Noryangjin Fish Market
We headed out around 1030 am towards Noryangjin Fish Market. This vibrant market is connected to Noryangjin Subway Station via an overhead bridge. It was a bit smelly but it was pretty intriguing to observe the happenings at this traditional fish market. We felt a bit bad having to pick out seafood (they were still alive) for our lunch. But we figured its just one meal?
We purchased salmon, one big crab, mini octopus and spoon worm (or more commonly known as 'penis fish') for 65, 000 Won. Bargain okay? Its perfectly fine to check the prices at various stores first before finally negotiating with the sellers. There were usually ushers from restaurants who would lead you to their restaurants. These restaurants in the market can prepare your purchases into fresh seafood sashimi or stew or fried dishes. Again, check prices first before following the ushers.
One of the restaurants helped us prepare our food into salmon sashimi and crab stew. The octopus and spoon worms were cut into tiny pieces to be eaten raw with salt and sesame oil. Lunch service including rice, makgeolli and side dishes for 6 of us set us back another 45,000 Won. While it was definitely one of the most expensive meals we had in Korea (around 18,500 Won per pax), we thought it was pretty good deal considering fresh seafood would cost us at least 3 times more in Singapore.
We purchased salmon, one big crab, mini octopus and spoon worm (or more commonly known as 'penis fish') for 65, 000 Won. Bargain okay? Its perfectly fine to check the prices at various stores first before finally negotiating with the sellers. There were usually ushers from restaurants who would lead you to their restaurants. These restaurants in the market can prepare your purchases into fresh seafood sashimi or stew or fried dishes. Again, check prices first before following the ushers.
One of the restaurants helped us prepare our food into salmon sashimi and crab stew. The octopus and spoon worms were cut into tiny pieces to be eaten raw with salt and sesame oil. Lunch service including rice, makgeolli and side dishes for 6 of us set us back another 45,000 Won. While it was definitely one of the most expensive meals we had in Korea (around 18,500 Won per pax), we thought it was pretty good deal considering fresh seafood would cost us at least 3 times more in Singapore.
How to get there: Noryangjin Station, Line 1, Exit 1
(cross the overhead bridge & follow that fishy smell!)
(cross the overhead bridge & follow that fishy smell!)
Opening Hours: 01:30 am - 10:00 pm
The largest selection of fresh seafood in Korea - be prepared to face a full-on assault of your senses (smell, sight, taste, and touch if you are particularly feeling brave)
Our spread of fresh salmon sashimi, spoon worm and baby octopus (which were still squirming even after they were chopped up!)
The highlight of our meal: Korean-styled fresh crab stew
We left the market around 1:30pm to explore the National Museum of Korea. Unfortunately for us, we discovered that it is closed every Monday!!! T-T It is actually the largest museum in Korea with valuable cultural assets to tell the story of South Korea from ancient times till this modern day. There were free guided tours available at scheduled times in English, Chinese and Japanese. The best thing is entry is free :D
How to get there: Ichon Station, Line 4, Exit 2
Opening Hours: 9:00 am - 6:00 pm (On Sundays, the museum closes at 7:00 pm. The opening hours are further extended on Wednesdays and Saturdays till 9:00 pm.)
Yongsan Dragon Hill Spa
One simply does not visit Korea, without dropping by its famous 'jimjilbang' or 'sauna'. Everyone goes naked in the changing area & shower zone, so no photo there. But we chilled for a while in the common area while heading in and out of various rooms set at different temperatures. Hopefully, sweating also removes all the dirt that clog pores on our skin hehee
How to get there: Yongsan Station, Line 1, Exit 1
When you come out of the station, turn right. There is a traffic junction. Cross the road. Dragon Hill Spa is right there, next to the "My Wedding Hall Buffet".
Opening Hours: 24 hours, all year round
Outside Dragon Hill Spa
Jimjilbang fashion!
Mister thinking he's the Korean emperor :D
Gwanghwamun Sqaure
After leaving 'jimjilbang' around 5pm, our next agenda was to explore Gwanghwamun Square. Located at the center of 600-year-old city Seoul, this spacious square is home to the Statue of King Sejong the Great, who invented Korean alphabets - Hangeul. This square also overlooks the main entrance of Gyeongbokgung Palace and leads to the starting point of Cheonggyecheon Stream. We were so happy to see tulips planted on the roadside - a rare treat for us who hailed from the tropics!
How to get there:
1) City Hall Station, Line 1 & 2, Exit 3
2) Gyeongbokgung Station, Line 3, Exit 6 & 7
3) Gwanghwamun Station, Line 5, Exit 1, 2 & 8
Opening Hours: 24 hours, all year round
Cheonggyecheon Stream
Until it was restored in 2005, the stream existed as a smelly and neglected waterway. Today, it was successfully transformed into a sanctuary, providing respite from the hectic city life - definitely a great example of how green efforts can be enjoyed by all. Passing through City Hall, Jonggak, Jongno 3-ga, Jongno 5-ga, Dongdaemun, Euljiro 1-ga, Euljiro 3-ga, Euljiro 4-ga and Gwanghwamun, this stream is definitely one of the most convenient attractions to visit. Although we initially planned to stroll along the stream from Cheonggyecheon Stream Plaza towards Gwangjang Market, our tired feet were protesting so we gave in and took subway from Jongno 3-ga Station to Jongno 5-ga Station.
Opening Hours: 24 hours, all year round
Gwangjang Market
Gwangjang is the nation's very first market, and one might recognize it from several Korean variety shows (Running Man, 2Days1Night), to highlight Korean market food. Understandably, while a variety of goods such as fabrics, hanboks, beddings and souvenirs are available, majority of the tourists are attracted to this market by the scrumptious yet affordable and authentic Korean food.
When we reached there around 7pm, our tummies had already started making noises! In order to try more varieties of food, we decided to just order 1 or 2 portions of food at each stall for 6 of us. The only thing we weren't very happy with was assorted pancakes since they were not freshly fried and thus, no longer crispy. Fish cake, spicy rice cake, kimbab, bibimbap, japchae & dumpling soup made for a highly enjoyable dinner for us though. A must-try is MUNG BEAN pancake (Bin Dae Tteok). 6 of us devoured 1 pretty big pancake in about 5 minutes. YOU MUST TRY, OKAY!
How to get there: Jongno 5-ga Station, Line 1, Exit 8
Opening Hours: 8:30 am - 6:00 pm (restaurants close later around 11:00 pm)
E-Mart Supermarket
When we reached back to Yeongdeungpo, gluttons us decided we should drop by E-Mart to stock up on Korean snacks for supper, breakfast and well, you know, snacking in general haha :D Highly recommended products are black bean milk, banana milk, strawberry, Market-O brownies and frozen dumplings! Trust me, you need to stop by at a supermarket or at least a convenience store to try these.
At supermarkets like E-Mart, Home Plus and Lotte Mart, plastic bags are not provided. Instead, flattened boxes are available and you can just choose a suitably-sized box for your purchases for free. Afterwards, taxi would be the best choice since it would be hard to balance a box on buses or subway.
Adios!
How to get there:
1) City Hall Station, Line 1 & 2, Exit 3
2) Gyeongbokgung Station, Line 3, Exit 6 & 7
3) Gwanghwamun Station, Line 5, Exit 1, 2 & 8
Opening Hours: 24 hours, all year round
Statue of King Sejong in the background
Beautiful tulips planted by the roadside.
Cheonggyecheon Stream
Until it was restored in 2005, the stream existed as a smelly and neglected waterway. Today, it was successfully transformed into a sanctuary, providing respite from the hectic city life - definitely a great example of how green efforts can be enjoyed by all. Passing through City Hall, Jonggak, Jongno 3-ga, Jongno 5-ga, Dongdaemun, Euljiro 1-ga, Euljiro 3-ga, Euljiro 4-ga and Gwanghwamun, this stream is definitely one of the most convenient attractions to visit. Although we initially planned to stroll along the stream from Cheonggyecheon Stream Plaza towards Gwangjang Market, our tired feet were protesting so we gave in and took subway from Jongno 3-ga Station to Jongno 5-ga Station.
Opening Hours: 24 hours, all year round
The scenic Cheonggyecheon Stream
(it looks way more beautiful around May, when trees don't resemble so much like skeletons)
Gwangjang Market
Gwangjang is the nation's very first market, and one might recognize it from several Korean variety shows (Running Man, 2Days1Night), to highlight Korean market food. Understandably, while a variety of goods such as fabrics, hanboks, beddings and souvenirs are available, majority of the tourists are attracted to this market by the scrumptious yet affordable and authentic Korean food.
When we reached there around 7pm, our tummies had already started making noises! In order to try more varieties of food, we decided to just order 1 or 2 portions of food at each stall for 6 of us. The only thing we weren't very happy with was assorted pancakes since they were not freshly fried and thus, no longer crispy. Fish cake, spicy rice cake, kimbab, bibimbap, japchae & dumpling soup made for a highly enjoyable dinner for us though. A must-try is MUNG BEAN pancake (Bin Dae Tteok). 6 of us devoured 1 pretty big pancake in about 5 minutes. YOU MUST TRY, OKAY!
How to get there: Jongno 5-ga Station, Line 1, Exit 8
Opening Hours: 8:30 am - 6:00 pm (restaurants close later around 11:00 pm)
Korean pancakes
Japchae!
Freshly made bibimbap (market version)!
E-Mart Supermarket
When we reached back to Yeongdeungpo, gluttons us decided we should drop by E-Mart to stock up on Korean snacks for supper, breakfast and well, you know, snacking in general haha :D Highly recommended products are black bean milk, banana milk, strawberry, Market-O brownies and frozen dumplings! Trust me, you need to stop by at a supermarket or at least a convenience store to try these.
Tired but happy shoppers at 10pm
At supermarkets like E-Mart, Home Plus and Lotte Mart, plastic bags are not provided. Instead, flattened boxes are available and you can just choose a suitably-sized box for your purchases for free. Afterwards, taxi would be the best choice since it would be hard to balance a box on buses or subway.
Adios!
xoxo
Miss N
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