HAPPY NATIONAL LIBERATION DAY
South Korea is an amazing blend of modern and traditional everything. And this "Everything" could be infrastructure, technology, food, language, clothes, culture, music and much more. Land to the multinationals like Samsung, LG and Hyundai , the country boasts of its technological and mechanical advancements nationally and internationally.
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| Incheon International Airport, Seoul |
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| Iseo-myeon, Jeonju |
South Korea has much more than just Seoul and Busan
Yes, it has much more. Seoul and Busan/Pusan are quite popular among tourists but if you have time you can explore more of Korea. I would recommend various places like gyeongpo beach (Gangneung, gangwon-do) ,which is the largest beach on the east coast , naminara /nami island (Chuncheon, gangwon-do) .Fall is the best season to visit nami. Seoraksan mountain (Gangwon-do) Jeju island, Jinhae in south gyeongsang province (famous for cheery blossom), Hanok village (Jeonju), Danyang (North Chungcheong-do)Yeosu (South Jeolla-do), DMZ, border between South & North Korea. DMZ is perhaps the closest that you can get to North Korea . And of course you can visit the famous places like Namsan tower (Seoul), Nanta theater (Seoul), Banpo rainbow bridge (Seoul), Haeundae beach (Busan) , Gwangan bridge (Busan) looks best during night, Yonggungsa Buddhist temple (Busan), Myeong-dong (Best for shopping in Seoul), Insa-dong, Hongdae, Namadaemun Nampo-dong (Busan) and the list is exhaustive. You definitely won't regret visiting these places.
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| Jeju island |
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| Jeju Island |
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| Jeju Island |
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| Jeju Island |
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| Jeju Island |
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| Jeju Island |
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| Banpo bridge, Seoul |
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| Gwangan Bridge, Busan |
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| Yonggungsa Temple, Busan |
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| Nami island, Chuncheon |
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| Nami island, Chuncheon |
One more place which is a MUST visit while your stay in Korea is Jimjilbang. Jimjilbang is a community bathhouse and sauna (separate areas for males and females for some obvious reasons). You can stay there overnight if you wish to. You can find these bathhouses in every part of the country.
WARNING: You cant wear any clothes in some areas of the jimjilbang . Thats right, you have to be naked, stark naked.
If you are a shy person then you should definitely visit :-). I was real shy for the first time but regular visits have made me somewhat shameless (khikhikhi).
Food
Food is an integral part of Korean culture. Nothing make Koreans more happy than food. And I confess here my love for Korean food. Is it simply mouth watering. The variety of food in this country is insane. Ranging from Simple Korean style fried rice (Bokeombap) to delicious galbi-tang and what not. My recommendations for food would be samgyeopsal (Barbecued Pork belly), Bulgogi (Marinated Beef), Dak-galbi (Chicken mixed with some veggies, noodles and cheese), Naengmyeon (Cold buckwheat noodles in some broth), yangnyeom chicken (Fried chicken mixed with some sauce), Kimchi Mandoo (Pork and kimchi stuffed dumplings), Jampong (Seafood noodles), Sashimi/ Hweh (Raw seafood), Kimbap (Rice and veggies wrapped in seasoned Kim/Nori/Seaweed), Sundoboo jigahe (Seafood and kimchi soup with a bowl of rice). Maeuntang (Spicy fish soup) is one of my favorites. There are certainly more varieties of food here and I suggest trying the traditional Korean market for authentic recipes and tastes.
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| Korean style fried and Yangneom chicken |
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| Some bad tasting insects (sorry i dint know the name). |
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| Corn and rice cakes |
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| Squid |
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| Sashimi |
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| Sashimi and makeolli (white bottle) |
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| Marinated crabs and soju (Green bottle on the left) |
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| Korean style chicken curry (Right) and Bokeombap (Left) |
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| Seafood |
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| Samgyeopsal |
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| Chicken (weird butt pose ) |
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| Sundoboo jighae (Kimchi and tofu soup) |
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| Traditional Korean restaurant setup |
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| This is where you'll grill the meat. You can also see the variety of side dishes (called Palchan in korean) |
I forgot to mention the popular beverages of Korea. Soju (Korean vodka), makeolli (Rice wine) and Beer (Brands:Cass, Hite) are popular in Korea. These beverages accompany the food every time Koreans dine out. Along with the alcoholic drinks coffee, tea and smoothies are also very popular in Korea.
Pizza:20,000-30,0000won (~$19-$29)
Local Beer:3,000-5000 won (~$2-$4)
Korean Fried/yangneom chicken : 15000-22000 won (~$14-$21)
An average hotel/Night: 40,000 won (~$39)
Cheaper accomodation for travellers/Night (Called "Goshiwan") : 10,000-20,000 ($8-$18)
Local bus travel: 1100 won (~$1)
Subway:1100 won (~$1)
Inter-state (Bus) : 13000-30,000 won ($12-$29)
Taxi(3-5 Km): 4000-6000 won (~$3-$5)
Rent an apartment (1 room studio apt): 250,000-500,000 won($230-$450)
Key money (1 room studio apt):2000,000-3500,000won ($1900-$3300)
Rent an apartment (2 BHK): 1200,000-1800,000won ($1150-$1750)
Key money (2 BHK): 5000,000-7000,000won ($4500-$6500)
*Prices may vary depending upon the location, distance and time
*$=USD
Price Chart
Korean Food: 3000-10000 won (~$2-9$)Pizza:20,000-30,0000won (~$19-$29)
Local Beer:3,000-5000 won (~$2-$4)
Korean Fried/yangneom chicken : 15000-22000 won (~$14-$21)
An average hotel/Night: 40,000 won (~$39)
Cheaper accomodation for travellers/Night (Called "Goshiwan") : 10,000-20,000 ($8-$18)
Local bus travel: 1100 won (~$1)
Subway:1100 won (~$1)
Inter-state (Bus) : 13000-30,000 won ($12-$29)
Taxi(3-5 Km): 4000-6000 won (~$3-$5)
Rent an apartment (1 room studio apt): 250,000-500,000 won($230-$450)
Key money (1 room studio apt):2000,000-3500,000won ($1900-$3300)
Rent an apartment (2 BHK): 1200,000-1800,000won ($1150-$1750)
Key money (2 BHK): 5000,000-7000,000won ($4500-$6500)
*Prices may vary depending upon the location, distance and time
*$=USD
Please leave a comment if you know of more wonderful places, food and beverages in Korea.
*** Well, I thought of making it a rule to end my blog with some positive quotes. So here it is:***
Stop depending on people for anything and see your life change.
Much Love
Aditi
***Disclaimer: The blog is based entirely on my personal experiences and opinions. None of the content (including pictures) should be used by anyone without permission.***
