marlalacatDiscover more essentials about South Korea including capital, population, languages, and travel practicalities.
Kamsahamnida, Seoul!
Seoul, Hwado, Chuncheon
Getting here was quite the journey, but it's hard to not fall in love with South Korea's famous capital after 5 days of non-stop walking, exploring, shopping, and eating. I know I'd go back to you in a heartbeat, Seoul ❤️✨🇰🇷
Updated 3 years ago
2Gwangjang Market was an absolute jungle but it's definitely something you wouldn't want to miss when you're in Seoul. Forgive the lack of photos, but I got so overwhelmed with the chaos that I wasn't able to take proper snaps of the place. I just kept walking 😅 We were able to try Yoonsun Cho's famous knife-cut noodles and her meat and kimchi dumplings. If you saw the Seoul episode of Netflix's Street Food series, you'd know exactly who she is. Another Gwangjang Market staple: mung bean pancakes. We actually skipped these because by the time we spotted them, we were already too full. Oh well, more reason to come back!
- +82 2 2267 0291
88 Changgyeonggung-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea
서울특별시 종로구 창경궁로 88- http://www.kwangjangmarket.co.kr/en/
3The main royal palace of the Joseon Dynasty. I was mindblown with the landscape and architecture of Gyeongbokgung! Paul loves visiting these kinds of landmarks and despite the long walks under the sun, it was all worth it.
- +82 2 3700 3900
161 Sajik-ro, Sejongno, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea
서울특별시 종로구 사직로 161 (세종로)- http://www.royalpalace.go.kr
5Almost every single Seoul vlog I've watched on YouTube mentioned Myeong-dong, a prime location in Seoul known for its endless stream of cosmetics shops, clothing stores, and street food kiosks. I went CRAAAZY here during our first visit and it was everything I imagined it would be: loud, crowded, colorful, and wild. Myeong-dong's energy is unreal, and it's without a doubt one of my favorite spots in Seoul.
Myeong-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea
First Korean BBQ of the trip! Here, the servers cook the meats for you and yep, they also grill the kimchi which isn't really a thing in the Philippines unless you grill the kimchi yourself. By the way, grilled kimchi is bomb and an entirely different experience. I don't think I can eat kimchi anymore without grilling it! I love how they have compartments for your personal belongings. Most of all, we didn't smell like grilled meat after stepping out of the restaurant! Ventilation = 10/10!
- +82 2 557 4901
199-77 Euljiro 2(i)-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea
- https://www.hanampig.co.kr/
5More like the garden of my dreams!!! Every nook and cranny of this place took my breath away, and while I'm aware that it becomes even more beautiful during the fall (like that's even possible because hello it's already so dreamy and enchanting like what even???), we were able to see a few trees already changing color!!! I almost cried, TBH 😍😭 For context, Seoul's peak fall foliage for 2019 is expected around mid-October. We visited during the first week of October (bummer) so we weren't able to see a lot of yellow, orange, and red trees. I'm still pretty happy though!
- +82 1544 6703
432 Sumogwon-ro, Sang-myeon, 상면 Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
5Described as a half-moon shaped island, Nami Island is mostly famous for being one of the key filming locations of the hit Korean TV drama "Winter Sonata." On the tourist map, it even shows you the exact spot where Bae Yong-joon and Choi Ji-woo had their first kiss on the show! We'll make sure to visit Nami Island again either during the fall or winter next time. I'd really love to see the Gingko and Maple trees turn golden yellow 😍
- +82 31 580 8114
1 Namisum-gil, Namsan-myeon, Chuncheon, Gangwon-do, South Korea
- https://www.namisum.com/
3The last stop of our Nami Island tour, Petite France gives you a taste of France in South Korea! Vintage houses are everwhere here, and quaint corners will remind you of The Little Prince. Definitely Instagrammable and good for the kiddos!
산139 Goseong-ri, Oeseo-myeon, Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
- http://www.pfcamp.com/ewmain/main.php
Dakgalbi is basically small chicken thigh pieces marinated in a gochujang (fermented red chili paste)-based sauce, stir-fried with sweet potatoes, cabbage, perilla leaves, tteok (rice cakes), mozzarella, and cheddar cheese. We had this for dinner right after our Nami Island tour and it just really hit the spot ❤️ Not to mention the serving size, it's really huge that it could probably feed 4 people! You can also choose the spice level from 1 to 4, but the Korean server was kind enough to inform us that Level 1 is particularly mild and that Level 2 is already very spicy. My spice tolerance ain't there yet, so we settled for Level 1 😅 Still good though!
- +82 2 2245 5222
South Korea, Seoul, Mapo-gu, Seogyo-dong, Hongik-ro 3-gil, 32 2F
I haven't been inside a library in forever, so I made it a point to visit the iconic Starfield Library in COEX Mall. Now I'm not entirely sure if you can actually read, study, or work here because technically, you're still inside a shopping mall and the surroundings are really loud and chaotic. Either way, the gigantic book shelves and what seems to be like a crap-ton of books and magazines (more than 50,000 to be exact)... bookworms may or may not want to live here.
- +82 2 6002 3031
955-9 Daechi-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea
2One of my friends suggested that I visit the B. by BANILA store inside COEX Mall and I can't thank her enough!!! At this point it's pretty obvious that I'm obsessed with anything related to beauty and cosmetics, but the interiorssss!!! Sooo pink and girly, I just had to take some photos for the 'gram! 😍
- +82 2 6002 5300
513, Yeongdong-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea
서울특별시 강남구 영동대로 513 (삼성동)- https://www.starfield.co.kr/coexmall/main.do
The place to be if you want to get a bunch of Korean snacks and goodies to take home! Pro-tip: they have tax-free counters inside, as well as an area where you can pack your goods by yourself. Make sure to bring your own bag, otherwise you can buy paper or plastic bags from the cashier for KRW 1,000!
- +82 2 390 2500
405 Hangang-daero, Hoehyeon-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea
2One of the most popular Korean BBQ restaurants in Seoul. Their set comes with 3 cuts of pork (belly, rib, and cheek), seafood or kimchi stew for your soup, and a variety banchan options like fresh mushrooms, grilled kimchi, and other veggies!
- +82 2 719 4848
18 Baekbeom-ro, Nogosan-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea
If you're a fan of ultra-cute knickknacks, you'll love it here! From notebooks, pens, neck pillows, and make-up to luggages, kitchenware, tumblers, and bathroom supplies - it seems like they literally have everything! Leave me alone in ARTBOX for a few hours and I wouldn't mind, my wallet would though 😅
- +82 2 779 0789
19 Myeongdong 8na-gil, Myeong-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea
- https://www.artboxmall.com/Home/
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