The University of Utah Asia Campus is located in the beautiful city of Incheon, South Korea. Known as Korea’s international gateway, Incheon is home to Incheon International Airport and serves as a major connection point between Korea and the rest of the world. The city is also known for its scenic coastlines, parks, and growing international community.
Within Incheon is Songdo International Business District, the modern “smart city” where Utah Asia Campus students study and live. Songdo is known for its futuristic architecture, green spaces, and international atmosphere. From relaxing parks to unique restaurants and cafes, there are plenty of things to explore just minutes from campus.
Whether you’re looking for fun places to hang out with friends or relaxing cafes to study in by yourself, Songdo is full of incredible places. Here are a few student favorites and some personal recommendations.
Places to Go with Friends
One of the best parts of living in Songdo is how many great restaurants and activities are within walking distance of campus.
If you’re craving something familiar, Buckers from Austin is a popular Tex-Mex restaurant located on the 1st floor of Building D at Triple Street. This massive three-block-long mall, right next to campus, is packed with shops, restaurants, and plenty of things to do, and it’s only about a 5-10 minute walk from the dorms. Many students, including myself, really enjoy the Birria tacos and chipotle bowls. A huge plus is that the dishes are fairly large, which makes them perfect for sharing with friends. Even better, Utah Asia Campus students receive a 10% discount when they show their student ID before paying.
Through an Instagram poll, students also recommended several other favorite restaurants in the area. Some honorable mentions include 오수옥 (Osuok), known for its comforting bowl of 곰탕 (gomtang), a traditional Korean beef soup that’s perfect on colder days. Another student favorite is 은빛고을 한식뷔페 (Eunbit Goeul Hansik Buffet), where you can try a variety of traditional Korean dishes in one meal.
Students also mentioned Cinder Bar and Matarello as great spots to visit with friends. Cinder Bar even offers a special student discount menu.
Another favorite cafe is Kustom Coffee in Triple Street (1st floor, Building D). It’s known for its creative lattes, and the drinks are just as good as they look. My personal favorite is the Butter Cream Latte, while one of my friends swears that “the Black Sesame Cream Latte is the best thing on the menu.”
Activities Near Campus
Beyond restaurants and cafes, there are also plenty of fun activities nearby when you want to take a break from studying. Sometimes students don’t have time to travel all the way to Seoul during the week, so these nearby spots are perfect alternatives.
One unique place to visit is Smurf Magic Forest Songdo, which features an escape room, themed photo zones, and a merchandise shop. It’s a fun place to explore with friends and definitely a memorable experience.
If you’re looking for something more active and very close to campus, Zeus Bowl is a bowling alley and bar that’s popular with students. It’s a great option for group outings, and students can receive 10% off with their ID.
One of the most famous attractions in the area is Songdo Central Park. Inspired by New York’s Central Park, it features walking paths, gardens, and art installations. Visitors can even rent small boats and explore the canal. While it’s beautiful year-round, it becomes especially popular once the weather gets warmer.
For gaming fans, visiting a PC방 (PC cafe) is also a fun part of Korean student culture. Two nearby options include Mout PC Game Room and Red Force PC방. Both cafes are open 24/7, and Mout PC Game Room offers discounts for UAC students. PC cafes provide endless gaming options, and you can even order food and drinks while playing.
Another great place to check out is G-Tower, which offers a free observation deck on the 33rd floor with an amazing view of Songdo. It’s one of the best photo spots in the area.
Students who enjoy outdoor activities can also visit the Incheon Songdo International Camping Site, where visitors can try affordable glamping with ocean views.
Solo Student Spots (혼밥 & Study Cafes)
Of course, sometimes you just want to relax on your own. In Korea, eating alone is called 혼밥 (honbap), and it’s very common for students to grab a quick meal or coffee by themselves.
One of my personal favorite places for 혼밥 is 북천손만두(Bukchon Son Mandu). My go-to order is 열무국수 (young radish cold noodles) with 갈비 만두 (Galbi dumplings). It’s affordable, quick, and perfect when you want something comforting between classes. The restaurant is located on the B3 floor of Building B at Triple Street.
When it comes to studying or relaxing with a cup of coffee, there are also some great solo-friendly cafes nearby.
The November Lounge is a cafe and bar that’s open 24 hours, making it a great late-night study spot about eight minutes from the dorms. Their coffee is my favorite in Songdo, and their cheesecake is incredible.
Another convenient option is Silent Coffee, which is only a three-minute walk from campus. The cafe has cozy seating and is known for its popular Dubai chocolate dessert, which has become a favorite among students.
Conclusion
Living and studying at the Utah Asia Campus means having the opportunity to experience one of Korea’s most modern and international cities. From great food and cozy cafes to scenic parks and fun activities, Songdo has plenty to offer just minutes from campus.
Whether you’re exploring with friends, trying new Korean foods, or finding your favorite study cafe, there’s always something new to discover around Songdo.
– Written by Lillianna Martinescu, Spring 2026 Communications Intern at Marketing & Communications Center, University of Utah Asia Campus (Reviewed & edited by Yoonji Kim, Senior Communications specialist, University of Utah Asia Campus)
