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Lotte World
Source:Flickr
Seouls biggest amusement park is a whole day filled with fun rides, games,
an ice skating rink and 176 different types of wonderland cute overkill.
Source:Flickr
Seoul Land, the other amusement park in Seoul, is located in Seoul Grand
Park, so theres really a lot to do (see entry #33). And although Seoul Land
isnt exactly in Seoul, its close enough. And since the name has Seoul in it,
were including it here
How to get there: Dongdaemun Station (Line 1, Line 4 Exit 5 or Exit 7).
Dongdaemun Culture and History Park (Line 2, Line 4, Line 5 Exit 1)
19. Coex
The most famous of all the malls in Korea, Coex is reportedly the longest
underground shopping center in Asia. Come here to buy Korean brands (like
these 28 Korean fashion brands we already listed), watch a movie, or
chill out at the aquarium.
Hanoks are Korean traditional houses and Bukchon Village is where the
aristocratic classes lived during the Joseon Dynasty! Certain Hanoks are still
owned by locals, while most of it were converted into galleries, restaurants,
and cafes.
How to get there: Anguk Station (, Seoul Subway Line 3), Exit 2. Walk
straight for about 300m then you will arrive at Bukchon Hanok Village.
How to get there: Dongjak Station (, Seoul Subway Line 4), go out of
exit 1 or 2. You cant miss it, you will be on a bridge.
How to get there: Shuttle Bus No. 05 Chungmuro Station (Exit 2, 4). Once
you get out of either exit 2 or 4, you will most likely see a bunch of other
people lining up for the bus as well!
Outdoor Attractions
36. Yeouido Park
How can you enjoy yourself with the environment and serenity of
Seoul? By napping on a bench in the park at the Yeouido Park. Dont you love
going out for a walk on a beautiful day, enjoying the scenery, watching people playing
around in the park? Must go during the season of Cherry Blossoms (April).
How to get there: From Exit # 3 of Yeouido Subway Station (Seoul Subway
Line 5), walk 5 minutes towards the National Assembly building. You will run
into a big sign that says (Yeouido Park).
How to get there: From Exit #9 of Hongdae Station (Subway Line 2) -> walk
straight for 200m towards the Starbucks coffee shop.
How to get there: Hangangjin Station (Subway Line 6), Exit 1. Walk straight for
100m in the direction of Itaewon.
How to get there: Seoul Subway Line 2, Samseong Station, Exit #6,
connected to COEX Mall. Walk through the mall towards COEX Aquarium.
either praying or meditating. The atmosphere is quiet and peaceful and if you
are fascinated with Buddhism and meditation, you will easily find inner peace
here at the Bongeunsa temple!
How to get there: Go out of exit #2 of Cheongdam Station (Seoul Subway Line
7), walk for about 150 meters and turn right (you should be near a high
school).
How to get there: Walk along Myeongdong street for about 100 meters until
you get to the Catholic Center.
The Bukchon Hanok Village is one of my favourite photo spots in Seoul. The traditional
hanok houses found here date all the way back to the Joseon Dynasty, and people actually
live in them! This picturesque residential area is nestled in the heart of the city between
Gyeongbokgung Palace and Changdeokgung Palace, and from atop the hill you can see a
background of modern buildings in the distance.
When visiting the Gyeongbokgung Palace, dont miss out on observing the
Royal Guard Changing Ceremony or the Gwanghwamun Gate Guard-on-
Duty Performance. Either one happens every hour between 10am to 4pm
at the Gyeongbokgung Palace, every day except Tuesdays.
Right before and after the ceremonies mentioned above, visitors can don a gatekeepers
costume at the Sumunjangcheong Building, located behind the Gwanghwamun Gate. You
have no reason not to do this the Sumungun (Gatekeeper) Costume Experience is
absolutely free!
Lotte Mart is the place to buy all the Korean snacks you can ever dream of.
Bring a big bag along because youll need to fill it up with MarketO
brownies, tteokbokki crackers, Lotte biscuit sticks and all the other
delicious Korean goodies!
Want to know what else I bought there? Check out my article on the 12
must-buy food items from Lotte Mart!
Getting to Lotte Mart outlet at Seoul Station: Seoul Station (Subway Line 1
and 4), Exit 1.
Getting there: From Myeong-dong Station (Subway Line 4), walk for about
15 minutes towards Pacific Hotel, and continue straight from there. The
boarding point for the cable car will be visible.
7. Indulge in delicious street food
You should never go hungry in Seoul, especially when theres plenty of yummy street food
everywhere! Some must-try street food in Seoul include tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes),
hotteok (sweet pancakes), kimbap (seaweed rice rolls) and of course, the classic chicken
skewers!
Also Read: 7 Shopping Places in Seoul You Might Not Know About
10. Play with furry kitties at a cat cafe
Have you seen the videos of people taking on the Korean fire noodle challenge? Theres no
better time to hop on the bandwagon than when youre in Seoul! Run off to the nearest
convenience store, grab a cup of spicy noodles and prepare it in your hotel room. Kick it up a
notch and gobble it down as fast as possible (or add a dash of chili powder, if youre crazy).
Attention, ladies! The area near Ewha Womens University, also known as
Edae, is a heaven for shoppers. Wander where your feet take you and
shop alongside fashionable Korean women. Buy clothing, cosmetics and
shoes, pop by a salon for a makeover and when youre tired, take a break
in one of the many cafes around.
Getting there: Ewha Womans University Station (Subway Line 2), Exits 2
and 3.
Getting there: Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station (Subway Line
2, 4 and 5), Exit 1.
Just a short walk from DDP is the Cheonggyecheon Stream, which provides an easily
accessible retreat from the surrounding city. On hot summer days, locals gather under the
bridges to enjoy the shade and dip their feet in the cool water. It is actually possible to walk
along the length of the stream, which spans 10.9 kilometres. Along the way, you can make
detours to visit the many attractions nearby
Getting there: Sinsa Station (Subway Line 3), Exit 8. Go straight for 250
metres and turn left
21. Finish a bottle of Milkis
Milkis is that one non-alcoholic drink you must try when in Korea. This carbonated drink has
one special ingredient: milk! The combination of soda and milk might sound weird, but this
drink is perfect in its own right.
I could easily fill this checklist with the different foods you simply have to try in Seoul, but I
shall limit it to one of my favourites: Andong Jjimdak (braised chicken of Andong). Whats
there to love about this? The Andong-style chicken is soft and tender while the soy bean-
based sauce is sweet and savoury. Slices of potatoes, carrots, and onions are thrown into
the delicious mix, and starch noodles complete the dish. Yum!
23. Lick 32 centimetres worth of twist ice cream
When you see an ice cream stand in Myeongdong, dont just walk past it! For 2000 KRW
(SGD 2.40), you can get yourself a 32 cm twist ice cream cone. If youre having this on a hot
day, share it with a friend because speaking from experience, the ice cream melts really fast!
Before you go and have the time of your life in Seoul, be sure to download the
extremely useful Visit Korea app which will help you with information, navigation,
travel planning and so much more!
Once youre done with all these awesome activities on your first trip, come back a
second time to complete these 24 fun things to do in Seoul on your SECOND
trip! I will see you there!
https://www.tripzilla.com/seoul-travel-budget/16168?
_ga=1.136302641.1098562895.1484213179
One of my favourite buys from Lotte Mart is definitely Korean Citron Tea. After being offered
a drink sample, my travel buddies and I immediately grabbed some boxes to bring home
(even though theyre pretty bulky and heavy) its just that good. It can be prepared hot or
cold, and there are bits of juicy citrus inside.
Korea is the land of fast-changing fads, and a recent one is the honey butter craze. Finding
the original Haitai-Calbee Honey Butter Chip on the shelf of a convenience store during the
craze was harder than finding a unicorn on the street. You might even have to resort to the
black market to buy a packet of chips. How crazy is that? So when in Korea, help yourself
to everything honey butter, like these honey butter flavoured Honey Star chips!
7. Orion Moist and Chewy Cake
If youre a sucker for cute packaging, you just wont be able to walk past this box of cutie
patootie. It gets better when you open the box; the fish cakes are enclosed in bright, textured
wrappers with adorable prints. The cake itself is dense, and the sauce red bean sauce has a
chocolatey tinge.
Buttery, thick and crunchy, Crown Butter Waffles are exactly how youd imagine a good
waffle snack would taste like.
10. Lotte Biscuit Sticks
Dont we all love Pepero? If theres flavour you havent tried yet, grab them at Lotte Mart!
Bonus if you come across the ones that are hard to find (or just arent sold) back home, such
as the Nude Lemon Cheese or Hami Melon Pepero.
The Petitzel Sweet Pudding is oh-so-delicious. When you see it, buy it, eat it, and youll
know what Im talking about. It comes in fancy flavours like Honey & Creme
Blanche, Caramel Milk & Egg, Cheese Mascarpone & Cream and Cream & Mustard. YUM!
12. All sorts of seaweed
When you want to take a break from the shopping madness, there are street stalls
selling a wide variety of Korean snacks and delicacies such as fried popcorn chicken
and egg bread. You can also take a stroll on the beautiful campus grounds, situated
at the end of the shopping street.
Getting there by subway: Ewha Womens University station, Line 2. Take Exit 2 or 3
2. Dongdaemun
Ever tried overnight shopping? No? Then you must try it in Dongdaemun. Shops are
open till about four or five in the morning, catering to the insomniac shopaholics.
Dongdaemun is huge, and Im not even kiddingthere are 5 shopping districts! Did I
mention that they sell everything? Clothes, shoes, bags, food, and even bed linens
and wedding paraphernalia! Retailers walk around choosing pieces for their stores,
while tourists and locals hunt for the best bargains. Even better are the little street
stalls in front of the huge shopping malls, where everything is extra affordable! Be
sure to bargain though, especially in the malls.
Hongdae, situated near Hongik University, is full of little shops and cute cafes. It is a
great place for shopping if youre looking for less mainstream fashion items, as the
clothings here lean towards indie fashion. The prices are very similar to those
at Ehwa, because these shops are frequented by many university students and
fashionable young adults. They also sell tons of colourful phone cases at student
prices that are wallet-friendly. You will definitely find all the latest trends here! Head
over to a noraebang (karaoke) to rest and have some fun after youre done with all
that shopping!
Myeongdong is the go-to place for cosmetics. Seriously. All the Korean brands
youve ever heard of (and even more of those youve never heard of) can be found
here. Innisfree, Etude House, Laneige, Skin Food, Saem the list goes on and on.
Just walk down the main street and promoters will be forcing free masks, pens, and
samples into your hands and inviting you into their stores. I ended up with what was
probably 2 months worth of freebies at the end of my stroll down the main street.
Stock up on cosmetics here during the sales period, especially if youre a fan of
Korean cosmetics. Theyre at least 50% cheaper than what you can find in
Singapore. Food and fashion choices are aplenty here, and if youre bored of taking
in the sights, what better than to try on the Korean hanbok (traditional dress) and
snap some selfies at the Seoul Global Cultural Centre?
Getting there by subway: Myeong-dong station, line 4. Take exit 6 / Euljiro 1-ga
Station, Line 2. Take exit 5.
5. Express Bus Terminal Underground Shopping Arcade
Just look at the throngs of people! Squeeze in a trip here and I guarantee you wont
regret it. This HUUUUGE underground mall is a shopping heaven for all women! Yet
another food and shopping paradise in Seoul, this underground shopping arcade is
situated under the Seoul intercity bus interchange. You will literally go crazy trying to
cover all the stores here selling clothes, accessories, cosmetics, interior products,
lingerie, flowers, and even furniture! Clothes here are very affordable, with pieces
starting from KRW 5000 (SGD 6). Accessories start from KRW 3000 (SGD 3.50) and
shoes are way cheaper than those sold in all the aforementioned shopping areas. I
practically bought all my shoes in this arcade at an average price of about KRW
20000 (SGD 24) per pair. Imagine my satisfaction when I got back to Singapore and
found a similar pair to what I bought in Seoul priced at nearly SGD 50!
Note that most of the items in this shopping arcade cater to the female population.
Perhaps the gents could check out the endless food options at the mom-and-pop
eateries at the end of the long alleys while waiting for their female companions.
Getting there by subway: Express Bus Terminal Station, Line 3 and 7. Follow the
sign to Gangnam Terminal Underground Shopping Center.
6. Insadong
If you want to shop for cultural souvenirs, Insadong is the place with a huge variety
of traditional Korean crafts and souvenirs. Tea, pottery, hanboks, hanji (traditional
paper crafts)Insadong has it all. There are also art galleries and teahouses along
the streets. Traditional snacks go for about KRW 2000 (SGD 2.40), while others such
as metal bookmarks, metal chopsticks, and little pouches go for about KRW 2000
KRW 3000 apiece. In Insadong, you can easily find gifts for friends and families that
will not burn a hole in your pocket. Besides, remember to try out their famous Poop
Bread which are filled with red bean, or hotteok pancakes filled with nuts which are
really delicious as well!
Getting there by subway: Anguk station, line 3. Take Exit 6 / Jonggak Station, line 5.
Take exit 3.
7. Namdaemun
Think day-time pasar malam, and youve got the general gist of what Namdaemun is
all about. Food, clothes, household items, flowers, stationery, appliances. These
are just some of the things on sale here at really affordable prices. This shopping
area is a combination of multi-storey buildings as well as stalls along the streets.
Namdaemun is also a great place to sample food sold at roadside stalls; you can sit
down, indulge in street delicacies and enjoy a short breather from all the shopping.
So there it is, the 7 most affordable shopping areas in Seoul to go crazy in. Theyve
got you covered in all aspects: fashion, beauty products, food and culture. All of them
are situated near subway station exits, so theyre really convenient and easy to find
and this is coming from someone with a poor sense of direction!
Its time to unleash your inner shopaholic! If you havent already booked your tickets
to the amazing Korea, why not start looking for that perfect travel package now?
10 Must-try Street Delicacies in
Seoul
1. Teokbokki (Spicy Rice Cake)
This is probably one of the most famous street snacks of Korea. For the still uninitiated, they
are spicy rice cakes, usually served up together with spam and Eomuk (Fishcake), in a
sweet and spicy chili sauce. Thats the street stall version. After youve tried this particular
version, head down to Sindang Teokbokki Town, whereyouve guessed itnearly all stalls
sell teokbokki. These people take their rice cakes seriously. The one eatery I stepped into
served this up:
There are two kinds of Hotteok sweet and savoury. I tried both, from the same stall
in Samcheongdong. This stall was nestled in a nondescript alley. But the find was worth it
the street snack was oh-so-delicious. Fresh off the stove, the dough is both hot and chewy.
The sweet hotteok here consisted of a dollop of cinnamon paste in the dough, something
like a bun, whereas the savoury one had vegetables and japchae (sweet potato noodles) as
filling. Both were so delicious I went back for seconds! Its great for a tea-time snack, or even
for a light lunch.
3. Chicken Skewers
Whats so special about meat skewers, you ask? This particular stall in Samcheongdong has
people standing in line for them, with average waiting times ranging from 10 -20 minutes.
Still not convinced? Imagine your teeth sinking into the succulent charcoal-barbequed meat,
and the meat juices filling your mouth. Add to that the texture of leek for that extra crunch,
and there you have it a winning street snack and long lines.
Some say this is a Korean version of the Japanese maki sushi, and it does look that way at
first glance. But while the Japanese sushi is meant to be eaten in restaurants, Kimbap is
seen as snack food, and can be found in many markets and street stalls. Every stall sells its
own version of the Kimbap, but popular ingredients include egg, meat, kimchi, and perilla
leaves.
Sometimes known to tourists as Odeng (after the Japanese oden), Eomuk as a street
snack is usually served on a skewer with spicy soup. It is traditionally thin and rectangular,
and having been steeped in the broth for hours, has absorbed all the essence of the
broth. Eomuk is best eaten on a winters dayone bite of the fishcake and a sip of the broth
will warm you to your toes!
6. Jeon (Pancake)
Imagine a pancake packed with spring onions, kimchi, meat and seafood. Thats just about
how it looks like. Unpretentious, but full of goodness. At most street stalls they sell two kinds
of Jeonthe scallion ones and the kimchi ones, although seafood and meat may be used as
well. It may taste a little bland, but the scallion pancakes usually come with some form of
sweet sauce that you can dip into. The chewy texture of the dough contrasts perfectly with
the crispy exterior of the pan-fried pancake, and the flavourful ingredients add to the eclectic
mix of tastes when you bite into it. A word of caution thoughmost of them are served fresh
off the pan, so dont pop them into your mouth too quickly.
7. Soondae (Blood Sausage) (NO!!!)
8. Hodo Kwaja (Walnut Cake)
Hodo Kwaja is also known as 2-bite walnut cakes. It takes the shape of walnuts, and is filled
with red bean paste and walnut bits. Hodo kwajais great for when youre on the go and want
something convenient and easy to eat. Think the fluffiness of kueh balu, the density of a
pancake, the sweetness of the red bean paste, and the crunchiness of walnuts. Perfect.
9. Candy Cane Ice-Cream
Necessity is the mother of invention. Someone in Korea probably noticed the inevitable
stickiness that comes with eating ice-cream in a regular cone, so they came up with a cone
made out of corn in the shape of a candy cane. Soft serve ice-cream goes into the hollowed
out cone. Its a huge favourite with families and tourists, mainly because of the convenience
and lack of wrappers to throw after. Best thing about it? No more sticky fingers. Walking
Cane Ice-Cream can be found in most shopping hotspots in Seoul,
including Myeongdong and Insadong.
This doesnt exactly count as food, but hey, you need drinks to wash down all that delicious
food, right? And this is just perfect for that hot day in summer when you need a light,
refreshing drink that isnt all sugar and flavouring. I stumbled across this drink in the Ehwa
shopping district. Coupled with warm hotteok (see above), It is the perfect combination for a
tea-time snack. Shikhye is made mainly from milled malt barley and short grain rice, and is
apparently usually drunk during the New Year. And no, you shouldnt buy the canned
ones you see in convenience stores; they contain more sugar than anything. Try the actual
homemade onesI guarantee you wont regret it.
H Y E O N C H O O N G S A T R E E - L I N E D S T R E E T, C H E O N AN - S I
Just an hour ride from Seoul, you could reach this beautiful road that is quite a few
kilometres long, all lined with golden green trees during Autumn. Cars arent
allowed to pass this road during this season so travellers could enjoy the best out
of Hyeonchoongsa Garosugil.
24. Try on a hanbok at Korea Tourism Office
No visit to Seoul can ever be complete without trying on hanbok. The Korea Tourism Offices
let tourists try on the traditional Korean costume for free or for a small fee. Head to
Insadong, Myeong or Cheonggyecheon KTOs to try on a hanbok.
1. Explore the murals at Iwha Mural Village
Hyehwa-dong is one of the university districts in Seoul. From the moment you get down at
the Hyehwa subway station to the time you step into the streets of Hyehwa, youll be
bombarded with all kinds of theatre posters and artistic installations. Walking around will let
you witness performers doing their thing and performing magic for the passersby.
4. Join a Free Hugs parade in Hongdae
Getting all chummy with strangers may not be easy for you, but let your
inhibitions go and give out hugs in Hongdae. Its the perfect time to make
friends with the locals.
In Korea, KFC stands for Korean fried chicken and not Kentucky Fried Chicken. If you
havent tried a Korean fried chicken before, then youre missing out on so much goodness in
your life. The twice fried chicken is crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. Go for the
soy flavour or the spicy one. And like a true local, pair your order with a cold glass of beer.
10. Strike wacky poses at Trick Eye Museum
Seouls Trick Eye Museum has a lot to offer from an Ice Museum to a Carnival Street to a
Mirror Maza but its the array of 3D paintings that takes the cake. Pose with the larger than
life paintings and go wild coming up with the wackiest poses.
11. Eat 20 side dishes in one sitting at Sigol Bapsang
When we talk about Korean food, we cannot leave out ban chan, or side
dishes, in the discussion. At Sigol Bapsang near Itaewon station, the side
dishes are the star of the meal. For just KR8,000 youll get a serving of
spicy soybean stew, rice, and twenty different types of side dishes!
There are many things you can do along the Han River go on a picnic,
play basketball, try windsurfing, and skateboard, just to name a few. But
the best thing you can do? Go biking! You can rent a bike and do a DIY
tour of the Han River or you can join a tour. There are many bike rentals
you can find at Yeouido Hangang Park.
Also Read: Nature Detour: 7 Stunning Natural Attractions to Visit in South Korea
13. Get addicted to Gwangjang Markets Drug Kimbap
Before you freak out, Drug Kimbap (or mayak kimbap) is only named such
because its that addicting! For an unforgettable gastronomic experience
in Seoul, Gwangjang Market is the best place to go. The 111-year-old
market has every Korean street food you can imagine, but you cannot
leave the market without tasting drug kimbap.
If youve ever watched a Korean drama, you know this is the only way to drink Yakult. Troop
to the nearest convenience store or supermarket and go drink that Yakult.
16. Stay overnight at a hanok house
Since youve already seen the beauty of Bukchon Hanok Village, its time that you actually
experience it proper. Experience the traditional Korean home life by staying overnight at
a hanok house. Thats right, hanok is not just for viewing but also for living.
17. Warm your insides by drinking and eating Korean
comfort food at a pojangmacha
Late at night when youre in no mood for midnight shopping but you do not want to coop up
at your hotel room, find a pojangmacha near you. A pojangmacha is a tented restaurant
found on the streets and it sells all kinds of street food. Dining in is possible in
most pojangmacha, and alcoholic drinks are served in some, too. For something cheap,
warm, and delicious, pojangmacha can be your saviour.
18. Visit museums and dine in cute cafes in Buam-dong
There are many quaint villages and streets in Seoul, and Buam-dong is
one of them. Art galleries, artisan coffee shops, homey restaurants are
just some of the things you can find here. Its not flooded with tourists and
the shops are perfectly blended in with the houses.
Indie music is alive and thriving in Seoul. Lucky for you, you dont need to
attend concerts or enter bars to enjoy the music. Walk along the streets of
Insadong (day or night!) and youll be treated to awesome live music.
https://seoulistic.com/things-to-do-in-korea/best-things-to-do-in-seoul-for-autumn-including-
food/2/
https://seoulistic.com/things-to-do-in-korea/15-exciting-activities-in-seou-along-the-han-river/
Bucket lists are awesome. People create these lists to make sure they have a
list of goals to accomplish. And when you travel to Seoul, it should be no
different. So to get you started on your journey in Seoul, heres a list of 101
things to do in Seoul thatll help you get the best out of Seoul!
Each item on this list is linked to more information, a picture, or example.
Hope it helps!
Study cafe
63. Go to a bath house and have someone scrub you down really
hard (to get rid of dead skin)
64. Read a book at a really quiet study cafe
65. Go clubbing with college kids in Hongdae
66. Go clubbing with the pretty/handsome/rich in Cheongdam
67. Win some money at a Casino (foreign passports only)
68. Take sticker pictures with friends
Source
Dog and cat cafes have been the rage the last few years, but there are many,
and theyve expanded to many countries now. The most unique of the animal
cafes in Seoul stars the cleverest of creatures. Racoons are curious,
smart, clever and friendly, and racoon cafes in Seoul have become all the
rage. Come to Blind Alley for a chance to interact with these cute bandits.
Watch them roam around in their own homes, roll around the floors, and
maybe even steal some food right out of your hands.