[Update: 28 June 2021]
While we can't travel to Seoul just yet, we can definitely dream about our next visit to the city! With talks about the Singapore-South Korea travel bubble, we can't help but think about our last trip to the world of Hallyu, or for some of us, a new exciting trip we can't wait to venture on. If you're consumed by wanderlust, we hope that reading about travel and sights can fulfil that for you ? Here are 6 things to do in Seoul!
1. Eat halal authentic Korean food
Food~! We all live to eat, right? At least, that’s the case for me. Hehe. Especially when there are halal options for us, why not try them out? Well, here are two halal Korean restaurants that I have eaten at and I simply love them! Both are located a few metres away from the Seoul Central Masjid and they are just a few doors away from each other.
Makan Halal Korean Restaurant
I chanced upon this halal restaurant during my trip. We were hungry after our flight and hectic journey from the airport. The restaurant looks very inviting and we decided to give it a try! Well… we were obviously not disappointed and we went back to the same restaurant again a few times. The sajangnim is able to converse in English pretty well and he’s really friendly!
Here are two of the meals that we had! Just thinking of the tteokgalbi and the banchan is making me salivate. Hehe.
We ordered food for takeaway on one of the nights and I thought that the packaging is just soooooo pretty! And the food is still yummy after being packed.
Eid Restaurant
I saw Eid Restaurant a lot on Facebook as many people were talking about it. So, I decided to give it a try. At that point of time, their menu was limited to only four items but they have since expanded it. Can’t wait to try their other dishes when I’m back there again!
Jajangbab and beef bulgogi for lunch! How can anyone resist these delicious fooood?! Hehe.
Directions:
From the mosque, just walk straight ahead for about 100 metres for Halal Korean Restaurant and just further down for Eid Restaurant.
#HHWT Tip: I stayed in an apartment on the same street as Halal Korean Restaurant and Eid Restaurant, so it was easy for me to get to both! :)
Yang Good Lamb BBQ
And have you ever wanted to eat barbequed meat, just like in K-dramas? Well, now you can since there is a halal one available in Gangnam-gu! Although it is a bit on the pricey side, I can assure you that it’s going to be worth it. I’m not a fan of lamb meat as they tend to have a certain smell – but not here! The meat is really delicious and I love the side dishes too.
The exterior of the restaurant looks like this…
Menu and the meat on the grill!
Directions: Alight at Yeoksam Station (Line 2) and exit at Exit 6. Follow the directions in the map below!
Credit: yanggood01
Other halal restaurants
Besides these, you have to try the other authentic halal Korean food places in Seoul too!
2. Try out the street food in Myeongdong!
Here are two street food that can be eaten by Muslims as they are fried in vegetable oil and are not sold with other meats. These are best eaten when they are piping hot, especially when it’s cold outside!
Prawn Tempura
Credit: backpackersbuddies
This is really super yummy cos the prawns taste fresh and succulent. I can still remember my first bite and I cannot stop eating them after that. Hehe. They are best eaten hot when they are super crispy! Just don’t forget to wipe off the crumbs from your top! ?
#HHWT Tip: The Koreans love their food salty. So, these prawns will be sprinkled with salt right after they are fried AND the ahjussi will squirt some tomato (NOT CHILLI) sauce on it. If you are not a fan of very salty food, just let the ahjussi know that you do not want the salt or tomato sauce! They’ll be more than happy to oblige.
Yachae Pajeon (Vegetable Pancakes)
The pajeon (pancake) are only filled with vegetables but they are super tasty and cheap! Not forgetting that they are filling too. Each huge piece costs about ₩3,000 and the ahjumma will cut it up for you to little neat squares – bite-sized pieces are easier to be eaten.
Some ahjummas are very friendly and they will strike up a conversation with you. I patronised the same stall for a few nights in a row when I was there once and the ahjumma could recognise me after the first time. So, she threw in some yachae mandu (vegetables dumpling) for free after that! I know, notpaiseh* but I’m definitely not complaining.
*Paiseh refers to feeling embarrassed ?
#HHWT Tip: These food can be found around Myeongdong and the stalls are usually open in the evening. So, it would be best to go after 5 p.m. if you want to try them!
Directions: Take the subway Line 4 and alight at Myeondong Station. Exit from Exit 6 or 7 and it will lead you to the entrance of the Myeongdong Shopping Street!
P.S. If you love K-Pop and want to get merchandise, you can get them before you exit from Myeongdong Station! There are a few stores in the underground shopping mall here and they are cheap! :)
*Do check with the stall owners regarding the ingredients used before consuming any street food.
3. Visit a cat café
Cats – you either love them or hate them. You can definitely tell that I adore them to bits! If not, why would I even talk about them right? HEHE. Being in a cat café also helps me when I miss my cats since I’m away from home! Here’s two cat cafés that I’ve been to and you definitely should too!
Myeongdong Cat Cafe
This cat café is right in Myeongdong. It is easy to find cos you’ll see a cat mascot in the shopping street and it’ll show you where to go!
P.S. It's also one of HHWT's favourite cafes in Korea!
Credit: foodietraveller
Once you enter the café, the staff will explain to you (in English) that you can choose any drink for a fee as well as about the cats that they have. You can also buy some cat treats from them and the treats will definitely attract the cats! :)
Gangnam Cat Café
I went to this cat café after having Yang Good Lamb BBQ and both places are only one station apart. You can choose to take the subway or go for stroll like I did, while enjoying the sunset.
The same rules apply here – you need to buy a drink and you can stay for as long as you want. As for the cute kitties, patrons are NOT supposed to pick them up unless the cats sit on our laps on their own accords. Personally, I like the cat café in Myeongdong better as I feel that they are friendlier!
Directions:
Credit: faviandewanta
Alight at Gangnam Station (Line 2) and exit from Exit 9. Just walk straight till you see that yellow sign at the side of the building.
4. Make a trip to Namsan Tower
If you are already in Myeongdong, why not make a trip to Namsan Tower? Well… this is the place for you to get a workout, nice scenery and sunset as well as lock your wishes! I put a lock during my very trip there and wished that I will be able to come back to Seoul… and you guessed it right! I did! :)
The best way to get to Namsan Tower would be to take the cable car up. In the cable car, you can see get a bird eye’s view of Myeongdong and beyond. Anyone remembers this scene from Boys over Flowers? Hehe.
Credit: dramabeans
Here are some things you can expect to see!
And look at this gorgeous sunset!
Directions to the Cable Car Station: Alight from Myeongdong Station Exit 3. From there, walk on the left side of Pacific Hotel (your right side when you are facing it) and it will lead up to an upslope. Just walk until you reach a flight of wooden stairs and you have reached once you reach the top! From there, take the cable car and you’ll be there in no time.
Credit: visitkorea
Price for the cable car ride: 8,500₩ for adults and 5,500₩ for kids (Two-way ticket)
5. Visit Bukchon Hanok Village
I love looking at the traditional Korean houses or more commonly known as hanok. The hanoks are really beautifully built and the details are very intricate. You are free to walk down the alleys and explore the village. Do keep your voices down as residents live there. Don’t wander into the houses though!
Directions: Take the Subway Line 3 and alight at Anguk Station. Exit from Exit 2 and walk straight for about 300m. You’ll see this sign on your way and just go straight!
You’ll see some pretty murals like this in the alleys too!
#HHWT Tip: Gyeongbukgung Palace is just round the corner! Just remember that the palace is closed on Tuesdays. There's also a free English tour at Gyeongbukgung :D
6. Go Shopping!
What’s a trip to Seoul without shopping, right? Trust me, there’s something to buy for everyone – even guys, okay. Here are some of my favourite shopping spots, which also happen to sell items at affordable prices!
Express Bus Terminal Underground Shopping
This has got to be my MOST FAVOURITE shopping place! Once you exit from the subway, you can already start shopping! This place sells clothes and shoes and bags, and they are super cheap!!! Can you feel my excitement?? HEHE.
Credit: visitkorea
Directions: Take the Subway Line 3, 7 or 9 and alight at Express Bus Terminal Station. Exit from Exit 8 and just follow the sign!
Late-night Shopping at Dongdaemun
Can’t sleep past midnight and not ready to go to bed yet? Then you should try shopping in Dongdaemun! The shops here close at about 5 in the morning and the shopping centres are huge! They have practically everything here – from clothes to shoes, and bags to household items.
Credit: kimcheeguesthouse
Directions: Alight at Dongdaemun Station (Line 1 and 4) from Exit 8 or 9.
#HHWT Tip: Don’t forget to bargain! Some ahjummas are really nice and they’ll give you discounts! Our Korean phrasebook for Muslim travellers would come in handy here :)
Myeongdong
You definitely need to come here and get all your makeup needs! The place is filled with makeup and beauty stores. Innisfree, Tony Moly, Etude House – you name it, they have it! And the best part is… they will hand out freebies to you even before you patronise them. So you’ll end up with more makeup and facial products for less the price!
Credit: myeongdong-kr
Directions: Take the subway Line 4 and alight at Myeondong Station. Exit from Exit 6 or 7 and it will lead you to the entrance of the Myeongdong Shopping Street!
Ewha Women’s University Shopping Street
Last but not least, Ewha Women’s University Shopping Street! This is another one of my favourite shopping haunts as there are just so many things to buy – clothes, bags and shoes! Of course, it does no good to my wallet but once a while is okay right? Hehe.
Credit: lifetoreset
Credit: wandergurls
Directions: Take the subway Line 2 and exit from Exit 2 or 3.
Don’t forget to bring enough money when you’re going shopping and most importantly, enjoy your first (of many) trips to Seoul!
#HHWT tip: If you're a big shopper, you'll need our ultimate shopping guide in Korea too!
While we can't travel to Kore just yet, it doesn't hurt to dream about our future travels once we are able to cross the border (hopefully soon!). Share this with your friends and family!