Visited South Korea, mainly Seoul and Namiseom. In about 8 days, 7 nights, we have visited these places for sightseeing and trying the local food. Here's our honest review:
1. Myeong-dong, Food Score: 6.5/10 Myeong-dong is mainly a happening city centre with lots of street food but frankly speaking, the street food are overpriced. To be full while walking a eating along the street, you would have paid a bomb and could have eaten good food in a nice restaurant. The breakfast served on a roadside cart is good though and very reasonably priced. They have variety of BBQ Buffet & Fried Chicken restaurants with quite reasonable price. And of course you will find lots of dessert cafes selling Bingsu.
2. Gamjatang alley near Saejol, Food Score: 8/10 An often overlooked dish in Korean restaurants in Malaysia, it's quite nice. Quite similar to Bak Kut Teh, except it is without the Chinese herbs but instead Potato and some vegetables. Recommended to try
3. N Seoul Tower - a roof terrace & digital observatory
4. Kyunghee University Pajeon street near Hoegi, Food Score: 7/10 The Pajeon (Seafood Pancake) is quite nice. Restaurants around here usually serve in set meals with Tteokbokki (Rice Cake in Spicy Sweet Sauce).
5. Changdeokgung Palace & Huwon Secret Garden Palace is a nice place to visit if you like building architecture and designs. Huwon Secret Garden is hiking into the Emperor's Garden. They have a nice lake and beautiful scenery.
6. Namiseom Island , Food Score: 6/10 A place made famous by the K-drama Winter Sonata. Worth visiting every season to see the treeline colours change from flowers to green to yellow to white. Food here is so-so being a tourist attraction and all.
7. Dongdaemun/Gwangjang Market, Food Score: 7/10 Have a lot of market/traditional food such as Gimbap (Korean Sushi), Janchi Guksu (Banquet Noodles), Bindaetteok (Mung Bean Pancake).
8. Lotte World, Food Score: 6.5/10 This is an theme park suitable for families. Food here is so-so being a tourist attraction. They do serve Buckwheat Noodles. We had both cold & hot version. Still prefer hot food.
9. Sea Aquarium at Yeouido A big aquarium.
10. Tosokchon near Geongbukgung Palace, Food Score: 8.5/10 This is the most expensive food we have spent in South Korea. Per bowl of Samgyetang (Ginseng Chicken Soup) costs about KRW20k which is more expensive than a Buffet Restaurant. But it is worth the experience. We ordered both Black & White Chicken Samgyetang. It comes in a bowl of Ginseng Chicken Porridge. Everything is Ginseng here, from tea to liqour to the food and even sweets too. Environment is very nice too and their service is excellent. A must-try.
11. Namdaemun Market, Score: 8.5/10 This market has the best local food in South Korea. They have Galchi Jorim (Braised Fish) alley which serve very nice fish stew and grilled fish with many side dish including Steamed Egg. Highly recommended to try. There is another alley specializing in Kalguksu (Flour Noodles similar to Malaysia's Pan Mee or Mee Hoon Kueh in Hokkien language) & Boribap (Barley Rice). Each have different add-ons. We have tried a few types. And on top of that there is a Steamed Bun (Pao) shop where many people are queuing.
12. Sindang-dong Tteokbokki alley, Food Score: 6.5/10 The day we went to this street, many shops were closed. We are not sure why. So, we settled for some random shops for the Tteokbokki which is so-so. But we do enjoy the spicy Chicken Feet. It is similar to Chinese Dim Sum Pheonix Claw but spicier.
13. Noryangjin Fish Market A huge market shere you can buy fresh seafood and take it to a nearby restaurant to cook it. Most people will buy the King Crab here.
14. Petite France village A small French Village as tourist attraction.
Hope you like our review and have the chance to try out some of these local places when you visit South Korea. Enjoy :)
