Singapore to Seoul
Over two weeks in early February, as soon as the UK seemed to deliver nonstop rain, we returned to Singapore to visit our family. It was a chance to switch off, reconnect, and catch up with loved ones, while soaking up the warm weather and, of course, indulging in all the comforting home-cooked meals and hawker centres that Singapore offers.
Finding time to travel is incredibly important to us. We’ve always felt a strong urgency to explore new places, cultures, and countries. Coming from mixed-race backgrounds, embracing different perspectives feels second nature, an openness that shapes who we are and, in many ways, is an extension of Pick Store itself.
One country that has long been on our list is South Korea, in particular, Seoul. Over the years, it’s become a real source of inspiration to us. It’s an ever-evolving city, where vibrant neighbourhoods each carry and exude their own personality and charm, from unassuming listening bars and hillside hanok houses to calming coffee shops and a wealth of independent stores with their own fully-fledged identity. Every corner feels alive, yet considered with thoughtful creativity and an easy-going synchronicity that feels developed and refined in a way that feels entirely its own.
Here are a few highlights from our trip. Enjoy!
Appetite
Situated near Singapore’s Chinatown, where lively meets historic in a district that blends traditional Chinese culture with contemporary design. Like much of the city, it’s a cultural hotspot, known for local hawkers such as Maxwell Food Centre, which sits alongside beautifully restored pre-war shophouses and bustling market stalls.
Nestled along Amoy Street, above Michelin-starred restaurant Nouri, you’ll find Appetite tucked away on the second floor of a traditional shophouse. The entrance is discreet, up a narrow stairwell. We ring the doorbell and are welcomed in by their friendly staff. Inside, you’re greeted by a space that feels part art gallery, part speakeasy, relaxed on the surface, with quiet attentiveness behind the scenes.
The interiors unfold across a mezzanine, carrying the warmth of a thoughtfully designed home. Upstairs, a listening lounge, more like a living room space than a venue, with wall-to-wall records, a high-quality sound system, and a huge bespoke U-shaped sofa nestled against the back wall. Guests can settle in with small plates, snacks, and drinks, all whilst tucked away in the attic of a traditional post-war shophouse. A contrasting gem that complements and embraces a modern touch of Singapore’s Chinatown. The downstairs offers a separate small U-shaped bar and dining space overlooking the quaint street, and a gallery space that overlooks Nouri.
We had a lovely, pleasant evening having a few drinks and listening to their record collection. Special thanks to Geff, Nicole and Brian.
https://www.instagram.com/appetite.sg/
GRAYE
Our friends at GRAYE Studio have recently opened their new flagship in the heart of Orchard, in Scotts Square. Designed as a calm pause from the bustling pace outside, the space feels like a quiet archive, an extension of city living. Drawing influence from archival rooms and libraries, it encourages a slower rhythm, with pieces thoughtfully curated and given room to breathe, be touched, and returned to.
Sitting alongside premium retailers such as Vivienne Westwood, Carhartt WIP, and Unusual Running, it feels like a natural next step, and a real reflection of how far the brand has come. To see GRAYE positioned within such company speaks not only to the strength of their collections but to the clarity of their vision and steady, mindful growth over the years. A milestone that feels well-earned.
Founded by husband and wife duo, Calvin and Xie, in 2016, it’s inspiring to see how GRAYE has grown into a brand so well-received in Singapore and equally embraced as one of our staples in our curation and customers here in the UK.
Some of you may have read our Feature on them last year, and if you haven't, check it out here (https://pick-store.com/blogs/journal/featured-series-graye).
Many congratulations, Xie and Calvin!
https://www.instagram.com/grayestudio/
My Little Bar Angus
The best finds often appear when you least expect them, through exploring with little to no set plan, just instinct, and intuition rather than a fixed plan. When we arrived in Seoul, we stumbled across My Little Bar Angus, nestled away in Bukchon Hanok Village, where we were staying.
Down a narrow alley just off the main road, My Little Bar Angus sits modestly within the sleepy neighbourhood. Open the door and step through the sliding curtain, you’re welcomed into a cosy yet sleek wooden cocktail bar, warming tones and intimate ambience.
Your attention is immediately drawn to the beautifully handcrafted sound system behind the bar, a centrepiece that feels both storied and carefully preserved, as though it has been finely tuned and carefully looked after over years, almost somewhat of an antique. The interior is layered with a mix of natural wood and soft, shadowed lighting, a space that feels quietly meticulous and effortlessly inviting.
Behind the bar, an extensive drinks menu of both classic and house signatures, each prepared with quiet precision and care, completing a setting where design, sound, and atmosphere sit in perfect harmony.
Be sure to say hello to Min, the owner, whose warm and inviting hospitality made us feel instantly at home, geonbae!
Hills & Europa
Located in the heart of Haebangchon, Seoul, Hills & Europa operates as a café by day and a record bar by night, and is the sister space to Wild Duck Canteen downstairs. Like many small, well-loved spots in the city, entry requires a little patience, you leave your number and wait in line until there is space. But for that very reason, every minute spent waiting in the stairway feels well worth it once you step inside.
Upon entering, you’re greeted by a warm, dimly lit orange glow that gently fills the room. The walls are lined with a curated collection of African artwork gathered over the years, adding depth and personality to the space. An intimate seating area sits beneath a low wooden ceiling that stretches across the room, drawing you into an atmosphere that feels both enchanting and quietly inviting.
Behind the single seated bar sits a beautifully built-in high-end sound system, complete with Urei 1620 rotary mixer and a wall lined with records. It’s the kind of setup that immediately draws the eye, carefully assembled and clearly well loved. The space naturally feels truly lived-in, characterful, and quietly atmospheric almost like stepping into an untouched local establishment.
Not to mention their Cream Caramel Pudding, a signature dessert of theirs, known for its bittersweet caramel sauce and chewy texture. An absolute must have!
Thanks to Chez de Milo for the recommendation!
https://www.instagram.com/hillsandeuropa/
Pineapple Sauna
One thing Seoul isn’t short of is well-curated independent vintage and archive clothing stores. Retail as a whole was exceptional. Tiny independent start-ups alongside established large branded flagships all in one healthy eco system.
Pineapple Sauna is located in Yeonnam-dong, a neighbourhood known for its abundance of carefully selected vintage, small spaces revealing fascinating collections and pieces rarely seen or documented.
Many feel less like traditional shops and more like stepping into someone’s wardrobe or bedroom, where clothing and collectibles have been carefully sourced, worn, and exchanged over time. The world of vintage and archive is endlessly fascinating, each piece carrying its own unqiue history, resurfacing years later to begin a new life, cycle and journey.
Now who wouldn’t want to visit a store called Pineapple Sauna? Not a sauna in the literal sense, but a small second-floor boutique just off the main street, specialising in American vintage graphic tees, sweats and jackets from the 1980s through to the early 2000s, with the occasional sprinkle of designer labels such as Chanel or Alexander McQueen.
VHS tapes, old film posters, period furniture, vintage Apple computers, and all sorts of nostalgic memorabilia complete the space. It feels like stepping into a time capsule, a memory lane sensory overload, where layers of pop culture and nostalgia come together in the most playful and tasteful way.
Much appreciated, Theo ATS Threads for the recommendation!
TakeIvy
Like many vintage menswear stores across Seoul, each space carries its own story. One thing we noticed while travelling through both Japan and Korea is their deep enthusiasm, and often near obsession, for classic Americana. From U.S. workwear to military garments, these styles remain hugely popular, admired for their rich history, cultural influence, and enduring sense of craftsmanship.
It’s always refreshing to see how each store interprets this heritage through its own lens and identity. One of our standouts, TakeIvy, focused solely on vintage menswear that thoughtfully brought together the classic Ivy League style with traditional American prep collegiate looks, presenting them with an ethos that feels both studied and personal.
https://www.instagram.com/takeivy_official/
Having the opportunity to experience different cultures, countries, and ways of life is something we truly cherish and always look forward to. Each place we visit, whether that’s Seoul or Tokyo, offers new perspectives and inspiration, shaping how we think, create, and continue to build Pick Store.
Travel naturally feeds into what we do. It encourages us to reflect, refine, and nurture our own outlook on life and the store itself. Being able to align these moments of exploring and travelling with our work is something we feel incredibly grateful for, and we’re always excited to share those experiences with our community.