You didn’t come to Seoul for the palaces or the shopping — you came because a team named T1 has lifted the Worlds trophy more times than anyone, and you want to walk the same streets as Faker. Your pilgrimage isn’t to a tourist landmark; it’s to a PC bang in Hongdae, an esports arena in Jongno, and the humble restaurants where the roster has (reportedly) gathered for post-match meals.

This is your 2026 T1 & LoL fan pilgrimage guide to Seoul. I’ve split it into official spaces (T1 Base Camp and LoL PARK) and the food spots that fan communities have turned into legend — and I’ve marked what’s confirmed, what’s rumor, and what’s somewhere in between. Every spot has a Naver Map button so you don’t waste time wandering alleys. Let’s go.

At a Glance

  • Two official pilgrimage stops: T1 Base Camp right outside Hongik Univ. Station (PC bang, merch shop, photo zone) and LoL PARK in Jonggak (the LCK arena).
  • Haidilao (hotpot): The only food spot with a direct Faker source — he told MBC he loves "eating hotpot alone." Fans ran with it, and Haidilao became canon.
  • Hwagok-dong "Faker's Shrine": The neighborhood where Faker owns a building. Around Hwagok Bon-dong Market, fans have curated a solid list of local eats.
  • Gangnam Unlimited Ssam: A 24-hour ssam spot that fan circles call a "player restaurant" — but no specific player visits are confirmed.
  • T1 Base Camp does not have players on site day-to-day. Meet-and-greets happen only when announced on official social channels.

T1 Fan Pilgrimage in Seoul: Where to Go

Here’s the thing — it breaks down into four categories. ① T1’s official fan space (Hongdae Base Camp), ② the beating heart of LoL esports, the LCK arena (Jonggak LoL PARK), ③ Faker’s hotpot spot (Haidilao, which he actually mentioned on air) and the Gangnam ssam place that fans swear by, and ④ the Hwagok-dong neighborhood eats around Faker’s building. The table below sorts each spot by what kind of “proof” backs it up.

🎮 T1 & LoL fan pilgrimage spots in Seoul (2026)

#SpotTypeWhy GoAreaSource / Status
1T1 Base Camp HongdaeOfficialT1 PC bang, merch shop, photo zoneHongdaeOfficial · Open
2LoL PARKOfficial (Riot)LCK arena, Bilgewater Café, storeJonggak / JongnoOfficial · Ticket required for matches
3Haidilao SeochoHotpotFaker mentioned “hotpot solo dining” on airGangnam / SeochoPlayer’s own words · Open
4Unlimited Ssam (Gangnam)Player food spot24-hour ssam — fan-famous “player restaurant”Nonhyeon / GangnamFan lore (player visits unconfirmed)
5Hwagok-dong “Faker’s Shrine” eatsNeighborhood pilgrimageJokbal, whole chicken, bossam near Faker’s buildingGangseo / HwagokBuilding ownership reported · Eateries are fan-curated

How I picked these: official T1 and LoL esports spaces come first, then places backed by Faker’s own words or media reports, and finally spots repeatedly mentioned across fan communities. Prices and hours are based on publicly available info — double-check before you go (on-site verification planned).

Stop #1 for T1 Fans — Hongdae T1 Base Camp

1. T1 Base Camp Hongdae — T1’s Official PC Bang & Merch Shop

T1 opened this place in May 2023, and trust me, they went all in. It’s right outside Hongik Univ. Station Exit 1 — literally steps away, in the basement of the Megabox Hongdae building. The 850-square-meter space is drenched in T1’s signature red, white, and black. You’ll find life-size player standees, an official merch shop, a photo booth, and a massive LED screen broadcasting matches. The PC specs are top-tier, so even if you’re just here to game, you’re in good hands.

Here’s what makes it fun for fans: the player-recommended menu. You can order what the pros supposedly eat at the PC bang — Faker’s spicy seafood jjamppong ramyeon, Gumayusi’s bibimmyeon, Oner’s chicken mayo rice bowl. It’s the closest thing to eating like a T1 player without actually being one. That said, players don’t hang out here day-to-day. If you’re hoping for an in-person sighting, check T1’s official socials for event announcements before you show up.

Practical tips: playing LoL on Korean servers requires a Korean account, and the kiosk English menu is limited (staff can help). You can just browse the merch shop or photo zone without using the PCs. 147 Yanghwa-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul (B1) · PC bang open 24 hours / merch shop roughly 10:30–22:00 (confirm before visiting) · PC rate: members ₩2,000/hr, non-members ₩3,000/hr; premium/player rooms ₩14,000/hr · Hongik Univ. Station Exit 1, 1-minute walk 📍 Open in Naver Map

The Heart of LoL — Jonggak LoL PARK (LCK Arena)

2. LoL PARK (CHZZK LoL PARK) — Where LCK Matches Happen

This isn’t a T1-exclusive space, but if you love League of Legends, you can’t skip it. Riot Games built this purpose-made LCK arena across the 3rd and 4th floors of Gran Seoul in Jongno. It seats about 400, and it comes with a Bilgewater-themed café, a PC bang, and an official store. In 2024, Naver’s game streaming platform “CHZZK” signed on as the naming sponsor, so the official name is now CHZZK LoL PARK. This is where T1 and every other LCK team play their matches, and on game days, the crowd energy is electric.

Watching a match here means booking a ticket in advance. Starting in 2025, the LCK season structure changed — there’s now an “LCK Cup” alongside the traditional Spring and Summer splits — so ticket release dates and seating layouts shift by season and match. Keep an eye on official LCK / LoL Esports channels. On non-match days, you can still drop by the Bilgewater Café and store to pick up merch and soak in the atmosphere. Location-wise, it’s dead-center in Jongno, which makes it easy to combine with Gwanghwamun or Insa-dong sightseeing. 33 Jong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul (Gran Seoul) · Roughly 11:00–20:00 (hours vary by match schedule; ticket required for match viewing) · Near Jonggak Station (Line 1), Gwanghwamun Station (Line 5), Euljiro 1-ga Station (Line 2) 📍 Open in Naver Map

Faker & T1 Player Food Spots — Separating Fact from Fan Lore

From here on, we’re stepping away from official T1 spaces. These are restaurants that fan communities have turned into lore — “the players eat here.” The evidence ranges from a player’s own words on broadcast (solid) to fan eyewitness accounts (take with salt). Don’t come expecting to spot Faker at the next table. Come for good food and pilgrimage vibes instead.

3. Haidilao Seocho — The Hotpot Spot Faker Actually Mentioned on Air

This is the only place on this list with a direct player source. Faker told MBC’s Embig News that he enjoys “eating hotpot alone,” and fans have since locked in Haidilao as his hotpot brand of choice. Haidilao is a Chinese-style hotpot (mala shabu-shabu) franchise famous for late-night hours — perfect for pro gamers whose matches run late — and their over-the-top service: if you dine solo, they’ll seat a plushie across from you to keep you company. The Seocho branch sits between Gangnam Station and Sinnonhyeon Station, easy to reach. That said, nobody has confirmed he frequents this specific branch. Go with the mindset of “tasting the hotpot Faker loves” rather than “finding Faker.” Dinner and weekend wait times are notoriously long — get there early or use a queue app. 54 Seocho-daero 77-gil, Seocho-gu, Seoul (2F) · Roughly 10:00–07:00 daily (last order 05:00, confirm before visiting) · Between Gangnam Station and Sinnonhyeon Station · Hotpot per person $$–$$$ 📍 Open in Naver Map

4. Unlimited Ssam (Gangnam) — The 24-Hour “Player Restaurant” of Fan Legend

Near Nonhyeon Station, this 24-hour ssam joint serves up unlimited thin-sliced pork belly and beef brisket alongside 30-some varieties of leafy greens and wraps — solid value for a filling meal any time of day. The late-night hours have made it a fan-favorite “player restaurant,” the kind of place you’d imagine a pro team hitting after a long scrim block. But here’s the honest truth: no specific T1 player visit has ever been officially confirmed. Treat it as a solid late-night food stop in Gangnam with pilgrimage ambiance. The all-you-can-eat refill style makes it perfect for a post-match meal after LoL PARK or a long Gangnam day. 23-10 Gangnam-daero 93-gil, Seocho-gu, Seoul · 24 hours (confirm before visiting) · Nonhyeon Station (Line 7 / Shinbundang Line) Exit 8, about a 4-minute walk · Budget $$ 📍 Open in Naver Map

Faker’s “Shrine” — Hwagok-dong Building & Neighborhood Eats

This one isn’t directly tied to T1 as a team, but it’s the neighborhood most concretely linked to Faker personally. Media reports have confirmed that a building near Hwagok Bon-dong Market in Gangseo-gu is owned by Faker (Lee Sang-hyeok). Fans have since dubbed Hwagok-dong “Faker’s Shrine” and curated a list of neighborhood restaurants around it. To be clear: these are good local eateries near Faker’s building, not places he’s confirmed to visit. Think of it as a two-for-one — pilgrimage atmosphere plus authentic, off-the-tourist-radar Seoul neighborhood food. For international visitors, Hwagok-dong itself is a draw: real, unpolished local Seoul.

5. Hwagok Yeongyang Jokbal — The Legendary Jokbal Spot on the Way to “Faker’s Building”

Near Hwagok Bon-dong Market and the building reportedly owned by Faker, this jokbal (braised pig’s trotters) joint is a neighborhood institution. They serve thick-cut fresh jokbal generously coated in sesame powder, braised with over ten medicinal herbs and aged syrup for deep, savory flavor. Fans consistently name this the starting point for their “Faker’s Shrine” pilgrimage route. 48 Chorokmaeul-ro 2-gil, Gangseo-gu, Seoul (1F) · Confirm hours before visiting · Walking distance from Hwagok Station 📍 Open in Naver Map

6. Heracles — Charcoal-Grilled Whole Chicken, a Local Favorite

Hwagok-dong locals will tell you this is one of the neighborhood’s real gems — a charcoal-grilled whole chicken spot. Smoky, juicy chicken paired with sides like tteokbokki, all at a price that won’t hurt. It’s a nice change of pace from the jokbal-heavy pilgrimage route. 107-5 Hwagok-dong, Gangseo-gu, Seoul · Confirm hours before visiting · Near Hwagok Station 📍 Open in Naver Map

7. Manbae Arirang Bossam — Tender Pork Bossam + Seafood Kalguksu

Instead of the usual pork belly, this place uses gabrisal (pork jowl) for a more tender bossam. Order the bossam and they’ll pair it with a steaming bowl of seafood kalguksu (hand-cut noodle soup) — a hearty combo that makes it the ideal main-meal stop if you’re exploring Hwagok-dong with a group. 24 Hwagok-ro 18-gil, Gangseo-gu, Seoul (Gangseo New Tower 1F) · Confirm hours before visiting · Near Hwagok Station 📍 Open in Naver Map

How to Plan Your T1 Pilgrimage Route in Seoul

These spots are scattered across three neighborhoods — Hongdae (Mapo), Jonggak (Jongno), and Gangnam (Seocho) — so you’ll want to plan your route smartly if you’re tackling them in a single day. Here’s the flow that works best:

Start your day at LoL PARK in Jonggak. It’s close to Gwanghwamun and Jongno sightseeing spots, so it fits naturally into a morning itinerary. If there’s a match that day, book tickets for the afternoon or evening slot. No match? Browse the café and store, then move on. Next, head down to Gangnam for a late lunch or dinner at Haidilao or Unlimited Ssam (factor in wait times). Finish at T1 Base Camp in Hongdae — browse the merch shop, hit the photo zone, and wrap up with some games at the PC bang. Base Camp is open 24 hours, so you can go as late as you like.

If watching a match is your main goal, build your entire itinerary around the LoL PARK match schedule. Tickets often sell out early, so be ready when they drop.

Hwagok-dong “Faker’s Shrine” is out west in Gangseo-gu, away from the Gangnam–Jonggak axis. Since it’s on the same side of the city as Hongdae (Mapo), passionate fans can pair it with their Hongdae day — hit Hwagok in the morning or afternoon, then head to Hongdae. Or carve out a separate half-day local food tour.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What are the must-visit T1 and LoL fan spots in Seoul? Two official spaces form the core: T1 Base Camp right outside Hongik Univ. Station (PC bang and merch shop) and LoL PARK in Jonggak (the LCK arena). Add Haidilao Seocho and Gangnam Unlimited Ssam — the two “player food spots” — and you’ve got a solid one-day route.

Q. Can I see T1 players at Base Camp? Not on ordinary days. It runs as a PC bang, merch shop, and photo zone. Player visits and fan events only happen when announced on official social channels. Check @t1basecamp_hongdae and T1’s accounts for schedules.

Q. Does Faker really go to Haidilao and Unlimited Ssam? Haidilao has a real source — Faker said in an MBC Embig News interview that he loves “eating hotpot alone.” That said, regular visits to any specific branch remain unconfirmed. Unlimited Ssam is purely fan-lore level (“players go there”), with no official confirmation of any player visits.

Q. Does Faker own a building in Hwagok-dong? Yes — media outlets have reported that a building near Hwagok Bon-dong Market in Gangseo-gu is owned by Faker. That’s why fans call the neighborhood “Faker’s Shrine” and curate local restaurant lists around it. Out of respect for his privacy, the exact address is not disclosed.

Q. How do I watch an LCK match at LoL PARK? Book a ticket for match day. Schedules and seating vary by season, so check the official LCK / LoL Esports channels. On non-match days, the café and store are still accessible.

Q. Can I use Google Maps? Naver Map is far more accurate in Korea. Search place names in Korean, or just use the Naver Map buttons throughout this guide.

Sources

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