Don't know why I can't undo the title to make it not in Caps.
Makes it look like I'm shouting it out like I'm mad or something.
Anyway this is probably hilarious and a little embarrassing, but I'm already back from my exchange for about a little more than 2 months and I haven't really posted much about it even though I said I will.
But I guess when these memories are all stored in your head it doesn't really matter how long ago it was :)
Seoul isn't exactly the least visited place amongst people our age nowadays due to the influence of Kpop and whatever starts with a K in front. So many of my friends have asked about places to go and what to do so I thought I'd write up some of the things I remember that were fun and interesting. I'll also try to include those stuff that you don't get from your usual lonelyplanet reviews.
These are all based on my own opinions and experiences and some of these facts might be wrong but probably 95% right. All photos are actually mine so I didn't write about places I haven't really been.
HERE ARE THE FIRST 3
Makes it look like I'm shouting it out like I'm mad or something.
Anyway this is probably hilarious and a little embarrassing, but I'm already back from my exchange for about a little more than 2 months and I haven't really posted much about it even though I said I will.
But I guess when these memories are all stored in your head it doesn't really matter how long ago it was :)
Seoul isn't exactly the least visited place amongst people our age nowadays due to the influence of Kpop and whatever starts with a K in front. So many of my friends have asked about places to go and what to do so I thought I'd write up some of the things I remember that were fun and interesting. I'll also try to include those stuff that you don't get from your usual lonelyplanet reviews.
These are all based on my own opinions and experiences and some of these facts might be wrong but probably 95% right. All photos are actually mine so I didn't write about places I haven't really been.
HERE ARE THE FIRST 3
University Hopping
For those who do actually follow Korean culture and news, you would have probably heard about various notable universities such as Seoul National University, Yonsei University and Korea University.. (These are the Top 3 S.K.Y Universities btw)
Universities in Korea have their own histories (Some of them pretty violent) and along with it enduring through the years are their architecture! Those who love taking #OOTDs or just simply enjoy stalking Korean dudes and babes would find this most satisfying.
Universities in Korea have their own histories (Some of them pretty violent) and along with it enduring through the years are their architecture! Those who love taking #OOTDs or just simply enjoy stalking Korean dudes and babes would find this most satisfying.
Yonsei University (Near Sinchon Station)
I was in Korea late 2014 and Yonsei at that time was undergoing serious construction so I couldn't see how grand it used to be. Yonsei features quite a bit of European architecture for some reason, complete with the whole green moss and creepers growing on the walls effect.
Seoul National University (Near SNU Station)
SNU is well known for its trademark main gate entrance that looks like it's a movie prop taken out from a Bermuda Triangle. Fun fact (We were told this during orientation) it is also known as the Shya (샤) gate as the shape is formed with the Korean alphabets ㅅ,ㄷ,ㄱ which are the initials of the school's Korean name.
SNU is built ON a mountain, and with that you get many scenic views especially at sunrise and sunset and the flora and fauna of the school are especially gorgeous year-round during the various seasons of the year. Architecture wise everything is pretty modern and...yknw like those you can find in the city, relative to the other universities I am going to mention.
SNU is built ON a mountain, and with that you get many scenic views especially at sunrise and sunset and the flora and fauna of the school are especially gorgeous year-round during the various seasons of the year. Architecture wise everything is pretty modern and...yknw like those you can find in the city, relative to the other universities I am going to mention.
Kyunghee University (Near Hoegi Station)
This university is a little out of the way in terms of location but it's apparently voted one of the best universities in terms of Architecture.
In the day the buildings look amazing with all of it's grandeur but when night falls (if you even have a reason to be there at night) the buildings become so hauntingly beautiful, giving a kind of Gotham-city vibe. (Yes that's a Batman reference.)
Warning though, many steep slopes to climb as well.
In the day the buildings look amazing with all of it's grandeur but when night falls (if you even have a reason to be there at night) the buildings become so hauntingly beautiful, giving a kind of Gotham-city vibe. (Yes that's a Batman reference.)
Warning though, many steep slopes to climb as well.
Hongik University (Near Hongik Univ Station)
Many people search for Hongdae on the Subway Map only to be bewildered and confused why they don't see it. Hongdae is actually the short form of its Korean name so Hongik Daehakgyo is shortened to just Hongdae.
After a day of roaming around the popular Hongdae streets or even while you're waiting for dusk to fall and for the night activities in Hongdae to start you could check out the campus nearby. I might be wrong but Hongdae always struck me as a school famous for arts in any form, be it visual or performing.
The few times I went there was always some kind of concert or carnival going on with stage acts and tents set up. It'd be good to check the net for any festivities they might have before dropping by.
After a day of roaming around the popular Hongdae streets or even while you're waiting for dusk to fall and for the night activities in Hongdae to start you could check out the campus nearby. I might be wrong but Hongdae always struck me as a school famous for arts in any form, be it visual or performing.
The few times I went there was always some kind of concert or carnival going on with stage acts and tents set up. It'd be good to check the net for any festivities they might have before dropping by.
Ewha Women's University (Near Ewha Women's Univ Station)
It's nice that their train systems cater specifically to some schools, being named after them, but it's worth noting they're not always just beside it. Probably because the Koreans love building their universities on hills and mountains which are usually quite a walk in, might possibly be a Fengshui thing (lol jk).
Ewha is another popular uni-hopping spot as it features one of the nicest architectures in the city. It has all you need in an ootd location.
1)European-ish Architecture (Check)
2)Creeping plants and moss on those buildings (Check)
3)Wide sloping valley looking thing that looks awesome (Check)
(Sorry Stella I had to borrow your face cos I really wanted to show the door)
Of course there are still several other Universities like Sogang University, Korea University which I've never been but these are the ones that you're more likely to chance upon and many of them are pretty near each other!
Ewha is another popular uni-hopping spot as it features one of the nicest architectures in the city. It has all you need in an ootd location.
1)European-ish Architecture (Check)
2)Creeping plants and moss on those buildings (Check)
3)Wide sloping valley looking thing that looks awesome (Check)
(Sorry Stella I had to borrow your face cos I really wanted to show the door)
Of course there are still several other Universities like Sogang University, Korea University which I've never been but these are the ones that you're more likely to chance upon and many of them are pretty near each other!
Hanging out Near Universities
Ironically the years of your life where you're studying the hardest are actually the years you party the hardest too.
Korean university students are in their prime and this is the age they party, hang out and have lots of fun after school and obviously the market knows it as well.
If you're looking for a place where you'll have lots of cafes, restaurants, watering holes and hang out spots your safest bet is to travel to a station with a university nearby because THEY'RE ALL THERE.
Notable ones are of course Hongik Univ, Ewha Women's and Sinchon Station. Lesser known ones are Konkuk Univ and Hoegi Station.
Korean university students are in their prime and this is the age they party, hang out and have lots of fun after school and obviously the market knows it as well.
If you're looking for a place where you'll have lots of cafes, restaurants, watering holes and hang out spots your safest bet is to travel to a station with a university nearby because THEY'RE ALL THERE.
Notable ones are of course Hongik Univ, Ewha Women's and Sinchon Station. Lesser known ones are Konkuk Univ and Hoegi Station.
Located randomly around these places are also arcade like machines that are various forms of punching bags (Some chest level, some head level and some on the floor). Korean guys love to compete on strength, especially so when they're drunk. What they do is they'll take turns punching or kicking and the machine gives a score on the amount of force registered. The loser with the lowest score bends over the machine and everyone gets to kick his butt as hard as they can. It's hilarious to watch. (500 won per game)
You'll also come across batting cages in some of these areas. The only ones I know are in SNU Station and Konkuk Univ. Baseball is big in Korea and this feeds the culture, letting everyone have a go at it. For the one at SNU station it is only 500 won per game and you get what seems like 15 balls or so. Bats and gloves are provided, you just need yourself.
A Korean nights out consists typically of a few rounds. Firstly would be dinner, followed by pre-drinking at some pub, bar or even convenience store, next would be at a club or a nightspot, it'll then end with supper at one of those roadside stalls. (Drinking is usually involved at every round, I have no idea where all that alcohol goes in them.)
You'll also come across batting cages in some of these areas. The only ones I know are in SNU Station and Konkuk Univ. Baseball is big in Korea and this feeds the culture, letting everyone have a go at it. For the one at SNU station it is only 500 won per game and you get what seems like 15 balls or so. Bats and gloves are provided, you just need yourself.
A Korean nights out consists typically of a few rounds. Firstly would be dinner, followed by pre-drinking at some pub, bar or even convenience store, next would be at a club or a nightspot, it'll then end with supper at one of those roadside stalls. (Drinking is usually involved at every round, I have no idea where all that alcohol goes in them.)
Korean Dessert & Cafes
There are countless cafes in Korea, probably too much for me to document in just the 4 months I've been there. It is worth noting that most of the time in Korea when they call a place a 'cafe' they mean it exactly the way it is, that they serve coffee, tea and maybe some desserts and easy prep cold counter stuff. They are not exactly like our Singaporean idea of 'cafes' which serve coffee and offer a menu with a selection of food dishes served hot from the kitchen. The equivalent in Korea would probably be listed as a restaurant of some sort.
I don't really know where to start, but for cafes with a food menu the famous ones are mostly located in Gangnam, Garosugil, and Samcheong, just to name a few. There they are aplenty but I haven't really gotten to documenting them.
When you're in Korea you should probably forget about your no-sugar diet. Dessert choices are EVERYWHERE and it is almost always in the plans when you're out for meals with Koreans. Notable mentions are Osulloc, Sulbing, Okrumong and Cafe Bene. (Again just to name a few, there are too many to list)
I don't really know where to start, but for cafes with a food menu the famous ones are mostly located in Gangnam, Garosugil, and Samcheong, just to name a few. There they are aplenty but I haven't really gotten to documenting them.
When you're in Korea you should probably forget about your no-sugar diet. Dessert choices are EVERYWHERE and it is almost always in the plans when you're out for meals with Koreans. Notable mentions are Osulloc, Sulbing, Okrumong and Cafe Bene. (Again just to name a few, there are too many to list)
O'sulloc Tea House (Few locations, eg. Myeongdong and Gangnam)
Make your friends green with envy.
No prizes for guessing what O'sulloc's main flavour is. Apparently they have their own tea plantation in Jeju (Everything grown in Jeju is instantly special) and they're famous for their teas and have a long history behind it. For those who don't care about all that, yes, the desserts they have here are really good, especially if you love Matcha.
I would definitely recommend the 'Scones with Green Tea Milk Jam' (3rd picture) as I really love how they taste and 'Milk Jam' is basically condensed milk. IT'S REALLY GOOD. Just drizzle it or dip it in, wait you can't dip it because it'll just CRUMBLE at your touch and melt in your mouth.
No prizes for guessing what O'sulloc's main flavour is. Apparently they have their own tea plantation in Jeju (Everything grown in Jeju is instantly special) and they're famous for their teas and have a long history behind it. For those who don't care about all that, yes, the desserts they have here are really good, especially if you love Matcha.
I would definitely recommend the 'Scones with Green Tea Milk Jam' (3rd picture) as I really love how they taste and 'Milk Jam' is basically condensed milk. IT'S REALLY GOOD. Just drizzle it or dip it in, wait you can't dip it because it'll just CRUMBLE at your touch and melt in your mouth.
Sulbing Korean Dessert Cafe (They're everywhere)
I really mean EVERYWHERE. This is one of the biggest dessert cafe chains in Seoul there's no escaping it, even in Japan. Just do a quick google on your destination to check if they have an outlet nearby and you'll most definitely one near you. (Unless you're in the mountains of course.)
Bingsu is basically shaved ice and typically served with flavourful condiments. It is important to note that Patbingsu is the traditional version served with red bean, because pat means red bean in Korean. So for people that don't prefer to go with red bean as a condiment choice please don't order it and be confused when it comes.
Back to Sulbing. The pictures speak for themselves. These are an average of 8000-10000won a bowl and while it is really pricey for a bowl of ice (lol) the servings are pretty generous and good for 2-3 to share. 4 people can order 2 because...why wouldn't you?
My favourite would be the Blueberry with Cheesecake Bingsu. I don't know why but I estimate that I've ordered it for at least 12 times in my entire exchange, 1 of those might or might not have been eaten alone x) They serve the Bingsu layered with syrup soaked blueberries and chunks of cheesecakes, with a scoop of vanilla ice cream at the top. Condensed milk is provided for you to drizzle over the Bingsu at any time you feel it's not sweet enough (I don't care, that's everytime for me) When you get to the bottom layers of the ice there's even MORE fine sugar scattered at the base. Sugar overload.
Bingsu is basically shaved ice and typically served with flavourful condiments. It is important to note that Patbingsu is the traditional version served with red bean, because pat means red bean in Korean. So for people that don't prefer to go with red bean as a condiment choice please don't order it and be confused when it comes.
Back to Sulbing. The pictures speak for themselves. These are an average of 8000-10000won a bowl and while it is really pricey for a bowl of ice (lol) the servings are pretty generous and good for 2-3 to share. 4 people can order 2 because...why wouldn't you?
My favourite would be the Blueberry with Cheesecake Bingsu. I don't know why but I estimate that I've ordered it for at least 12 times in my entire exchange, 1 of those might or might not have been eaten alone x) They serve the Bingsu layered with syrup soaked blueberries and chunks of cheesecakes, with a scoop of vanilla ice cream at the top. Condensed milk is provided for you to drizzle over the Bingsu at any time you feel it's not sweet enough (I don't care, that's everytime for me) When you get to the bottom layers of the ice there's even MORE fine sugar scattered at the base. Sugar overload.
Okrumong (Few Locations, eg Hongdae and Sinchon)
This is just aesthetic perfection. How they shaped the ice so perfectly, the gloss of the pile of red bean that's just oozing all over. Two delightful dduk's (rice cakes that are basically like mochi) sit on top of it all.
Okrumong serves Patbingsu, and from what I remember it is their only condiment choice. They however serve it either in milk ice or green tea ice. Serving size is a lot smaller than Sulbing (I would eat one on my own) but still it's very satisfying, even for a person like me who usually avoids red bean. It's 8000won for a bowl as well.
Okrumong serves Patbingsu, and from what I remember it is their only condiment choice. They however serve it either in milk ice or green tea ice. Serving size is a lot smaller than Sulbing (I would eat one on my own) but still it's very satisfying, even for a person like me who usually avoids red bean. It's 8000won for a bowl as well.
DONE
Well these are 3 things I've chosen for my blog post today. Obviously there's more to come!
Again I wanna emphasize these are based on my experiences during the 4 months I've lived in Seoul. I don't claim to be the go-to person for matters relating to South Korea but I'm always happy to talk about it.
I don't have that syndrome where I so fiercely guard a place I've been in, claiming to be a subject matter expert. I'm sure a lot of people subconsciously place that claim over Korea even after being there for just a week.
With that I would like to end with a word of the day, very applicable to what I'm feeling now.
Again I wanna emphasize these are based on my experiences during the 4 months I've lived in Seoul. I don't claim to be the go-to person for matters relating to South Korea but I'm always happy to talk about it.
I don't have that syndrome where I so fiercely guard a place I've been in, claiming to be a subject matter expert. I'm sure a lot of people subconsciously place that claim over Korea even after being there for just a week.
With that I would like to end with a word of the day, very applicable to what I'm feeling now.