24 Hours in Seoul, South Korea

Cheonggyecheon River Walk

• Cheonggyecheon River Walk is 15 feet below one of the busiest streets in Seoul, Sejongro Boulevard. The 3.6 river walk along Cheonggyecheon street has small waterfalls and is a quiet escape from the busy street above.

Ddo-ong (Poop) Café

• A smiling, giant plush poop covered in plastic flies greets visitors at the entrance of the Ddo-ong (Poop) café. Inside poop pillows, a tree decorated with paper poop ornaments, and toilet flower pots decorate the cozy room. 

• There is a a limited menu with items that arrive in a toilet bowl including cheesy rice (pictured left). Ordering off the regular menu, our green tea latte arrives in a regular mug with a small blue poo. 

Next door, a stand sells fluffy, chocolate poop shaped pancakes.

Samcheong-dong

• The small streets and alleys of Samcheong-dong are filled with boutiques and shops selling soap flowers, tea, coffee, souvenirs, thimble size succulents, art, and local food. We recommend trying a hotteok: a Korean pancake filled with honey.

Gyeongbokgung Palace

• For the full experience at one of the most popular palaces in South Korea visit 3355 Hanbok Rental to be outfitted in a traditional royal, commoner, or modern day hanbok. Now only worn for festivals or celebrations, the hanbok was the traditional Korean dress only 100 years ago.
• The women’s dresses resemble a bell. The jacket is fitted to flatter the upper body, while the billowing, flowing skirt covers the legs and feet giving the the appearance of floating over the ground.

• The women’s navy and red royal queen hanbok is complete with a long plastic sword through a fake braided hair piece and a small matching purse to hold belongings. After being dressed and styled, the royal king, queen, and princess are ready to visit Gyeongbokgung Palace.

• The Gyeonghoeru Pavilion was originally used for entertaining foreign visitors. Stone animals along the bridge accessing the pavilion ward off evil spirits.

• Destroyed by fire in the 1500’s, Gyeongbokgung Palace, also known as the North Palace, was restored between the 1850’s and 1919. 

Soeul’s skyscrapers tower above the roof of the Gwanghwamun Gate. 

• At 6:00pm, the palace closes and guards begin herding visitors towards the exits.  The 1 hour time allowance in our rented hanboks gave us plenty of time to explore the palace and take photos. 

The Streets of Seoul

• Illuminated signs for bars 4 and 5 stories high line the streets. Climbing the stairs to one of the many restaurants, we occupy a window table with an open view of the streets below.

• Complying with Korean culture, we use both hands to drink Makgeolli, a milky colored Korean rice wine, from a bowl. The youngest refills the eldest’s glass first and glasses should not be left empty on the table.

• Taking a break from soju and rice wine, we visit Beer Works. Our crafts beers arrive with 2 small bowls of gummy bears and pretzels. In South Korea, drinks are rarely served or ordered without food. 

• We are excited for our first Korean barbecue experience in Korea. Each table has a small grill in the center. Ready to order, we push a small button on the table to notify the waitress. After our grill is turned on, several small bowls of kimchi, pork, vegetables, rice, and cheese are brought to our table for us to begin cooking our meal.

• On the way back to our hotel, we see the 33 story Samsung Jong-Ro Tower built in 1999 designed to appear the top level is floating. 

Next stop, Gwangalli Beach in Busan.

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September 2017