Itinerary Direction: 7-Day Seoul Street Food Tour
Purpose: To experience the vibrant and diverse street food scene in Seoul, South Korea
Day 1:
– Arrival in Seoul and check-in at the Lotte Hotel Seoul (approx. 1 hour by taxi from Incheon International Airport; taxi fare around KRW 70,000 or USD 62)
– Lunch at Gwangjang Market for a taste of traditional Korean street food such as bindaetteok (mung bean pancakes), tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes), and kalguksu (noodle soup) (approx. 30 mins by subway from hotel; subway fare KRW 1,250 or USD 1.10)
– Afternoon visit to Myeong-dong for shopping and snacking on Korean dessert specialties like bingsu (shaved ice) and hotteok (sweet pancakes) (approx. 10 mins by subway from Gwangjang Market; subway fare KRW 1,250 or USD 1.10)
Day 2:
– Breakfast at Tongin Market, where visitors can purchase olden-day coins to exchange for traditional Korean snacks from vendors (approx. 40 mins by subway from hotel; subway fare KRW 1,250 or USD 1.10)
– Visit to Insadong to sample local street food like jeon (Korean savoury pancakes) and odeng (fish cake skewers) while browsing the galleries and shops selling traditional handicrafts (approx. 25 mins by subway from Tongin Market; subway fare KRW 1,250 or USD 1.10)
– Dinner at Mapo Mandu, a popular restaurant specialising in Korean-style dumplings (approx. 20 mins by subway from Insadong; subway fare KRW 1,250 or USD 1.10)
Day 3:
– Breakfast at Jaha Sonmandu, known for their soup-filled dumplings called mandu (approx. 25 mins by subway from hotel; subway fare KRW 1,250 or USD 1.10)
– Visit to the Namdaemun Market for more Korean street food bites and souvenir shopping (approx. 20 mins by subway from Jaha Sonmandu; subway fare KRW 1,250 or USD 1.10)
– Afternoon excursion to Namsan Tower for panoramic views of the city and a snack at the tower’s food court (approx. 30 mins by subway from Namdaemun Market; subway fare KRW 1,250 or USD 1.10)
Day 4:
– Breakfast at Isaac Toast, a chain famous for their toasted sandwiches filled with egg, cheese, and ham (approx. 25 mins by subway from hotel; subway fare KRW 1,250 or USD 1.10)
– Visit to the Korean Folk Village, a living museum showcasing traditional Korean culture and cuisine (approx. 1 hour by express bus from Seoul Express Bus Terminal; bus fare KRW 10,000 or USD 8.90)
– Dinner at Pojangmacha Alley in Yeonnam-dong, where old-style food carts serve Korean street food and drinks until late at night (approx. 30 mins by subway from Korean Folk Village; subway fare KRW 1,250 or USD 1.10)
Day 5:
– Breakfast at Gwanghwamun Jip, a historic restaurant that has been serving Korean porridge for over a century (approx. 20 mins by subway from hotel; subway fare KRW 1,250 or USD 1.10)
– Tour of Gyeongbokgung Palace, the largest and most iconic palace in Seoul, followed by a snack break at one of the palace’s cafes (approx. 5 mins by subway from Gwanghwamun Jip; subway fare KRW 1,250 or USD 1.10)
– Afternoon exploration of the trendy Hongdae neighbourhood, with stops at street food vendors selling dishes like tornado potatoes and egg bread, and cafes serving bingsu and other desserts (approx. 20 mins by subway from Gyeongbokgung Palace; subway fare KRW 1,250 or USD 1.10)
Day 6:
– Breakfast at Gwangjang Market to try more street food options (approx. 30 mins by subway from hotel; subway fare KRW 1,250 or USD 1.10)
– Visit to the Bukchon Hanok Village, a picturesque neighbourhood of traditional Korean houses, with a snack stop at a traditional tea house (approx. 20 mins by subway from Gwangjang Market; subway fare KRW 1,250 or USD 1.10)
– Dinner at Mukshidonna, a chain famous for their tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes) with cheese topping (approx. 25 mins by subway from Bukchon Hanok Village; subway fare KRW 1,250 or USD 1.10)
Day 7:
– Breakfast at Saebyeok Jib, a small restaurant known for their gyeran jjim (steamed egg) (approx. 25 mins by subway from hotel; subway fare KRW 1,250 or USD 1.10)
– Final shopping and snacking at the famous Myeong-dong shopping district (approx. 10 mins by subway from Saebyeok Jib; subway fare KRW 1,250 or USD 1.10)
– Departure from Seoul
FAQs:
1. Do I need a visa to travel to South Korea?
– It depends on your nationality. Some countries are exempt from visa requirements for short visits. Check with the South Korean embassy or consulate in your home country.
2. How do I get around Seoul using public transportation?
– Seoul has an extensive subway system that is easy to navigate and affordable. You can purchase T-money cards at any subway station to pay for fares on the subway, buses, and taxis. Taxis can also be hailed on the street or through ride-hailing apps like KakaoTaxi and Uber.
3. Are there any food allergies or restrictions I should be aware of when trying Korean street food?
– Some Korean street food items contain seafood or nuts, so be careful if you have allergies. Vegetarians may find it challenging to find options in some places, but there are usually vegetable-based dishes available.
4. What currency should I bring to South Korea?
– The official currency of South Korea is the Korean won. Most places accept credit cards, but it’s always good to have some cash on hand for small transactions. International ATMs can be found at most convenience stores and banks.
