South Korea: Flavors of Seoul

W Hand Steak (closed from Dec 2019 visit)
Food: sirloin and lemodae (8900 KRW = 356 PHP)
Personal Preference: 9 out of 10

2017 Nov: South Korea: Seoul: Arriate Fresh Herb Tea House

Another flower themed cafe in Seoul can be found in Yeoksam (within Gangnam-gu).  Known as Arriate Fresh Herb Tea House, they offer drinks and flower bouquets.

2017 Nov: South Korea: Seoul: Pork Restaurant

Who would miss this famous pork restaurant (named: 쌍대포-본점, ssangdaepo-bonjeom) that is always seen in Korean drama scenes.

2011 November: South Korea:Seoul: Four Season's House

Four Season’s House also known as Yoon’s Color is a place dedicated by the director to his drama series.  It is inspired by Autumn in My Heart (Autumn in Love), Winter Sonata, Summer Scent and Spring Waltz.

Before you visit the place, make sure that you book your request on their site, http://www.yoonscolor.com/.

I studied how to get there, but I still get lost.  So I’m sharing the photos below to serve as markers.

1. Take line #6 subway to Sangsu station.

2. Use Exit#2 of Sangsu station and turn left at the top of the stairs of Exit #2

3. Walk straight for 4 mins, 250 meters to Far-East Broadcasting St. and Regina Wedding building.

See the green telephone booth, after that there is a street with a signage of “Four Seasons”.

2017 Nov: South Korea: Seoul: Blute Garden Cafe

Not your regular cafe, but this is another flower garden themed cafe in the heart of Hongdae.  This is the previous location of Four Season's House (Yoon's Color), that is now converted to a garden coffee shop.

2017 Nov: South Korea: Seoul: Visiting Alver

Found in the heart of Gangnam.

2017 Nov: South Korea: Seoul: Things to do in Miss Lee Cafe

1. Enjoy dosirak
Olden times in Korea, lunch boxes are prepared using a silver metal box.  Apart from rice, there are already sausage and egg, plus side dishes (seaweed, kimchi) inside and you just have to shake it before eating.

2017 Nov: South Korea: Drama Cafes Brewing in Seoul

Miss Lee

Food: dosirak or Byeoldabang's memorial assorted box

Location: Miss Lee Cafe in Insadong 144 Gwanhun-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea

Train Station: Line 3, Anguk Station Exit 6

Website: http://missleecafe.com 

Open: Monday-Sunday 10a-12am.  I came here on a Saturday morning at 10:45am, but was told that they are still closed.  They have requested me to come back by 11:00am instead. 

South Korea: Seoul: Hongdae: Cocoon Stay Guesthouse

Cocoon Stay Hongdae Guesthouse 코쿤 스테이 홍대 게스트하우스
34-4, Yanghwa-ro 18an-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea
서울특별시 마포구 양화로18안길 34-4 (동교동)
Facebook | Website | Agoda

2017 Oct: South Korea: Seoul: Chrysanthemum Festival at Jogyesa Temple

2017 Oct: South Korea: Seoul: Chrysanthemum Festival at Jogyesa Temple

At the time of our visit, Jogyesa Temple Chrysanthemum Festival is being held. Different figures were displayed using various colors and sizes of chrysanthemum. Little did I know that Chrysanthemum is a classic autumn flower, good thing events like this exists so that people can enjoy the beauty and scent of autumn chrysanthemum in the middle of urban city.

Kpop Travel Itinerary to Seoul, South Korea

A fusion of tradition, culture and k-pop experience. This itinerary is to cater first time travelers who are too fond of k-pop and idols over the traditional places to see in Seoul.

Accommodation:  Where to stay in Seoul?

If looking for an affordable (roughly 3,600 - 4,000 php/night) room for 5 persons, check out airbnb.com.

Guest House: "Good Morning Korea,HongDae." 

Host: JoongKeun(John)

Location: The exact location will be disclosed upon your reservation. May not  be located in the middle of the busy streets, but instead on a quiet back road and a long walking distance from Exit 5 or Exit 6.

Korean Demilitarized Zone

We booked the DMZ Tour thru sunburstkorea. Pick-up is at Hongik Univ. Station, Exit 3, there we joined other individuals joining the tour. We took a mini-bus all the way to Paju area.

First stop, Imjingak and Freedom Bridge, here one can see a lot of photos and articles showing life in North Korea. If includes ware fare and other remnants of the war. [Reference]

South Korea: Shopping Zone in Seoul

Aside from Myeongdong and Namdaemun markets, finally was able to visit other places on this trip.

Dongdaemun

Include visit to underground shopping stalls, street food, Doota Mall, etc.  

DDP (Dongdaemun Design Plaza) offers exhibit who can see arts.  It may be expensive, but items extremely depict art on it's own.

South Korea: Seoul: Namsan Tower (N Seoul Tower)

Cable Car
Others will prefer cable car to oversee the mountains and trees.  I tried it on 2011, but seems like the distance from the ground is not that high.  If you don't care about the budget, you can opt for this transportation.

South Korea: Seoul: Insadong

Insadong is very close to Changdeokgung Palace, it a good stop for a market happening and for those who like to experience culture and buy traditional goods.