travelers seeking something beyond the usual tourist haunts are finding themselves drawn to two European-inspired experiences—one nestled in the heart of Seoul, the other in the storied streets of Antwerp. While separated by geography and culture, both destinations offer a deep dive into local flavors, traditions, and the subtle pleasures that come with slowing down and savoring the moment.
On October 13, 2025, the wine bar Grund in Seongdong District, eastern Seoul, invites guests to embark on what owner Oskar Kim calls a "wine vacation." It’s an apt description, considering Kim’s background: before opening Grund, he spent over a decade guiding Korean tourists through Germany’s cities—Frankfurt, Munich, Berlin—immersing himself in the country’s food, wine, and culture. "Traveling was my life and work," Kim shared with Korea JoongAng Daily. "This store is the product of my long travels in Germany."
Grund isn’t just a place to drink; it’s a portal to Germany, focusing especially on Riesling, the white wine that originated from the country’s vineyards. Kim is quick to clarify, "‘German wine bar’ is the correct term, but that sounds too stiff and not fun. Riesling is the symbol of German wine, so I used that name. But we don’t just serve Riesling. We offer various types of German wines." His passion is infectious, and he’s known for sharing stories about each wine, vineyard, and region with customers, occasionally hosting tastings to deepen their appreciation.
The experience at Grund starts with Knebel’s Riesling Kabinett, a lightly sweet, refreshing wine with fruit-forward aromas. Kim often recommends it as the perfect companion to a cheese platter featuring Brie and BellaVitano, or even just a few slices of melon. "It’s the perfect wine to drink with the window open on a warm afternoon, looking out at nature," Kim mused. "It’s not about forcing pairings with food, but simply enjoying the wine’s flavor as it is."
Another highlight is the Zilliken Riesling, known for its crisp acidity and lingering finish. Kim pairs this with flammkuchen, a classic German flatbread topped with sour cream, red onions, smoked ham, cheese, and green onion. "In fact, Germans don’t really drink wine with separate drinking snacks. Alcohol accompanies food, not the other way around. That’s why flammkuchen is such an important dish. It’s very light, something you can eat casually without interfering with the wine," he explained. The dish is customizable, much like pizza, but Kim insists that keeping it light and minimal is key.
Grund’s menu also includes Pfalz Trocken Riesling, produced in Germany’s sunny Pfalz region. The result is a clean, crisp wine that stands up to hearty, fatty dishes—most notably, schweinshaxe. This pork knuckle is a labor of love, requiring nearly a full day of salting, marinating, boiling, and roasting. Kim grills the knuckle with dark beer, using the resulting juices as the base for a rich sauce. The dish is served with three types of sausages from a nearby charcuterie and a side of sauerkraut, which Kim likens to kimchi for its refreshing balance against the meat. "The menu says schweinshaxe takes 12 hours, but in reality it’s closer to a full day," he admitted, underscoring his commitment to authenticity.
Despite customer demand, Kim removed pasta from the menu to focus fully on wine and dishes that can be prepared in the oven, allowing him more time to interact with guests. "Everyone knows how great Italian and French wines are. But what fascinated me was that many people are unaware of how great German wine is. What really interests me is exploring the lesser known. And German wine, beyond its quality, is also the wine of the future," he reflected.
Grund is open Monday through Friday from 3 p.m. to midnight, Saturday from noon to midnight, and closed on Sundays. Its address is 13, Seongsui-ro 12-gil, Seongdong District, making it an accessible spot for anyone in Seoul looking to taste a slice of Germany without leaving the city.
Meanwhile, Antwerp, Belgium’s second-largest city, is enjoying a moment in the spotlight, as described in an October 12, 2025, travelogue. Initially underestimated by the author, Antwerp quickly dispelled any notions of being merely a port or administrative hub. The city’s Antwerp Central train station, with its neo-Baroque grandeur, sets the tone for a place where old-world elegance meets modern vibrancy.
The city center is a blend of high Flemish style and vivid modernism. The Rubenshuis, a lovingly preserved townhouse dedicated to the great Flemish artist Peter Paul Rubens, offers a glimpse into the city’s artistic heritage. Outside, the streets are alive with well-dressed locals enjoying drinks in trendy, post-industrial neighborhoods.
Antwerp’s fashion scene is legendary, particularly in the Sint-Andries district. Here, the legacy of the Antwerp Six—a group of avant-garde designers from the 1980s including Dries Van Noten and Ann Demeulemeester—still looms large. Shoppers can browse boutiques like Dries Van Noten’s flagship in Het Modepaleis, or hunt for vintage treasures at Labels Inc and Rosier 41. High-end luxury lines Schuttershofstraat, while Nationalestraat and Kammenstraat are home to up-and-coming designers.
But fashion is just one thread in Antwerp’s rich tapestry. The city boasts an impressive 15 Michelin-starred restaurants, including The Jane, run by Dutch chef Nick Bril and set in a deconsecrated chapel. More approachable options abound, such as Kuthun, a Tibetan restaurant beloved by locals. Cafes like Bakkerij FUNK—famed for its inventive pastries and brunches—and Leo Antwerpen, known for sugar-coated bundt cakes, draw crowds of stylish patrons. Natural-wine bars like Het Archief and Bar Brut add to the city’s culinary diversity.
No visit to Antwerp is complete without sampling its "brown bars"—the Belgian answer to the British pub. Spots like Zeezicht, Cafe Moeskop, and Café Barries offer extensive beer selections and a cozy, convivial atmosphere. In Zurenborg, these bars are perfect for a relaxed evening, while Café Barries, near the MoMu fashion museum, attracts a younger crowd.
Cultural highlights abound. The MoMu fashion museum’s GIRLS exhibition runs through February 2026, while the city’s museum quarter in Zuid features the recently refurbished Royal Museum of Fine Arts and the MHKA Museum of Contemporary Art. The FOMU Photo Museum, with its Early Gaze exhibition opening in October 2025, stands out for its generous spaces and groundbreaking collections. Borgerhout, another vibrant neighborhood, is home to the Antwerp Zoo, the MAS museum, and De Roma, an Art Deco venue hosting everything from techno to contemporary theater.
Antwerp’s walkability is a major asset. Despite excellent public transit, most destinations are within a half-hour stroll from the historic core. Zuid, once industrial dockland and now a gentrified hub for artists and immigrants, is dotted with wine bars like Le John and relaxed brown bars such as Cafe Hopper. The area’s sweeping boulevards, Art Deco buildings, and proximity to the Scheldt River make it a favorite among locals and visitors alike.
As city breaks go, Antwerp has something for everyone—fashion, food, art, and an atmosphere that feels both grand and approachable. While it may have once been an underrated, almost-hidden gem, its days as a well-kept secret seem numbered. For now, though, both Grund in Seoul and Antwerp in Belgium offer travelers the chance to savor the less obvious, the authentic, and the thoroughly memorable.
