What to See, Eat and Do in Korea (and Beyond)
Benny Boy Brewing is run by a husband and wife team who wanted to bring an “urban-backyard” feel to craft beer and cider. They combine a working brewery, cidery, beer garden and “tank bar” all into one, so you can sip a fresh pint straight from the tanks, hangout in the beer-garden courtyard or even chill by the fire pits. it’s meant to feel like hanging out at someone’s house, and you definitely get that laidback feel.
I’ve rounded up a list of all the K-foods I noticed in the KPDH, along with some of our local recommendations on where to enjoy them on your next Korea trip. Let’s see how many of these Korean foods you recognized and how many you’ve tried. How big of a K-foodie are you?
For my money, Mangwon Traditional Market (망원시장) has been a long time favorite of mine. It’s not massive compared to some markets, but that’s part of the charm. It’s smaller, more manageable, packed with personality and it’s been around for over 40 years. You’ll find fresh produce, dried goods, snacks, street-food stalls and even hole-in-the-wall restaurants.
Mongvely is smack in the heart of Myeongdong, making it super convenient if you’re shopping, sightseeing, and have built up a good appetite. It’s a beef and pork BBQ spot that offers buffet/all-you-can-eat style, where you can pick out your cuts of meat and bring it back to grill at your table. The vibe is lively, smells good (because hello, BBQ), and usually pretty full particularly around dinner time. The clientele is mostly foreign because of the location, but that doesn’t mean it should be simply written off as “touristy” (like we almost did).
In hot summers, like the one we’re having now, naengmyeon or Korean cold noodles, are the perfect way to beat the heat.
Naengmyeon is a super refreshing Korean dish of cold, chewy noodles that’s especially popular in the summer. But did you know there are different variations of this dish, each with its own origin, noodles, broth, and flavor profile. While the two main categories are mul naengmyeon (물냉면) and bibim naengmyeon (비빔냉면), within and beyond those, there are regional and modern variations. Here’s a breakdown of the 4 most popular variations you can eat in Seoul.
Oido (오이도) is a coastal area located in Siheung City just southwest of Seoul. For those of us who live in Seoul, it’s a pretty popular destination for day trips and weekend getaways, particularly during the warmer months. Since it’s a pretty easy one and a half hour trip there by subway, it’s a great way to enjoy those costal city vibes without having to go all the way east to Gangneung or down south to Busan.
After almost reaching the point of no return (due to Covid), Myeongdong has risen from the ashes and has once again become a tourist hotspot. So we’ve complied a list of places we personally visit and feel would be worth your time and hard earned cash.
The Yeosu Nangman Pocha is everything that you could hope for from a Korean pocha night market. The signature red tents are lit up every night from 6 PM until 1 AM. That means the tents are filled with patrons enjoying everything from sushi and fried tempura to octopus and pork stir-fry well into the night.
Seoul has gone on a bagel-craze off and on over the years. While there are always a few trendy and viral spots floating around social media, Everything Bagel is the only spot you really need to know about. No hate to other shops, but if you want an authentic New York-style bagel, no place in Seoul hits quite like this.
Bibimbap (비빔밥) is essentially a simple, albeit colorful, Korean rice bowl topped with all sorts of seasoned sautéed vegetables and gochujang (chili pepper paste). A lot of times it can come with additional mix-ins like marinated beef, seafood, a fried egg… truly the possibilities are endless. It’s probably one of the most well known Korean dishes and one of the most popular among foreigners and tourists due to it’s versatility. It is a deliciously satisfying meal option for those with dietary restrictions who want to eat authentic Korean cuisine.
When it comes to BTS restaurants, Yoojung Sikdang is THE go-to place. It’s where the members of BTS frequently ate eat during their trainee and rookie years, sometimes up to 3 times a day. And the ajumma who used to personally feed the boys whenever they came is still running the place. It definitely belongs on the itinerary of any ARMY, but if you’ve already been or are looking for more, then you need to check out Superstar Tteokbokki.
There’s nothing quite like digging into cuts of smoked turkey while the Christmas tree lights sparkle and your family struggles…
