Seoul
STAY Lotte Hotel Seoul
EXPLORE Seoul’s many awesome neighborhoods like like Myeongdong, Itaewon, Dongdaemun, Insadong, Gangnam, Hongdae, Jamsil & Namdaemun
DO Check out the Dongdaemun Design Plaza
OUT Clubbing in Gangnam District at Octagon or Club Bugatti
We came into Seoul after almost a month in Japan and the feeling of being back was both a breath of fresh air and a marker of just how utopian yet psychologically different and unique Japan and Korea are in contrast. The Japanese ultra reserved and order driven traditional way and the Korean “by any means necessary”, fast on your feet more hands on ways of life were on display as we made our way into bustling Seoul which stands as a stark, ultra modern and larger than life reminder that Korea has been a recent, huge and fast success in so many arenas after a similar war torn and historically challenging past.
We stayed in the college area of Dongdaemun which is teeming with life, coffee houses, shopping and young people. It was a central spot to approach the mega city and just by the complexity of the sprawling metro system one gets a feel for just how big this city is. It’s BIG. We went straight for some Bibimbap and were thrilled to be eating Korean food again and decided on the next day going to the National Museum of Korea to reintroduce ourselves to the country.
Maangchi! Korea’s Julia Child of Youtube! Below is one of her authentic Kimchi recipes
Dongdaemun Design Plaza
Grooving at the Line Friends Store not to be confused with Kakao Freinds the Global Character Brands of Korea
Coffee culture is a major trend in Korea! You can work in a coffee shop as long as you want.
Our Korean Coffee shop of choice Holly’s Coffee
The sounds of KPOP or Korean Pop music are everywhere. Boy and Girl bands dominate the airwaves and sounds of the city.
Yes…a Banana vending machine
Even plastic storage containers avail in case you just want a half.
Amazing things you can find in vending machines
Things you find in Korean vending machines…bananas, soup, skin care etc
Seoul is packed with incredible all you can eat buffets - Our favorite was 자연별곡 or Nature Kitchen. Korean traditional food galore. We went back three times
K Beauty is a major trend and we enjoyed getting to know brands and stores like Innisfree (our #1 pick), Olive and Young, The Face Shop, The Saem and so many more….
Myeong-dong
Apartment buildings in Seoul are a plenty and many look like this.
The Giant city of Seoul sits along the Han River
The trains in Seoul were magnificent, clean and efficient. It also seemed there was not a place in the city the train did not reach. Very impressive public transportation.
Myeong-dong
