Korea Part II: Food for Seoul
Hola! So this is the continuation of my Korea trip. Checked out from Busan and here we go explore into the heart of Seoul, where all the shopping and eating takes place!
DAY 5
Back at Seoul station via KTX (check on my previous post on which passes we got for ourselves), and again took jumbo taxi to check into Chungmuro Residence & Hotel
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| Chungmuro Residence & Hotel - boutique stay |
Where we stayed:
Chungmuro Residence & Hotel - check it out here
Address: 245, Toegye-ro, Jung-gu, Myeong-dong,
Seoul, South Korea 04559
Phone: +82-2-2273-3191 / 3192
The day was getting late, so we just had some slow strolls along Myeongdong Street to have some street food, and early dinner before going for the Nanta Show. It was very entertaining and made us laughed and clapped throughout the entire show.
I chose the "S seating" for our family - which the ticket usually costs about RM 150. However, during the winter promotion from Klook (a travel app available in both iPhone and android), I got it for RM96 per ticket, as well as redeemed free face masks through this Klook voucher (collaboration between Klook and Shinsegae Departmental Store) at the counter upon arrival at Myeongdong Theater. Just be sure to to arrive at the theater slightly earlier to get tickets for the show by showing either printed or mobile voucher.
Getting Here: From Chungmuro station --> Myeong Dong station, take exit 6
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| Clockwise from top left: Spicy tteokboki w chicken, pan grilled mandu, gyeranbbang (egg bread) Baby boy though' looking very tired here but very happy w his giant ice cream |
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| Dakgalbi (spicy stir-fried chicken) for dinner @ Yoogane - before the last few bites, request a rice to be mixed in! |
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| Nanta show - an entertaining non-verbal show using kitchen utensils |
Hassle-free day cause' today's arrangement were all bought from Klook. Today we ventured out from Seoul city to Petit France and Nami Island.
Price: RM 157 (adult); RM142 (child 3-12)
How To: Tour bus departing from Myeongdong station Exit 2 (in front of Hotel Prince) -- Look for banner / staff wearing the name tag (K Tourstory); May present mobile voucher
A sunny hot day packed w crowd at the Island, but we had a very good time taking beautiful autumn photos. Visuals as follows
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| W the Little Prince |
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| In love w the autumn colors 🍁🍂 |
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| Ginkgo tree |
The day was well spent at Nami Island, and we returned to Dongdaemun for dinner. Again, dinner voucher was bought from Klook. I got us 2 medium platter of spiced pig's trotter at Man Jok Oh Hyang Jokbal (one of the top 3 jokbal places in Seoul) for the price of RM 256. The meal was satisfying to everyone, even for sis-in-law who doesn't really eat pork. The meat was properly marinated and cooked with soy sauce and lots of spice to our liking.
Getting Here: Take subway line 2 to Dongdaemun Historical & Cultural Park station, take exit 13
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| We ordered an extra spicy naengmyeon (korean cold noodles) and mandu soup to go w the spiced and spicy pork trotters |
Man Jok Oh Hyang Jokbal
Address (Dongdaemun Branch): 18-77, Euljiro 6, Jung-gu, Seoul
(서울시중구을지로6가 18-77）
Opening Hours: 4:00pm - 2:00am
DAY 7
Back on track w the subway, we explored Seoul slightly more. Woke up early morning so that we can grab breakfast before visiting the famous Ewha Women's University.
Back on track w the subway, we explored Seoul slightly more. Woke up early morning so that we can grab breakfast before visiting the famous Ewha Women's University.
Getting Here: Take subway line 2 to Ewha Women's University station, take exit 2
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| Ahjumma diligently making our toasts |
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| Hearty toast |
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| Messy hair don't care |
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| Now my FB profile photo, heh 😜 |
Next, I purposely brought parents and sis on a detour to Sinsa for lunch for the famous ganjang gejang (raw crab marinated in soy sauce). Before the trip, I've been looking up for good restaurants and this Pro Ganjang Gejang Restaurant in Sinsa came up many times in those searches. However, there are a few more restaurants at Ganjang Alley.
I still drool for those heavenly crabs as I'm typing this away. Daddy was the happiest as he said this is his best meal at Korea. Though' the crabs weren't exactly cheap, but this is definitely a must try when you're at Korea. No regrets at all taking all the effort to reach here for this scrumptious lunch.
Getting Here: Take subway line 3 to Sinsa station, take exit 4. Walk straight for about 20 meters and take a right. Walk for about 80 meters and you should see the beginning of Ganjang Alley.
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| Pro Ganjang Gejang - marked as (A) in the map above |
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| Look at all the goodness |
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| Order a crab roe rice and savor all the goodness / make your owm version by stuffing plain rice into the roe-filled shell |
Next, off we go to Insadong and reunite w bro, sis-in-law and baby boy. Insadong is a place rich with culture and unique tea houses, painting / art galleries, temples, and museums. All the oldest structures can be found here, and if you appreciate traditional buildings like the oldest post office or korean themed Starbucks, this is the place you should go for.
Getting Here: Take subway line 3 to Anguk station, take exit 6. Walk about 100 meters and turn left.
Getting Here: Take subway line 3 to Anguk station, take exit 6. Walk about 100 meters and turn left.
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| Jogyesa Temple |
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| Ujeongchongguk (First central post office at Korea) |
Too bad we went to the post office on a Sunday (it was closed), hence we didn't get to see the inside of it nor I am able to send postcards back home from there. However, later on I found a tiny shop run by a pair of elderly who sell stamps and I got to drop some of my postcards at the red box located just outside their shop.
After spending few good hours at Insadong, we head over to N-Seoul Tower. In order to save time, we grabbed a taxi. Bought tower tickets through Klook.
Price: RM 25 (adult); RM21 (child 3-12) - Observatory only. Check out the other combo from Klook.
N Seoul Tower was fascinating and the view from top took my breath away. Very happy w the whole experience except that I almost froze in my Minnie hoodie dress (it was only about 10-12 degrees at night). Said goodnight to Day 7 w supper at Better & Happier Choice chicken chain before going back to the hotel to unwind the rest of the night.
DAY 8 |
| Told you, my family developed big love for this ssiat-hotteok (but the best stayed at Busan) |
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| 스타벅스 인사점 (Starbucks) written in Hangul |
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| Not leaving until I get myself a cuppa |
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| Gung's specialty - Kaseong style north korean mandu (dumplings). History of 30 years. |
Price: RM 25 (adult); RM21 (child 3-12) - Observatory only. Check out the other combo from Klook.
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| Dinner fixed at N burger, N Seoul Tower |
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| N Seoul Tower |
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| Love locks 💌 |
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| View from the top |
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| Got a lil' souvenir for myself |
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| BHC |
Today is last day of Korea trip (pocket money is finishing from all the shopping :p) hence it's best to spend the day sight-seeing and knowing some Korea cultures. Woke up early to get to Gyeongbokgung Palace to get the palace tickets, as well as to catch the changing guard performance.
Admission Fees: 3,000 won / Groups of ≥10 people 2,400 won (adult ages 19-64)
1,500 won / Groups of ≥10 people 1,200 won (children 7-18)
Royal Guard-Changing Ceremony Performance Times: 10:00-15:00 (6 times a day / on the hour) all year round, except on Tuesdays.
After watching the performance, we went in search for a nearby breakie at Gwanghwamun Square.
Parents were getting very tired from walking during this whole trip, hence they didn't join entering the palace w sister and I. We had an hour and a half to explore the whole palace before joining them for lunch. We never really thought we could make it till' the end, but we did! Talk bout' speed walking 😓
After exploring the hugeeeee palace, we were worn out and starving. Met the rest of the family at the entrance of palace, and walked to the famous lunch of samgyetang at Tosokchan. You wouldn't really miss the place cause' there's always a large crowd standing outside the restaurant queueing. However, turnover rate was quite fast so we didn't waited for too long. The kimchi was awesome, and they sell it in bottles and ready-packed for check-in. I stupidly left the bottle in my hand-carry (totally forgoteen to transfer it into my big luggage), hence I gotta leave this kimchi at the airport 😭
Getting here: From Gyeongbokgung Palace main entrance, walk 1 block along Sajik-ro street to your right then turn right to Jahamun-ro street and walk some few meters then turn left to Jahamun-ro 5-gil street
1,500 won / Groups of ≥10 people 1,200 won (children 7-18)
Royal Guard-Changing Ceremony Performance Times: 10:00-15:00 (6 times a day / on the hour) all year round, except on Tuesdays.
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| Guard changing time |
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| Found a local small shop which serves really good ramen & kimbap |
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| Gwanghwamun Square |
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| Gyeongbukgung Palace |
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| Beautiful autumn |
After exploring the hugeeeee palace, we were worn out and starving. Met the rest of the family at the entrance of palace, and walked to the famous lunch of samgyetang at Tosokchan. You wouldn't really miss the place cause' there's always a large crowd standing outside the restaurant queueing. However, turnover rate was quite fast so we didn't waited for too long. The kimchi was awesome, and they sell it in bottles and ready-packed for check-in. I stupidly left the bottle in my hand-carry (totally forgoteen to transfer it into my big luggage), hence I gotta leave this kimchi at the airport 😭
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| Proper way to savour the goodness of the chicken |
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| L: Samgyetang R: Pajeon (korean pancake) |
After a hearty lunch, we were ready to get on our feet again. Walked all the way to Bukchon Hanok Village - korean traditional village, and coincidentally sister and I got our way lost (we separated from the rest of the family who didn't wanna go up the steepy road at Bukchon Hanok Village) and ended up at Samcheondong.
That was the last of our Korea trip, and went back to Myeongdong for our last dinner before packing stuffing all those buyings into the luggage.
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| Bukchon Hanok Village |
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| Samcheondong |
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| Samcheondong |
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| Final dinn - James Cheese Back Ribs |
DAY 9
Time to be back home, and I kinda miss my own bed already.
Time to be back home, and I kinda miss my own bed already.
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| Enjoying my window seat at its best |
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| This can easily lasts me for 2 years 💸💸 |
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