Lotte World Tower: Eating in South Korea’s highest restaurant

Seoul, South Korea (CNN) — The journey to the very best restaurant in South Korea begins with a whale show.

The ethereal 123F Lounge sits on the highest flooring of the Lotte World Tower in Seoul, 555 meters (about 1,820 ft) above floor. The tower is the tallest constructing within the nation — and the fifth tallest constructing on this planet, in keeping with its official web site.

However it seems, attending to the restaurant is not as easy as hopping on and off an elevator; it is an entire expertise that may simply take as much as an hour.

After shopping for an entry ticket — 27,000 Korean received (roughly $20) for adults, and 24,000 received ($18) for kids — guests enter a ready corridor, awash in blue gentle as whales swim throughout a large display screen on the ceiling.

A number of completely different rooms observe — some with alternatives for skilled pictures, others displaying the constructing supplies that make up the tower — earlier than a puzzling collection of whale-themed areas.

There are two lengthy hallways — one illuminated darkish blue as whales swim beside you on wall-length screens, the opposite with LED ceiling panels rotating by means of colourful mosaic patterns, in sharp distinction with black-and-white whale pictures on the wall. Vaguely whale-sounding calls add to the underwater ambiance. One other room has pretend clouds suspended midair and whales painted on the wall, showing mid-flight.

(I later study that is all a part of a short lived exhibition celebrating the work of whale photographer Jang Nam-won.)

Stepping out, guests are guided to take a seat in a darkish room as a video, apparently a creative rendering of the historical past of Seoul and the Lotte World Tower, performs — earlier than the display screen splits into two large panels, slowly lifting like a curtain to disclose the breathtaking view of Seoul by means of floor-to-ceiling home windows.

The observatory spans a number of flooring, with large home windows that enable a sweeping 360-degree view of the metropolis. One can spot the long-lasting N Seoul Tower perched on Namsan mountain, bridges stretching throughout the river, parks and sports activities stadiums and even the rides on the close by Lotte World theme park.

Every flooring presents completely different sights, similar to small cafes on the 119th and 122th flooring. There’s the Sky Deck on the 118th flooring, with a glass flooring that permits you to see all 478 meters (1,568 ft) between your footwear and the road far beneath. There’s the Sky Terrace on the 120th flooring, an out of doors balcony with an ideal view of the winding Han River.

After the suitable quantity of ooh-ing and aah-ing, you lastly attain the lounge on the 123rd flooring.

The restaurant is each spacious and comfortable, with comfortable chairs and lamps on every desk. Home windows make up a whole wall, stretching as much as the excessive ceiling to flood the house with heat gentle throughout sundown. A free viewfinder lets you zoom in on the panorama.

The menu is on the expensive facet by Korean requirements — $28 for a beef stew, $19 for tomato spaghetti and $18 for a Caesar salad — however we took our time, watching the solar dip beneath the horizon, briefly turning the sky fiery orange.

The restaurant additionally presents pizza, sandwiches, steak and appetizers together with a cheese choice.

The view was simply as beautiful at nighttime, the town a grid of sunshine unfold out earlier than us.

Although the 123F Lounge is an ideal spot for a romantic dinner or particular date, there have been additionally households with kids and younger grownup pal teams once we visited. The lounge will also be rented for particular occasions similar to marriage ceremony receptions and product launches.

The Lotte World Tower is situated within the Jamsil neighborhood of Seoul’s southeastern Songpa-gu district. It is open all week, although hours depend upon the day, and is accessible by subway, bus or personal automobile.