Daerim: A Slice of China in Korea

Daerim is one of the places in South Korea with the highest concentration of Chinese people. Before coming to Seoul, I read an article mentioning that Daerim-dong (대림동) is a 'place with poor security,' and some even advised travelers not to stay here. This made me hesitant but also piqued my curiosity—Is it really like that? So, I decided to see for myself and chose to stay around Daerim-dong. Upon arrival, my first impression was that the area is filled with a strong Chinese atmosphere. The streets are lined with Chinese signs, whether it's restaurants, snack stalls, or markets, there are many shopkeepers and staff who speak Chinese, making me feel like I'm 'not in Korea.' I think it's worth a visit, especially if you're interested in the market culture of Chinatown. The snack stalls, Northeastern BBQ skewers, dumpling shops, and Sichuan restaurants here are closer to the local Chinese flavors compared to the usual Chinese cuisine in Korea, and the prices are more affordable than in other parts of Seoul.