Winter in South Korea (Day Five) & My Favorite Cuisine

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Winter in South Korea (Day One)
Winter in South Korea (Day Two)
Winter in South Korea (Day Three)
Winter in South Korea (Day Four)

Not doing much at my last day at Seoul. The next day we will be flying back to Jakarta early in the morning, so clearly we spent the day at downtown Seoul. I guess if you read all of my post about South Korea you will find one famous shopping place which I haven't mentioned, yes! Myeong Dong!

Before going to Myeong Dong we stopped at this one place to buy souvenirs and snacks to bring home while also take photos of ourselves in Korean traditional dress, hanbok. 

Me in Hanbok

1. Myeong Dong

A yummy beef steak at one of the street food stall at Myeong Dong

Coat (Zara), Scarf (Zara)

As what you may heard from thousands of people, yes you could find A LOT of cosmetic stores here in Myeong Dong. There are several shopping street in Seoul, one of them is Dongdaemun, but yes here in Myeong Dong I could find a lot more cosmetic store than in other shopping street. Besides, they also got huge international chain store such as Zara and H&M, and it's not even one. You could find two Zara and two Starbucks here.

I spent about 4 hours here, not much. If you wish to shop till you drop and have bucket list to tick, I guess you have to spend one full day here. Beside the numerous amount of stores here, there are also plenty of street food stalls! I do not know how to choose... From taiyaki, fresh strawberries, until beef steak you could find it lining along the way. Finally, I chose the beef steak which did not cost much, around 6,000 won and it tasted great! Moreover when I ate it in the middle of a cold and windy day.

Thank god I did not have much time so I did not go bankrupt hehe. I bought things from Nature Republic, Labiotte, Tony Moly, and Starbucks (a Seoul Tumblr) as a gift from some of friends back home. 

2. Food Galore!

Beef Stew (at a Restaurant near Gyeongbokgung Palace)

Dakgalbi (at a Restaurant near Nami Island)

Roasted Duck (at a little Restaurant in Seoul)

Seafood Soup (at a Restaurant in Pyeongchang)

Beef Stew (at a Restaurant near Seoraksan National Park)

Those above are some dishes which I ate along my South Korea journey. But I did not take photo of the restaurant nor I can read the sign so that is as much as I can inform you. Best of all those above, is Dakgalbi near Nami Island. Before you take a ferry to Nami Island, you will find a lot of dakgalbi restaurant and of course it is a must try! The marinated chicken fillet roasted and enjoyed with fresh lettuce, garlic and gochujang is crazily yummyyy!

Photo from HERE

Photo from HERE

And of course, my next favorite food after dakgalbi, it is none other than Samgyetang! I ate it at the first store that sold Samgyetang, as you could see in picture above. You can find that store 5 minutes walk from exit 10 from City Hall subway station. Samgyetang is a soup consist of whole baby chicken which stuffed with rice and ginseng. You can also add soju to the broth. Without the soju, it already is tasted divine. The broth is rich while the baby chicken's juiciness is perfect and the ginseng added a unique flavor overall, crazyyy!

So that's it, when in South Korea I urge you to try Dakgalbi near Nami Island and also Samgyetang at the first restaurant which sell it! Finger crossed wishing I could eat all of it again, soon, and in its origin place, South Korea!

Have you been to South Korea? Which places you love the most and what is your favorite Korean food?

Winter in South Korea (Day Four)

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Winter in South Korea (Day One)

Winter in South Korea (Day Two)

Winter in South Korea (Day Three)

Spent the fourth day in South Korea wandering downtown Seoul which was so windy, the temperature was around 2 degrees celsius and even lower at night, around -4 degrees celsius... But I could not enjoy the walk more. 

1. National Folk Museum of Korea, admission fee: Free!

Visited National Folk Museum of Korea before hitting Gyeongbokgung Palace really early in the morning and felt glad about it. If only we went a little late it would be hard to enjoy the museum, since it would be so crowded. So, tips number one, visit this place early in the morning!  I did not have a chance to visit another museum or gallery in Seoul so clearly I can not compare it with another museum or gallery, but if you asked me was it worth it? I would say, yes it was!

Just like in another museum or gallery, spare minimum 2 hours of your time, because where is the fun in rushing in a museum? It is always best spent in a slow enjoyable pace while let our mind exploring. This museum presents artifacts that were used by Korean in their daily lives in the past. We can find Korean traditional's beliefs and their domestic & agricultural lifestyles. 

What I love the most is their ethical education and their range of traditional healing. At joseon era, people study about ethical education, setting a high moral standards about basic human relations. Women acquired information and knowledge by exchanging correspondence and reading books which have been translated into Korean, how cool is that? At that time! 

It was good visiting this museum before wandering around Gyeongbokgung Palace, learning people who lived inside it, first, so I can enjoy the palace more. 

2. Gyeongbokgung Palace, admission fee: 3,000 won for adults.

Dress (Lookboutique), Thermal Tights(Marks and Spencer), Coat (Zara), 

Scarf (H&M), Boots (Marks and Spencer)

National Museum of Korea is still within the same area with Gyeongbokgung Palace. There is a tour provided here but too bad I did not take it because I have a quite limited time. But, if you have the time I think this Palace is best enjoyed within a tour, therefore we could not only enjoy its architecture but the stories behind it also. 

At my first picture above, can you see it eventhough it was covered with fogs? Modern buildings behind the Palace's gate? I do love this contradictory occurence, a traditional palace in between hectic and busy modern buildings. Somehow I feel like going back and forth through a time machine. 

I guess this is how we have to live, no? With our feets rooted to the ground, remembering how we can be here enjoying our modern life, remembering how this will not happen without the greatness of our ancestors, thus we are always triggered to do the best we could so we can make sure whatever the hard work they did is not for nothing. 

3. Namsan Tower, admission fee: for observatory 10,000 won for adults.

At The Namsan Tower Observatory Deck (look at the panoramic view of Seoul behind me!)

After satisfied walking to every corner of Gyeongbokgung Palace and enjoying how beautiful it was while wondering how does it feel to be a princess inside the Palace, off I went to Namsan Tower. They say this is the highest point in Seoul, standing at 236.7 meters above sea level. 

Regardless of whether it is really the highest or not, I love spending time here for I can see a panoramic view of the crowded Seoul from its observatory deck. Just wondering, where might be my hotel is or what have the people in the building down there that I saw been doing for quite some time. And then I wrote letter while enjoying the view and listened to Stevie Wonder's overjoyed, letters for my man and my loved ones, and sent the postcard from a post office box available there. I felt complete. If you have the time and love sending postcards, this is a must to do thing!

Speaking about love locks, I put no lock there. Because, you may say I am a disbeliever in so many things, include this. I do not believe making a lock as a symbol of love, because love should not tie you up it should be liberating, no?

4. Samcheong Dong

Finished my day by walking toward Samcheong Dong. Here we could find cool cafes and shops in hanok houses, makes it so perfect for a mix of tradiotional and modern feels. I came here a little late in a winter night, so most of the cafes and shops already closed. So, instead of staying at a cafe here like my plan, I just walked and walked. But I do loveee its athmosphere and promise to come here again when I have time for a sip of tea in the middle of this beautiful street.

Tips: come here at morning until afternoon and trying one of the cafes here, is a must!

See you at my last post of my last day in Seoul!

Hotel on Last Trip to Seoul

Best Western Arirang Hill

8 Arirang-ro, Seongbok-gu, Seoul

Rate per night: around 107100 won

Finally! A decent hotel with a proper amenities hehe. So, on the remaining days of my trip to South Korea I stayed at Best Western Arirang Hill which is located at Dongdaemun area. Best of all, of course, location! I can find a lot of cafes, restaurant, and even shopping site around this area. And Sungshin Women's University Subway Station is only two minutes walk away from this hotel, so much love for it!

There is no pool, but since I traveled in winter I do not think about swimming either. But I can find a pretty decent fitness room, and this is important for me, for there is no reason to not having an exercise when traveling. Breakfast is perfect, western and korean style is available, and I can even find Pho Bo, a vietnamese beef soup, yum yum! And also there is a coffee shop at its lobby, A Twosome Place, which close quite late, just perfect when you want to stay at your hotel at the end of the day and craving for coffee to accompany you. 

Overall, 4/5 rating for this hotel :)

Winter in South Korea (Day Three)

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Winter in South Korea (Day One)
Winter in South Korea (Day Two)

I spent half of my third day at South Korea still in the outskirt of Seoul and the next half day then I got the chance to explore Seoul. On my last day enjoying the outskirt of Seoul, we visited Seoraksan National Park at Gangwon Province.

1. Seoraksan National Park, Gangwon Province, admission fee: Adult 3,500 won

Warm Cafes on Mount Seorak

Seorak comes from the word "Seoul" which means snow and "Ak" which means big mountain. They named it like that because the snow in this area would not melt for a long time after it fell. This area is designated as a biosphere preservation district by UNESCO so I believe you already can imagine how close to nature you will feel once you spend your time here. 

Hiking maybe is not really my main interest but of course I can not deny the beauty this national park got to offered. As I entered the main gate in a cold morning I can see the range of mountain covered in snow standing so tall in the background of some warm cafes offering warm foods and coffee.  

Going to The Top of Mount Seorak by Cable Car

We can go to the peak of Gwongeumseong Fortress by cable car which cost 10,000 won for return ticket and took five minutes one way from Sogongwon Park to Gwongeumseong Fortress.  Gwongeumseong Fortress located at the peak of Dolsan Mountain of Sogongwon area. It is a site of a castle ruins which was built by the 23rd King of The Goryeo Era. 

If you're not a castle ruin sightseeing or a casual hiking activity person, I will still suggest you to take this round trip on the cable car because the trip itself is one experience not to be missed. Along the five minutes journey up to the peak of the mountain you can see the beautiful surroundings of Seoraksan National Park high up from above, just like a bird point of view. My experience, I got it on the winter so it was even more beautiful because the land was covered in snow.

At The Top Station of Mount Seorak

Dress (Cotton Ink), Coat (Zara), Thermal Tights (Marks and Spencer), 

Boots (Marks and Spencer), Scarf (Zara)

At the top station, before reaching Gwongeumseong Fortress by foot, you will be welcomed by cafe selling ice cream, coffee, chocolate, and churros facing a beautiful surrounding of mountain. You could also find an observation deck here in the station, so if you do not feel like hiking further to Gwongeumseong Fortress you could might as well just stay here and enjoy yourself. 

I was planning to continue my journey up until Gwongeumseong Fortress that day, but I wasn't wearing the right shoes, my bad of course. My shoes are good in a fresh snowy road, but on a freezing snow with an icy texture, I will easily got slipped and that day the path to Gwongeumseong Fortress was covered in an icy snow. So after hiking half of the journey, I decided to turn around, for the sake of safety.

So, if you planning to hike into Gwongeumseong Fortress on winter, be sure to wear the right shoes to handle the icy path!

2. Lotte World, admission fee: Full day adult: 52,000 won; after 4 pm adult 41,000 won 

The Indoor Part of Lotte World

This theme park is divided into two main areas; indoor Lotte World Adventure and outdoor Magic Island. They say that this is the largest indoor themed park in the world. The indoor and outdoor park then again divided into districts representing different countries. 

Just like the other themed park you will find many many attractions from roller coaster to carrousel, food vendors, souvenir shops, and of course parades! Once I enter this park, I find my self got amused by the colourful ambience, but I have to admit it that I do not feel as excited as when I am in Disneysea the last time I visited Tokyo. It was not because of the theme park itself, but because I think I do not really familiar with its character and I did not grow up with them, just as how i grew up with Disney's character.

The Outdoor Part of Lotte World

The outdoor part is more beautiful then the indoor one, though, for me.  Maybe it was because of the castle which get even more beautiful as the night crawls in. Because they lit up the light at night. And there were trees and lake and not to mention the freezing temperature in the winter days, it kinds of bring my mind to think deeper. It was the perfect time to spend by exchanging warm words with your loved one as you walk around the area. 

Warm Tteoppokki and Chicken & Cola on a Freezing Amusement Park

It is not perfect to spend a day at an amusement park without enjoying a comfort slash unhealthy but delicious food! And since it was in Korea, it was time for tteoppokki and chicken and cola! I guess you have heard the rumour of how delicious chicken in Korea is and it surely is true!

Me and my brother stopped by at one of the food stall which displayed its tteoppokki and it looked so tempting I did not know how to refuse it. We finished it while walking around and enjoying the outdoor area. I have to say it was a half day well spent at this park. 

Tips: If  you have a limited time in Korea and have already went to Disneyland or Disneysea, you can as well skip this theme park and explore another part of Korea, because in my opinion it was not as magical as Disneyland or Disneysea. But if you have plenty of time, it was worth the visit, though.

3. Dongdaemun Area

The Oh-so-famous Dongdaemun Design Plaza Designed by Zaha Hadid

After Lotte World and dinner, we stopped by at our hotel, Best Western Arirang Hill, to drop our luggage and it was still 9 pm. Me and my brother still can't get enough of strolling around Seoul, we still wanted to see more of it. So we decided to find places which still open until morning in the winter days. Then we chose Dongdaemun area it is! And also, our hotel was still in Dongdaemun area and it took only 2 station to go to Dongdaemun shopping complex by subway. 

We chose to stop at Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station so we can stopped by at the oh-so-famous Dongdaemun Design Plaza designed by Zaha Hadid. As we exit the subway station, we were welcomed by the magnificent architecture of Dongdaemun Design Plaza, with the lights goes on and off in a beautiful pattern at night. 

The building is now used for arts and design exhibitions. It is comprised of five halls: art hall, museum, design lab, design market, and Dongdaemun history & culture park. The park extends into the rooftop of the building so it was beautiful! I enter this place in a hurry for it was already late night so I haven't got the chance to take a decent photo inside. But, really believe me, it is so beautiful you have to put this place in your must visit list once in Seoul!

Enjoying a Slow Late Night at Hollys Coffee

After satisfied of strolling around Dongdaemun Design Plaza, we moved on to the market area. There are a lot of shops, malls, and street food stalls which open until morning here in Dongdaemun so I say that this is the perfect place to spend on your late night wander.

My Ibu asked me to buy a medicine so we stroll around the area while looking for pharmacy and lucky me I found one O' Sulloc cafe which is famous with its delicious matcha latte. I ordered one hot matcha latte and then we continue our late night stroll while sipping on it and it was so delicious, really. It was hard to get the perfect combination of matcha and latte which could satisfied my tongue but it was perfect! It wast bitter and creamy with the perfect hint of sweet!

Then my brother wanted to close the night in an easy and comfortable way, by spending our time drinking coffee at a cafe facing Dongdaemun Design Plaza, so then we stopped by at Hollys Coffee. It was almost 1 am but this place was still so lively. How would you expect to end your day here in Seoul at 9 pm?  I could not think of one. I guess 24 hours is not enough to fully experience Seoul. Can I have more time in a day, please?

To be continue, on fourth and fifth day at Seoul!