Guide to Seoul

IMPORTANT: Where to change SGD -> KRW

For the two times that I went to Seoul, I changed my money at the same moneychanger at Myeongdong. Their rates are always higher than those at SG. When it was SGD 1 = KRW 819 in SG, it was SGD 1 = KRW 828 in Korea. Not a lot of difference if you change a few hundred bucks, but for every SGD 1000 that you change, you can get about KRW 10,000 more!

For budget barbies: KRW 10,000 = SGD 12.00 = A meal / bag in Seoul!

1. Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) Tours

DMZ Tours are very popular among tourists so do book in advance as slots are filled quickly. Due to the high level of security, certain areas are only accessible via certain DMZ tours so it necessary to book a tour package. Foreigners should contact a travel agency to arrange an English speaking guide in advance.

Panmunjeom (Joint Security Area)

Panmunjeom is the only place where North Koreans and South Koreans can come in contact on a daily basis and make efforts towards the peace of Korea. From here you can see a North Korean officer in the building monitoring the area using binoculars, just like what you always see in the news.

Bridge of No Return

At the end of the Korean war in 1953, many war prisoners captured by the United States did not wish to return home. They were then brought to the bridge and given the choice to remain in the country of their captivity or cross over to the other country. However, if they chose to cross the bridge, they would never be allowed to return. This bridge is no longer in use now.

Mangbaedan Alter

Imjingak, located 7 km from the Military Demarcation Line, was built in 1972 with the hope that someday unification would be possible. Mangbaedan Alter, which stands opposite of Imjingak, is where South Koreans separated from their families in North Korea visit and perform ancestral rites by bowing toward their hometown every New Year's Day and Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving).

Bridge of Freedom

This is the only bridge connected between South and North Korea, crossing the Imjin river. POWs were exchanged here, which explained the name of this bridge. The Imjin river has been nicknamed by many in South Korea as the "River of the Dead" due to large numbers of dead bodies that have, in the past, floated down it from the North. Creepy and sad right? As it was foggy that day, we couldn't see much from the Dora observation platform.

Dorasan Station

Outside the station.

Yup, correct platform. I just needed the ticket to board the next train.

Aha! Bought my ticket. Now I'm ready to set off to North Korea!

Pyongbu Line tracks that could bring trains to Pyongyang. And off we went... back to the tour bus to Lotte Hotel. HAHA not to North Korea. Since 2008, the North Korean government closed the border crossing after accusing South Korea of a confrontational policy.

Apart from those places mentioned above, we also went through the 3rd Infiltration Tunnel, which was built by North Korea to invade the South. No pictures were allowed so you can google it if you're interested. After the DMZ tour, I felt that South Korea has put in a lot of effort for unification and it is really heartwarming and heartwrenching at the same time. Most tours last half a day or up to a day so do leave a day free if you'd like to participate in a DMZ tour.

2. Seafood Hunting @ Noryangjin Fisheries Wholesale Market

Address: 688, Nodeul-ro, Dongjak-gu, Seoul

Directions: Noryangjin Station (Subway Line 1) - Exit 1 - Walk 100m over the bridge

Recommended time to go: Most markets open at 3am and close at 10pm

After the bridge you'll need to pass a tunnel which will be filled with ahjummas selling vegetables in the morning or early afternoon.

And the entrance of the market looks like that:

Main items there are clams, shrimps, octopuses, and other fish. You can choose to purhase fresh seafood and have it sliced into sashimi or prepared in a stew or other ways at the numerous restaurants there at a fee. Sashimi, sushi, spicy fish stew, you name it, they do it. There are many stalls there so remember to compare prices before you buy!

3. Myeongdong Gyoza (明洞饺子）

Address: 25-2, 2-ga Myoung-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul (Besides Watsons) & 29, Myeongdong 10-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul (Besides H&M)

Directions: Myeong-dong Station (Seoul Subway Line 4) - Exit 7

Operating hours: 10.30am - 9.30pm

Myeongdong Gyoza is a simple and fuss-free restaurant:

1. Sit down.

2. Tick your order.

3. Hand your order form to the waitress, make payment.

4. Wait for your food and tuck in.

Both outlets have similar entrances that look like this:

Myeongdong Gyoza serves only 4 dishes:

1) Mandu (dumplings) RECOMMENDED!

These babies are actually filled with with pork, mushrooms, stir-fried zucchini, and mungbean sprouts. They were huge and meaty, and the skin has just the correct thickness, making it chewy. I'll recommend two people to share a serving so your stomach will have space for more goodness!

2) Bibim guksu (noodles with vegetables and red hot pepper paste)

This is a cold dish, probably only served during summer. Buck wheat noodles tossed in a spicy, sweet and sour sauce together with sesame oil. Yummy and appetizing, but might not appeal to those who do not like cold noodles.

3) Kalguksu (wheat flour noodles in a hot broth) RECOMMENDED!

YUMMY. Tastes like chinese noodles, the noodles are thinly sliced and are served in flavourful pork broth with dumplings. This dish makes you go back again, and again. I think 99% of customers order this, its THAT delicious.

4) Kongguksu (noodles in cold soy milk broth)

This is yet another cold dish which is served during summer. This is served with the same noodles as Kalguksu but with another type of broth. Kongguksu floats in a milky, bean-based broth which is usually served unseasoned. Hence, as soon as it is served, taste a spoonful of bean stock and add salt to your heart’s content while mixing thoroughly and tasting repeatedly.

4. Samgyetang @ Tosokchon

Address: 5, Jahamun-ro 5-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Directions: Gyeongbokgung Station (Seoul Subway Line 3) - Exit 2 - Go straight about 170m and turn left onto Jahamun-ro 5-gil Road - Tosokchon (토속촌) is located 10m ahead on the left

Operating hours: 10.30am - 9.30pm

WARNING: This is an extremely popular restaurant, even among the locals so do go there early to queue as the queues may take more than an hour on some days! You have been warned.

It is hard not to spot the restaurant as it likely to be lined with people outside.

Even in the evening.

Its signature is definitely samgyetang, which is chicken ginseng soup made with glutinous rice, gingko nuts, ginseng, garlic and jujube, as well as 30 different types of medicinal herbs and grains. Each bowl of samgyetang costs around SGD 10.00 but its a huge serving.

This totally beats those samgetang sold in Singapore. Really. The broth is thick and not diluted compared to the ones in Singapore. It is definitely worth the SGD 10.00 than you'll be paying! And the chicken served is large enough to be shared by two (girls)! Your trip to Korea will not be complete if you didn't pay a visit to Tosokchon.

5. Give in to your sweet tooth with Bingsoo

This a Korean shaved ice dessert with sweet toppings such as chopped fruit, condensed milk, fruit syrup, and Adzuki beans. The snack is highly popular in Korea (even during winter) and can be found almost everywhere! It is literally a korean version of our Ice Kachang. Especialy refreshing during summer, but I ate it almost everyday too during winter. The idea of bingsoo-hopping is not bad!

Football:

Chocolate chips & Matcha:

Chocolate peanut:

Adzuki beans & Chocolate:

6. Experience Jjimjilbang @ Dragonhill Spa

Address: 40-713 Hangang-no 3-ga, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

Directions: Yongsan Station (Seoul Subway Line 4) - Exit 4 - Exit from the escalator and the building is visible on the right

Operating hours: 24 hours / All year round

Admission fee: 10,000 won (Day, 5am - 8pm) / 12,000 won (Night, 8pm - 5am)

Before heading to a jjimjilbang, do read up on the basic spa etiquettes in Korea here lest you get reprimanded or laughed at by the seniors at the jjimjilbang.

Why Dragonhill Spa? (from visitKorea)

The Dragon Hill Spa is an all-inclusive health and relaxation complex that is seven-stories high. It is one of the largest, most luxurious jimjilbangs in Seoul.

Level B1: Indoor golf range, PC room and Video room

Level 1: Common jjimjilbang area, Outdoor pool, Food court, Children’s playroom

Level 2: Women’s sauna

Level 3: Women’s jjimjilbang, massage, aesthetics, and locker room

Level 4: Fitness center

Level 5: Men’s sauna and locker room

Level 6: Men’s sauna and Co-ed rooms for napping and resting

Rooftop: Barbeque, Cinema, and Garden.

7. Ewha shopping street

Address: Ewha Womans University Station (Subway Line 2)

Ewha shopping street is one the most popular streets in Seoul. More affordable than those shops at Gangnam and Apgujeong, Ewha is able to meet all your needs, from cosmetics to clothes, bags and shoes. Do take a few pictures of the entrance to Ewha Women's University. So pretty! This was during summer when its all GREEN.

Before you buy any cosmetics in Seoul, check out this shop, Baviphat at Ewha first. They sell many products under the popular brands at unbelievable prices! Brands include Innisfree, Sulwhasoo, Laneige, 3CE, Skinfood, AND MANY MORE. Get what is available here and the rest at their respective shops. No tax refund here though, maybe because the items here are already very cheap.

Its somewhere in a corner, but I googled a map on how to get to Baviphat (circled):

Disclaimer: I read online that this shops might be selling fakes but personally, I've bought many items here and I've been using the products for more than a year. Skin is still doing fine. To be safe, remember to check the expiry date of the products before purchasing.

Beside Baviphat, there are two shops selling cheap and pretty bags, all at a flat rate of KRW 10,000 which is around SGD 12.00.

Examples of what are sold there:

Also, don't miss out on the Laneige outlet at Ewha. In Korea, purchases above KRW 30,000 (~SGD 36.00) will entitle you to Tax Refund, where they reimburse you the taxes that you pay when you provide them with your credit card. If you do not have a credit card, you can opt for the taxes to be mailed to you but the process is such a hassle because you can only do it at the airport (which will be super crowded) so I skipped it the two times I went to Seoul. At Ewha's Laneige, if you purchase above KRW 100,000, you can ask them for cash discounts instead. They're really flexible because they've always agreed when we went there.

Address:

Laneige FSS EWHA UNIV. 106-86-43373 (402) #136-11, DAEHYEON-DONG, 120809 SEODAEMUN-GU

8. Hongdae

9. Palace hopping

10. Baseball matches