Seoul 2014: Day 2 Part 1 (Myeongdong Jjajangmyeon 짜장면 - Insadong 인사동)

Hey there! Welcome back to Day 2 Part 1 of the series! =)

This is a continuation of my previous post Seoul 2014: Day 1 (Changi International Airport - Incheon International Airport 인천국제공항 - Seoul Station 서울역 - K-POP Residence Seoul Tower 케이팝 레지던스 서울타워)

Since I had a really late night, I started the next day late (just in time for lunch)! Yes, yes I know I'm lazy haha but after a long day of travelling its best to rest up, especially for the start of the trip!

First up: Lunch!

Since the residence was really close to Myeongdong 명동, lunch was there! I walked around with my friend to try and locate a place to eat and he helped me decide on Jjajangmyeon 짜장면.

This shop has two outlets within Myeongdong 명동 and they sell Korean-style Chinese food like Jjajangmyeon 짜장면, dumplings 만두 and Tang-su-yuk 탕수육 (sweet & sour pork).

Jjajangmyeon 짜장면which was so awesome! The noodles are springy and the sauce is so awesome! There's meat and onions inside as well. A meal enjoyed!

My verdict? If you're all out of ideas about what to eat at Myeongdong, this is a pretty good place to try out! I heard that the Tang Su Yuk is amazing!

Hong Kong Banjeom 홍콩반점
32-1 Myeongdong 2(i)-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea 
Telephone: +82 2-778-0410 | Website: www.zzambbong.com

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After lunch, we made our way to Insadong 인사동.

HOW TO GET THERE: From Myeongdong Station 명동역, we took Seoul Subway Line 4 the subway to Chungmuro Station충무로역 and transferred to Seoul Subway Line 3.  We then took the train to Anguk Station 안국역. Taking Exit 6 and walking straight for 100m upon our exit, we turned left and arrived!

When I first came to Insadong 2 years back, shop signs were only in Korean due to the preservation of culture within Insadong. I was excited to start reading signs and taking the photos to show you guys how awesome they look; but to my shock, things have changed. All of them have English names now along with the Korean. While some have kept their English name in smaller print compared to the Korean name, most have either just the English name, or have the Korean name in smaller print than the English. I WAS REALLY DISAPPOINTED!

Walking along the streets of Insadong 인사동.

Swirly-twirly Ice Cream. Soft Serve Ice Cream is dispensed into this giant twirly cracker/biscuit and enjoyed! This is known for looking better than it tastes.

Poop Bread 동빵 at Ssamziegiel. Didn't get to try it again.

See what I mean by the English words being in a smaller font?

My verdict? Perhaps to me, Insadong has lost some of its cultural charm which got me a little disappointed. Hey travellers out there! Don't make the same mistake I did. Try everything and don't be afraid of anyone judging you or be deterred by what anyone tells you! Look at me missing out on my poop bread 동빵 again! =(

Insadong 인사동
130-4, Insa-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul-si | 서울 종로구 인사동 130-4 일대
Website: www.insainfo.or.kr (Korean only); www.visitseoul.net (Korean, English, Chinese, Japanese)
How to Get Here: Take Seoul Subway Line 3 to Anguk Station and take Exit 6. Walk straight for 100m
                                 and arrive at Insadong.

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After a good wandering around Insadong, we found ourselves near Cheonggyecheon 청계천 and ready for a coffee break! Since I had a good cafe hop the previous time I was here, I decided to try something I'm familiar with - the good ol' lady in green =)

View from the Starbucks next to Cheonggyecheon 청계천

Green Tea Cream Frappucino 그린 티 크림 프라푸치노

Dinner Time: 
You can't go to Korea and not have KFC (that's Korean Fried Chicken rather than the Colonel's specialty!)

The battered chicken is extra crispy (a clear distinction of Korean Fried Chicken compared to any other fried chicken) while the chicken meat retains its juices and is absolutely tender. If you're going to Korea, I highly recommend that you try their Fried Chicken!

*TIP FOR SOLO TRAVELLERS: if you happen to stay in a guesthouse or hostel and make friends there, ask the rest if they would like to try some Fried Chicken! The portions of Fried Chicken in Korea are rather large and unless you're a big eater its rather much for one person! Also, its fun to enjoy good food with good company!

Stay tuned to Day 2 Part 2 where I braved the crowds alone and went to see the Seoul Lantern Festival after my sumptuous fulfilling dinner of Korean Fried Chicken!

Fly Safe and Eat Happy,
V

Korea 2012: Day 7 (Insadong 인사동 and Cheonggyecheon Stream 청계천)

Before we begin, I'd like to apologise for the utter lack of photos I have for this day, and I promise that this will never happen again. I don't know what came over me that day but I only had 4 photos, and out of the 4, 2 were of donuts.. WHAT?!?! (*repeated facepalms*)

Anyway, if you've just joined us, we're on to Day 7 of my Korea travels that I did back in 2012. I bet you're wondering why I decided to jump on to this task when it has been 2 years. Well I'll be making a trip to Seoul at the end of November so I thought, why not? It could be a bit of a refresher, and helps with preparing me for my upcoming trip.

This post is a continuation from my previous post  Korea 2012: Day 6 (Kona Beans 코나빈스 - Lord Stow's Bakery - Kyochon Chicken 교촌치킨 in Apgujeong 압구정 - Kalguksu Alley in Namdaemun)

Since I have so little photos, fret not! I will provide you with information and interesting places to visit in these areas! There will still be things to read and photos to view=)

Insa-dong Street is one of the most memorable attractions in Seoul and represents the focal point of Korean traditional culture and crafts. Stores in Insa-dong specialize in a wide variety of goods that can only be purchased or appreciated in Korea: hanbok (traditional clothing), hanji (traditional paper), traditional teas, pottery, and folk crafts. Everyone often says that you go to Insadong to get cultured.

One of the landmarks and must-visit places in Insadong is Ssamziegil (쌈지길).
This unique area was designed in such a way by connecting its charming alleys in the form of a spiral-like stairway. As you do your window-shopping through the lovely, cozy stores all the way to the top, you will arrive at Haneulmadang where you can get a extraordinarily clear view of the sky.







Insadong 인사동 can get really crowded on the weekends. Make sure you plan your trip wisely so that you will not be overwhelmed!


When you're at Ssamziegil (쌈지길), don't forget to check out or try POOP BREAD 동빵.

Don't worry, there's no overwhelming smell or fainting people around the stall. They simply sell a bun similar to bunggeopang 붕어빵 (the fish shaped one) stuffed with red bean, that is in the shape of poop (its just a novelty thing). This will be a pretty awesome street snack to have as you're exploring Insadong.

Images taken from seoulstateofmind.com
How cute is that! I didn't get to try this the last time I was in Korea but maybe I will this time.

My verdict: Ssamziegil (쌈지길) seems like a really artistic hipster town, with shops selling creative handicraft of intricate porcelains and hand-sewn toys. There's even lots of couple areas near the roof-top area which is really pretty at night. Not to mention the painted stairs, walls and murals all around the building. If you're into the arts and culture scene, this will be a pretty awesome place for you.


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Insadong 인사동 is also known to be home to the best hotteok 호떡. For those of you who don't know what hotteok is: a pan-fried pancake made of wheat flour, water, sugar, milk and yeast which is filled with brown sugar, honey and chopped nuts usually ground nuts and pine nuts.

THIS IS MY ABSOLUTE FAVOURITE SWEET KOREAN STREET SNACK - simply because it is just so gratifying. When you bite into the crispy chewy skin, the sugar, honey and nuts come oozing out and in winter, this is just amazing.



I didn't get to try my hotteok in Insadong though, so I'm not too sure which stall has the best one. But fret not: the ultimate tourist secret to finding the best stall is to go to the one with more customers or a longer queue! It can't be too bad then.

The hotteok 호떡 street stalls are scattered all around Insadong so keep your eyes peeled!

There's also the stalls selling Dragon Beard Candy in Insadong but I much prefer the ones in Singapore and Malaysia. Probably just a local taste thing.

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Some of the famous things you can get around Insadong are their traditional crafts and souvenirs:




Thanks to sleepwalkingintokyo.wordpress.com for the awesome pictures which will be extremely useful for my upcoming trip. I'm really excited!

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Chenggyecheon Stream
Before being restored only in 2005, Cheonggyecheon Stream existed only as a neglected watercourse hidden by an overpass. It has now been transformed into a haven of natural beauty amidst the bustle of city life commonly used as a dazzling backdrop in television programmes and films.
Narae Bridge, expressing a butterfly in flight, and Gwanggyo Bridge, symbolizing the harmony of the past and future, are two of the twenty plus beautiful bridges that cross the stream. The ‘Rhythmic Wall Stream’, lined with fine marble, sculptures, and Korea’s 8th stone building, Palseokdam, adorn the Cheonggyecheon Stream.
Cheonggyecheon Stream passes close to Deoksugung Palace, Seoul Plaza, the Sejong Center, Insa-dong Street, Changdeokgung Palace, and Changgyeonggung Palace, allowing visitors to easily visit major tourist sites after a leisurely stroll along the stream.

Cheonggye Plaza
Cheonggye Plaza in Sejong-ro is situated at the fountainhead of Cheonggyecheon Stream. From Dong-A Ilbo Building, the starting point of Cheonggyecheon Stream, Cheonggye Plaza stretches all the way to Sindapcheolgyo Bridge. The Plaza is roughly 160m long and 50m wide and has a beautiful fountain, an artificial waterfall, and a miniature replica of Cheonggyecheon Stream, as well as a walking path. The area commemorates the Cheonggyecheon Stream Restoration Project, and also symbolizes gathering, harmony, peace, and unity.
Cheonggye Plaza was created based on the design of Korean traditional bojagi (a colorful wrapping cloth), featuring the elegant beauty of traditional stonework that is colorful, yet tasteful. The Plaza also includes a model of Cheonggyecheon that provides visitors with a bird's-eye view of the formerly restored Cheonggyecheon Stream. At the Plaza, there are plaques providing detailed commentaries on the 22 bridges that span the stream as well as a number of graceful fountains that add to the ambience of the area.
The waterfront areas of Cheonggyecheon Stream, and the surrounding streets have become popular places for those seeking refreshment and a variety of cultural experiences. Cheonggye Plaza is also lit up at night to provide a mesmerising night view.



This is the only picture I managed to capture that day because the snow was relentlessly heavy. I was standing under one of the bridges to capture this scene of the waterfall and christmas tree with the crazy snow. The crazy thing is that Jess, Jess' friend and I decided to stroll down the stream like any other day. It was a fantastic experience, one I would never be able to replicate. When we got back, my fur coat was literally covered in snow.

If you're on a tour, my guess is that you only get to explore the plaza if you have the chance to get here. It truly is an experience to remember (and I was linking the different scenes to where the actors and actresses were standing as we walked along the stream).

This year, I will be able to see the Seoul Lantern Festival at Cheonggyecheon! The stream already looks so pretty alone, I think it will be so awesome lit up with lanterns! 신난다! Just look at these photos from previous years:





I do apologise that there isn't much to post! We were mostly snowed in for the day and stuck eating donuts and I felt that it wasn't responsible to take my camera out to snap any photos even if we had the chance since I would damage it with the snow.

To cheer you up, here's a picture of donuts and bibimbap (the remaining 3 photos I have of the day) because food always makes people happy:




I promise more and better photos for Day 8 when we travelled to Suwon!

Till then,

Fly Safe and Eat Happy,
V