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6 Essential Tips For The Most Amazing Korea Trip (Including Discounts At Korea Halal Restaurant Week!)

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Santriani Bohari •  Sep 25, 2017

Ah, the land of kimchi. We hear you. That Seoul-sick heartbreak really gets to you, doesn't it? Between the sumptuous authentic Korean cuisine, the spectacular night-time views and the grand centuries-old palaces and temples, you can never stay away from Korea for too long!

Credit: Giphy

Whether it's your first or umpteenth visit to Korea, though, we've got all the best tips you never knew about for an unforgettable Korea trip! Trust us: from Halal Restaurant Week Korea to budget travel hacks, you'll be thanking your lucky stars for this by the time we're done ?

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1. Feast on the yummiest Muslim-friendly food

Halal Restaurant Week Korea (HRWK) is back in its second year! From 1 September to 31 October 2017, cut your food expenses by making full use of the exclusive discount coupons, special menus and signature menus on offer at selected eateries.

P.S. Sign up for Halal Restaurant Week Korea to enjoy amazing discounts!?

Seoul

Hajj Restaurant (Itaewon)

Serving halal Korean food fused with Malaysian flavours that'll make your taste buds dance, Hajj is a lesser known restaurant nestled quietly in the streets of Itaewon. Try their stir-fried octopus and mung bean bindaetteok - you won't regret it ?

HRWK Special Menu: Stir-fried Octopus, Mung Bean Bindaetteok, 30,000₩

#HHWT Tip:Enjoy a 10% discount on everything except the HRWK special menu AND a free soda when you order the signature menu!

Credit: @nur_fatihah78 on Instagram

If octopus isn't quite your thing, dig into the savoury samgyetang (ginseng chicken soup) or their super-healthy bibimbap ?

Signature menu:

  • Samgyetang 12,000₩
  • Bulgogi 10,000₩
  • Bibimbap 10,000₩

Coupon: 10% discount on everything except HRWK special menu & free soda when signature set menu is ordered | Download the coupon here!

Halal status: Self-certified; All halal. Restaurants are certified as halal by Muslim restaurant owners themselves.

Address: 39 Usadan-ro 10 gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul(732-21 Hannam-dong)

Opening hours: 10 AM - 12 AM

Contact: +82-2-749-5158

Muree Korean Muslim Food

Sink your teeth into some scrumptious, authentic halal Korean cuisine at Muree Korean Muslim Food. For an unforgettable dining experience, go for Muree's special menu and savour some lip-smacking japchae with omelette.

HRWK Special Menu

  • Set A: main dish & side dish 30,000₩
  • Steamed seafood, Japchae(glass noodles stir-fried with vegetables), omelette & rice

#HHWT Tip: Get a free beverage or Korean traditional dessert with your main dish when you sign up and download the Halal Restaurant Week Korea coupon!

Credit: Murree Halal Korean Food on Facebook

Otherwise, go for their signature menu: we recommend their juicy, sizzling bulgogi, which we can never get enough of ?

Coupon: Free beverage/Korean traditional dessert when main dishes are ordered | Download the coupon here!

Halal status: Self-certified; All halal. Restaurants are certified as halal by Muslim restaurant owners themselves. 

Address: 140-6 Itaewon-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

Opening hours: 11AM - 10PM

Contact: +82 2 3785 1436

Makan Restaurant

Tuck into Makan's huge spread of fully halal-certified Korean cuisine for a truly memorable gastronomic affair. Don't miss out on their heavenly bulgogi or their tantalising bibimbap ?

Signature menu:

  • Bulgogi: 10,000₩
  • Bibimbap: 8,000₩

#HHWT Tip: Get a 5% discount on your meal at Makan when you download the coupon on the Halal Restaurant Week Korea website!

Credit: @cookingnoona on Instagram

Coupon: 5% price discount | Download the coupon here!

Halal status: Halal-certified by the Korea Muslim Federation

Address: 1F, 52 Usadan-ro 10 gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

Opening hours: 10:30 AM - 10 PM

Contact: +82-2-6012-2231

Busan

Goma Daegutang

Busan's numerous eateries are famed for serving the freshest, yummiest seafood, and Goma Daegutang is no exception. Specializing in codfish soup and braised codfish, you'll be wiping those plates clean before you know it ?

Signature Menu

  • Codfish soup 9,000₩
  • Braised codfish per person 12,000₩

#HHWT Tip: Quench your thirst with a free soda drink when you sign up on the HRWK website and download the coupon!

Credit: @sujung_1218 on Instagram

Coupon: Provide free soda | Download the coupon here!

Halal status: Muslim-friendly; halal dishes are available, but alcohol may be sold, so do dine at your own discretion. 

Address: 1F, 127, Gwanganhaebyeon-ro, Suyeong-gu, Busan, Republic of Korea

Opening hours: 24h

Contact: +82-51-626-3330

Jeju

Bada Punggyeong

Located just 5 minutes from Jeju airport, Bada Punggyeong is a gourmet restaurant with stunning ocean views. It's without a doubt the perfect place to refuel yourself after your flight!

Signature Menu

  • Altteul-galchijeongshik (Budget Set Menu with Braised Cutlassfish): 39,000~59,000₩

#HHWT Tip: Enjoy a free beverage along with every order except octopus ramen when you download the coupon on the Halal Restaurant Week Korea website!

Credit: @jejutravellab on Instagram

Coupon: Provide free beverage (except Octopus ramen) | Download the coupon here!

Halal status: Muslim-friendly; halal dishes are available, but alcohol may be sold, so do dine at your own discretion. 

Address: 17, Ilchul-ro 288beon-gil, Seongsan-eup, Seogwipo-si, Jeju-do, Republic of Korea

Opening hours: 9 AM - 11 PM

Contact: +82-64-711-7992

Bada Janchi

Situated snugly between Jeju airport (7mins away) and Yongduam rock (3 mins away), Bada Janchi serves some of Jeju's freshest seafood. There's even a prayer room here for your convenience ?

Signature Menu:

  • Godeungeo-gui (Grilled Mackerel) 18,000₩
  • Jeonbok-juk (Abalone Rice Porridge) 12,000₩
  • Galchi-jorim (Braised Cutlassfish)(4 people) 50,000₩

#HHWT Tip: Help yourself to some (free!) steamed eggs and beverage when you download the Halal Restaurant Week coupon!

Credit: @kimminjida on Instagram

Coupon: Provide free steamed eggs and beverage | Download the coupon here!

Halal status: Muslim-friendly; halal dishes are available, but alcohol may be sold, so do dine at your own discretion.

Address: 79 Tapdong-ro, Jeju-si, Jeju-do(Samdo-2dong)

Opening hours: 8 AM - 9 PM

Contact: +82-64-702-8989

All in all, you’ll certainly be spoilt for choice when it comes to authentic (and affordable!) halal Korean cuisine on your next South Korean adventure!

#HHWT Tip: Look out for special Halal Restaurant Week Korea coupons for more discounts!

As if all those discounts weren't enough, get 3 more discount coupons when you sign up for HRWK:

  • 3,000₩ discount
  • 10,000₩ discount (valid for special menus only)*
  • HRWK restaurant discount (can be combined with 3,000₩ discount)

*3,000₩ & 10,000₩ discount coupons cannot be combined

Credit: Halal restaurant week on Facebook

2. Hit up all the best attractions in South Korea

Seoul

Seoul Sky

For uninterrupted panoramic views of Seoul’s gorgeous city skyline, head over to Seoul Sky, which boasts the world’s fastest double-deck elevator AND the highest glass-floor observation deck in the world!

Credit:이종안on Facebook

You’ll be absolutely floored (pun intended!) by those awesome views ?

Grevin Seoul Museum

Ever dreamt of meeting your favourite K-drama stars and K-pop oppas? Then you can’t miss a visit to Grevin Seoul Museum, which houses more than 80 wax figures of celebrities all over the world!

Credit:Hyun Bin - International Fans on Facebook

#HHWT Tip: Get 3,000₩ off your admission ticket when you sign up on the Halal Restaurant Week Korea website!

Bukchon Hanok Village

Take a leisurely stroll through the winding streets of Seoul's Bukchon Hanok Village, a neighbourhood full of wonderfully preserved traditional Korean houses.

Credit: Francis Xavier Niphon on Facebook

While you’re at it, immerse yourself in the local culture by donning a traditional Korean hanbok as you walk through the picturesque streets.

Credit: @nuno_dias7 on Instagram

10. Teseum Seoul

When it comes to all things cute, few places do it better than Seoul ?  Squeal away at the uber-cute exhibitions of teddy bears at Teseum Seoul.

Credit: @aineakbar on Instagram

It'll take all your willpower not to just reach out and hug them!

#HHWT Tip: Save 20% on your admission ticket AND get a free teddy bear bag ring (while stocks last) when you sign up on the Halal Restaurant Week Korea website!

Busan

Haeundae Beach

Probably one of South Korea's most famous summer destinations, head over to Haeundae Beach and take a dip in the turquoise waters or try out some water sports!

Credit: Korean beauty on Facebook

For some of the best night views in the Haeundae area, head over to Bay 101, kick back and relax amongst the locals!

Credit: Un bol de Coree on Facebook

SEA LIFE Busan Aquarium

If the mysterious beauty of sea creatures has always fascinated you, SEA LIFE Busan Aquarium is definitely a must-visit!

Credit: LuvYou Jimin on Facebook

You’ll find more than 250 different species of fish, algae, reptiles and amphibians housed here ?

#HHWT Tip: As part of Halal Restaurant Week, you can enjoy 30% discount on your admission (up to 3 accompanying persons) ?

Busan National Gugak Centre

A trip to South Korea is hardly complete without getting a taste of the rich traditional Korean culture, and what better way to do that than to watch a cultural performance?

Credit: Busan National Gugak Centre on Facebook

Catch lively cultural performances and be awed by the bright and cheerful colours of traditional Korean costumes at the Busan National Gugak centre ?

#HHWT Tip: Save 50% off your tickets for "The Queen's Banquet" or the "Happy Gugak Tree" performances when you sign up on the Halal Restaurant Week website!

Jeju

Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak

Providing some of the most breathtaking scenic views of Jeju's gorgeous coastline, Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak is an absolute must-visit when in Jeju.

Credit: whyyan on Flickr

Surround yourself with endless green fields and feel the soft wind breeze gently caressing your face as you take in those beautiful views ?

Play KPOP Museum

You really can't call yourself a true-blue K-pop fan until you've visited the Play Kpop Museum in Jeju.

Credit: @yul_kkomo on Instagram

Get up close and personal with your favourite Korean idols with the super-realistic hologram concerts here: you'll feel like you're right in the middle of an actual live concert!

#HHWT Tip: Enjoy 10% off your admission tickets when you sign up on the Halal Restaurant Week Korea website so you can fangirl or fanboy away to your heart's content ?

3. Make full use of the Muslim prayer rooms dotted all around South Korea

Seoul Central Masjid

The centre of the Korean Muslim community in Seoul, Seoul Central Mosque sits majestically atop a hill in Itaewon.

Credit: Maruf Abdullah on Facebook

Come Ramadan and Eid, the mosque's huge prayer halls burst with pious local Muslims sitting shoulder to shoulder to pray in unison.

The mosque is also surrounded by numerous halal and Muslim-friendly Korean eateries for you to choose from (including those we've highlighted earlier on ?)

COEX

Situated in the famous Gangnam district and housing more than 200 retail stores, the sprawling COEX Mall in Seoul is a shopaholic's dream come true.

In the midst of all that shopping, you can easily take a break to do your prayers at the COEX Muslim prayer room here, which is fully equipped with prayer mats, prayer garments and Qur'ans.

Credit: Coex on Facebook

Where to find it: Near Hall E, 3rd Floor, 513, Yeongdong-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul

K-Style Hub

A one-stop hub dedicated entirely to fulfilling your every tourist need, K-Style Hub houses a tourist information centre, food exhibition halls and numerous experiential zones where you can virtually travel to some of Korea’s top attractions!

Credit: K-Style Hub on Facebook

There’s even a prayer room here for your convenience, equipped with prayer mats and Qur’ans.

Where to find it: 2nd Floor, Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) Seoul Centre (K-Style Hub), 40 Cheonggyecheon-ro, Seoul, South Korea

Nami Island

Gorgeous all year round, you can't miss soaking in the tranquil atmosphere and picturesque sights of Nami Island while in Seoul.

You can even complete your prayers in the spacious prayer room provided here, complete with dedicated ablution areas!

Credit: Fauziah Jia on Facebook

Where to find it: 2nd Floor, Bobplex Bldg., 1, Namisum-gil Namsan-myeon, Chuncheon-si, Gangwon-do

Lotte World

Probably one of the best theme parks in Seoul, Lotte World comprises both an indoor (Lotte World Adventure) and outdoor (Magic Island) theme park. We can already hear our inner child screaming in glee ?

Credit: Fredrik Rubensson on Flickr

Of course, be sure to set aside some time between all those amusement rides to complete your prayers at Lotte World's clean, brightly lit prayer rooms.

Credit: BnBHero on Facebook

Where to find it: 3rd Floor, Lotte World Adventure, 240, Olympic-ro, Songpa-gu, Seoul

4. Use money-saving transport hacks to spend less on getting around

Use T-money

This trusty little pre-loaded card will save you huge amounts of money (and hassle!) on getting around in major cities like Seoul and Busan.

Credit: Seoul Eats on Facebook

Why keep paying for new one-way tickets every time you take the public transport? What's more, you can even keep your T-money cards and re-use them the next time you're in South Korea!

Avoid black cabs

After a long day of sightseeing, sometimes all you want to do is jump into a cab and head straight for your bed back at the hotel. Whatever you do, though, it's best to avoid hailing one of Seoul's black cabs.

Credit: DINKtravelers on Facebook

These luxury taxis are meant to give you the VIP experience and tend to be really pricey, so be sure to save your money and go for the normal cabs if you must ?

5. Save money on food and admission tickets by using the exclusive Halal Restaurant Week Korea discount coupons

As part of this year's Halal Restaurant Week Korea, save up to 50% on your admission tickets to South Korea's major attractions and yummiest Muslim-friendly eateries. Just sign up on the HRWK website and download the coupon book here!

Credit: Halal restaurant week on Facebook

After all, you'll need as much money as possible for those shopping sprees, souvenir shopping and bargain hunts on your trip ?

6. Learn simple Korean phrases to make sure nothing gets lost in translation

Here are some phrases that would definitely come in handy:

Verifying if the meal is halal

Is the meat halal?

Halal gogi eyo?

[할랄고기에요?]

Asking for meat to be removed from your food

Please remove all meat from the food.

Gogi ppaego juseyo.

[고기 빼고 주세요.]

Credit: @ikaruz_travels on Instagram

Using special discount coupons

[Coupon sayong halgeyo]

쿠폰 사용할게요.

Asking for directions

I want to go to _____

Which way should I go?

[_____ e gago sipeoyo. Eodiro gaya hanayo?]

[_____ 에 가고 싶어요. 어디로 가야하나요?]

Credit: Jericka Ancheta on Flickr

So there you have it: it's high time to nurse those Seoul-sick wounds and buy that flight ticket straight to South Korea right now! With all those Muslim-friendly eateries, attractions, prayer spaces and shopping hotspots, you can't go wrong ?

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This article was brought to you by Korea Tourism Organisation (Singapore). Follow them on Facebook for the latest updates on Korea!