ANNYEONGHASEO! Just returned from my Seoul trip a few days ago. One word to describe my trip, AMAZING! or in Korean, DAEBAK! lol This is my 3rd time visiting south Korea, but I never get tired of it! I love Seoul so much it kills me every time I have to leave. Seoul is my 2nd favorite city after New York. The city makes me feel happy and alive, with all the busy and ignorant people, street food, hectic subway, crowded street, amazing street style, fun lifestyle, cool and hip places, street art, I just L-O-V-E everything about Seoul.

I went with 5 of my friends, we stayed at an apartment in Gangnam area. It is a duplex room. we booked it from airbnb.com and the web said that it can fit up to 5 people. But in my opinion, it is too small to fit 5 people + our huge luggage. The apartment is located very close to Gangnam station, less than 2 min by walk! However, the location, Gangnam district, is kinda far from all the young places. Overall it was an okay room located in a nice area, but If you’re traveling more than 3, I wouldn’t recommend this place to you.

https://www.airbnb.co.nz/rooms/3415825

FOOD!!! FOOD!!! FOOD!!!

One of the most amazing things about South Korea is their food!! Korean food is my favorite. I can’t find a thing I dislike. So I can say that seoul is my food paradise.

1. Gwangjang market.

This place is one of the must see places in all of Seoul. It is one of the oldest markets in Seoul. Gwangjang market is considered to be a food lover’s paradise. People can find everything from traditional food stuff to some of the weirdest and quirkiest delicacies that the city has to offer. It is located in Dongdaemun Area. You can access the market from Jongno 5-ga Station (Subway Line 1), Exits 7 and 8 or Euljiro 4-ga Station (Subway Line 2), Exit 4. Inside the market dozens of vendors pack tightly together, busily preparing a quick meal for shoppers passing through. You’ll find ladies selling dozens of varieties of unidentifiable Korean side dishes. Some appealing to the eye and some…well… not. Price is pretty cheap, $2 to $6. but if you’re an Indonesian, you know that it’s kinda expensive for a street food.

While we’re there we tried the “still half alive” octopus. It is difficult to chew and it is still moving!!!! it’s a fun experience tho. (W15000 / $15)

2. Yoogane. I

went to this place last year and I LOVE it! so we decided to go to yoogane again. Yoogane is a must eat place in Korea for me. I love the fried spicy chicken with vegetables, Korean called it DAKGALBI (If you read my post about Malaysia, you know that I love dakgalbi), and you can add on the cheese, rice or noodle, or tteok. You can customize it based on your preferences. The price is very reasonable, a big pot of Dakgalbi for 2 persons cost me around $8 (without adding anything).

3. Smoke Duck

Korean barbecue is so tasty you feel like flying every time you take a bite (I know, I exaggerated). Korean smoke duck barbecue is also very tasty and affordable. Well nothing can beat beef or Korean meat, but the problem is they are just so freakin’ expensive. Smoke duck taste a bit similar but it is a bit cheaper. You can try smoke duck barbecue in Itaewon Area, 3 min walk from Itaewon station. Located behind taco bell.

4. Lady M New York

The famous dessert store in New York City finally opened in Seoul. One of their branches is in Itaewon literally in from of the Itaewon statio. They had several offerings – cheesecake, fresh cream cakes and of course, their famous mille crepes. Chocolate, Vanilla and Matcha. My friend went for the vanilla one (W7000 / $7) while I decided on the matcha (W8000 / $8) one. Both tasted great, but vanilla was awesome. It is really soft and creamy and not too sweet, perfect.

5. Myeongdong and Hongdae

I decided to combine all the foods from Myeongdong and Hongdae. There are tonssssss of food in these 2 areas. For meyongdong, Exit from Myeongdong MRT at Exit 5, 6, 7, 8 and a busy Myeongdong shopping street will be presented right before you. It’s an area where you can find everything you need for skin care and choices of restaurants and cafes are excessive. You can find many food stalls along the street if you come after 6pm. It is also the same for Hongdae, come after 6pm, food carts turn Hongdae into a street food heaven. Here are some of the street food that you gotta try when you visit myeongdong and hongdae.

• Tteokbokki (Spicy Rice Cake) – Myeongdong and Hongdae

• Odeng (Fish Cake Soup) – Myeongdong and Hongdae
• Tteokgalbi (grilled meat patties) – Myeongdong

• Fishcake Hotdog – Myeongdong

• Modak Modak (Grilled Chicken Skewer) – Hongdae

• Sausage filled with tteok – Myeongdong
• Jabchae – Myeongdong

• The 32 cm ice cream – Myeongdong

• Mochi filled with fresh strawberry – Myeongdong

• Macaroon ice cream – Myeongdong

and last but definetely not least….

• Cheesy Chicken – Hongdae !!! A MUST TRY!!!

EXTRA NOTES: 1. When you’re planning to go to Seoul, the one thing that you really need to book is a pocket wifi. 2. Street food cost around $3 – $7, so it’s not cheap at all. Better increase your budget for food. To be continued………….