South Korea : Seoul and Beyond

I would define South Korea as a marriage between tradition and modernity. To be in this country is to experience distinctive consonance between modern culture and historical heritage. 

One thing about South Korea is its amazing culinary treats. You’ll never run out of choices! From kimchi to bibimbap to traditional beef barbeque to the crispiest fried chicken, South Korea is now on the map as a top destination for foodies.

There is so much more to discover in South Korea. Let me walk you through my top South Korean destinations. You can venture beyond the dynamic Seoul with a mix of a fantastic city and coastal, mountains, and agricultural areas. 

Seoul, South Korea

I always believe that choosing a hotel is part of the journey; it is not just a place to sleep but a place to experience luxury to complete the whole travel experience. 

Conrad Seoul is a Virtuoso hotel that hits the sweet spot between business savvy and one-of-a-kind service. As I said, it is a destination in itself. Feel relaxed while you marvel in a room with a view of the Han River or the city skyline. When you book with Inspired Travel Designs, you receive full daily breakfast for two guests, USD 100 equivalent hotel credit, upgrade upon arrival, and early check-in/late check-out subject to availability.

Visit Gwangjang Market; it is one of the oldest traditional markets in South Korea. Tickle your palate with Tteokbokki (stir-fried spicy rice cakes), Pajeon (my personal favorite!, spring onion pancakes stuffed with seafood), and Bindae-tteok (savory pancakes made from ground mung beans). 

Why not join a tour that explores the local flavors through South Korea’s traditional markets? Check it out here.

For cultural immersion, I suggest that you visit the four major palaces in Seoul (Gyeongbokgung Palace, Changdeok Palace, Changgyeong Palace, and Deoksugung Palace).

Note: Score a free entrance in any palaces in traditional Korean clothes (Hanbok)! 

South Korean delights in Jeonju

Jeonju is regarded by many to be the food capital of South Korea. Located around 200 kilometers south of Seoul, Jeonju is famous for its gastronomy and is worth the trip. If you are crazy about bibimbap, the Korean mixed rice bowl, this is the place to be. Jeonju is the birthplace of this dish. For authentic Jeonju food, you must try Hankookjib, a favorite dining spot. Food offerings to try are sagol gomtang (beef bone soup) and samgyetang (ginseng chicken soup).  

While in Jeonju, stroll through the Hanok Village. It has more than 800 traditional hanok style (traditional wooden homes) buildings, food stalls, and craft shops. 

It would be best if you did not miss going to the Korean rice wine district, Makgeolli; they offer the wine in large copper kettles, alongside plenty of side dishes. Jeonju’s makgeolli venues are famous for the makgeolli tables. There are so many side dishes served with the wine the table literally groans with food.

Jeju Island

White sandy beaches, waterfalls, and lush mountains are among the best things that Jeju Island offers. Many say that this is Hawaii of Korea. Jeju Island is a Unesco World Heritage Site because of its well-preserved lava tubes and diverse volcanic landforms. Jeju’s prized pink pork is cut into thick pieces and cooked over burning hay, giving it a distinct taste and unique aroma. 

Get a chance to visit Seongsan Ilchulbong or popularly known as Sunrise Peak. The volcanic crater is best for viewing sunrise or sunset. 

Andong

Known for its preservation of ancient cultural traditions, Andong is a must-see for anyone who wants to immerse in the city’s culture and history, from attending the annual Mask Festival to visiting the Hahoe Folk Village. 

This place’s culinary treat is Andong Jjimdak (translated as Steamed Chicken of Andong). Braising chicken and vegetables marinated in soy sauce mixed with glass noodles makes this dish amazingly good. It would be best to try the gan-godeungeo (salted mackerel); this is a local delicacy in Andong caught in the Nakdong River.

 

Busan

I love natural hot springs, temples, and artsy places, so I love Busan. The culinary scene is terrific. Jagalchi, Korea’s biggest seafood market, is located on Jung-gu’s shoreside road. Feast your eyes on live seafood from eels to crabs. Purchase live seafood from the market and have the restaurants cook it for you.

There’s more!

Another thing that made South Korea a top destination is the Hallyu or Korean wave. Hallyu is the phenomenal growth of South Korea’s pop culture, including music, entertainment, movies, and TV dramas globally. Who could forget BTS?

BTS or Bangtan Sonyeondan or “Beyond the Scene” is a Grammy-nominated South Korean group capturing the hearts of millions of fans globally since 2013.

I bet you didn’t know some of the top streaming shows and movies are from South Korea. Check Netflix for the popular drama “Crash Landing on You,” the romantic drama about a South Korean heiress who has a paragliding incident that lands her in North Korea. Kingdom is a suspenseful Korean drama also on Netflix. Don’t forget the 2019 Oscar-winning film Parasite on Amazon Prime!

Have a vacation that unfolds precisely according to your desires? That’s what I’ll build for you on your custom Inspired escape. Your passions, desires, and travel style will drive your bespoke itinerary. Feel free to reach out here.