Visit Seoul: Bongeunsa Temple

Despite being a very rainy day, we stopped at Bongeunsa Temple since we were very close by.  Coincidentally, there was a Korean Traditional Culture Festival Celebrating the 1228th Anniversary of Bongeunsa Temple's Founding, so it was pretty crowded despite the dismal weather.  

We entered through Jinyeomun Gate, the main entrance.  Those who pass through this entrance are said to be seeking the Real Truth.  

We walked up to the Daewoongjeon (Main Buddha Hall), and a ceremony was taking place while we visited, and nearby tents were offering food samples.  

Free food samples (look at all the mud in the background!)

Because it was super muddy and rainy, we didn't get to explore as much as we would have liked, but it was still nice to see throngs of people still showing up for the celebration to pay their respects.  

The temple offers daily programs, and even a temple stay for those wishing to experience more of Buddhism. 

Bongeunsa Temple

531 Bongeunsa-ro

Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea

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Visit Seoul: Myeongdong Night Market

Night markets are a must-experience while in South Korea.  A popular one is the Myeongdong Night Market.  The first night we attempted to go to the Myeongdong Night Market, it was raining, and just a handful of stalls were out. 

A visitors guide told us that the rain deterred a lot of the stall owners, and suggested we go to Gwangjang Market instead, since it was covered.  

The second time we went to Myeongdong Night Market, we were actually just passing through (it was so close to our hotel).  

The weather was nice, and we saw stall after stall of savory foods on a stick - lamb, sausage, rice cake, and more.  

We ended up buying a couple of sweet treats:

Mochi

Dragon Beard's Candy

The Myeongdong Night Market takes place nightly, weather permitting.  The vendors start setting it up in the later afternoon / early evening, and are out until late.

Myeongdong Night Market
South Korea, Seoul, Jung-gu, 

Chungmuro 2(i)-ga, 8-3-ga

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Visit Seoul: Lotte Department Store Food Avenue

Adjacent to our hotel was the Lotte Department Store, and on the ground level was a Food Avenue, where we visited for dinner one rainy day in Seoul, which was ideal because we didn't need to get out in the rain.

There were so many food vendors that I (along with everyone in my family) became overwhelmed.  I swear I walked around the food court at least 3 times, and I finally settled on some huge Mandoo, since I wasn't that hungry.

They were excellent!

Other eats were:

Gyudon

Gimbap

Tonkatsu

There are surprisingly very few seats for the number of eateries in the Food Avenue, so finding seats for our family of 5 was quite the challenge, but we staked out some seats and watched them carefully while each person in our family went to look for food one by one (people kept trying to sit in the empty seats we saved).

All entrees come with banchan as well as a packaged cup of water.  

There is a water station where you can get a sanitized cup and fill it with water.

We also bought lots of sweets for dessert and future snacks.

It really was a sweets-lover's dream, as they were so many cookies, cakes, pies, brownies, and more at the various vendors - it was a sugar rush!

OPS - various sweets

BAKE Cheese Tarts

Mengxiang Nougat Crackers

The Pie Shop Choco Pudding Pie

On our last day in Seoul, I bought some Gamza Batt, a type of potato bun, because I would always see lines of people for this snack, and it would often sell out.  

The options are dizzying at the Food Avenue, but it is definitely a must-visit!

Lotte Department Store Food Avenue
81 Namdaemun-ro

Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea

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Visit Seoul: Honey Butter Almond & Friends

Even though you can find Honey Butter Almond & Friends in Hawai`i, we couldn't resist going to the HBAF shop while in Seoul.

There were boxes and boxes of all sorts of flavors of this delightful snack.

You could get them in sweet, salty, and spicy flavors, and they were available in various sizes too!

They even have snacks with peanuts and pretzels if you're not much of an almond fan.

Honey Butter Almond & Friends make great omiyage!

 

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Visit Seoul: Shin Ki Jong Private Taxi

Back in 2020, I was discussing my trip to Seoul with @haisan_val, and she gave me a card for a private driver that she used, Shin Ki Jong, to get to our hotel from the airport.

That trip got postponed because the entire world shut down just a few weeks later, but I kept the card, and once I started planning another trip to Seoul, I made sure to contact Shin Ki Jong. 

Our trip took place last October, and everything went so smoothly in terms of our private transportation!

I first started corresponding with Shin Ki Jong by email, then we eventually moved our communication to LINE per Shin Ki Jong's request, since the app automatically translates for you.

I gave him my flight information, and he advised of costs, and he was great in confirming our itinerary and keeping me updated as to when he was at the airport or at our hotel.  

He was always early, friendly, and very safe in driving.

His Jumbo Taxi easily fit all five members of our family, plus our suitcases and carry-ons.

Throughout our trip, he'd occasionally text us to see how everything was going and if we needed anything.  He even texted us directions from a train station to our hotel once!

Shin Ki Jong is so friendly, and his rates are very reasonable.

Whether you need transportation to and from the airport, or even want to sight see, I highly recommend contacting Shin Ki Jong!

Shin Ki Jong on Facebook

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Visit Seoul: Lotteria

Lotteria is a huge fast food chain in Seoul that originated in Japan.

Some call them the "McDonald's of South Korea," with its numerous burger options, including shrimp burgers and bulgogi burgers.  

Mozzarella Burger

The Mozzarella Burger consisted of a huge patty of breaded mozzarella cheese with a burger and bacon.  Wow!

And of course, there are the sides, such as fries, squid rings, or cheese sticks.  

 

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Visit Seoul: Gangnam

It was a rainy day in Seoul, but we took the bus to the 3rd largest city - Gangnam.

Most people know Gangnam from the popular song Gangnam Style, and there is actually a monument dedicate to Psy and this song (complete with a video monitor so you can dance and sing along, if you wish).

The statue is located right outside the Starfield COEX Mall - a huge underground mall with over 200 stores, restaurants, an aquarium, a movie theater, and more.

A centerpiece of the mall is the Starfield Library.  The towers of books are quite a sight!

We did some shopping at the mall, ate at McDonald's, then explored the area a bit more.

We even made sure to stop at Baskin-Robbins Brown - a must-stop for any ice cream lover.

Aside from the world-famous song, Gangnam has been popular for it's trendy, luxury shops.   Although that kind of shopping is not our style, it was fun to visit the COEX mall while we were in Gangnam!

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Visit Seoul: strEAT

Before departing back to HNL, we had some yummy eats at strEAT in the Incheon International Airport. 

Gyudon

Shrimp Wonton Rice Noodles

Sweet and Sour Chicken

Gyoza

Tonkatsu Curry Rice Bowl

I never have high expectations for airport food, but I was pretty impressed with strEAT.  I had the Sweet and Sour Chicken and the Gyoza appetizers, both of which I thought were tasty.

The Gyoza was nice and crispy, and the Chicken had a nice tang to it.

Everyone else ate up their meals before boarding our long flight back to Honolulu, and we were fully satisfied.  

Seating is at a premium around this eatery, so be prepared to wait for a table and also be prepared to have others linger over your table if they notice you're finishing up.

strEAT

Incheon International Airport
272 Gonghang-ro, Jung-gu, Incheon, South Korea

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Visit Seoul: Unhyeongung

On our first full day in Seoul, we kept getting lost on the bus, and we actually ended up passing Unhyeongung twice!  After the second time, I figured we may as well check it out.

Unhyeongung is a Hall of Korean Royal Family Culture.  

According to the website, it "used to be a Jamjeo (a temporary place for the soon-to-be monarch to stay before taking the throne) of Gojong, 26th King of Joseon Dynasty, and was the house of Heungseon Daewongun. Unhyeongung retains its historical importance as a base for Heungseon Daewongun's political activities during the modern Korean era."

The property consists of various buildings some of which were used for celebrations, others as a guest house, residence for managers, or security.  There was even a building in which only women were allowed.

I enjoyed getting a closer look at the intricate carvings and detail work throughout the buildings, as each structure was so expertly crafted.

The Sujiksan has a few rooms in which you can see objects from daily life.  

Unhyeongung appeared to be a "gathering place" of sorts, as we saw numerous kids hanging out at tables versus exploring the grounds.

There was no fee to enter.  Restrooms are on site, which turned out to be a welcomed find, since we kept getting lost.

Unhyeongung
464 Samil-daero, Jongno-gu

Seoul, South Korea

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