Things to do in Seoul, South Korea

Seoul, South Korea, is a huge city with lots and lots of things to do.

An immediate glance and you’ll probably notice that shopping and dining are two of Seoul’s most prominent features. But after a little more research and wandering around, you’ll notice that there’s a rich history (Seoul has been a settlement for over 2,000 years), mountains and parks, countless neighborhoods and a interesting Korean culture.

The list of things to do in Seoul could go on and on, that’s why I thought instead of trying to tackle the entire city, I’d just cover 25 of the coolest things to do in the entertaining city.

Gyeongbukgung Palace

1. Gyeongbukgung Palace

One of Seoul’s most renowned historical attractions and most visited sites in the city is the Gyeongbukgung Palace. It was one of the main palaces during the Korean Joseon Dynasty, originally constructed at the very end of the 14th century. Unfortunately, the palace was destroyed during the Japanese invasion in the 1500′s, but it was rebuilt and remodeled some 200 years ago.

The palace grounds are HUGE – it’s like a park in and of itself. You can browse through all sorts of interesting building and also check out the gardens. My favorite place in the Gyeongbukgung Palace was the courtyard filled with all the clay pots used to store fermented chili pastes and kimchi!

Located in central Seoul, very close to touristy areas like Insadong, the palace is very easy to get to.

Entrance: 3,000 Won ($2.63)
Hours: 9 am – 6 pm
How to get there: Take the Subway to Gyeongbokgung Station and Exit #5

Things to do in Seoul - Bukchon Hanok Village

2. Bukchon Hanok Village

Bukchon Hanok Village in Seoul, located adjacent to the Gyeongbukgung Palace, is one of the most interesting things to do in Seoul. Exploring the streets and checking out the Korean traditional homes was a lot fun. Within the village there are also a few homes that have opened their doors as guest houses – not the cheapest, but looked like a great experience.

After getting a map at the tourist information center within the village, I followed the main walking route, stopping at a series of viewpoints. In the main areas of the village there are nice little restaurants and boutique shops. I had a great time walking around the antique village while sampling Korean touristy street food. It really reminded me of the Chengyang village in China.

Entrance: Free
Hours: I’d go anywhere from 10 am until about 6 pm
How to get there: You can either walk from the palace or take the subway to Anguk Staion and Exit #1 or #2 – then walk 5 minutes north.

Jogyesa Buddhist Temple

3. Jogyesa Buddhist Temple

Located in the middle of Seoul’s business high rise buildings district is the Jogyesa Korean Buddhist temple. It’s almost always buzzing with locals and tourists streaming in and out. The temple is a Zen Buddhist temple, though it reminded me of the Gangaramaya Buddhist Temple in Colombo.

Undoubtedly, one of the coolest things about visiting the temple was the ancient trees on the compound - apparently over 500 years old. Strung up on the trees were banners and paper steamers made from brightly colored paper. It was a pretty cool site to see!

Entrance : Free
Hours: Open around the clock
How to get there: Get off the subway at Jonggak Station and Exit #2

Suwon's Hwaseong Fortress

4. Suwon’s Hwaseong Fortress

About an hour and a half from Seoul, Suwon’s Hwaseong Fortress makes a great day trip. Built in the 18th century, the Korean castle is now a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of South Korea’s most important historical sites.

When I went, I saw nearly the entire fortess, and it took me about 2.5 hours once I was there. If you want to see the entire palace, the walls and gates and the fortress museum, it will likely take 3 – 4 hours to see everything. I’d highly recommend the Hwaseong Fortess if you have a day to spare on your trip to South Korea.

Entrance : 1,500 Won ($1.32) for palace and 1,000 Won ($0.88) for fortress walls, Package ticket is 3,500 Won ($3.07) and includes both options plus museum ticket
Hours: Open 9 am – 6 pm
How to Get There: You can actually take the Seoul Subway to Suwon station and Exit #5. Then you have to get in a local bus #11, #13, #36, or #39 and take it for about 10 minutes to the gates of the fortress.

War Memorial and Museum

5. War Memorial and Museum

I wasn’t actually even planning to visit, but the War Memorial and Museum turned out to be one of the pretty cool things to do in Seoul. At the entrance there’s a number of statues and memorials in remembrance of South Korea’s biggest wars. Inside the building are exhibits of tactics and weapon displays.

What I enjoyed most was the outdoor section that showcases a bunch of tanks, planes, helicopters, and giant missiles. You can even climb in and check out a number of the vehicles.

Entrance : Free
Hours: 9 am – 6 pm and closed on Monday
How to get there: Get off the subway at Samgakji Station and Exit #12

N Seoul Tower

6. N Seoul Tower

Central Seoul revolves around the N Seoul Tower that sits at the top of the Namsan mountain. It is a communications tower that is open as an observation and entertainment tower as well. Going to the top offers the opportunity to get one of the best overall views of the city of Seoul, somewhat like the Menara KL Tower.

Many people who go to the N Seoul Tower take a cable car up the to the peak of the mountain and pay to go up to the top of the tower. It has also become famous to go to the tower and lock a padlock from the fence as a symbol of love – one of the most romantic things to do in Seoul!

Entrance : 9,000 Won ($7.90)
Hours: 10 am – 10:30 pm
How to get there: Walk from Myeongdong Station (more info here)

Myeongdong Shopping in Seoul, South Korea

7. Myeongdong Shopping

Shopaholics will rejoice when they head to Myeongdong – it’s one of Seoul’s busiest and most shopper insane areas of town.

From the latest Korean cosmetics and fahion to the brightest neon colored sneakers, there’s all kinds of stores in this outdoor mall. Along with trendy expensive stuff, in the afternoon hours, street shopping stalls also set up shop. If shopping is not your thing, don’t worry, there’s a massive selection of restaurants, street food stalls, towering ice cream cones, and snacks everywhere you look.

As an area that swells to millions of shoppers and walkers daily, you’ll have a good time even if you just want to people watch! If you love to shop, spending time browsing through Myeongdong will be one of your favorite things to do in Seoull!

Hours: Many of the businesses are open from 11 am – 10 pm but things are most busy in the later afternoon and evening
How to get there: Take the Subway to Myeongdong Station

Insadong

8. Insadong

One of Seoul’s most touristy areas of town is known as Insadong. If you’re looking for Korean souvenirs to bring back, this is a great place, but kind of expensive place to buy things. There’s also plenty of food options, like delicious mandu, and lots of Korean street food snacks.

Form Insadong, it’s a breeze to walk to other places around Seoul such as the Gyeongbukgung Palace and the Bukchon Hanok village (mentioned above).

Tip: If you’re looking for a good South Korean food restaurant, go back into one of the alleyways off of Insadong a little ways – the prices are cheaper.

Hours: Open 10 am – 6 pm or so
How to get there: Take the subway to Anguk Station and Exit #6

Namdaemun Market

9. Namdaemun Market

Located in the central area of Seoul is one of the city’s largest and oldest markets – the Namdaemun Market. This is Seoul in its most thrilling local flavor. There’s a downstairs section where you can get all kinds of imported things, including imported liqueur and things like Skippy peanut butter and GNC supplements.

When I went in the middle of the day, the market was hopping with tons of people (as usual) and you could buy all kinds of local Korean made necessities – clothing, some foods, electronics and so on. I bought a few bags of toasted seaweed to eat with rice and kimchi.

Hours: Open almost around the clock, but go during daytime hours, closed on Sunday
How to get there: Take the subway to Hoehyeon Station and Exit #5

10. Dongdaemun

Yet another wild Seoul shopping destination, Dongdaemun is not really a single market, but rather an entire area that is dedicated to shopping. It’s an entire commercial area where you can find just about everything imaginable for sale.

The thing about shopping in Seoul is that even though I’m not much of a shopper, there are still so many other things to do at shopping destinations besides shop. There’s always lots of food and interesting things to observe.

Hours: Basically around the clock you’ll be able to shop, including the night owl shopping center
How to get there: Get off the subway at Dongdaemun Station and Exit #8, #9

Itaewon, Seoul, South Korea

11. International Itaewon

One of the international melting pots of Seoul is Itaewon, some areas even look like Cairo. There are lots of international restaurants, stores, bars and clubs. If you’re in the mood for a delicious shawarma, head on over to Itaewon where you’ll have a nice selection.

Itaewon is also home to more Seoul street shopping that often includes fake designer goods. You can also shop at the main stores that offer more authentic products.

How to get there: Take the subway to Itaewon Station

Hongdae (Hongik University)

12. Hongdae (Hongik University)

Another popular area of Seoul is near Hongik University, known as Hongdae for short. The area is a pleasant part of town that is great for walking, dining, and yes, shopping some more. The streets are lined with lots of stores and also a fabulous array of restaurants – some of them cheaper to cater to the students.

Hongdae also happens to be one of Seoul’s biggest nightlife destinations. Some of the city’s biggest bars and craziest nightclubs are located in the area. One of the fun things to do in Seoul is go to the monthly Hongdae Club Day on the last Friday of each month.

If you’re looking for a good Korean barbecue restaurant, try out New Vally Restaurant in Hongdae.

How to get there: Take the subway to Hongik University station

Lotte Mart

13. Lotte Mart

I don’t know about you, but one of my favorite things to do in any city is visit a supermarket to just walk around and see all the different things available for sale. I also love outdoor markets, but indoor supermarkets are also very interesting.

Going to Lotte Mart in Seoul has to be one of the coolest grocery stores in the world. There is lots of food and lots of food samples. I was tempted to drop a ton of cash, but had to hold back to stick to my budget. Any kind of Korean food goods are available at Seoul’s Lotte Mart.

Hours: 9 am – midnight
How to Get There: There are a number of locations around Seoul

Lotte World - Seoul, South Korea

14. Lotte World

Lotte World is a magical Korean amusement park that is one of the biggest indoor parks in the world! They also have an outdoor section known as Magic Island. Step inside and you’ll be transported into a world of thrilling rides and adventurous activities.

If you are looking for one of the most exciting things to do in Seoul, take a day to set loose and have fun at Lotte World!

Entrance: Check out their site for more information
Hours: 9:30 am – 10 pm Monday through Thursday, 9:30 am – 11 pm Friday through Sunday
How to get there: Get off the subway at Jamsil Station and there are lots of signs from there

Seoul Children's Park

15. Seoul Children’s Park

I didn’t know what to expect when I showed up at Seoul’s Children’s Park – and at first I wasn’t all that thrilled. However, after walking around for a while, I realized it’s a giant green park area with not just cool things for kids, but for just about everyone.

From amusement rides to playgrounds and even a free zoo, Children’s Park is a great place to spend a lazy afternoon in Seoul. I got to see my first ever polar bear at the zoo within the park!

Entrance: Free
Hours: Open 5 am – 10 pm, but the zoo is only open 10 am – 5 pm
How to Get There: Take the Subway to Children’s Park Station and Exit #1 or to Achasan Station and follow signs

Han River Walking / Riding

16. Han River Walking / Riding

The Han River is one of Korea’s largest, and it goes right through the center of Seoul. Along the banks of the river, throughout most of the city, is a lovely recreational area set aside for exercising and sports.

Away from the boisterous highway, you can rent a bicycle and slowly pedal up and down the river or go for a lengthy ride on the track that goes for over 40 kilometers. If biking is not your thing, you may want to check out a Seoul night tour for views of the river at night or even a Han river boat cruise.

Cost: 3,000 Won ($2.63) per hour to rent a bike
Hours: Day hours

Walking along the Cheonggyecheon Stream

17. Walk along the Cheonggyecheon Stream

In an effort to renew the greenness in a seemingly endless city sprawl in central Seoul, the Cheonggyecheon stream and recreational area was created. It’s a long 8.4 kilometers where you can stroll along the stream and play in the outdoors – even though you’re in the middle of Seoul.

When I was in Seoul, I used the Cheonggyecheon park a number of times just to get from place to place without having to walk along the traffic on the road.

Entrance: Free
Hours: Throughout the day
How to get there: You can walk there form a number of subway stations, it starts at City Hall Station

18. Hike in Seoul

One thing you’ll notice when you arrive in Seoul is that there are lots of hikers – especially riding the subway. You’ll know they are hikers as they are decked out in model perfect gore-tex jackets, North Face backpacks and mandatory trekking poles. Namsan is located right in the middle of Seoul, but there are also many other places to hike near the city.

Being a little too cold when I visited South Korea, I chickened out when it came to hiking on one of the beautiful mountains surrounding the city. However, if conditions would have been a little warmer, I would have loved to get out there hiking!

Gwangjang Market - Seoul, South Korea

19. Gwangjang Market

Without doubt, if you like to eat, indulging in Korean street food at the Gwangjang Market will be one of the top things to do in Seoul. For myself, it was probably the coolest thing I did.

At first I though the market was just another market full of textiles, but finally reaching the avenue of street food turned the Gwangjang Market into an instant hit. There’s a countless amount of street stalls to choose from, and they all serve wonderful Korean food. The vendors are even extremely nice, calling to you to eat at their stall.

Click here to watch a video of the Gwangjang Market.

Hours: Get there for lunch – 11 am – 4 pm and come hungry
How to Get There: Jongno 5-ga Station and Exit #8

Noryangjin Fish Market

20. Noryangjin Fish Market

A little more organized than the fish market in Dar Es Salaam, Seoul’s Noryangjin Fisheries Market is a bedazzling display of the finest and freshest seafood. The seafood is kept so fresh in water that it sometimes looks like you’re in a pet store instead of a food market – isn’t that awesome!

Anyway, going to the fish market was one of the most memorable things to do in Seoul for myself, and I’d highly recommend it to anyone. After browsing the market, you can head to an upstairs restaurant and sit down for some fresh sashimi or seafood – just be warned that it can get rather expensive! Maybe next time I’ll just make myself a fresh poke bowl.

Hours: Open 24 hours, but great to go here around lunch time hours
How to Get There: Take the subway to Noryangjin Station and Exit #1

Garak Wholesale Food Market

21. Garak Wholesale Food Market

Garak Market is the biggest and craziest distribution wholesale food market in Seoul. Food comes to this market from around the entire country to supply the city. It’s so big, that it actually just appears to be a bunch of warehouses. It’s quite a bit more organized than a market like Samrong or Long Bien.

There’s an entire section for fruit and an entire section dedicated just to the napa cabbage (cabbage used to make kimchi) – and they are humongous. I also found another really cool grocery store located at the Garak Market that was extremely busy but had some great food deals, if you’re looking to cook your own food.

Hours: Open around the clock, but it’s best to go between 6 pm – 9 pm for the auction
How to Get There: Get off the subway station at Garak Market Station, Exit #8 and walk for about 10 minutes to get to the entrance

Eating street food is one of the best things to do in Seoul!

22. Korean Street Food

One of the finest things to do in Seoul is to explore with your stomach. Just as eating street food is one of the best things to do in Bangkok, so it also is in Seoul!

Much of the street food in Seoul is made for on the go eaters who just have a few moments to grab a quick snack. The food is served piping hot and is pretty fresh, judging from everything I tried.

Just like Egyptian street food, there are lots of deep fried greasy treats and lots of meaty dishes as well. Try a tornado potato or a French fry encased hot dog.

Be sure to check out this Korean street food list of tastiest dishes!

Ice Cream Selections

23. Ice Cream Selections

Koreans really know how to make ice cream well, and not just fresh ice cream, but some of the best ice cream packages I’ve had are sold at convenience stores through Seoul. There are so many specialty delicious looking ice creams that it’s worth it just to try all of them.

I was a big fan of Korean Melona bars from when I was a child eating them in Hawaii, and they were just as good as I had remembered!

Coffee at a Coffee Shop

24. Coffee at a Coffee Shop

There’s an amazing amount of coffee shops in Seoul – I don’t think I’ve ever seen as many coffee shops per block as in Seoul, apart from the streets of Hanoi. Hongdae is a good area to chill out and sit down at a trendy high tech coffee shop, and almost all have wi-fi.

The problem is, Korean coffee is not what I’d call good. It happens to be way watered down and not nearly strong enough, but the coffee shops are still nice to sit in. Unfortunately, if you’re looking for better coffee in Seoul, you’ll have to go to either the Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf or Starbucks.

Korean Barbecue in Seoul, South Korea

25. Korean Barbecue

It all eventually comes down to the food… and Seoul, South Korea, is literally a heaven on earth for foodies. During my entire visit, I was enthralled and confused at the same time, debating what to eat, and trying to eat as much South Korean food as possible. It was a lot of fun.

Korean barbecue is a great way to socialize while eating the choicest of delicious meat. You sit at a table with your own personal grill in front of you, order plates of meat, grill it right before your nose, and devour the meat with all the Korean side dishes and often leaves of lettuce and garlic.

Korean barbecue is one of the tastiest things to eat in Seoul, South Korea!

Hope you enjoyed these 25 suggestions for what to do in Seoul.

Please leave me a comment if you have anything else to add to the list!

25 Thrilling Things To Do in Seoul, South Korea is a post from: Cultural Travel and Street Food Around the World | Migrationology

Beach in Zanzibar

Zanzibar is really one of the most beautiful places in the world.

I took this photo from hanging out on the rooftop of a boat, slowly sailing past this quiet fishing village beach. Enjoying the beautiful nature of Zanzibar is one of the best things to do in Zanzibar.

If you’re interested, check out this video of Zanzibar as well!

Photo: Beautiful Beach in Zanzibar is a post from: Cultural Travel and Street Food Around the World | Migrationology

Shopping Markets in Bangkok, Thailand

It’s honestly incredible to think about how many markets are scattered throughout Bangkok. I’ve been on and off living in Bangkok for nearly three years and I still discover new markets in different parts of the city.

Today we’re going to go through 6 of Bangkok’s busiest central markets, shopping havens that cover a variety of merchandise.

Sampeng Market (Yaowarat)

1. Sampeng Market (Yaowarat)

Yaowarat, or Bangkok’s Chinatown, is one of the most exciting and busiest parts of the city. Along with a fantastic array of Thai street food, there are a number of shopping markets.

The most famous is Sampeng Market, a seemingly everlasting sprawl of random trinkets, latest inventions, jewelry, fabric and everything else you can imagine. The market is often jam packed with shoppers, street food carts and transport dollies all scurrying through the narrow aisles.

Sampeng Market is a place where many store owners or market stall vendors in other parts of the city purchase wholesale deals.

Getting There: Easiest to take a river boat to Ratchawong Pier and walk for about 5 minutes to the market
Hours: 9 am – 6 pm

Chatuchak Weekend Market (ซื้อของที่ตลาดนัดจตุจักร)

2. Chatuchak Weekend Market (ซื้อของที่ตลาดนัดจตุจักร)

Easily the most world famous shopping market in Bangkok is the weekend Chatuchak Market – a massive jumble of stalls and permanent stores for the extreme shopaholics.

Everything is available at Chatuchak Market… that is if you know where to look! I’ve spent hours wandering around, looking for something I had seen on a previous visit and had no idea where to ever find it again – it’s that BIG (Hint: if you see a stall you really like, take note of its stall number location so you can come back).

Getting There: Take the BTS to Mo Chit station or MRT to Chatuchak Park
Hours: Saturday and Sunday 9 am – 6 pm and Friday 6 pm – midnight

Saphan Phut (สะพานพุทธ)

3. Saphan Phut (สะพานพุทธ)

As a very local style Bangkok night market, Saphan Phut doesn’t get too much attention form visiting tourists. However, if you’re interested in seeing the latest local trends or observing the modern youth culture of Thailand, Saphan Phut is a great place to see.

While a lot of the clothing and accessories caters towards youth, there’s still a lot of random stalls (and always changing stalls) to be discovered. You may stumble into a vintage rock band t-shirt collection or an army fatigue clothing stand. Be sure to sample the fried squid eggs, particularly famous at Saphan Phut!

Like any of the shopping markets in Bangkok, you never know exactly what you might find!

Getting There: Take boat to Memorial Bridge, Saphan Phut pier
Hours: Night, 7 pm – 2 am

Pratunam Market (ประตูน้ำ)

4. Pratunam Market (ประตูน้ำ)

Conveniently located in one of Bangkok’s most happening districts, Pratunam market is among the most thriving shopping markets in Bangkok. The market deals mostly clothing but there’s also a mishmash of other things like Thai souvenirs.

As a wholesale market, it’s not uncommon to see many foreigners from around the world buying in bulk to bring things back to sell in their home countries. Pratunam makes a great homebase when you’re visiting Bangkok, there are plenty of hotels and many accommodation rooms in Bangkok to choose from.

If you’ve had enough winding through the alleys you can always step into the craziness of Platinum Shopping Center, purchase electronics at Pantip Plaza, or even make the short walk to the modern CentralWorld mall.

Getting There: About a 10 minute walk from BTS Chit Lom station
Hours: 9 am – 8 pm

Shopping Markets in Bangkok - Khlong Toey Fresh Market

5. Khlong Toey Fresh Market (ตลาดคลองเตย)

One of Bangkok’s biggest and busiest fresh food markets is Khlong Toey. No matter if you’re looking to buy some fresh fruit or supply an entire restaurant with all necessary ingredients, you can purchase everything at this sprawling market. Amidst the backdrop of modern flashy buildings and sky-rise unique apartments, butchers slice fresh cuts of meat and vegetables are sold by the bushel.

The market is one of the food distribution hubs of Bangkok, so there’s always plenty of energy and lots to observe. Walking around Khlong Toey is a very interesting and insightful experience in Bangkok.

Getting There: Take the MRT to Khlong Toey station
Hours: 24 hours a day, midday is fine for a visit

Wang Lang Market (ตลาดวังหลัง)

6. Wang Lang Market (ตลาดวังหลัง)

Located across the Chao Phraya River from Bangkok’s Grand Palace and adjacent to Siriraj Hospital, eating and browsing through Wang Lang is one of my favorite things to do in Bangkok.

There’s always an oustanding selection of tantalizing pre-cooked snacks for people on the go as well as a handful of cheap sit down restaurants. Don’t forget to try the deep fried pork and the sweet waffle coconut pancakes (khanom tungtag) – check out this video of Wang Lang here!

Along with the abundance of food, Wang Lang market is a popular place to go shopping for trendy clothes or other little locally made gadgets. Catering to lots of students, the prices are pretty decent!

Getting There: River boat to Wang Lang Pier, can get there from Tha Chang Pier
Hours: Great to go midday, anywhere from 10 am – 5 pm

Along with delicious Thai food, browsing and buying things at shopping markets in Bangkok is one reason the city attracts so many visitors. Without the vast amount of entertaining markets, Bangkok wouldn’t be the same!

The 6 Most Popular Shopping Markets in Bangkok is a post from: Cultural Travel and Street Food Around the World | Migrationology

Korean street food stall in Myeongdong, Seoul, South Korea

Seoul is a foodie kingdom.

While there’s a tantalizing restaurant every few meters throughout the entire city, it’s street food carts and tents that fill all the open spaces. Walking through Seoul is like having to walk through a slot canyon of culinary goodies all calling your name.

When I first arrived, I felt like an octopus, all of my tentacles screamed to eat a different delicacy in a different direction.

If you like to snack, you’ll have lots to do in South Korea!

Korean street food tent in Seoul

Unlike Bangkok street food where you can eat entire meals on the sidewalk, I found most Korean street food in Seoul to be more along the lines of snack material (I guess depending on how much you eat of course).

Instead of wolfing down bowls of rice and full dishes, Korean street food is often reserved for things that can be eaten standing up, especially catering to Seoulites that are running from subway to subway. Stuff on sticks or things can can be eaten with toothpicks are common.

Korean street food carts are bulky and quite sturdy in design, kind of like boats of food on wheels.

Gimbap 김밥 - Korean Street Food

Gimbap 김밥

As a beloved South Korean food, you can be assured gimbap is available in restaurants and on the street too. Packed onto street carts, often accompanied by tteokbokki, gimbap begins with a sheet of seaweed that’s filled with rice, a few pickled veggies and a slice of egg. The street version is normally pre-made and wrapped in plastic to remain moist and soft.

What I liked most about the street style gimbap was the toasted sesame seeds sprinkled on top!

A portion, consisting of about 4 – 6 bite sized rolls goes for 1,500 Won ($1.32)

Gimbap - Korean Street Food

Here’s a shot of the restaurant or take-out version of gimbap.

Cost – normally about 1,500 Won ($1.32) per roll

Jjinmandu 찐만두

Jjinmandu 찐만두 (or just Mandu)

Korean mandu is eaten both in sit down restaurants and also on the street. These particular dumplings were resting in the warm outdoor air, just asking to be devoured.

Cost – 3,000 ($2.63) for a plate of 3 – 5 mandu dumplings

Fried Mandu covered in cabbage in Myeongdong

In Myeongdong, there’s no shortage of modern trendy and tasty street food treats to taste. This plate of deep fried dumplings was sliced with scissors, piled with sliced cabbage and drenched in tomato chili sauce and teriyaki sauce.

Twigim 튀김

Twigim 튀김 (Korean Deep Fried Vegetables)

Deep frying is one of the world’s favorite street food cooking methods – crunchy, greasy, and packed full of tastiness. I don’t think there’s a culture in the world where deep frying is not present and Korea has lots of deep fried goodies.

Korean street food tempura (deep fried goodies!)

Very similar to Japanese tempura, Twigim is a greasy man’s favorite treat – slices of veggies fried and waiting on the side of the street to be ordered. Twigim goes great with a few beers!

Tornado Potato

Tornado Potato

It seems the trendy shopping district of Myeondong, where some 2 million people visit per day, is kind of a Korean street food pioneer in testing out new delicious snacks.

One of the popular items that kids and supermodels munch on the is the tornado potato. This impressive potato swirl is a potato cut into a spiral, spread out on a long stick, deep fried until crunchy and sprinkled with addictive MSG cheesy tasting powder.

A Tornado Potato swirl is the marriage of French Fries and potato chips.

These treats have made such a name for themselves that they’re even available in Bangkok.

Cost – 2,000 Won ($1.75)

Korean French Fry Hot Dog

Korean French Fry Hot Dog

Do you enjoy the duo of hot dogs and French fries?

Well the South Korean street food scientists decided to wrap a hot dog in French fries and deep fry the entire thing. Though it looks more like a medieval war club, I can assure you that it’s much tastier.

Tornado Potato wrapped Hot Dog

Tornado Potato wrapped Hot Dog

This snack was not designed for the health conscious.

A long skinny hot dog wrapped with the same spiral cut potato, deep fried in the same oil, and served for only the purest deep fried fanatics.

Korean street food dogs!

Hot Dogs

South Koreans have more than an obsession with hot dogs. These lardy bite sized hot dogs were stuffed with a variety of things, some were wrapped in bacon, and they were cooked in their own grease and then skewered to be served.

I didn’t even try these, but from observing the smiling faces of those who indulged, they must be quite delicious.

Deep Fried Dumplings (Hotteok 호떡)

Deep Fried Dumplings (Hotteok 호떡)

Deep fried dumplings are almost always delightful. These things are a little like Korean street food samosas, tasty filling with a crunchy outer layer.

These deep fried dumplings are served straight out of the oil so they’re extremely hot. They are place in a little cup and you sort of eat it like an ice cream cone.

Cost – 1,000 each ($0.88)

Dried and fried squid and octopus in Seoul

Squid and Octopus Stand

Seoul street food would just not be the same without tentacles of fried and dried octopus and squid. They really are some of the most delightfully flavorful and pleasingly textural item from the sea.

Seoul street food carts tend to carry a variety of different of different squid and octopus to satisfy whatever you craving happens to be.

I could snack on this stuff all day!

Here’s another closer shot of the octopus candy cart. If you’ve ever had tako in Hawaii, you’ll surely love the smoked octopus – YUM!

Korean blood sausage is such a wonderful thing!

Soondae 순대 (also spelled Sundae)

This South Korean dish may not be for everyone, but those who indulge in the finer pleasures of blood sausage will be delighted with Korean soondae. Mixed with sticky rice or transparent noodles, I thought the Korean version was fluffy, spongy, and packed with lovely piggy flavor.

They also threw some sliced lungs on top!

Cost for the entire plate – 6,000 Won ($5.26) at the Gwangjang Market

One of the most important Korean street foods: Tteokbokki (떡볶이)

Tteokbokki 떡볶이

One of the staple Korean street food dishes is known as tteokbokki. From the moment you step into any busy place in Seoul, it’s impossible to not notice these bright red rice cakes smoldering away like hot lava.

Every country has an iconic street food delicious, for Sri Lankan food it’s kottu, in Burma it’s laphet thohk, and for Korea it’s TTEOKBOKKI!

The chunks of rice cake are similar to chewy gnocchi, and when cooked, they are coated in the ever present addictive Korean red sauce.

Don’t worry, these rice cakes often look a lot spicier than they are. They not that spicy, but they sure are flavorful!

Cost – A plate of tteokbokki should cost around 2,500 – 4,000 Won per plate ($2.19 – $3.51)

A plate of wonderful Tteokbokki (떡볶이)

Here’s a close up shot of the blood red rice cakes – this one I ate even came with a hard boiled egg. Eaten on the street, you may be serve on a plastic wrapped plate.

Giant Cream Puff

Giant Cream Puff

If they weren’t so overly huge, I never would have been temped to eat it… but since they were, it was inevitable. The breading was decent, though it wasn’t overly fresh, but the pudding itself with rather plasticy – not very good.

Cost – 2,000 Won in Myeongdong ($1.75)

Korean Cracker Bread

Cracker Bread

Similar to an Egyptian diet bread, this cracker like piece of Korean pita was filled with a very light sweet filling that just barely coated the inner edges.

It was plain yet delightful, the type of snack that would be excellent with a cup of sweet Vietnamese coffee.

Cost – 2 for 1,000 Won ($0.88)

Korean street desserts

Korean Mochi Rice Cakes

Not everything you taste when you travel is going to be your favorite…

While I did LOVE nearly every single Korean street food I sampled in Seoul, this plate of soft mochi rice wasn’t a winner. Perhaps I was imagining something fluffy and lightly sweet, brushed with powdered sugar. Nope, these were dry completely non sweet at all and I nearly choked on the powder.

Have you ever had this?

Chapssaltteok (찹쌀떡)

Chapssaltteok 찹쌀떡

A lot of the sweet Korean desserts I sampled were stuffed with sweet red beans – and that’s a good thing. These soft mochi rice balls were delicious because they weren’t overly sweet and the entire balls were pillow soft.

Steamed Red Bean Bun

Steamed Red Bean Bun

Similar to a Chinese steamed bun (baozi), this was a delicious little street snack in the Namdaemun market. Lightly sweetened red bean paste packed into a flattened dough and steamed so the bread was soft yet lightly sticky.

Cost – 1,000 Won ($0.88)

Red Bean Fish Toast

Red Bean Fish Toast

Something I noticed is that lots of Korean snacks are shaped into the form of fish. Not sure completely why, but I think it’s a fantastic idea!

While the famous Korean fish snacks are made with a pancake batter, this particular version was just two pieces of toast filled with sweet red bean paste and pressed together in a hot mold.

Cost – 1,000 Won ($0.88)

Massive Ice Cream Cone

Massive Ice Cream Cone

Koreans love their ice cream… And Korean ice cream is really really good.

Even the packages of ice cream at 7-Eleven, things like Melona bars, are extremely delicious. This rather famous ice cream cone located in Myeongdong is about as impressive as ice cream cones come. This small handheld cone was piled high with about a foot of ice cream on top.

Cost – 2,000 Won ($1.75)

There’s a quick roundup of some of the tastiest Korean street food dishes I was able to eat in my short 2 week visit to Seoul.

I wasn’t able to try everything as there was so much to eat, and prices were a little higher than I had imagined, but I did manage to fill myself and thoroughly enjoy eating my way through Seoul.

In case you missed it, make sure you take a look at last weeks South Korean food article, for a roundup of Korean sit-down restaurant food. You don’t want to miss these dishes either!

The Foodie’s Guide to Korean Street Food in Seoul is a post from: Cultural Travel and Street Food Around the World | Migrationology

(If you can’t see the video, watch it here on Youtube)

Thank you for watching!

Seoul Street Food at the Gwangjang Market

Seoul, South Korea, is a foodie paradise and the Gwangjang Market is a mesmerizing display of Korean street food.

When I first arrived I literally couldn’t believe what was before me… it took a few moments before I could even speak as I tried to ingest as many food fumes and sights as I could.

I was extremely excited.

Here a quick video about eating a few of the common street food delicacies at the Gwangjang Market.

If you ever go to Seoul, a visit or few to this market is an absolute must!

VIDEO: Seoul Street Food at the Gwangjang Market is a post from: Cultural Travel and Street Food Around the World | Migrationology

Fresh Turmeric Root in Sri Lanka

Sri Lankan food is extremely delicious, and one of the spices that’s a fundamental part of the cuisine is turmeric root.

I took this photo in an area near Pusselawa and the turmeric was picked by a local grandmother that proceeded to cook one of the best chicken curries I’ve ever tasted in my life!

Photo: Fresh Turmeric Root in Sri Lanka is a post from: Cultural Travel and Street Food Around the World | Migrationology

Mexican Combination Plate

I went 3.5 years without Mexican food, apart from that Sri Lankan chorizo.

So when I returned to the States for a quick visit, Mexican food was one cuisine that my stomach was begging me for. Phoenix, Arizona, is where is satisfied myself.

There are random restaurants serving semi-authentic Mexican food in Asia, but I just nearly always chose to stick with local Thai street food and not disappoint myself with Mexican food in Asia.

Carne Asada Burrito with Rice and Beans

Above is a messy take out foam container filled with a carne asada burrito drenched in enchilada sauce with rice and beans on the inside and on the outside!

It was astonishingly amazing, each bite was a shocking jolt of Mexican food power that I hadn’t experienced in so long.

Beef, Beans, and Salsa

There’s a little restaurant in Tempe, Arizona known as El Pollo Supremo – or The Supreme Chicken. The restaurant has a very simple menu that includes, chicken (sold by the bird), beef, beans, rice, salsa, pickled onions and tortillas — that’s it!

It’s the real deal – pure Sonoran food cooked by expert Mexican street chefs. Even though the restaurant is known for their chicken, the beef was equally satisfying.

Mexican Grilled Chicken

It almost resembled tandoori chicken from the outside, but it was fully Mexican in taste and ferociously delicious. Each hunk of chicken was moist and flaky – perfect when stuffed into a tortilla and smothered in homemade salsa.

Huevos Rancheros - Heartwarming Mexican Breakfast!

I was able to spend some time with a few of my best friends (who are from Mexico) and I had the privilege of dining on a few flawless plates of huevos rancheros for breakfast.

This is the way to start your day off well!

One of my all-time favorite pieces of meat!

But… just before breakfast – we chomped on this pre-breakfast snack.

Can you guess what it is? (Hint: It’s called “lengua” in Spanish)

The greasy chunk of pure flaky meat was absolutely stunning. The meat was so tender and so flavorful that I had to close my eyes to savor the moment with every single bite. Normally I enjoy lengua tacos, but I won’t complain when faced with an in-tact hunk.

Mexican tortilla chips!

I’ve had random bags of chips throughout the world. Sichuan peppercorn Lays in China, tom yum goong chips in Thailand and just about every meaty salty flavor you can imagine. But I have to give the golden chip award to Mexico.

Seasoned with Mexican spices and doctored up with chili sauce and a squeeze of lime juice, Mexican Tostitos and Doritos are the absolute BEST!

A masterful bean burro

Sometimes all you need is a simple bean burrito. Salty refried beans, lots of cheese, and hot sauce wrapped in a tortilla is a perfect hand held treat!

Warning: These Mexican Food Photos Will Make You Drool! is a post from: Cultural Travel and Street Food Around the World | Migrationology

Chili Pickled Cabbage (Kimchi 김치)

1. Chili Pickled Cabbage (Kimchi 김치)

I’m going to start this South Korean food list with not really a dish at all, but something that is critically vital and quintessential to any Korean meal: KIMCHI.

While there are many different kinds of kimchi, the most common version is made with napa cabbage that is preserved and lightly fermented in bright red chili flakes. Love kimchi and you’re on your way to being a Korean food connoisseur!

There were quite a few meals in Seoul where I settled for nothing more than rice and kimchi (and I was very happy).

Cost – comes free nearly every restaurant you eat at, but I bought a huge sack of homemade kimchi to eat with rice for 5,000 Won ($4.39) – it must have been 1.5 kilos!

Samgyeopsal (삼겹살)

2. Samgyeopsal (삼겹살)

Fatty slices of pork belly grilled before your nose is a South Korean foodie favorite. A few slabs of this ultra-tasty pork along with garnishes of lettuce leaves, garlic and chili paste, and you’ve got a flavor to cherish.

It’s not the healthiest South Korean food, but if you are a lover of pig, samgyeopsal is something you can’t miss eating when you’re in Korea!

Cost – about 8,000 Won ($7.00) per plate

Barbecued Pork (Daeji Bulgogi 불고기)

3. Pork Bulgogi (Daeji Bulgogi 불고기)

Another famous Korean specialty barbecued meat is known as Bulgogi. While it’s normally made from beef, bulgogi can also be made with thin strips of pork or chicken.

Before the meat is grilled, it’s marinated in sweet soy sauce with lots of garlic and sesame oil. The version I ate above was from the New Valley restaurant in Seoul that specializes in pork bulgogi known as Dwaeji Bulgogi.

As a Thai meat lover, this daeji bulgogi was a dish I couldn’t get enough of – highly recommended!

Cost – around 8,000 ($7.00) Won per plate

Korean Barbecue (Gogigui 고기구이)

4. Korean Barbecue (Gogigui 고기구이)

There’s no better way to spend an evening in Korea than sitting around a personal grill munching down a traditional Korean barbecue feast.

Order a few plates of meat, and you’ll be delivered a vast array of side dishes and the all-important pieces of lettuce, garlic, peppers, and chili pastes to fashion little meat wraps.

Note: One of the interesting things I learned eating Korean barbecue in Seoul was that you must order 2 or more plates of the same meat – you can’t order just 1 plate. In other words, if you go to eat with just 2 people, you’ll have to get 2 plates of pork belly, or 2 plates of beef – not 1 plate of pork belly and 1 plate of beef.

Cost – varies greatly depending on meat but in the 8,00o Won ($7.00) per person range

Hangover Stew (Haejangguk 해장국)

5. Hangover Stew (Haejangguk 해장국)

The famous Korean hangover stew is something I was really excited to sample when I arrived in South Korea. It came in a piping hot earthenware dish.

There are a number of different variations of Haejangguk, but the one I ate was made with pork spine bones. The broth was rich and spicy, flavored with tender chunks or fatty pork and Korean chili paste.

Known to cure hangovers, after eating this masterpiece of Korean flavor, I suffered a Korean food hangover and all I wanted to do was collapse on a sofa and take a nap. One of the tastiest things I ate in Seoul!

Cost – 5,000 – 6,000 Won ($4.39 – $5.26))

Soft Tofu Stew (Sundubu Jjigae 순두부찌게)

6. Soft Tofu Stew (Sundubu Jjigae 순두부찌게)

A flaming hot pot of Sundubu Jjigae is a flavorful Korean dish. Made with super soft tofu, a few bits of seafood, addictive kimchi soup, and an egg thrown on top, there’s not much else as comforting on a cold rainy day.

This tofu stew is best enjoyed with a side of steamed rice and a few pickled vegetables.

Cost – 5,000 Won ($4.39)

Mixed Seafood Stew

7. Mixed Seafood Stew

Among the repertoire of South Korean jjigae hot chili infested stews is the massively flavorful seafood variation made with whatever kind of seafood is on hand all boiled in a hot earthenware pot of goodness.

Cost – 5,000 Won ($4.39)

Kimchi Stew (Kimchi Jjigae 김치찌개)

8. Kimchi Stew (Kimchi Jjigae 김치찌개)

South Korean food is unbelievably delicious, but if I could choose just one thing to eat over and over again, it would have to be kimchi jjigae.

I’m not alone, it happens to be one of the most beloved everyday dishes to eat in Seoul and it’s one of the most affordable complete dish meals to eat in Seoul.

Napa cabbage kimchi is boiled with chunks of fatty pork and a few other seasonings and ingredients and then brewed into a stew that boasts intense flavors and will have your belly craving for more!

Cost – 4,000 – 5,000 Won ($3.51 – $4.39)

Fish Stew (Saengseon Jjigae 생선찌개)

9. Fish Stew (Saengseon Jjigae 생선찌개)

As a lover of fish, it was a joy to eat the same delicious Korean kimchi soup base made with fish. Though the fish was filled with bones, the flavor it provided was nothing short of outstanding!

Cost – 5,000 Won ($4.39)

Spicy Stir Fried Octopus (Nakji Bokkeum 낙지볶음)

10. Spicy Stir Fried Octopus (Nakji Bokkeum 낙지볶음)

Koreans have a love affair with octopus. While I wasn’t able to try the famous live squirming octopus tentacles while in South Korea, I was able to get a taste of chopped octopus stir fried with a few assorted vegetables in red chili paste.

The flavor reminded me of Thai pad prik gaeng, heavy on the sweet red Korean chili paste.

Cost – 7,000 – 10,000 Won ($6.14 – $8.77)

Korean Ox Bone Soup (Seolleongtang 설렁탕)

11. Korean Ox Bone Soup (Seolleongtang 설렁탕)

Ox bones simmered on low heat for hours and hours is the highlight of Korean seolleongtang. The dish is served plain, a few light noodles, slices of beef and green onions.

The broth is delivered to you unsalted and unseasoned so it’s up to you to add salt, pepper, chili paste and extra green onions to your own taste.

Cost – 5,000 – 6,000 Won ($4.39 – $5.26)

Hotpot Mixed Rice (Dolsot Bibimbap 돌솥 비빔밥)

12. Hotpot Mixed Rice (Dolsot Bibimbap 돌솥 비빔밥)

Famous and widely available, bibimbap is like fried rice, but instead of being fried it’s just all mixed up like a salad. It’s the khao yam or khao kluk kaphi or Korean cuisine.

The dish consists of rice on the bottom, a few different kinds of sauteed vegetables, an egg, and toasted seaweed flakes and sesame seeds on top. If it’s not salty enough, you can normally add more gochujang chili paste to make it tastier.

Dolsot bibimbap is served in a scorching earthenware pot so every bite is extremely hot in temperature. Be sure to start mixing it immediately so the rice doesn’t get too crunchy burnt on the bottom!

Cost – 4,000 – 5,000 Won ($3.51 – $4.39)

Korean Mixed Rice (Cold Bibimbap 비빔밥)

13. Korean Mixed Rice (Cold Bibimbap 비빔밥)

Similar to the Dolsot Bibimbap mentioned above, the cold variation is served in a metal pot. Mix all the ingredients together and bibimbap makes for a fantastic lunchtime delight.

I enjoyed both the cold and hot versions, but given the choice, I preferred the scorching hot dolsot bibimbap.

Cost – 3,000 – 5,000 Won ($2.63 – $4.39)

Steamed Mandu Dumplings (Jjinmandu 찐만두)

14. Steamed Mandu Dumplings (Jjinmandu 찐만두)

Similar to jiaozi in China or gyoza in Japan, Korean mandu dumplings are noodle like wrappers stuffed with a variety of different ingredients. Pork, onions, cabbage, carrots, and mung bean noodles are all common ingredients within these pillows of delicious goodness.

The steamed versions are known as Jjinmandu.

Cost – 3,000 for a plate ($2.63)

Deep Fried Mandu (Yaki Mandu)

15. Deep Fried Mandu (Yaki Mandu)

Stuffed with pork, glass noodles and an array of salty seasonings, these deep fried mandu’s are guaranteed to be mouthwatering. They are most delicious when serving piping hot and dipped in the soy vinegar sauce provided.

Cost – 3,000 Won for a plate ($2.63), this mixed platter cost me 7,000 Won

Noodles in Ice Soup (Mul Naengmyeon 물 냉면)

16. Noodles in Ice Soup (Mul Naengmyeon 물 냉면)

I was fascinated how South Korean food incorporates extremely piping hot dishes as well as extremely cold dishes. I’ve eaten cool noodles in China, but Korea is the first time I’ve ever been where there’s a noodle dish that’s actually served in ice.

These buckwheat noodles are originally from Pyongyang in North Korea, but they are widely available in South Korea as well. I loved the gummy texture of the noodles and the sesame seed essence in the soup.

Warning: I did get the shivers from eating this dish!

Cost – 3,000 – 5,000 Won ($2.63 – $4.39)

Mixed Cold Noodles (Bibim Naengmyeon 비빔 냉면) - South Korean Food

17. Mixed Cold Noodles (Bibim Naengmyeon 비빔 냉면)

Though every bite made me colder, I highly enjoyed this bowl of kimchi flavored bibim naengmyeon. The noodles were thin and chewy, topped with slices of cucumber, cabbage, a hard boiled egg, and a slosh of sour kimchi flavored ice.

It was like a kimchi popsicle and it was delicious!

Cost – 3,000 – 5,000 Won ($2.63 – $4.39)

Kimchi Fried Rice (Kimchi Bokkeumbap 김치 볶음밥)

18. Kimchi Fried Rice (Kimchi Bokkeumbap 김치 볶음밥)

Take South Koreas most iconic vegetable garnish (kimchi), stir fry it with a few chunks of hot dog or luncheon meat and rice, cover it with a fried egg and sprinkle it with toasted seaweed and sesame seeds and you’ve got a dish that no one could dislike!

It’s the type of South Korean food that tastes good any day of the week or for whatever mood you’re in. Don’t forget to eat kimchi fried rice with a side of kimchi!

Cost – 3,000 – 5,000 Won ($2.63 – $4.39)

Fried Sweet Potato Noodles (Japchae 잡채)

19. Fried Sweet Potato Noodles (Japchae 잡채)

I’ve always been a lover of stir fried translucent noodles. The Korean version is wonderful – chewy stir fried sweet potato noodles mixed with slivers of carrots, cucumber, onions, mushrooms and sometimes pieces of meat.

Fried in sesame oil and garnished with toasted sesame seeds, japchae has a mouthwatering fragrance that a taste you’ll love.

Often served as a side dish.

Mung Bean Pancake (Bindaetteok 빈대떡)

20. Mung Bean Pancake (Bindaetteok 빈대떡)

South Korean food includes a variety of pancakes. These are not your ordinary pan fried hot cakes with a bit of syrup on top, Korean pancakes are salty, filled with tons of ingredients and fried in lots of oil!

Among the selection, one pancake I really enjoyed eating, again at the Gwangjang Market, was the mung bean pancake known as bindaetteok.

Made from ground mung beans, green onions and kimchi, this beauty was deep fried and served with a vinaigrette dipping sauce. Eating Korean pancakes kind of reminded me of short eats in Sri Lankan food.

Cost – 4,000 Won ($3.51)

Korean Blood Sausage (Soondae 순대)

21. Korean Blood Sausage (Soondae 순대)

Blood pudding lovers… it’s time to rejoice – Korean’s take pride in their soondae (or sundae) and I’d have to say it’s nothing short of fantastic.

This version I ate at the Gwanjang Market in Seoul was a masterful combo of sticky rice and pig’s blood stuffed into intestines and steamed to perfection.

This Korean street food favorite is not for everyone, but if you’re a fan, you’re going to love it!

Cost – 6,000 Won ($5.26) for this plate (should have fed 2 – 3 people, it was a lot!)

Octopus Mixed Plate

22. Octopus Mixed Plate

This is kind of the chicken nuggets snack platter of modern Seoul. Not sure how long this deadly delicious combo has been around, but my guess is that it’s been a rather recent invention.

I first found this dish in the bustling shopping district of Myeongdong at a chain restaurant. Spicy stir fried octopus, spicy daikon radish kimchi and plain rice and seaweed gimbap is a merger that was meant to be together.

Cost – 6,000 Won ($3.51) per plate

Gimbap 김밥

23. Gimbap 김밥

People in Hawaii took original Japanese ideas to create the SPAM musubi, and Koreans crafted the gimbap.

Eaten as a meal or just an on-the-go snack, gimbap is one of South Korea’s most beloved foods. Similar to a Japanese style hand roll, gimbap is an assemblage of sushi rice, a few Korean pickled vegetables, spinach, and ham all wrapped in sheets of toasted seaweed.

Gimbap can be enjoyed standing on the side of the street in a tent, taken away in a foil wrapper or ordered at many Korean restaurant’s.

Cost – 1,500 Won ($1.32) per roll

Korean Chicken Skewers (Dakkochi 닭꼬치)

24. Korean Chicken Skewers (Dakkochi 닭꼬치)

I’ve eaten a lot of grilled chicken in my life, but I’m going to honest when I tell you that grilled dakkochi chicken skewers is up there with the best of them.

Similar to mishkaki in Tanzania but these skewers in South Korea are lathered in an outrageously flavorful red chili sauce that will make your close your eyes and leave all your worries behind.

Cost – 2,000 Won ($1.75) per stick

Korean Side Dishes (Banchan반찬)

25. Korean Side Dishes (Banchan반찬)

One of the joys of any South Korean meal at a restaurant is all the little side dishes that are perpetually served. Though there are a few standards like kimchi, it’s often a house speciality surprise as to what banchan you’ll receive.

Though I stuffed in my share of banchan accompanying tidbits, this little bowl of curry pasted raw crab was one of the most memorable. The crab was tender and awesomely tasty when coated in the thick red chili paste.

French Fry Swirls

26. Tornado Potatoes

Wildly popular and trendy to eat in the busy shopping districts of Seoul, these French fries with a twist are what I might refer to as “quality junk food.”

Take a potato, cut it into a spiral and spread it out over a stick. Then fry it in hot oil, douse it in a little MSG seasoning and you’ve got a very addictive treat. They even had a hot dog in the center variation – but I didn’t try it!

Cost – 2,000 Won ($1.75)

Gooey Deep Fried Snack

27. Gooey Deep Fried Snack (Hotteok 호떡)

Purchased in the midst of the Bukchon Hanok Village in Seoul, these little deep fried treats were packed with tastiness. The vender had two options: One savory and one sweet.

I preferred the salty version, a crispy thin gooey outer layer filled with glass noodles and garlicky pork!

Cost – 1,000 Won ($0.88)

Korean Tempura (Yache Twigim 야채튀김)

28. Korean Tempura (Twigim 튀김)

Unless it’s for health purposes, there’s not much to dislike about crispy deep fried things.

The Korean version of tempura is made from a variety of different vegetables, squid and even rice that’s coated in a thick batter and deep fried until it becomes wonderfully crunchy but delightfully tasty!

Cost – varies but this plate was 3,000 Won ($2.63)

Red Rice Cakes (Tteokbokki 떡볶이)

29. Red Rice Cakes (Tteokbokki 떡볶이)

If you’re hunting for Korean street food, tteokbokki is likely the first thing you’ll discover – it’s everywhere in Seoul! It’s the poke bowl of Seoul – a dish that’s common, easy to eat and fabulously tasty.

Cost – 2,500 – 4,000 Won ($2.19 – $3.51)

In Seoul for just 2 weeks, I was only able to eat a fraction of the South Korean food possibilities available – but what I did get to eat was extremely delicious.

My mouth is still drooling as I write and think about Korean food right now!

What’s your favorite South Korean food?

P.S. By the way, next week Tuesday I’ll be publishing a round-up of my favorite Korean street foods I ate in Seoul – don’t miss more Korean food!

South Korean Food: 29 of the Best Tasting Dishes is a post from: Cultural Travel and Street Food Around the World | Migrationology

(If you can’t see the video, click here to watch in on Youtube)

Thank you for watching!

Hawaiian Food

Earlier this week I published an article all about the top traditional Hawaiian foods to eat and here’s a video to go along with it!

I ate this meal at the home of one of my relative’s, so sorry there’s no restaurant recommendation to go along with this article and video.

However, if you want to try some Hawaiian food in Honolulu, check out Ono Hawaiian Foods or if you have a chance go to Alicia’s Market in Kalihi for the delicious Hawaiian plate lunch!

Have you ever tasted poi?

VIDEO: Eating Traditional Hawaiian Food is a post from: Cultural Travel and Street Food Around the World | Migrationology

Seoul, South Korea

I’ve gotten Thai visas in quite a few different countries now, and honestly it was a breeze to get a Thai visa in Seoul, South Korea.

Note: If you only intend to visit Thailand for one month, (depending on what passport you hold) you probably don’t even need to apply for a Thai visa until you arrive in Thailand. This article is specifically for those that wish to get a longer Thai visa for 2 months.

I was also happy when I arrived at the Thai embassy in Seoul that I could get a double entry visa, unlike getting a Thai visa in Yangon.

What you’ll need:

• Passport (valid for at least 6 months)
• 1 passport photo
• 1 copy of passport
• 1 copy of flight into Thailand
• 1 filled out application (available at the Thai embassy)
• 40,000 Won per 2 months visa (I paid 80,000 Won for the 2 month double entry visa)

The process was extremely easy, I’m not sure if I just happened to get there on a good day, or if it’s never very busy. Anyway, I arrived a few minutes before 9 am on a Monday morning and was only 3 people in line.

The visa consular section of the Thai embassy in Seoul is open from 9 am to 12 noon, Monday through Friday. Make sure you check Thailand and South Korean holidays so you don’t show up on a closed day.

I filled out my application as normal, handed in all my documents (listed above), and paid 80,000 Won.

Time to get visa:

Thai visas normally take 2 – 3 days from the time you drop off your passport to the time your visa is ready. It could potentially take 2 – 3 days in Seoul, but when I went they told me to return the following day from 9 am – 12 noon for pick up. Again, not sure if I just went at a non-busy time, but it was convenient and fast.

Along with getting a Thai visa in Savannakhet, getting a Thai visa in Seoul, South Korea, is a smooth and easy process.

Also, one of the great things about the Thai embassy in Seoul, South Korea, is that they actually have a website that’s filled with useful information (many of the embassy sites don’t really include practical information). Check out the official website here.

Thailand Embassy, Seoul, South Korea

How to get to the Thai embassy in Seoul, South Korea:

Address: 653-7, Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul 140-210
Phone Number: 02-790-2955,02-795-0095
Hours: 9 am – 12 noon, Monday to Friday

I took the subway to Itaewon station and then walked 10 minutes to the Thai embassy.

Here’s a map so it’s easier:

View Thai Embassy, Seoul in a larger map

How to Get a Thai Visa in Seoul, South Korea is a post from: Cultural Travel and Street Food Around the World | Migrationology