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SOUTH KOREA

TRAVEL RAMBLES

Seoul, South Korea (2008, 2009, 2011)

A Beginner's Guide

Disclaimer: I first made this for a friend back in 2013 and I've since forwarded it to nearly a dozen people. So, I figured I may as well upload it here! Some of these notes are likely out-of-date so apologies in advance. 

Things to do:

  • DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) Border of North & South Korea

    • Definitely recommend joining a tour for this one. It’s only 30-40 minutes from the city and very interesting. Obviously check out if it’s a safe time to go since things have been pretty tense but just browse the internet for a good tour. This will take the majority of your day just FYI

  • Korean Karaoke (Noraebang) multilevel dolled up Korean karaoke places

  • JimJilbang (Korea Sauna).. if you dare

    • I use to go to these local ones back in the day but I honestly can’t remember where they were so in 2010, we went to a more “well known” one called Dragon Hill Spa which is considered more luxurious/higher end than the local ones. Essentially Korean Sauna house is a place where you bathe in public shower pools and then meet in the common area where there are several different sauna rooms ranging in heat/therapeuticness but also areas to watch tv, eat, playing games, etc. It’s 24 hours so I usually go at like 1AM t’il like 4AM kind of thing. If you’re low on cash, you can even crash there for the night (cheap hotel… ). Also, if you are there try the drink called “Shikgae” which is like a rice water drink that you take while at these sauna places.

  • Random Sightseeing Touristy Stuff:

    • Rent a bike and go along the Han River

    • Go to City Hall and just walk along the man made river

    • Visit the 63 Building or Seoul Tower (refer to NamSan Park below)

    • Itaewon is supposedly where all the good “fake” stuff is at. Never been but I’ve been told it’s very very very touristy. Also, don’t recommend to go at night.

  • DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) Border of North & South Korea

    • Definitely recommend joining a tour for this one. It’s only 30-40 minutes from the city and very interesting. Obviously check out if it’s a safe time to go since things have been pretty tense but just browse the internet for a good tour. This will take the majority of your day just FYI

  • Korean Karaoke (Noraebang) multilevel dolled up Korean karaoke places 노래방

  • JimJilbang (Korea Sauna).. if you dare 찜질방

    • I use to go to these local ones back in the day but I honestly can’t remember where they were so in 2010, we went to a more “well known” one called Dragon Hill Spa which is considered more luxurious/higher end than the local ones. Essentially Korean Sauna house is a place where you bathe in public shower pools and then meet in the common area where there are several different sauna rooms ranging in heat/therapeuticness but also areas to watch tv, eat, playing games, etc. It’s 24 hours so I usually go at like 1AM t’il like 4AM kind of thing. If you’re low on cash, you can even crash there for the night (cheap hotel… ). Also, if you are there try the drink called “Shikgae” which is like a rice water drink that you take while at these sauna places.

  • Random Sightseeing Touristy Stuff:

    • Rent a bike and go along the Han River

    • Go to City Hall and just walk along the man made river

    • Visit the 63 Building or Seoul Tower (refer to NamSan Park below)

    • Itaewon is supposedly where all the good “fake” stuff is at. Never been but I’ve been told it’s very very very touristy. Also, don’t recommend to go at night.

Eating Vocabulary:

  • Things to try:

    • Banana Milk (바나나 우유 )at a Family Mart

    • Odaeng (오댕) and Dokbugi (떡볶이)at any vendor stand

    • Say: “ahjummoni, hana (one or if two “doogae”) odaeng & dokbuggi chusaeyo”

    • OR even easier.. just point and say “yigo chusae yo”

    • Bulgogi Burger (불고기버거) at at Lotteria

  • Random Vocab words (no specific restaurant to recommend)

    • KimChi Soup (김치 찌개)

    • Korean Tofu Stew (순두부찌개)

    • PorkBone Soup감자탕

    • Japchae (잡채)

    • Black Noodles Jajangmyung (짜장면)

    • Spicy Red Soup Noodles (ChamPeong) 짬뽕

    • Bibimbap (비빔밥)

Key Areas:

  • Sinchon (신촌)/Hongdae(홍대) - Where a few universities (Yonsei/Ehwa/Hongik etc) collide so it’s a very busy area with cheap eats, shopping and other fun stuff (drinking/karaoke etc) (). Just walk around and get lost in the area.

    • Eating Recommendations

      •  연대껍데기 All you can eat Korean BBQ for $8 (8,000KW) big yellow sign. Took the guys there in 2010. General directions are to take exit #3 at Sinchon. Follow mini map below (ref:M1)and turn left when you see the Mcdonalds

    • Shopping Recommendations

      • My favorite shopping street is actually Ehwa 이화 (Woman’s university) BUT I know there are a lot of guy shops there too. Prices are cheaper than the other very touristy areas (circled in red per M1)

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  • Myeongdeong (명동) - Nice area for shopping/eating. Also known as the “Chinese” area of Seoul (random fact: this is where Dianna’s mom went to school). I recommend getting off Exit #6 and right when you exit you should see a big “Migliore” (밀리오레) building. These buildings are levels and levels of indoor nightmarket type clothing shops. Interesting to checkout but not worth buying because it’s always so overpriced. If you dare, venture to the men’s sections and be prepared to be harassed like never before (in a funny way). Another random note; you’ll notice a lot of stages outside these types of buildings. Koreans love putting on a show (random contests) typically at night. Worth checking out even though you won’t have a clue what they are saying ( below).

    • Eating Recommendations:

      • This area is known for its chicken ginseng soup (samgyetang) “삼계탕”. Don’t have a specific restaurant to recommend because I can’t remember but just lookout for one and give it a try!

    • Sightseeing Recommendations:

      • Near this area is NamSan Park which has a pretty neat view of the area. Not so crazy but if you have nothing better to do and you’re in the area, it’d be a nice place to check out (남산 Park)

​

  • Dongdaemun (동대문) - This area is infamous for the many many many shopping buildings (ampm, migliore, doota, etc in order of less expensive to more expensive in my opinion.. so maybe start at ampm). Best to come here at night but also mind you, this area is open 24/7 so if you really feel a shopping crave you guys can come here and get your shop on at 3AM!

  • Note that the station I’d get off at is the green line’s Dongdaemun Exit #14 and then walkout you should see the ampm a few steps to your left ( M3 below)

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  • Gangnam (강남) - Now made infamous by Psy’s song of course but in general this area is a more high-end posh neighborhood. Also good for more fancy dancy clubbing. In the day time it’s just another area to walk around/shop/eat. Mind you, it’s pretty out of the way and takes around 30-40 minutes to train.

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  • Insadong (인사동) - The “traditional area” of Seoul. Nice to just walk around and checkout the different architecture. Also in this area is the Palace (which I have yet to check out… ) Gyeong Bok Gung (경복궁). Check out their hours/times because they always seem to have “special” closed days

Random:

  • Transit

  • Taxi

    • Never NEVER never NEVER take a black taxi

    • Be wary of normal taxi drivers too. Always trying to rip you off so try to pretend like you know what you’re talking about/where you’re going. Worse comes to worse just take the train and avoid taxis. I always found them quite mean.

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