Let’s Go.
Korea!
안녕하세요
South Korea is one of the most gorgeous places in the world and if you want to go anywhere I would always urge you to consider South Korea. In this guide I have underlined my personal favourite spots and best places to eat and visit to aid you in planning your trip. Or hopefully to convince you to choose this beautiful country to visit. I hope you find this guide helpful and I sincerely hope you enjoy your trip.
Hongdae.
For a modern arrival to South Korea, I would recommend Hongdae shopping street. It is aimed more towards the younger generation filled with clothes shops and vintage shops. It has everything you would need to build a Korean wardrobe. It is also very affordable so no need to break the bank, for example the average price of clothing there is around 25% less than in the UK. Not only can you find shops and various foods here but you can also be entertained as street artists are likely to be showing off their singing or dancing throughout the busking spaces.
street food and markets.
South Korea has an immense range of food stalls and markets home to traditional must try foods. One of which being Korean red bean flavoured foods, a delicacy of South Korea and an acquired taste in my opinion. While it is mainly found in pastries it can also be found in a dish called Patjuk which is a local delicacy, consisting of red bean paste and sticky rice.
I would specifically recommend Nampo-Dong to explore and get a taste for the foods of South Korea. It is an outside market particularly popular with the younger generation in Korea. It offers a vast variety of traditional foods, such as Korean BBQ and Kibap to try. There are shops for souvenirs, or you can start your very own Korean wardrobe. However you can also visit more traditional markets in different areas selling all kinds of bits and bobs. From light fittings and electrical appliances to modern mainstream fashion shops, Millak market has it all. If you are there at the right time you may even catch the famous drone show over the bay of Gwangalli beach. The drone show is really a sight to behold, however I would plan ahead as it gets quite busy on the beach. There are lovely cafes with perfect views of the bay I would recommend getting a seat at
gamechoen culture village.
My personal favourite village and a must see is the culture village located on the outskirts of Busan. The village still holds locals but has a large tourist industry however some houses are abandoned due to the business of the area. Known for its colourful houses and picturesque views people flock from all over to wander the quaint streets. It’s littered with small local businesses and cute cafes. Many tourists also dress up for the occasion, with many Hanbok rental shops nearby, Hanboks are a traditional dress or suit type outfit worn in ancient Korea and are now worn to represent ancestors or just to show tradition, tourists dress in the traditional outfits and take instagrammable photos throughout the village. It is a great place to purchase affordable souvenirs but be aware of the hilly terrain and large crowds. I would definitely visit here again but if you have mobility issues or general problems with long walks and inclines may want to avoid this specific location as it is not the most accessible.
traditional dishes.
As you can probably tell I am the ultimate foodie, and South Korea certainly isn’t short of new and exciting dishes to try. One of my personal favourites is Korean BBQ. With tender and juicy meats such as beef and pork , specifically bulgogi and pork belly, mixed with the freshness of vegetables I can see why the population is obsessed with Korean BBQ restaurants. It is also very popular due to the cost. It is generally a cheap place to eat at , with prices varying from around £10 to £20 per person, depending on what restaurant you go to. Not only is it amazing food but you also get the enjoyment of cooking the meats and mushrooms yourself on a mini BBQ.
As well as Korean BBQ I also love Kimbap. Kimbap is a sushi type dish which consists of vegetables, egg and noodles all wrapped in sticky rice and coated in seaweed, sometimes with the addition of tuna or salmon. I always recommend this dish to tourists as it is a Korean dish but maybe a bit less adventurous than others, and most people tend to enjoy it.
traditional korean temple.
Lastly, I would really recommend visiting a traditional Korean temple, for example Gyeongbokgung Palace. Not only is the architecture beautiful but the history behind these palaces is amazing and a great way to learn more about Korea (some people even choose to dress up like I said previously about the culture village) tourists like to rent hanboks and take instagrammable pictures around the palaces. The views are gorgeous on a hot day but I would recommend indoor activities on a rainy day in Korea as it tends to absolutely pour down , so unless you want to get drenched, try and avoid the rainy season, it is called Jangma in Korea and runs from mid June to late July.