Seoul, South Korea

Seoul, South Korea

Pre-Trip Information:

Journey to the land of Kimchi during January 2015. This was my maiden trip in South Korea which lasted 8 days 7 nights. Seoul offers one of the very best shopping experience thus, during this first trip, sightseeing wasn't on high on the list but just shopping and shopping ! Not to mention, a trip to the ski resorts was mandatory.

Somewhere around December 2014, I chanced upon a extremely rare offer by SCOOT that offered a return trip for just SGD$385, yes its is true. But as you know flying budget airlines has it's own 'hidden charges' such as the processing fee(another $20) and for the basic fare, baggage is definitely excluded. Even adding those 'hidden charges' up, it totals to about SGD$450 in which I had a 30KG luggage allowance back home. The trick here is that, if you are traveling with more people, you could share the weight amongst each other buying only what each individual need.

From Singapore to Incheon Airport(ICN), we had to make a very quick transit via Taipei(TPE). Having the best arrival timings is not something that budget airlines have very often, thus by the time we landed in ICN, it was close to 11PM in the night.

Travel companions, Vincent & Faustina

Arrival:

As we reached really late into the night, thankfully for us, without and flight delay and quick custom clearance, we manage to catch the last train out into the city. Seoul ICN airport is connected to the subway lines in the city via the Airport Rail line. The journey take about 50-60mins. This would be the most cost efficient option if you are staying in Seoul city.

The accommodation that we booked was a 2-room apartment from AIRBNB located in Hongdae/Hongik University. It cost us each SGD$248 for 6 nights. It was a good price as the location of the apartment was just 3mins walk from the subway, surrounded by many eateries and walking distance to the shopping street in Hongdae. The only downside is if you are a light sleeper, you might be affected by the noise during the night on a weekend.

Seoul is best traveled by public transport. The Seoul City subway system is very organized and efficient. Purchase a T-Money Card which you can top-up as and when you need to use the subway. Unlike Japan, taxi is still very affordable, just make sure you have your located in Korean in the case that the driver do not understand English.

Hongdae/Hongik University

Around our BnB

1st Meal upon arrival, BBQ

 As stated from it's name, it is a university area and you could expect lots of students to be hanging out here. Another reason why this place would be a good place to stay or shop is because prices tend to be slightly cheaper to cater towards the university students.

Food:

Korean BBQ

how to eat BBQ korean style

I've never been a big fan of Korean cuisine, but certainly you have to try Barbeque(BBQ). Almost everywhere in Korea has a BBQ restaurant. In Korean culture, once the meat is cooked, they wrapped it in lettuce and eat it in one mouthful. Most of these BBQ stall offers complimentary side items such as kimchi,vegetables,soup, and it is totally refillable. Luckily with modern technology, you don't need to worry too much about the smell unless you would visit a stall without those smoke inhaler that drops from the ceiling. We went to one of them, but they do provide you with trash bags that you could leave your jackets in it and tie it up. But still, the smell is gonna stay with you. Good thing, they have a 'Fabreeze' spray for you to use when you leave the shop. The price depends on what you order, pork is certainly one of the cheaper meat option. They have different cuts of pork for you to choose from, but I will still recommend the pork belly. Without gorging your stomach with so much meat, I believe around SGD$10-15 would probably fill you up.

Baek Nyeon Baekse Ginseng Chicken Soup

We were blessed to have Korean friends bringing the taste of Korea to us as well. As Hyemi studied in Hongik University, so she is definitely no stranger to this place. She brought us to find another traditional Korean dish which was 'Ginseng Chicken'. The entire chicken is stuffed with rice and the ginseng root on the inside, filled with soup made of chicken stock. The place Hyemi & Minsu brought us to was called 'Baek Nyeon Baekse Ginseng Chicken Soup' located in the area of Hongdae. Would totally recommend this place to anyone who is looking for ginseng chicken in this area. Prices are about SGD$18 for a bowl of chicken soup.

Ginseng Chicken Soup

Korean Style Dinning

All around Korea, you will find this common dish called 'Tteokbokki'. It is rice-cakes in some kind of sauce. Some places offer in the traditional sauce, and some offers it in the spicy sauce. You could order other dishes such as pig's intestines as well. Not exactly sure what is the name of the stall(below), but it is a popular chain Tteokbokki stall in Seoul.

popular chain tteokbokki

tteokbokki with pig's intestines

Shopping:

As I mentioned earlier on, shopping is one of Seoul's gem. To some it may not be super cheap compared to Bangkok or Taiwan, but I believe is the money you pay for their trendy fashion is worth the trip ! If you are not into designer brands and those up-scale products, shopping in Korea will blow you off your socks. Most items you find will be of a 'local' brand proudly saying 'made in Korea'. If it does not have that, it is probably an overseas brand, or worst, it could be made in China. Products of Korea are generally more expensive compared to the ones made in China. The locals do take pride when selling products that are made in Korea.

Shopping Streets in Hongdae

sale clearance during a end of season period

In Hongdae, the shopping streets are catered towards the university population. Thus, fashion will trend towards students. The streets are all link together just across Hongik University. Do walk around and explore the expansive area which consist of shops selling fashion products, cosmetics etc to an area filled with restaurants and not forgetting, live music clubs and pubs which come to life when the sun goes down.

Hongik University

Seoul is probably a city that never sleeps. Unlike some other countries where shops closes really early during the winter, here shops open all the way till as late as 11PM. Thus, you will have ample time to even take a good stroll after dinner and have it digested properly before bedtime. Prices in Hongdae ain't inflated unlike certain tourist shopping areas in Seoul, but if you wish to bargain, do it as you wish, you might just end up having a good discount or pissing the stall owner off.

Myeongdong

Alighting at Myeongdong station via the subway will lead you to a shopping heaven in the center of Seoul. A place which you can spend hours or even days in. Being a very popular place for tourist, prices are definitely higher but still affordable. Myeongdong is filled with many international brands and eateries.

Korean cuisine are abundance, but beware of tourist traps. For me, I make it a point to choose places which has lots of people. One popular place to try is probably a Dak Galbi restaurant. It is stir-fried chicken in a Korean sauces over a hot-plate.  Prices are around SGD$12. Also make it a point to try the street-cart food along the streets if you are still hungry, or if you choose to have a budget meal.

Dal-galbi meal

If you like H&M, Uniqlo etc, be sure to check out the Korean brand of SPAO. It works hand in hand with SM Entertainment which brands many K-Pop stars. Cosmetic shops are all over Seoul. Particularly in Myeongdong, you could locate one by watching a staff outside it's stall handling away flyers that might contain a free gift enticing you to patronize the shop. MCM is another popular brand that is trending. It is possibly considered up-scale as their products don't come cheap. But if you are a fan of their brand, you could purchase their product tax-free which will certainly cost lesser then buying from any other countries. Myeongdong is a very touristy area and certain smaller street shops tend to sell their goods at an inflated rate. Thus you might have to bargain in order to get yourself a good price.

Close to Myeongdong is Namsan Tower, also known as N Seoul Tower. By taking a bus from one of the bus stops along Myeongdong or walking, you could reach the top of the tower offering views of Seoul City. It will be a good side trip should you need a shopping break or interested in having a vantage viewpoint of Seoul.

Namdaemun

Namdaemun Market is the oldest and largest market in Seoul. Accessible by subway by alighting at Hoehyeon station, you will see a signage indicating the market's location. The market is filled with many shops selling garments. In my opinion, fashion here is not comparable to ones in Myeongdong or Hongdae but you could get a good deal on items should you be successful in bargaining with the shop owner.

Bargaining could turn out to be either a good or bad experience. Certain shop owners who are friendly, might make the experience easy whilst some may just show you that they are not interested in entertaining you. One tip of advice, is if you are intending to bargain, be sure you are interested in the item or be quite certain you are going to buy it after bargaining. Some of these shop owners do get pissed should you not buy after giving in to your price.

Spicy Beef Soup

side dishes to accompany

There is an alley within the market that sells traditional Korean food. Be sure to ask the information on where is it and have at least one meal along that alley. Most shops sells almost the same thing, rule of thumb, go to the one which is more crowded.

Though it may not be the best shopping experience, Namdaemun market is a place where you should go during your visit to Seoul.

Dongdaemun

Shopping Malls in Dongdaemun

If you have heard about 'midnight' shopping, this is the place to be. Dongdaemun is filled with many 'street-side' shops all within a shopping mall. The floors are segregated into different categories such as ladies and men alike to a departmental stall but all the shops has its own identity. Don't be fooled by its exterior and mistaking it like a up-scale shopping center. Migliore, Freya Town and Hello aPM are the ones with 'street-like' shops that you must visit. As with most touristy places, you should bargain should you wish to have a discount. Most of these malls have an eatery area which you could spend time recharging your body.

Cheonggyecheon river stream

By the Cheonggycheon river(above) are the wholesale markets. These markets normally sell in bulk, and they do not having any dressing rooms. Along the way you will see underground passageways as it leads to more shops beneath the city. You could really spend alot of time in Dongdaemun, so prepare yourselves well.

Ewha Women's University

Another area similar to Hongdae is Ewha Women's University. The shops are catered then again to university students and do bear in mind the shops are more geared towards young women.

Insadong

Ssamzigil

Insadong could be reached by subway by alighting at Anguk Station. You can find mostly traditional Korean culture and crafts. Most of these goods are handmade and can only be purchased in Korea. Around the area are also restaurants selling authentic and traditional Korean meals. Visiting Insadong is a place to fully immense yourself in traditional Korean culture.

Traditional Korean Meal

Around the area of Insadong, there is the Gyeongbok-gung Palace, which you should visit. Admission cost 3000WON.

Nami Island

the famous pine trees in Nami

A good side trip out of Seoul is to the famous Island of Nami. Nami Island became a tourist attraction over its filming location of the Korean drama 'Winter Sonata'. By subway, alight at Gapyeong station. You will need to make a couple from transfers if you are coming from the city. The journey takes about 2 hours. Upon reaching Gapyeong station, take a taxi which cost about SGD$3 to the ticket counter to purchase your entrance ticket before boarding the ferry that takes you to the island. Entrance fee cost 8000WON.

ferry to Nami Island

My trip was during the period of winter. Do come well prepared as there is alot of outdoor walking. Food prices in the Island is expensive so if possible do have your meal settled before boarding the ferry to the island.

Yongpyong Ski Resort

View from the Ski Slopes

Korea has many ski resorts, but the biggest is known to be Yongpyong Ski Resort. Accommodation here during the peak winter months will not be cheap but the experience skiing here is worth the money. It takes about 3 hours by bus from Seoul to reach the ski resort. The return bus ride cost about SGD$40. We did this during our last few days in Seoul before flying back home.

Conclusion:

Seoul will be an excellent travel destination to those who really enjoy shopping. My pretty short trip calls for another return trip probably during the end of summer. I've never been a fan of paying too much for an overseas travel trip and this was certainly one of those in which I can prove that Korea ain't gonna burst your pocket.

Airfare = SGD$450 ($385 + misc charges by budget airline)
Accommodation = SGD$309 ($248 + $61 Ski Resort)
Food + Transport = SGD$230 
Total Damage = $989 for 8D7N.

Certainly it is possible to do a trip to Seoul, on a right timing under the SGD$1000 Budget. This only did not factor in the $$$$ spent on shopping which is determined by your own wallet.

I might have missed a couple of sights in Seoul but if you want you could view my travel video of Seoul at Seoul's Travel Highlights on my youtube channel.