I am taking the August long holiday to escape to Seoul, a country that I have never visited and know I should have long ago. For this trip, I will only go to Seoul, mostly because after reading reviews and asking a friend who lived in Korea, I deem that I might will regret going to Jeju or Jeonju or even Busan.
Here is how I plan my trip:
1. I use the following link to learn about Seoul and where to go:
VISITKOREA
I then divided the area into 8 groups (based on the 8 days I plan to stay).
2. I read tons of blogs about places to visit and have rough idea what to do and where to go. (yeah, I'm that much a control freak)
3. As a huge foodie, Korean is one of those place I know I am going to go mad about, and even while compiling the list, I had trouble juggling everything in.
Anyway, for those who are going before my trip and have no time to do the research. Well, someone has done it and you can enjoy the fruit. Do tell me if you do so we can share our experiences.
Here it is:
9 Days 8 Night Foodie + Shopaholic Korea Itinerary
Day 1: Korea-bound + JUMP! Flying from Singapore airport at 08:00am and reach Seoul at 15:00. We will be staying at Westin Chosun at Myeongdong and I arranged an airport transport on my bf request at 145,000 WON. (Recommended for people like my bf who wants to see someone holding his name at the airport, yeah he is vain that way). Alternatively, take the airport limo bus at a fraction of that limo transport.
The ride will probably take us around 1 to 1.5hour and foreseeing that my bf would want to chill, I decided to go easy on the dinner and eat at the vicinity of our hotel at Nolboo Jjigae. Note to self would be to order their army stew + cheese.
I have also arranged my hotel to book JUMP for us at 8 PM. (yes, our hotel concierge are the best, assisted me in most of my bookings).
I assume that after the show, both of us would be too tired to do anything. But if we do have the energy, I would say we could go to Dongdaemun for a glimpse of what they have.
Day 2: Samcheong-dong + Gwanjang Market
I call this a palace day because I am visiting all the palaces at once. For brekkie, I decided to eat nearby at Jaws Food or School Food. What to order:
Jaws Food: Ddukbokki + Odeng + Gimbap
School Food: Maki (i.e. Gimbab) + Carbonara Ddukbokki + Soy carbonara Ddukbokki
First palace would be the Gyeongbokgung since their english tour runs at 10.00am. According to my hotel, it would take around 1 to 1.5 hour. I assume that would be enough time for us to fill our morning.
For lunch, I decided to go to Tosokchon, the famous Samgyetang or Darakjeong, a famous mandoo shop. (will decide on the day)
In the afternoon, we plan to go to the Secret Garden tour which arranged by our concierge at 15:30 pm.
I do hope we have sometime in between so I can visit the Bukchon Hanok Village and take pictures. If not, I will do this on day 8 when I visit Insadong.
For tea break, I plan to go to Mukshidonna for awesome ddukbokki so that would be that.
I plan to visit the gwanjang market for evening activity and dinner. From reading tons of blogs, some of the dishes I must try include: Bindatteok, Hoddeok, drug gimbap and Sundae. Maybe try their bimbimbap. If you don't know already, gwanjang is very famous for their hanbok too. I am planning to get one to add to my collection of clothes mountain at home (not that I know when I would wear it, lets just say one day I would have a friend who marries Korean and I would happily bring it out to wear).
Day 3: Ehwa University + Hongik University
Today, we will relive our university memory and head to Ehwa + Hongik. Blogs say that they are great shopping place with affordable tags and really good quality stuff so I'm pretty excited to visit.
For brekkie, I would want to eat the Egg Muffin that I have seen many times from blogs and friends' pic.
Lunch would take place at Cheonchunjip Dakgalbi. For more info about this place, visit:
KAMPUNGBOYCITYGAL
For tea, I have set my heart to Hello Kitty Cafe. To be honest, I am one of those person who denies she likes a Hello Kitty but when there is a craze (like the recent maccas hello kitty), I would be one of those crazy people who queue.
After tea break, we will then head over to N seoul tower to see the sunset and put on some love lock (HAHAHA). I'm kidding. My sole purpose there is to see the teddy bear museum that I, otherwise, wont be able to see because I'm not going to Jeju.
For dinner, I want to eat either Jeonju Bimbimbap or Kyochon Chicken. nomnomnom.
Day 4: Sinsa-dong + Apgujeong + Gangnam-gu
The day I wait the most would probably be this one. I am very excited to visit Apgujeong and shop some luxury items. dayum!!
For brekkie, I opted for something near our hotel and decided to go to Kim Ga Ne, a gimbab restaurant chain.
Obviously, activies include shopping till drop and I secretly want to try on Vera Wang wedding gown while there if my bf permits. lol
For lunch, I opted for Mapo Sutbul Galbi, a BBQ restaurant that is apparently full of celebs. I might don't know most of them but heck, if they go, I guess the food must be exceptional.
For tea break, after a thorough research, I have set my eyes to Hanchu for best Kr Fried chicken. Another must try includes stuffed pepper pork. I have another must try and that is Solbin's Hotdog.
In the evening, I might want to visit COEX mall but heard they are under renovation so we'll see. I am pretty sure I can find somewhere else to shop.
For dinner, I have made a booking at Min's club so I probably need to cab over for that. Also writing this reminds me that I might have to move Hanchu or Solbin's to another day because Min's club offers degustation menu and I plan to enjoy it with empty stomach.
Day 5: Nami Island + Hongdae
I arranged a tour using Sally tour to go to Nami Island at 120,000 WON each. The tour also includes a visit to Petite France.
Since our guide will pick us up early at 8am, I guess brekkie has to be bought the night before and that calls for midnight mart shopping. We stay right across Lotte Mart (HOW CONVENIENT)
I would insist that we eat lunch Dolsirak at Nami because word has it the place has an authentic Dolsirak! The place also have patbingsoo so I guess I would eat that too for lunch.
We will reach Seoul at 5PM and my plan is to visit Hongdae if my bf isn't too tired. If he is, I guess, I would move my Bongchu Jjimdak dinner to this day. If I manage to drag him however, dinner has got to be at Palsaik Samgyupsal. The place offers 8 types of pork belly (how cohld I miss that!!)
Day 6: Myeong-dong + Namdameun + Dongdameun
Yet another shopping day. I would compile a list of what I have plan to buy at Myeongdong (most of them includes beauty products that I never even use before - I use Japanese products like Shu uemura and SKII mostly so getting a Korean product is a start of a journey).
Brekkie has been long decided to be at O'sulloc Tea House since I'm a huge fan of green tea anything.
Lunch at Myeongdong Gyoja
and Dinner would be street food. (yes, I have taken into consideration the vast array of street food at Namdaemun and Myeongdong)
Day 7: Yeoju Premium Outlet + Banpo bridge
I heard some people say that this place is pretty disappointing. But, I saw the list of shops and it includes YSL, bottega, boss, prada and the fact that the place is a joint venture between some Korean dept mogul and Las Vegas premium outlet, I know that I have to visit. There is another outlet called Paju Premium Outlet that is nearer to Yeoju but their shops are not as extensive as Yeoju.
For brekkie, I would want to eat Jaws food or School food, whichever one I haven't tried on Day 2.
Lunch is obviously at Yeoju.
I plan to return by 4PM using their shuttle bus. and visit Banpo Bridge. See: SHUTTLE BUS TIMETABLE INFORMATION
Banpo bridge shows the rainbow fountain at certain timing. For more info visit the visit korea website.
Since Banpo bridge located near the Sinsa area, I have decided to try the BEST GALBIJIM in SEOUL and that is Gangnam Myun-Oak at 588-9 Sinsa Dong.
Day 8: Itaweon + Insadong
Itaewon is known as a tourist area and one of the must visit place is the Ssaemgil Mall.
For brekkie, I decided that we should travel down and try Bizeun or Jilsiru that serves Traditional Korean Cake.
I foresee I won't take too long here and would go to Insadong by arvo. For lunch, I want to try a Tong-in Dosirak Cafe. It's a market with a street of food to choose from. So the idea is to exchange your cash with the oldies coins and use it to buy the food there. Sounds like a lot of fun.
The whole trip I have not plan any hanbok experience and would squeeze one here. Some of the places I have gathered include:
Hanok Village
M Plaza Tourist Center
and
Samcheonggak (which I have reserved a place for lunch on a some of the day and not sure when. GAWD)
For tea, my plan is to visit the Beautiful Tea Museum.
I have also booked my Nanta ticket through their website and get a mighty 30% discount. They only open the online reservation on the month before the show.
For more info: NANTA
Dinner would be Bongchu Jjimdak. NOMNOM
Day 9
Last day and I hope I have plan everything well. For brekkie, I want to visit Yeolchajip that sells Biddateok. Apparently one of the best biddateok.
Since, I might have time for lunch, I guess I would visit Yoogane Dakgalbi for a quick lunch before heading to the airport. Either that or some crazy last minute shopping.
So, that's all for now. Hope you enjoy this. I tried to make it in a table format but my HTML skill is horrid. So, while I polish on that, I would learn to be contented by this.
and whoever out there following this itinerary, HAVE A FUN TRIP!!!!
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