Lounge Review: Asiana Business Lounge (Terminal 1) - Incheon International Airport (ICN)

When I departed from Incheon International Airport (ICN) back in April 2023, the Singapore Airlines SilverKris Lounge has not yet reopened, but at the time of writing, the SilverKris Lounge in ICN has officially reopened (since 05 June 2023). As I was traveling in Business Class, I was told to use the Asiana Business Lounge in Terminal 1 instead. Before proceeding there, I went to the Internal Tax Refund desk which is located near Gate 28 to get some of my tax refund processed and truth be told, I found the entire process to be fairly confusing. While I did eventually receive the tax refund in my nominated credit card account, the entire procedure should really be simplified for tourists.

Entrance
Asiana Business Lounge (Terminal 1) - Incheon International Airport (ICN)

There are apparently three different Asiana Business Lounges here in Terminal 1 but I went to the one located on Level 4 near Gate 26 (since it was the closest to the boarding gate). In order to gain entry into the Asiana Business Lounge while flying on Singapore Airlines, you will need to either travel in a premium cabin (Business Class and First Class) or have at least KrisFlyer Gold Elite (equivalent to Star Alliance Gold) status if you are flying in Economy Class. If you have the right boarding pass, you can scan your boarding pass at the auto-gate to gain access.

Work Desk
Asiana Business Lounge (Terminal 1) - Incheon International Airport (ICN)

Nearest to the entrance of the lounge is a small working area where you will find high tables which are suitable for those who prefer to stand while working as well. Power outlets are readily available and to be honest, the bar is located directly behind so it is easy to balance out work and play if you would like to do so.

Individual Pods
Asiana Business Lounge (Terminal 1) - Incheon International Airport (ICN)

The lounge is made up of different areas and you will find the dining room located towards the end. Unfortunately, the food offerings in the Asiana Business Lounge are pretty weak and I noticed this even before seeing the buffet spread as I realised that a lot of passengers were actually snacking on cup noodles instead of actual food while I was walking in.

Bar Area
Asiana Business Lounge (Terminal 1) - Incheon International Airport (ICN)

While I have heard good things about the SilverKris Lounge in ICN, I have not actually seen it in person yet but the Asiana Business Lounge looks really nice with plenty of natural daylight as well as a clean and modern design. The bar area is located near the front of the lounge (which is great!) with round tables that facilitate small group settings.

Alcoholic Drinks
Asiana Business Lounge (Terminal 1) - Incheon International Airport (ICN)

There is a small and basic selection of spirits on offer here at the Asiana Business Lounge so you won’t be able to put together a complex cocktail here even if you tried but I tried the Hwajo 41 (a premium Korean soju) at the lounge and fell in love with it. I am not sure whether drinking an entire week’s worth of cheap soju made the difference but I thought that the Hwajo 41 has a really like fragrance with a good structure - best enjoyed on the rocks!

Wines
Asiana Business Lounge (Terminal 1) - Incheon International Airport (ICN)

For me personally, the wines on offer were pretty unexciting and I typically stray away from Chilean wines so I did not bother trying any of it. There is no sparkling wine available in case anyone was wondering.

If you are looking for something to snack on while sipping on your drink, there is a small snack section located right next to the bar. Snacks like pretzels and sweets can be found here but if you are craving for something a little more substantial, you will have to head to the main buffet area instead.

Self-Service Buffet Spread
Asiana Business Lounge (Terminal 1) - Incheon International Airport (ICN)

The food section of the Asiana Business Lounge is located right at the end of the lounge which is pretty atypical where airport lounges are concerned. The food options are severely limited (despite visiting it in the evening) with only a handful of hot dishes on offer. There is also a small non-alcoholic beverage station here for those looking for juices and carbonated soft drinks.

Instant Noodles
Asiana Business Lounge (Terminal 1) - Incheon International Airport (ICN)

Honestly, the only thing that caught my eye in the entire self-service buffet area was the instant noodles on the side. As mentioned earlier, I also noticed quite a number of travellers snacking on cup noodles while walking through the lounge - I had initially thought it was a preference but after seeing the food options, I can understand why this is a popular choice.

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If you are not looking for hot food, there is a small salad section which looks surprisingly decent but I was not craving for anything like that on vacation.

Dining Area
Asiana Business Lounge (Terminal 1) - Incheon International Airport (ICN)

The Asiana Business Lounge has a dedicated dining area which is fantastic since the dining tables and seats make sense - there is nothing more annoying than having to eat from a coffee table right next to a plush sofa seat.

Food
Asiana Business Lounge (Terminal 1) - Incheon International Airport (ICN)

We may be spoilt here in this part of the world but I was honestly a little bit underwhelmed by the quality and variety of food here. I ended up snacking on some food and also had a really good draft beer on the side.

Universal Power Outlets
Asiana Business Lounge (Terminal 1) - Incheon International Airport (ICN)

I also took the opportunity to charge up my mobile devices while I was here - most of the seats have a universal power outlet and/or USB charging port located near it so this is fantastic as it meets the needs of a modern traveller.

Interiors
Asiana Business Lounge (Terminal 1) - Incheon International Airport (ICN)

The Asiana Business Lounge at Incheon International Airport (ICN) is a beautiful lounge to spend a bit of time in if you have a layover but I would not be visiting it again on my next visit (especially since the SilverKris Lounge has reopened).