Looking at my photos taken in Seoul, I realised that we ended up doing 2 things mainly - shopping and eating, like a typical Singaporean. Although I planned quite a lot of scenic places to visit in Seoul, such as Namsan Tower, Seokchon Lake, Children's Grand Park, etc (see my itinerary here), we ended up not visiting them due to the cold weather. It's a pity for this trip, but this will definitely not be my last trip with the family to South Korea 😁
Since we settled down quite late at the airbnb in Myeongdong due to our ktx timing, we changed our dinner plans to Lotte World instead (thinking that I could go shopping at Lotte Duty Free). However, the Duty Free shops close at 8pm on weekdays, so it was too late for me to shop after dinner anyway. 😩
Where to stay in Myeongdong
By the way, I highly recommend the Myeongdong airbnb for families! It's very conveniently located near Myeongdong station, steps away from the 5-storey Daiso and Myeongdong shopping street! It's also walkable distance to Namsan tower (though it's an uphill task)!! And the host Ernie is really nice and friendly 😊
What to eat/do in Seoul (Child-Friendly)
Daejanggeum 대장금 大长今
Address: Jamsil 6(yuk)-dong, Songpa-gu, Seoul, South Korea (located in Lotte World)
Google Map: https://goo.gl/maps/hGPEA6wvqXREHMLt7
We had traditional Korean full-course meal (Hanjeongsik) - with lots of side dishes. The food was great though the service was not. We were asked to order the same main courses as side dishes differ for each main course. But we had our own dietary preferences so we didn't listen to the staff, which made her quite annoyed. 😒 Though the food was good, I find it quite pricey (well it's at Lotte World Mall so it's expected).
Lots of appetisers and sides. I like the japchae and anchovies the best!
Food Court at Lotte Department Store, Main branch 롯데백화점 본점
Google Map: https://goo.gl/maps/EwxXHqSboFSLP61j8
Another good place for lunch is the food court at Lotte Department Store. There's a wide variety of food so it's best if you have a big group with different dietary preferences. The food is decent and of reasonable price. For my lunch, I decided to indulge in Korean street snacks! Kim Mari (deep fried seaweed stuffed with japchae), Spicy Rice Cakes (tteokbokki) and Korean Rice Triangles (삼각주먹밥 Samgak Joomukbap) / Onigiri in Japanese. One bite into the rice cake and I regretted my decision - I had forgotten how spicy "spicy" rice cakes are in Korea. 😂😂
Soft serve to end a yummy meal
After lunch, we took the subway to Express Bus Terminal for shopping!! Not many photos taken there because we were busy shopping, but you can read more about the go-to mall here!
This was something really interesting - glow in the dark pictures using optic fibres! We bought one for our next home 😍
Wangbijib 왕비집 명동본점
Address: 26 Myeongdong 8ga-gil, Chungmuro 2(i)-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Google Map: https://goo.gl/maps/zfh399gi2ojGcTbCA
This Korean BBQ was recommended by our airbnb host, and it was not bad! I very much prefer ganggangsullae but this is good due to its proximity to our accommodation.
The sides were so-so only
If you are not a fan of bbq food, you can try the ginseng chicken soup! It's quite good!
Miss Ting staring into the Myeongdong shopping street
Jeongdok Public Library 서울특별시교육청 정독도서관
Google Map: https://goo.gl/maps/ogSiZFMNKcFnt4tT6
Jeongdok Public Library is a good location for cherry blossom viewing! I went there before in 2013 but didn't know the name of the place, and was re-introduced to the place last year by my Korean colleagues. Glad that we were just in time for cherry blossoms this year! Here's a 5-month bumpie shot 😊
Hanboknam Bukchon Hanok Village
Google Map: https://goo.gl/maps/Ug7Q5NqNadBEbtuX9
One of my must-do items in Korea is to rent a hanbok with Miss Ting for photo-taking in the palace! Glad that we got to do that even though the weather was quite chilly for most of the week 😍 Miss Ting was so cute in her hanbok! The hair braids didn't last till the palace though as she doesn't like her hair to be tied up (then).
I took the risk of not booking the hanbok rental in advance as I wasn't sure if Miss Ting was willing to put on the hanbok. We went to hanboknam at 9.30am and the staff managed to squeeze in a slot for me to get us dressed up. The whole process took about 30mins including hairstyling as the staff was rushing before the other customers came. There's not a lot of hanbok choices at the smaller store so our hanbok selection was relatively fast. And I could fit into a hanbok despite being 5 months pregnant!
After dressing up, we took a 15-min walk to Gyeongbokgung. Free entry for Miss Ting and I since we were in hanbok!
This is my first time to Gyeongbokgung when the cherry blossoms are in bloom, and it's really pretty! There may be lots of local photographers trying to take photos at the same spot as you though, and they don't move for you even for a few seconds. 😣
Egg Drop 에그드랍 삼청점
Google Map: https://goo.gl/maps/CbJCtsHCcKsDnW166
After exploring Gyeongbokgung and taking sufficient photos, we walked back to return the hanbok, and chanced upon Egg Drop! I have only heard about it, and since we didn't get the chance to find Isaac toast this time round, we tried Egg Drop!
Self-Order system
We ordered two to share and they were good!
Address: 서울특별시 종로구 삼청동 102 (Tel: 02-735-2965) 首尔特别市钟路区三清洞 102
Google Map: https://goo.gl/maps/ARRk4hk5EZJB4FzcA
Right after Egg Drop, we walked to our lunch place - Samcheongdong Sujebi. I tried it before in 2013 and I think handmade noodles would be suitable for the whole family. The restaurant was very crowded when we reached, and the place is quite cramped, so if you have baby strollers, you will need to leave them outside the restaurant.
We ordered seafood pancake and potato pancake to share, and the staff kindly separated them into two plates for us.
Sujebi - The handmade noodles were sooo good on its own or just with kimchi! They come in big pots for sharing, and all of us had several bowls each.
Trying her luck at the capsule toy machine in Samcheongdong
Hong Sung Won 홍성원 본점
Google Map: https://goo.gl/maps/dRGFpkNZDjh87b3JA
Kakao Map: http://kko.to/xLDwAnP0T
Another must-try dish in Korea is jjajangmyeon (Black Bean Sauce Noodles), which is one of my favourites! This restaurant was recommended by my Korean colleagues and I was surprised that the restaurant was so busy even for dinner! There's free flow soft drinks (self-service)!
Jjajangmyeon - The portion is very big so if you are a small eater, it can feed two pax!
Tangsuyuk - Sweet and Sour Pork
I think this was a peppery seafood soup which my mum ordered
Gwangjang Traditional Market 광장시장
Google Map: https://goo.gl/maps/h84d9B9Ttc4d12XMA
After my visit in 2018 with a local taxi driver, I wanted to bring my family there for yummy food!!
Mung bean pancakes (Bindaetteok 빈대떡) is a must-try at Gwangjang Market. There are many stores selling it, take your pick! We ordered the mung bean pancakes as well as the meat version. Both were super crispy and yummy!!
As we walked around, we asaw a long queue for this fried dough snack. Definitely worth the wait!!
Sesame / Grain snacks
Marinated Crabs - I really want to try this, maybe next time!
We bought some dried seaweed and shrimps for cooking soup at home!
Maps: http://naver.me/5ZwDYUFj
https://goo.gl/maps/GSi6An4SR772
Another restaurant introduced by my Korean colleagues! The restaurant only sells duck (medium or large portion), and you can add noodles to the soup too (highly recommended!!!) Glad that everyone enjoyed the meal 😎
De Chocolate Coffee & Jongno-gu office 디초콜릿커피앤드 종로구청점
Google Map: https://goo.gl/maps/bRwKpSjaMcW4tnf4A
After having lunch at the duck restaurant, if you still have room for desserts or coffee, drop by De Chocolate Coffee& for some thick yummy chocolate drinks! They sell dark chocolate soft serve as well!!
Mongmyeok Sanbang 목멱산방
Google Map: https://goo.gl/maps/bS5xREdjkCZvGuTb9
For our last dinner in Seoul, we finally met up with Imo! I did a home stay with Imo during my study trip in 2013, and it has been a while since we met up. It was a pity I didn't get to meet samchon or Jae Eun this time round, but I'm sure we will have a chance to meet up again, hopefully soon!!
Imo recommended this traditional bibimbap restaurant near our airbnb accommodation. It was a long wait as the restaurant is quite small and located at the popular Namsan area, but the food was worth the wait!
I really liked the cheesy kimchi pancake
Sulbing 설빙 명동2호점
Google Map: https://goo.gl/maps/7DGcV2UzjK9uZM13A
Recommendation by our day tour tour guide! It was too cold to bring everyone out to eat ice, so hubby and I went to Myeongdong for last minute shopping and to bring desserts back for everyone!
For takeaways, they pack the shaved ice in cooler bags with ice packs 👍👍
And that's all for the Seoul (much eating) leg of the family trip! Here's a photo taken at Cheonggyecheon! Till the next time~ Annyeong!!
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