16 Things that I Do in Seoul, Korea! I'm so sad this has come to an end~

My final take on Korea post is coming to an end, and it was fun to discover Busan, Jeju and Seoul for a whole week. I'm pretty sure I will go back and dig dipper! Just let me know which are that I should dig up next in the comment down below. 😆

Check out this post on how to wear Hanbok in Seoul for Free!

01. EID 이드 Halal Korean Food 🥘

Right after we put our bag at our Airbnb, we are only craving for food! From Yeoshinnae to Itaewon, we get to discover authentic Korean food at Eid. By the way, Eid has been serving their homemade food to Muslim since 2014 (excellent!). 

The time that we went to Korea is during summer transition to autumn, so I ordered some Samgyetang to cool down and Bulgogi for some meaty meal. 

As you all might now Itaewon is a Muslim community hub, so this little cosy restaurant is located near Seoul Central Mosque, and it's pretty easy to look out for Halal food here.

INFORMATION:

ℹ️ Eid Halal Korean Food

📍 67 Usadan-ro, 10-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea.

🕰 Open Tuesday - Sunday (11.30 - 21.00), Closed on Monday.
💸 Samgyetang (KRW12,000) & Bulgogi (KRW10,000)
🚆 A 40-minute train ride from Yeoshinnae Station.

If you see this red board, you have come to the right place. 

Eid banchan comes with every meal.

Bulgogi.

Samgyetang.

02. Namsan Seoul Tower (남산서울타워)  💸 

There was an interesting story I want to tell you about my journey to Namsan Tower, we walk from the beginning to the top of the tower. I won't lie that it is very tiring, and I personally felt dumb and half regret of that decision. Why half disappointment? Because the view all the way up there are just remarkable plus it's indeed calming and cold to walk. 

I felt like Namsan Tower is a must visit even you didn't go up to the observatory. We apparently didn't do that, and we just walk around the tower to see the city view and the love locks. In the end, we took the bus from the tower to Myeongdong station. 

INFORMATION:

ℹ️ Namsan Seoul Tower 

📍 105, Namsangongwon-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul.

🕰 Open all year round.
💸 None, because I didn't visit the observatory.
🚆 A 30-minute train ride and walk from Itaewon Station.

Our challenge to climb to the Namsan Tower begins here.

Love locks are full at tower area.

This is the view from the above.

Love sign to all the readers!

Namsan Tower!

03. Myeong-dong (명동) 💸 

A place that we went for three night when we visit Seoul. I love this street, not just because of all the beauty shop around here, because of the food and a very calm nightlife.

It's inevitable to shop around here - clothes, Banana Uyu and K-pop merchandises. Oh my oh my, Myeongdong underground station is heaven for K-pop merchandise! I bought a Gong Yoo calendar, ONE, Winner and South Club album! For beauty, I can't list all of them (because it's a lot), but it's fun to shop and open order to others as well.

INFORMATION:

ℹ️ Myeong-dong Station.

📍 Myeongdong-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul.

🕰 Open all year round.
💸 Can't list it because I don't want to remember the damage that I have done.
🚆 A 14-minute walk from Myeong-dong Station.

Located inside Myeong-dong station.

Love this area!

Ppogi (Old-fashion sugar candy) at the street.

04. Bukchon Hanok Village (북촌한옥마을) 📸 

'Hanok' - a home to traditional houses and still a housing area to lots of local. There is a sign that showed while you walking like 'This is a residential area. Please talk quietly', and we need to respect that.

It will take almost three hours to walk around the area, but I make it simple as I can as I know what to do or visit there: food - Grandhand - watch people in hanbok. So, first, we get our lunch at 항금알식당 (eat at your own risk, please check with Halal Korea for more information). It's a bit hidden at the alley, but I'm pretty sure you can spot it if you are from the station and saw this picture. 

At Grandhand, my mom bought me a multi-perfume called 'Marine Vacth' - a mixture of pear, mandarin, rose, lily and toffee. Clearly, I still have it with me, and the smell is just like a fresh and clean sea breeze. Regarding the hanbok, there are tons of rent shop of the traditional Korea clothes, if you want to try you may, but scroll more, and you will spot a tip for free hanbok.

INFORMATION:

ℹ️ Bukchon Hanok Village

📍 37, Gyedong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul.

🕰 Open all year round.
💸 Korean lunch box (KRW4,000) & Grandhand 150ml (KRW30,000)
🚆 A 29-minute train ride and walk from Anguk Station.

The architecture in Bukchon village area just mesmerising!

항금알식당

Really excellent customer experience at Grandhand!

Hanbok journey starts from this village to the palace.

Wearing comfortable clothes during travelling is a plus!

05. National Folk Museum of Korea (국립민속박물관)📸 

For me, this is a place to rest after walking through a mountain of Bukchon Hanok Village. There is a lot of people since it's also located beside Gyeongbokgung Palace and it's a new discovery. 

I visit the museum out of curiosity. The National Folk Museum of Korea has three permanent exhibitions and two special exhibitions as well as a library, souvenir shop, and other subsidiary facilities.

INFORMATION:

ℹ️ National Folk Museum of Korea.

📍 37, Samcheong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul.

🕰 Operating hours may vary.
💸 Free to the museum, the fee may vary for some of the spots.
🚆 A 14-minute train ride and walk from Anguk Station.

The entrance of the museum.

The museum area is actually the same area as the palace.

One of the exhibitions that attract me.

The rest area for the ladies and for me too, and this is where I lost my T-money card.

06. Gyeongbokgung Palace (경복궁) 📸 

If you are just out from the museum, go straight to Gyeongbokgung Palace. Especially if you are there from 10:00 to 14:00 except on Tuesdays because you will witness royal guard ceremonies, something that you cannot miss!

Another thing to take note is if you want to go inside of the palace you need to pay the entrance fee but, there is a trick, visit them during last Wednesday every month, and you will get free admission since it's their culture day! 

INFORMATION:

ℹ️ Gyeongbokgung Palace.

📍 161, Sajik-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul.

🕰 Operating hours may vary.
💸 Adults (ages 19-64): 3,000 won / Groups (10 people or more): 2,400 won
Children (ages 7-18): 1,500 won / Groups (10 people or more): 1,200 won
🚆 A 2-minute walk from the National Folk Museum of Korea.

This palace is so beautiful.

Another up-close photo of the palace.

This palace is crowded! Do you know if you wear hanbok, you can enter this for free? Yes, it is.

07. K-Style Hub (케이스타일허브) 📸 

This hub is more than just an information centre, and this is where you can experience hanbok once in your lifetime for free. Go straight to level 5 and start to immerse yourself in their traditional clothes. The best part is you can experience the hanbok outside of the hub for one hour after you submit your ID. 

Love the experience, tons of choice to choose from, and it's astonishing to see the staff put it on to us. After hanbok, it's time to meet one of my favourite Korean band, Big Bang, virtually of course! 

INFORMATION:

ℹ️ K-Style Hub

📍 40, Cheonggyecheon-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul

🕰 Open all year round.
💸 Hanbok experience is free. 
🚆 A 2-minute walk from Euljiro 1-ga Station.

Go straight to Level 5.

A wide range of hanbok choices.

A sweet moment with hanbok.

Family photos.

One with the legend, Big Bang.

08. Cheonggyecheon Stream (청계천) 📸 

A sun just shining at the stream when I walk along it. The hot weather than run through me this morning was forgotten because the stream cooling me down! There is a meaning about the Narae Bridge as it represents a butterfly in flight, and Gwanggyo Bridge, symbolising a harmony of the past and future.

The stream is near K-Style Hub and other attraction as well like Deoksugung Palace, Seoul Palace, the Sejong Center, Insa-dong Street, Changdeokgung Palace, and Channggyeonggung Palace.

Recommended to take a break in the middle of the city and just enjoy the cold water while dipping your foot inside the stream.

INFORMATION:

ℹ️ Cheonggyecheon Stream

📍 Taepyeong-ro 1-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul

🕰 24 hours.
💸 Free.
🚆 A 4-minute walk from Cheonggye 1-ga Gwanggyo.

Beautiful stream.

View from the above

A rest at the stream.

See that lighting, awesome!

Recommended for you to visit!

09. Gwanghwamun Square (광화문광장)  📸 

You will see a father of hangeul statue (King Sejong the Great) at the centre of the square space, and behind it, you can see Gwanghamun Palace and Bukaksan Mountain. Beautiful scenery especially when I visit during a golden hour, something that it worth to staring and mesmerised.

But, along the way I encountered a fascinating thing - biggest rally I have seen so far, to respect them, I would not show the picture here especially I don't know what it is all about.

INFORMATION:

ℹ️ Gwanghwamun Square

📍 172, Sejong-daero, Jongno-gu, Seoul.

🕰 Open all year round.
💸 Free.
🚆 A 2-minute walk from Sejong Center for the Performing Arts.

You can see someone in the rally and a mountain.

Another palace to visit. 

10. Siti Sarah 🥘 

After walking around the Gwanghamun Square area, we just want to get some dinner, and we are craving for another Halal Korean Food, but when we arrived here of 26 August 2017, they said the Korean chef isn't available, so we stuck with a smaller choice.

I ordered the fried catfish with rice, sambal and some veggie. The food was okay, enough to fill myself and still left my space for Hongdae, in case there will be street food. 

INFORMATION:

ℹ️ Siti Sarah

📍 7, Usadan-ro 10-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul 04405 South Korea.

🕰 Monday - Sunday, 10:00 to 02:00.
💸 KRW9,000 (Fried Catfish).
🚆 A 3-minute walk from Itaewon Fire House. 

Located in the Itaewon area. 

Fried Catfish aka Lele penyet.

11. Hongdae (Hongik University Street) (홍대) 📸 

The main reason that I wanted to visit this area is that I want to witness local dancing and singing. A good time and very crowded usually during night time, there are also tons of store for socks, shoes and clothes. The price I think was okay, but you just need to know what are you planning to buy. 

We just walk around the area and chilling. The vibe was a bit different from Myeong-dong. I would say my taste it more towards beauty shopping, but definitely planning to come here soon for cafe hopping. 

INFORMATION:

ℹ️ Hongdae.

📍 Hongik-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul.

🕰 Open all year round.

💸 None.

🚆 A 5-minute walk from Hongik University Station (Exit 9).

Another socks shop.

All of them in Hongdae are just talented! 

I didn't remember what song they dancing to, but it's excellent.

12. Ewha Woman's University (이화여자대학교)  📸 

A college area which you can expect the shopping area will be much cheaper, according to my mom and I agree with the statement. It was tempting to see tons of beauty shop and YG shop around Ehwa and we kind of shop a lot at this area.

But, I was looking forward to visiting the university tunnel area. It's a really famous spot for photos, and it's open to the public. All you need to do is just respect the university area, who know there are classes runs through that time you are visiting.

INFORMATION:

ℹ️ Ehwa University.

📍 The address will be given after booking.

🕰 Check in from 2.00 PM until midnight.

💸 RM734.36 for 4 nights.

🚆 A 1-minute walk from Ehwa Woman's University Station.

So many socks shop in Ehwa Woman's University area!

Here is come our main attention.

Beautiful architecture.

Can I study at this university?

13. Gwangjang Market (광장시장)🥘

Food. This is the heaven for that field but take note there aren't any Halal certificate area which eats at your own risk. I look around, and there are Sikhye (Korean sweet rice drink), vegetable pancake (Nokdu-jeon) and kimbap. I really like Sikhye especially during the hot day, it's refreshing!

I was just about to show mom the second floor of the market which is filled with silk, satin, and linen bed-sheet stores but it closed on Sunday, so yeah, maybe next time.

INFORMATION:

ℹ️ Gwangjang Market.

📍 88, Changgyeonggung-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul.

🕰 General stores 08:30-18:00 | Restaurants 08:30-23:00 | Clothing stores 21:00-10:00 (Next day) | Closed on Sundays.

💸 KRW1,000 (Sikhye).

🚆 A  7-minute walk from Jongno 5-ga station.

Sikhye for KRW 1,000

Recommend you to visit this store to buy some souvenir.

The popular market in Seoul.

Mung-bean pancake!

14. Dongdaemun Design Plaza (동대문디자인플라자 (DDP)) 📸 

DDP is a famous spot during Korea Fashion Week, you can see lots of fashionistas if you are there during the week. For me, I'm freer to walk around the area, discovered the KAKAO FRIENDS store and Yellow Cafe (Banana-Uyu cafe).

There aren't many things to do here in my opinion, but there area some art hall, museum and Dongdaemun plaza that you can explore. For me, I just visit Myeong-dong back one more time.

INFORMATION:

ℹ️ Dongdaemun Plaza

📍 281, Eulji-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul.

🕰 Tuesday-Sunday 10:00-19:00 * Closed Monday.

💸 None.

🚆 A 5-minute walk from Gwangjang Market.

DDP is where a place for a fashionista!

Very modern architecture. 

One with Ryan!

Yellow Cafe is located near DDP.

15. Namiseom Island (남이섬) 📸 

There are so many things to talk about this Island! I love it and the adventure to get there is just surreal. From train to ferry to cycling, the mode of transportation is pretty impressive here in Nami Island. But, throughout the day, I felt calm, and it's a sweet escape from the city, and that's really important when I travel.

I was planning to hop on the zip wire initially before going for the ferry, but since there are a lot of people, I move to our plan B. Our journey starts with the ship to Youn ga ji ga (dosirak) to just walk around the area. It was pretty impressive when I know that you can stay there since there are cottages for rent.

You can also discover Petite France and Gangchon Railbike if you have time, but we didn't so we go back to Myeong-dong for our last dinner at Seoul.

INFORMATION:

ℹ️ Namiseom Island.

📍 1, Namiseom-gil, Chuncheon-si, Gangwon-do.

🕰 [Ferry Schedule] 07:30-09:00 (30 minute intervals) | 09:00-18:00 (10-20 minute intervals) |18:00-21:40 (30 minute intervals).

💸 Didn't calculated.

🚆 A 2-hour train ride and ferry from Yeoshinnae Station.

I think this is the only ferry to Nami Island.

Bagaikan siang tiada mentari~

Peek-a-boo!

So many pictures can take on the Island! 

Take a stroll around the area with a bike!

16. Busan Jib Restaurant 🥘

Finally, a sad/happy ending has come to an end. Our last night at Seoul needs to end something related to Malaysian food. We overate seafood during Jeju Island trip, and we want some meat or to be exact Malaysian food. Clearly, Busan Jib Restaurant is a perfect way to end this trip.

It was said that their restaurant has Halal Korean and Malaysian food and there is a wide range of food choice and space are quite comfortable for location in Myeong-dong. The food is okay, not that as spicy as I was expected, really recommend for you to grab some food at Busan Jib restaurant.

INFORMATION:

ℹ️ Busan Jib Restaurant.

📍 11-4 Myeongdong 8-gil, Myeongdong 2(i)-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea.

🕰 Every day, from 11:00 to 22:00.

💸 KRW10,000 for Nasi Goreng Daging, KRW30,000 for Sotong Chili.

🚆 A 14-minute walk from Myeong-dong Station.

The staff is amiable.

The menu of Busan Jib.

My RM30 Nasi Goreng Daging.

Sotong Chili isn't that spicy as I'd expected.

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This is my last post on Korea, it's sad, but I'm happy to be able to finish up the post and hopefully I'll be back again to discover more side on the country. By the way, let me know if you want me to share my itinerary and I might need to find a way to post it here. See you again! Lot's of travel post coming up soon.

DISCLAIMER:

This trip is not sponsored by any entities, I went with my mom and younger brother from
25 August to 29 August 2017. 
Either sponsored or not, the write-up will be 100% my personal opinion. 
Btw, this post may contain affiliate links, so make sure 
to check DISCLOSURE for more info.

One with the love locks.

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