Thursday, May 24, 2012

Seoul Food

The term “Seoul food” is overused, but then it’s hard to find a substitute as it encapsulate the essence of the food here perfectly.

IMG_5585 IMG_5988 

Perhaps we were famished due to the long flight and cold weather, but I thought that our first meal at Seoul was tastiest. It was quintessential Korean food: Kimchi ramen, cheese tteokbokki (spicy rice cake) and kimbap, with a side of kimchi and cured radish.  The rice cake… was the best I had tried in my life, way superior than the one sampled in Kuching or Melbourne.

We got so infatuated with the rice cake that we had it for another 3 times. =)

IMG_5671

IMG_6052IMG_6084

Then there’s also the Korean BBQ, which we also savoured… 3 times.

IMG_5827IMG_6229

IMG_6345IMG_6343

Of course, Seoul is not just about the BBQ and kimchi, there’s also the colourful bibimbap;

IMG_6072

the ginseng chicken soup and pancake

IMG_5800  IMG_6075

tasty fried chicken – original and sweet & sour

IMG_5983

and the food I found most interesting was.. real egg cake!

IMG_6250 IMG_6255

Monday, May 21, 2012

Seoul Trip (6)

Day 6, May 21 (Monday)

The second last day of our Korea trip started in a very Ahjumma fashion – a trip to the fish market. But it was not just any fish market but the largest in Seoul.

The smell of fish was so strong that it was the first thing that greeted us when we disembarked on that particular train stop.

IMG_6256

It was really humongous and sold a huge variety of live and swimming seafood. Octopuses can be seen slithering from a cramped aquarium to another, and there were the occasional splashes from fishes escaping their fate.

IMG_6258

The creatures on the white tray are the unfortunate prey we chose for our brunch. God bless their soul, they were delicious.

IMG_6262

The beauty of the place is that once you have chosen your meal, the fishmonger will direct you to an adjacent eatery which will prepare your meal according to your liking, including syabu-syabu style:

IMG_6266

The next ahjumma thing we did that day was shopping at LotteMart.

IMG_6279

I came to believe that LotteMart had shoppers in a spell to purchase and purchase in bulk. They are so sure you will do just that by providing huge boxes where you are pack your shopping yourself and send them back home in a plane. Or in our case, a taxi. Real thoughtful.

IMG_6280

We finally became our youthful and fashionable self late evening with a trip to the Gingko tree lined streets of Sinshadong. Sinshadong was touted to be the place where the young and trendy hang out, and the place didn’t disappoint,  with beautiful coffee houses, boutique shops, people and cars.

IMG_6284

The street was just busting with colours and characters that I can’t resist snapping away. The coffee shops were really standouts. There were just so many of them, each with their own style and feel. How I wish I can just sit and let the atmosphere seep in the as my coffee steep in their dainty cup everyday!

IMG_6300

IMG_6310

IMG_6319

IMG_6322

IMG_6326

IMG_6334

IMG_6331

IMG_6332

Sunday, May 20, 2012

Seoul Trip (5)

Day 5.  May 20 (Sunday)

Winter Sonata not only propel Korea into our consciousness, but also made this place into a tourist hotspot.

Before all the drama hype, the self governed island of Naminara was a quiet idyllic place to unwind and relax. But now, it became a must-visit shrine for the drama’s followers.

IMG_6120

And for our fifth day in Korea, we took a 2 hours plus journey in order to trace the decade long steps of Winter Sonata’s star-crossed lovers.

IMG_6193

Apparently, 10 years was too long a time past and the location of their purported first kiss offered no flashback to the actual scene in the drama. 

IMG_6111

But at least Koreans are thoughtful enough to have their kissing pose cast in bronze, albeit it was surprisingly located at a different place.

IMG_6136

The breathtaking tree-lined path in the drama was intact, despite it being in a different hue. Unfortunately, there was just too many fans like us which negate any romantic feel.

IMG_6196

However the whole island was indeed a very beautiful place, perfect to de-stress and enjoy an idyllic afternoon siesta;

IMG_6158

or high tea.

IMG_6190

Even the shops are decorated with colourful flowers.

IMG_6124

Night time saw us returning to the bright lights of  Myengdong for window shopping again, as well as a visit to the majestic Myengdong cathedral.

IMG_6243 

IMG_6235

And that concludes day 5, which with the end of the journey creeping up with increasing speed. =(

Saturday, May 19, 2012

Seoul Trip (4)

Day 4. 19 May (Saturday)

After you had seen this post I wouldn’t blame you if you have us pegged as Korean history lovers because we visited yet another destination of Korean past: a cultural park -

IMG_5986

filled with traditional Korean hanok houses (again!).

IMG_6024

But it was a nice place where you can indulge in traditional Korean games, writings and music,

IMG_6020 IMG_6022

and also bear witness to a real Korean wedding!

IMG_6008

Next stop was the famous Ewha Women’s University which was also seeped in tradition. But this time it was European influence not Korean. The pictures below are of the Pharmaceutical Department and the statue of Korea’s first female doctor.

IMG_6060 IMG_6059

The place also had some modern fittings however, as seen by this interesting, huge structure. And on weekends, the university had the feel of being a tourist attraction rather than an institution of higher learning.

IMG_6057

What’s nice was that right next to the university was a very vibrant shopping mecca. How I wish I was a student there. But then it is a girl’s school. Hmm… perhaps being a lecturer then =).

 IMG_6065 IMG_6066

IMG_6070 IMG_6067

Night time, we went back to Myengdong to continue our shopping spree.. more on Myengdong later. That concludes another eventful day in Korea!