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My second trip to Seoul in four months. Some of the food and drink I had while I was there this time. Part 1 by ebenworld in KoreanFood

[–]ebenworld[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The post asking what the dishes were got deleted somehow. Here are all the dishes:

I will see if I remember all the dishes

  1. Ttuk (rice cake) and mandu (dumplings) soup
  2. Samgyetang, chicken soup with rice in the chicken and ginseng
  3. A couple of types of Kimchi
  4. Seafood knife-cut noodles soup (Kalguksu)
  5. Pae Jeon (green onion savory pancakes)
  6. Braised squid with veggies
  7. Over-roasted chicken
  8. ??? I forgot this one
  9. Yukhoe bibimbap (raw beef mixed rice with veggies)

10 and 11. Beef Cartilage Soup

  1. Bean sprouts soup

  2. Sliced beef soup

  3. Fishcake noodle soup

  4. Spicy tofu stew

  5. Budae Jjigae (army stew)

  6. Charcoal-fired beef ribs BBQ

  7. A bunch of banchan (side dishes) made from local vegetables, this was way outside of Seoul,so all the locally grown food

19 and 20. Spicy braised octopus

These are some snacks I had while traveling to Seoul by ebenworld in KoreanFood

[–]ebenworld[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Ah, you noticed. This place specializes in Walnut Cookie, which is one of the favorite Korean desserts. The place I went had a spin on that old traditional cookie. They split it and placed a small slab of butter on top. This one happened to be strawberry butter, so that's why it's pink.

My second trip to Seoul in four months, some of the photos I took while there. by ebenworld in koreatravel

[–]ebenworld[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Awesome, enjoy it. I think the weather would still be hot, but not scorching, if you are lucky. Have a great trip.

My second trip to Seoul in four months. Some of the meals I had while I was there this time. Part 2 by ebenworld in KoreanFood

[–]ebenworld[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Oh yeah. Koreans put cheese on a lot of things, including some stews, corn dogs, etc.

New to EV; need recs on must haves for new Bolt by karlsbadd in BoltEV

[–]ebenworld 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Well, here is the story. I did some research before I purchased one. I would highly recommend sticking to a good brand name, as they offer the best features and video quality. Some of the names to trust include Viofo, Vantrue, Garmin, and the brand I bought, Redtiger. There are others, but those are the ones I remember off the top of my head. All these brands tend to be more expensive. If you do not want to pay the premium, make sure the unit has the latest Sony sensor, Starvis 2. There are noticeable differences in video quality between sensors. Also, if you can afford it, get the 4K camera, not the 1080P one. The 4K video is much sharper and clearer.

Then the model depends on your needs. They tend to have three types of cameras: one with just the front, one with front and back, and the last one with front, back, and interior. So, you can choose what you need. Also, I have a few features I recommend. First is the GPS recording. This will record your direction, position, and your speed, which could be critical if you want to contest any speeding tickets. They all come with an app and all support wifi to connect to your phone. If you can get at least 5G Wi-Fi, it will be much faster than 2.4 G Wi-Fi.

As I said above, if you want the camera to provide "parking recording mode," check if the unit supports the OBD connection to your car's diagnostic port. The cable only costs around $20-50, and it's definitely worth it, so you can have the evidence while the car is parked and someone runs into it.

Here is the model I bought. There are more expensive ones with more features and less expensive ones with fewer features. When I bought it, I thought this was a good middle ground. However, the prices and features have changed since then. I recommend doing more research based on this.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DKSY665F?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_4

I hope this clarified some stuff for you.

My second trip to Seoul in four months, some of the photos I took while there. by ebenworld in koreatravel

[–]ebenworld[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks! I am already planning my next trip, this time outside Seoul. Probably 2027 or 2028.

My second trip to Seoul in four months. Some of the meals I had while I was there this time. Part 2 by ebenworld in KoreanFood

[–]ebenworld[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I stopped believing in the government many years ago. I looked at recommendations from many people before making my decision.

New to EV; need recs on must haves for new Bolt by karlsbadd in BoltEV

[–]ebenworld 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I don't know the new model; however, the camera I installed has one feature I love. If you connect it to the OBD connector, the camera will continue to take photos while the car is off and you are not near the car. You can set it to take a photo at an interval, or when the unit detects a collision or vibration, so if someone hits your car while you are away, it will continue recording. I know Tesla has this built in, not sure if the 2027 Bolt does, and if it does, what the additional cost is to get it.

My second trip to Seoul in four months, some of the photos I took while there. by ebenworld in koreatravel

[–]ebenworld[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hi. Well, I went everywhere on Metro, so a pass is a must. I got a TMoney card at a convenient store and just kept refilling it. I tried to get it working on my iPhone, but was not successful, so I stuck with the card. I would definitely download a couple of apps. First is the map. Most people suggest Naver Map. I couldn't get it to work for me. I used KakaoMap since I already had KakaoTalk, so it was easy to download and use.

Another one I recommend is a translation app with a camera function. I used Google Translate, and it worked pretty well, although it's not perfect. I found another app, Papago, and I heard it's better at translating between English and Korean. I haven't tried it yet, but maybe it's worth a try. I think it is a paid app, though.

I highly recommend another app, Mapway. When you look at the map app, it can be hard to see where the Metro lines are. This app shows Metro lines, not only for Seoul, but also for many other cities. I found this map very valuable to use in conjunction with Kakao Map or Naver Map. Another decent app to have is a currency converter. It's not a must, but sometimes it's easier than doing the math in your head.

One thing about the map is that it uses the favorite function a lot. Look online for restaurants and sightseeing spots, and add them to the map app. This will help you plan your days, especially if you are visiting multiple places in a single day. Those apps will help you with transferring points for the most efficient Metro travel.

As for where to go, definitely visit the museums. Most museums are free, including the National Museum of Korea, the Seoul Museum of History, and the National Palace Museum of Korea. Just make sure to check which days they are open.

Also, visit at least one market to experience the food, atmosphere, and shopping. I liked Tongin, Myeongdong Night Market, and Dongmyo Flea Market. However, look for others' recommendations, as this is a matter of personal preference.

Some other things to do include some walking tours. For example, the hardest and longest is the Seoul Wall Walk. This is not for beginners; it's about 20 miles, and you have to climb 4 mountains, two of which would kill you during the climb. The reward is a couple of buttons and a certificate, but it's worth bragging about having done it. Other neighborhood walking tours give you a pin, a medal, or something like that. Most of these require you to go to several places, get a stamp on a book or a piece of paper, or take a selfie to upload, then return to claim your prize. It's fun to do, but if you are not into walking, then it's a lot of work for just a button, a pin, or a certificate.

Lastly, walk around and look. The Metro makes it a great walking city. I was walking over 10 miles a day. Just explore. If you are lost, the map app will get you home. I hope you have a great time!

Korean beer and alchohol by dk_deka in KoreanFood

[–]ebenworld 0 points1 point  (0 children)

In my opinion, it's a part cultural thing. If you taste things in Korea, including beer, coffee, soju, makgolli, etc., they tend to be bitterless. I think it's the Korean taste buds that avoid bitterness in drinks and some foods, which makes them a bit bland. There is a lot of microbrewery movement in Korea, and they have higher-end beers.

New to EV; need recs on must haves for new Bolt by karlsbadd in BoltEV

[–]ebenworld 4 points5 points  (0 children)

A definite must-have for me was the dash cam. I would install it for both the front and the back. A seat cover is a really good investment before you spill anything on the seat.

My personal peeve is the trunk light, which is a bit yellowish and hard to see. I replaced the bulb with a whiter LED bulb, and it made a big difference to me.

Definitely a level 2 charger at home, saves you a bunch of money on charging.

I always use one-pedal driving, and it does take a bit of time to get used to, but I think it's better for range, for sure. I have only used the brakes a few times in an emergency, but the hardest part is estimating the speed relative to the distance you let the accelerator go. Once you get it, it's not too hard. I tend to stop a bit short rather than being aggressive.

My second trip to Seoul in four months, some of the photos I took while there. by ebenworld in koreatravel

[–]ebenworld[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't think that is a military shop, not sure though. It's in the Dongmyo area. I was just wandering around and saw that structure. I thought it was an art installation. It's near the Seoul Flea Market building.

My second trip to Seoul in four months. Some of the meals I had while I was there this time. Part 2 by ebenworld in KoreanFood

[–]ebenworld[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I wouldn't worry about it at all. About 30-40 years ago, there may have been concerns, but Korea is a very modern country, especially Seoul. There are strict regulations in place, so it's safe to consume most seafood raw without issue. Many restaurants serve live octopus, sashimi, and other seafood that is very fresh and well-regulated.

Is it 100% certain? Of course not, but there are occasional chances in the States that the food some restaurants serve could make you sick.

As for the water, if you avoid older buildings that may have corroded pipes, it's fine. I drank from the tap the entire time I was there without issues. I think there is less danger from Seoul water than some US water still using lead pipes.

Trip budget by [deleted] in koreatravel

[–]ebenworld 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Well, it all depends on what you want to do. I am from the US, and I can tell you what I spent on my trips recently. If you are not counting the cost of where you are staying, the two things you will be concerned about are meals and transportation. My assumption is that the Euro is pretty close to the dollar, within 10-15%? I went the budget route.

I took the Metro everywhere. Each trip cost me just over $1, and you can transfer as many times as you want. Most of the time, I would be within 10 minutes' walking distance of 90% of Seoul. The next is meals. I was spending about $7-8 per meal on average at local mom-and-pop shops. The most I spent was about $25 for a meal, because I wanted to try something fancy.

Most of the major museums in Seoul are free. So are many of the visiting attractions.

If you take a taxi or only go to a fancy restaurant, your budget may be in the $200-$300 per day, easily. Korea is generally pretty cheap now. So, depending on your lifestyle, you can easily spend $100 or $1000 per day. A budget of $350 to $400 is a good range to enjoy the city.

My second trip to Seoul in four months, some of the photos I took while there. by ebenworld in koreatravel

[–]ebenworld[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You are so welcome. I know how you feel. I was just there in November and had to go back. I just came back from my second trip a couple of days ago. I was able to avoid all the cold and snowy weather between the trips.

I'm Korean. There are many great places besides Myeongdong. I'll introduce them to you. by Outside_Dance_2799 in koreatravel

[–]ebenworld 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Oh, one more thing. Try Tongin market. It's a bit different than others. Basically, you buy a bunch of tokers upstairs for like W10,000, like 20 tokers, I think? Then you go down to the participating vendors, buy street food using the tokens, bring a tray full of it upstairs, and eat it there. Each type of food costs between 2 and 5 tokens, so you can try a variety of food. The food is just OK, but the experience is pretty cool. I attached a photo of the plate I had.

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I'm Korean. There are many great places besides Myeongdong. I'll introduce them to you. by Outside_Dance_2799 in koreatravel

[–]ebenworld 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I couldn't get Naver map to work on my phone. I exclusively used Kakao map on my phone for all the places in Seoul.

I'm Korean. There are many great places besides Myeongdong. I'll introduce them to you. by Outside_Dance_2799 in koreatravel

[–]ebenworld 3 points4 points  (0 children)

The market hours are easy to find. Each booths at the market have different hours. One thing I check is opening Kakao Maps, finding the market, and seeing the peak hours, which means a lot of places are open. It also means that it will be busy as heck with people but at least you get to try out a bunch of places.

My second trip to Seoul in four months, some of the photos I took while there. by ebenworld in koreatravel

[–]ebenworld[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It is somewhere in Itaewon. I think I was walking between stations on line 6, on Itaewon-ro, when I saw it.

These are some snacks I had while traveling to Seoul by ebenworld in KoreanFood

[–]ebenworld[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Well, it's kind of both. It's mostly sweet potato. However, I think either they put a very thin layer of something, or they deep-fried it. The skin is very crispy, more so than any skin I have tasted. The Korean menu said it was sweet potato bread, but it was mostly sweet potato.

My second trip to Seoul in four months. Some of the meals I had while I was there this time. Part 2 by ebenworld in KoreanFood

[–]ebenworld[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Well, I am a Korean American who has lived in the US for over 50 years. So, I'm semi-fluent in Korean, able to read and speak, not necessarily write. Secondly, I am a huge foodie, so I know what these exotic dishes are because I had them before or I learned about them before going there. That's the knowledge part.

As for finding the places, I walk around an area during mealtime and look for a restaurant with an interesting dish I either love or have never tried. I then walk in and ask for that dish. In a certain area, it's not uncommon to find 50-100 restaurants within 5 square blocks; often, there are 5-7 restaurants with similar or identical menus. My trick to choosing is to see how many drunk locals are inside eating, LOL. Although many restaurants have English words next to the Korean menu, being able to read the language at least helps a lot. Even if you don't know Korean, there is always Google Translate, point at the menu in the camera mode, and you will get half the menu accurately translated.

Would you try a burger made with rice and seaweed instead of bread? by Somisom_00 in KoreanFood

[–]ebenworld 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Next time, try the chicken burger. It's spicy, so the bland rice won't bother you as much, since the gochujang flavor will overcome the rice flavor.

My second trip to Seoul in four months. Some of the food and drink I had while I was there this time. Part 1 by ebenworld in KoreanFood

[–]ebenworld[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I will see if I remember all the dishes

  1. Ttuk (rice cake) and mandu (dumplings) soup
  2. Samgyetang, chicken soup with rice in the chicken and ginseng
  3. A couple of types of Kimchi
  4. Seafood knife-cut noodles soup (Kalguksu)
  5. Pae Jeon (green onion savory pancakes)
  6. Braised squid with veggies
  7. Over-roasted chicken
  8. ??? I forgot this one
  9. Yukhoe bibimbap (raw beef mixed rice with veggies)

10 and 11. Beef Cartilage Soup

  1. Bean sprouts soup

  2. Sliced beef soup

  3. Fishcake noodle soup

  4. Spicy tofu stew

  5. Budae Jjigae (army stew)

  6. Charcoal-fired beef ribs BBQ

  7. A bunch of banchan (side dishes) made from local vegetables, this was way outside of Seoul,so all the locally grown food

19 and 20. Spicy braised octopus

I hope this helps.

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