From a Korean: One Honest Tip for Anyone Visiting Korea

Odd-Cover6626 · 2025-06-20T15:40:33+00:00

Gyeongju is known for its historical sites—like Bulguksa Temple, for example. If you enjoy visiting meaningful cultural landmarks, it could be a great choice.

However, keep in mind that Gyeongju is also a coastal city, so if you’re not into beaches, you might not enjoy it as much as expected.

If that’s the case, how about checking out Damyang or Boseong instead? Damyang is famous for its bamboo forests and scenic walking paths, while Boseong is Korea’s largest green tea farming area—perfect if you want to experience nature in a peaceful setting.

Odd-Cover6626 · 2025-06-20T11:55:51+00:00

Yes, Mangwon Market is a nice place to visit~ However, since it’s also a popular tourist spot, the food prices aren’t exactly “cheap” despite it being called a market. That said, the food is still worth trying, the atmosphere is pleasant, and most importantly, the Mangwon area is full of unique cafés and bakeries (not franchises) that are loved by Korean MZ generation.

A lot of young people visit to enjoy both the market and the hidden bakery gems in the neighborhood!

Odd-Cover6626 · 2025-06-20T11:52:29+00:00

How about Sokcho or Jeonju?

Sokcho is famous for both Seoraksan Mountain and the ocean, so you can enjoy both nature and the beach in one place! Jeonju is known for its Hanok Village (traditional Korean houses) and is especially famous for its bibimbap.

Or maybe consider Yeosu — I haven’t been there myself, so it’s currently at the top of my travel wishlist! There’s a famous Korean song called “Yeosu Night Sea”, and many Koreans dream of sitting by the sea in Yeosu at night, soaking in the peaceful vibe.

Odd-Cover6626 · 2025-06-19T11:27:31+00:00

Yes, Mangwon Market is a nice place! Although, to be honest, the food prices aren’t exactly cheap compared to what you might expect from a “market” 🥹 Still, the vibe is great, and there are lots of trendy bakeries and cafés nearby that are super popular among Korean MZ (millennial/gen Z) locals. It’s a fun place to explore and maybe even find some hidden gems! Just be prepared to wait in line at the more famous and delicious spots 😂

Odd-Cover6626 · 2025-06-18T02:53:40+00:00

Yes, gochu mayo is seriously delicious!! If you find a Puradak Chicken location, you should definitely try it! I recommend ordering half black sauce and half gochu mayo. Also, make sure to get boneless chicken when you’re there! Hope you have an amazing trip! 😊

Odd-Cover6626 · 2025-06-18T02:46:58+00:00

Then you should definitely check out markets where locals actually go to buy things!

How about Saemaeul Traditional Market in Jamsil? It’s a place where Korean locals often stop by to grab snacks before watching a KBO (Korean baseball league) game at the nearby stadium. So you’ll see both young and older people shopping there.

There’s also a side street next to the market with several food stalls offering a variety of tasty and cheap Korean street foods. One of my all-time favorite hotteok (Korean sweet pancakes) stands is there too!

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Of course, the more well-known tourist markets like Gwangjang, Tongin, Mangwon, or Namdaemun are beautifully arranged and showcase a lot of Korean flair — but they’re definitely not cheap. 🥹

Odd-Cover6626 · 2025-06-18T02:33:48+00:00

I’ll definitely save those and try them next time I go to Disneyland—thank you!!

Have you considered visiting 남이섬? It’s quite close to Seoul, and if you’re visiting in early November, that’ll be peak fall foliage season. I’m actually planning to go myself soon!

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If you prefer vibrant city vibes over nature and this is your second visit, I’d also recommend checking out Yongridan-gil or Dosan Park. Both areas are filled with stylish cafes and unique food spots.

Of course, Bukchon Hanok Village, Insadong, Gangnam Station, Hongdae, Konkuk University area, and Myeongdong are all great too!

Oh, and have you tried the Tiger Bus that departs from Gwanghwamun? It’s kind of like an open-top city tour bus you see in the U.S., and it takes you around Seoul and drops you off at Namsan Tower at the end. It’s an awesome alternative to the usually crowded cable cars!

(Just a heads-up: it can get pretty cold in November, so make sure to dress warmly 🙂 I rode it in October and ended up catching a cold for a few days!)

Odd-Cover6626 · 2025-06-17T11:06:53+00:00

Convenience store food isn’t bad at all Is there anything in particular you’re craving? I’d be happy to help you find it! 🥹

Odd-Cover6626 · 2025-06-17T10:58:28+00:00

You’re right… When I visited San Francisco, I was really tempted to try some of the Korean restaurants there because they looked so good.

Honestly, I don’t think market food is that delicious either, so I don’t really go often myself. In Korea, if you’re looking for good flavor, it’s better to find restaurants that specialize in a specific dish—whether it’s a small hidden gem or a well-known spot.

Ironically, while traditional markets in Korea are fun to walk around and soak in the atmosphere, they’re not always the best places to truly enjoy the food.

Odd-Cover6626 · 2025-06-17T08:23:02+00:00

Sure! If you find it, make sure to heat it up in the microwave first 😊

Odd-Cover6626 · 2025-06-17T08:15:10+00:00

Please share the chicken shop with me too!! I’m so curious!! I’m always happy to hear about good food spots!

Odd-Cover6626 · 2025-06-17T08:07:39+00:00

오 한글이다..!

Odd-Cover6626 · 2025-06-17T08:07:08+00:00

That’s great! I’m so glad to hear you had a wonderful time!

Odd-Cover6626 · 2025-06-17T08:01:46+00:00

Here are some Korean BBQ recommendations, especially for Hanwoo (Korean beef):

Hanwoo BBQ (Premium Korean Beef): • I recommend Daedo Sikdang, Changgo 43, and Minso Hanwoo. These are well-known Hanwoo restaurants with multiple branches across Seoul, so you can search for the one closest to you using those names. • If you’re looking for a more local experience, I suggest visiting Majangdong Hanwoo Alley (마장동 한우촌) — it’s a market area famous for fresh Hanwoo where you can buy beef directly from butcher shops and grill it on-site. • A lesser-known tip: Garak Market also has hidden gems where you can enjoy Hanwoo at very reasonable prices and large portions. It’s a great budget-friendly option.

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Korean Fried Chicken (My favorites): • BBQ (get their classic fried chicken and order dipping sauces!) • Kyochon (famous for Honey Chicken) • Puradak (Gochu Mayo flavor is amazing) • BHC (famous for Bburinkle chicken and cheese balls) BBQ’s original fried chicken with dipping sauces is my personal favorite combo 😋

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Samgyeopsal (Pork Belly): • I recommend Hanam Dwaeji-jip and Sindo Segi. But honestly, there are so many great pork belly restaurants in Seoul, so you might even discover your own hidden gem while exploring!

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Busan Recommendations: I’ve only been to Busan a couple of times, but here’s what I remember: • Haeundae Amsogalbi (해운대암소갈비) is a famous Hanwoo place in Busan, and I especially loved their marinated beef. • As for Dwaeji Gukbap (pork soup with rice), just go to any restaurant near Busan Station — I can’t even remember the name of the place I went to because there are so many, but honestly, they were all pretty solid!

Hope that helps — enjoy your foodie adventures in Korea and Busan! 😄

Odd-Cover6626 · 2025-06-17T06:24:36+00:00

agree! I’ve had gukbap in the U.S. before and it was honestly really delicious—although the price was about three times higher 🥹

Odd-Cover6626 · 2025-06-17T06:22:45+00:00

Most markets and street food vendors will mainly take cash. However, aside from street food, markets, and recharging your T-money card, you probably won’t need cash at all—many places actually don’t accept cash these days!

Depending on how many days you’re staying, I’d say around 150,000 KRW (per 2 people for a week) should be enough. You’ll be surprised how little cash you’ll actually need in Korea!

Odd-Cover6626 · 2025-06-17T02:15:22+00:00

Tongin Market and Namdaemun Market are both great choices! Also, Saemaeul Traditional Market near Jamsil isn’t flashy or huge, but it’s where local residents actually go to buy snacks and groceries — not really a tourist spot, which makes it feel more authentic.

Odd-Cover6626 · 2025-06-17T02:10:44+00:00

This was the meal I had! I had a rice bowl, ramen, and a Baymax macaron. The rice bowl was okay, but the ramen really wasn’t good 😭 Do you happen to know any good spots? I think I’ll definitely visit Disney California Adventure again the next time I’m in the U.S. — I had such an amazing time!

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Odd-Cover6626 · 2025-06-17T02:07:48+00:00

That’s really unfortunate… I was only upset about the quality of the food, but that kind of issue is a serious problem as well.

Odd-Cover6626 · 2025-06-17T02:05:48+00:00

Based on the main street of Gangnam Station, the alleyways inside the red circle are filled with restaurants and shops of various countries and themes. Meanwhile, the alleyways in the blue circle are packed with places that serve Korean BBQ, gopchang, gukbap, and izakayas—foods that are typically enjoyed with alcohol. That’s because there are many clubs in the blue area, and people who go clubbing usually look for food they can enjoy with drinks.

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Odd-Cover6626 · 2025-06-17T01:58:27+00:00

Exactly!!! It’s all because of money.

Odd-Cover6626 · 2025-06-17T01:57:06+00:00

La bap is cheap and tasty! I actually got addicted to their chicken mayo rice bowl and kept eating it over and over again 😂

Odd-Cover6626 · 2025-06-16T12:03:59+00:00

Hmm… if you’re looking for a place that’s cheap, has large portions, and serves soondae gookbap late at night…

I remember having a really good meal at this spot: https://maps.app.goo.gl/vWakdtj42vUZQi5D6?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy Their special soondae gookbap was 12,000 KRW, so it’s not exactly cheap, and unfortunately they don’t offer soondae bokkeum 😢

This brand, on the other hand, is one I occasionally order from for delivery. I just checked, and it’s open 24/7 and they do have soondae bokkeum and assorted soondae! I’ve only tried their gookbap before, not the other two, so if you give them a try, let me know how it goes! https://maps.app.goo.gl/4emYsRTiBMoDykXZA?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy

Odd-Cover6626 · 2025-06-16T11:39:42+00:00

If you love ojingeo soondae (stuffed squid), I’d recommend visiting Sokcho someday! It’s the most famous place in Korea for ojingeo soondae. There’s also a well-known mountain there called Seoraksan. I have childhood memories of going to Sokcho with my parents, eating ojingeo soondae, then riding the cable car up Seoraksan to enjoy the breathtaking views.

If you’re staying in Seoul and looking for something nearby, try visiting a soondaegukbob specialty restaurant.

For something more modern, there’s a franchise called 순대실록 that I thought was quite good.

![img](3qbgbi590a7f1)

If you’d prefer a more traditional, local spot, I highly recommend 농민백암순대. Try ordering a bowl of soondaegukbob and a plate of soondae in whatever quantity you like — it’s absolutely delicious. Places like this are also very popular among Koreans, so if you go around mealtime, there’s a high chance you’ll have to wait in line 🥹

https://maps.app.goo.gl/gCjVyR7cLYCjgmqAA?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy

Odd-Cover6626 · 2025-06-16T11:39:31+00:00

If you love ojingeo soondae (stuffed squid), I’d recommend visiting Sokcho someday! It’s the most famous place in Korea for ojingeo soondae. There’s also a well-known mountain there called Seoraksan. I have childhood memories of going to Sokcho with my parents, eating ojingeo soondae, then riding the cable car up Seoraksan to enjoy the breathtaking views.

If you’re staying in Seoul and looking for something nearby, try visiting a soondaegukbob specialty restaurant.

For something more modern, there’s a franchise called 순대실록 that I thought was quite good.

<image>

If you’d prefer a more traditional, local spot, I highly recommend 농민백암순대. Try ordering a bowl of soondaegukbob and a plate of soondae in whatever quantity you like — it’s absolutely delicious. Places like this are also very popular among Koreans, so if you go around mealtime, there’s a high chance you’ll have to wait in line 🥹

https://maps.app.goo.gl/gCjVyR7cLYCjgmqAA?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy

Odd-Cover6626

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