Salads and açaí bowls in Seocho, Seoul: Botanic Market

A salad place that’s great for dining alone in Bangbae-dong

As I always, always say... my number-one Bangbae-dong salad spot is absolutely Botanic Market. I like it so much that I’ve taken every friend or two who comes to visit the neighborhood there... It’s fresh~ and delicious!!!!!

If you’re a woman, you’re on a diet 365 days a year, right? (Me included.) So this is somewhere I need to visit regularly ★ It puts my mind at ease. I went a few days ago and already want to go again.. haha. It’s my regular haunt.

It’s down a quiet little alley~ Perfect for going alone and having a solo meal, too.

Arrived! It’s on a residential street, so it’s really quiet~ That’s why it’s just perfect for eating alone in Bangbae-dong...! I’ve been here a few times and eaten by myself~!

There are tables for four and tables for twooo. It’s an open kitchen, so you can see all the food being made!!! The kitchen is very clean, and the staff are kind.

You order at the kiosk - ! The space is pleasant and spotless, as expected.

My first-ever açaí bowl

Here’s the menu. The açaí bowl has been on the menu as a new item for quite a while, and I finally tried it this time. Curious what it tastes like? It was my first time ever having something called an açaí bowl, and so this is what it tastes like? So delicious...♥ I took one home along with my salad. All the reviews were so good, too.

I packed up this proper little feast from the Bangbae-dong salad place. La la la~~~

A generously sized container loaded with toppings

The açaí bowl. The container is super sturdy and big.. It’s not small!

And it has absolutely everything. Starting with nuts and granola, and the fruit—seriously.. how can there be so much? Raspberries, strawberries, banana, what should I call the chocolate crunch?.. Ah, chocolate chips!!!

It has kind of a chocolate flavor, you know? So people who love chocolate will go absolutely wild for it. I love sweet things, so I enjoyed it so much! It’s totally filling as a snack.. I used to live with snacks in my mouth, but I’m gradually trying to move away from them.. Switching to fruit and yogurt.

Anyway, it’s sooo good!!! It would be great as a meal replacement, too~! The fullness is no joke.

And I recommend eating it right after you buy it. If you leave it in the refrigerator for a long time before eating, the nuts get soggy and it definitely tastes less good. Eat it as soon as you get it to enjoy the flavor fully. Oh, and I put mine in the freezer for about 10 minutes before eating it, and it was so much better~ Because it was nice and cold!! That’s my top tip.

The signature bowl with basil sauce

And the real main event at this great Bangbae-dong salad spot is the signature bowl~ I’ve tried almost everything, and this one was the tastiest, you know? (The others are delicious too..)

There are chips on top, and they’re totally savory. You have to eat these first. Let’s slowly dig in. They get soggy if you leave them too long, so eat them while they’re crisp.

Chicken breast, hi haha. It’s been so long since I’ve seen you. It’s cut into cubes, and it’s tasty with the vegetables. Even people who don’t like chicken breast will probably be able to enjoy it..?

There are plump shrimp, too, and whole olives—which I love—are in there~ Best of all, all the ingredients are so fresh, which I really loved!

Would you believe there’s even pasta in it like this!?! Drizzle on the basil sauce and eat it together—it’s a little like cold pasta, and it’s so delicious 🥰 You’re taking care of your health, but it tastes great :) Isn’t that killing two birds with one stone?

I scraped it all up right through the very last bite! If you’re looking for a great Bangbae-dong salad spot, where did I say? And when I’m craving something light on a weekday, I’ll have to come back >.< And I’m absolutely having an açaí bowl for dessert. La la la… 🩷 They also have Greek yogurt, so keep that in mind.