We just returned from a couple weeks in Seoul, Korea, which was primarily to visit family, but also to eat at all my favorite places. Yes, REAL Korean cuisine! I'm providing a number of links to various info. Sorry, some of these are only in Korean and don't have an English version. I'm just giving the links for the pictures and whatever you can extract from the link.
This is a little long winded, but there is a lot of information here, along with plenty of links to various things. Take your time. You won't finish this in one sitting.
Here goes...
There are four little ones there now, ranging from four years-old to about six months. Everyone is spread around, and not necessarily in Seoul, so it takes some coordination to arrange time within every one's work schedule. It turns out the best (and just about only) time is over the weekends, so we made sure we had two good weekends to see some of the kids at least twice during our stay. It was fun, although my lack of speaking and understanding Hangul (Korean) puts me at a distinct disadvantage.
My saving grace is the four year-old is beginning to learn English. Although it is just basic at the moment, for the time being it's all we have between us. Fortunately, she is patient with me, so I don't always look like I look like I don't have a clue. LOL I now know when she is trying to get my attention, because she is shouting "grandpa!"
The twins of our nephew are about two and a half years-old. They are full of spunk and attack everything at full speed. We only see them for about an hour or two during weekday nights, but sometimes that's enough for the two of them. Since I can't speak to them, I must look like some goofy mime. They are different as can be. One is shy and reserved, but the other is perpetually in 'party mode', and ready for anything.
One of the first things I did was to visit the Freescale Corporate Marketing office in Seoul. I made contact with them before I left home, so I was expected. I was met by two very nice employees. One is the Marketing Communication Manager, and the other is her newly hired assistant. They were both engaging and hospitable and made us feel especially welcome to be there. We spent about four hours with them, including going out for a bite to eat. There was never a quiet moment during the entire time and they were as interested in me as I was in them. As it turns out, I have worked on creating documents for two of their biggest customers, so we had a great exchange about those products and their involvement with them. The evening came to a close all too soon.
We did very little shopping and looking around while there. I looked forward to looking around and shopping a bit in the COEX Mall close by. It is a huge corporate complex with a giant shopping mall, an aquarium, a Megabox movie theater, a huge Hyundai department store, a casino, hotels, and a business center. It's a monster. Taking in an entire city block, it's one of my favorite places to hang out in the past. When we were there last year, they were under major remodeling, so it was all but closed down. It was supposed to reopen the week after we left.
Imagine our disappointment when we got there this year. Except for the major attractions of the theater and the aquarium, the shopping region of the mall was still in the same basic condition as when we were here last time. There were a few scattered stores open there, but 95% of the shopping area was as yet to be reopened. I am sure they are taking huge losses on this area. Because of it's location, it is a huge draw for business for both the local population and foreigners visiting the area. It's also a principle location for kids young and old to hang out and socialize. If I were a local, I would not be very happy about the delay in getting back to normal operation there. It was sure a major letdown for me.
One afternoon (for the lack of a better plan) we went to another area used for all the same reasons call Myeong Dong. I don't quite know how to describe this area. It's a kind of controlled chaos, absolutely filled to the max with people. There must be a thousand small shops and places to eat in this area, along with hundreds of kiosks, promoting and selling everything under the sun. It is totally nuts and fun all at the same time. I had never seen such a crush of people there, and I have a suspicion some of this is due to the inactivity at the COEX Mall. I love watching people and this is prime people watching acreage.
We went to another underground shopping area located adjacent to the Express Bus Terminal (see Link one and Link two). We didn't find what we went there for, but did make a spontaneous purchase of a few things for our granddaughter in the USA. Sorry, I couldn't help myself.
Namdemun market is another place to visit, but we didn't spend much time here. We were still looking for something specific and didn't wander around at all. There is another area below ground accompanying the subway system. We spent our time there... and I found the hard to locate item for which I was searching. Look long enough, and you can find just about anything in one of these areas. I dare you to keep spending within your budget.
One planned thing I did was to purchase a new set of headphones for travel on the plane. The headset the supply you with on Singapore Airlines are on-ear, and although they are OK... they do not stop the ever-present aircraft noise. I bring my own set of over-ear headphones, which are a marked improvement, although they still don't eliminate the exterior noise completely. On the way to Korea, I discovered the pair I had brought along had died on one side (major disappointment), and I was forced to use a backup pair of ear buds. These are fine for short periods, but when making trans-pacific flights, they are designed for extended wear and begin to get very uncomfortable.
Anyway, I needed a pair and wanted something with god sound, but not too pricey. I found the perfect pair, but they only appear to be sold at one place in Seoul. After searching for Joy Audio (and nearly giving up) in all the small side streets in the area, we found them. What I wanted are I-mego Throne headphones. I bought the gold model. They have a nice feel when when wearing them for extended periods and the sound quality is just what I was looking for.
As I said in the beginning, when in Korea I take every chance to get the kind of food impossible to get in Arizona, much less the USA. Over the years, I have accumulated a list of places I return to each time I come. One of the conversations usually comes around to... do I like Korean food? You bet I do. What do I like? Let's see, here's the list in no particular order, along with some info and the Korean characters for each.
Kimbap - 김밥 - this seaweed and rice style roll is a staple in Korea and can be found just about anywhere. I doesn't necessarily have to have fish or crab in it. Sue makes it at home using the smokey flavored Spam, and it is excellent.
black noodles - Jajangmyeon - 자장면; 짜장면 - This is a difficult dish for the average to make. There is one place I enjoy going to in Seoul who make the best (in my opinion), called Hohwapanjam. Here's another link to the place.
Korean chicken soup - Samgyetang 삼계탕 - My favorite is a place called the Jiho Family Restaurant. Sue makes a slightly different version at home in the slow cooker, but she gets the spices from Korea. Good stuff!
Korean dumplings - mandu - 찐만두 - This is another dish you can get anywhere, but there is a place in Insadong called Koong, where they have been doing it the same way for three generations. Look around on their site and you can learn more about this great hideaway spot.
Pajeon - 파전 - It's hard to find good stuff like this in Arizona.
Japchae - 잡채 - The same goes for this. Sue makes it at home though, so I'm good.
soba (buckwheat) noodles - Momil Gooksoo - 모밀 국수 - Easy to make. Normally served cold, so it's best in Summer time.
Bibimbap - 비빔밥 - There's a place not too far from work in Tempe where you can get this. Be hungry. This will fill you up.
Rice cake soup - Tteokguk - 떡국 - I can eat this anytime. Sue makes it better than anyone.
Bossam - 보쌈 - You can easily get this through a number of carry-out places in Seoul, along with normal restaurants. I have never had this in the USA.
Sushi in Korea is different, but if you want to know of a place I like to visit, check out my previous writeup.
So you may be asking, did you eat any American food? Well, yes, but we just happened to be in the right place at the right time. Johnny Rockets was there so I got a burger, which was surprisingly like the one I got in Arizona. They try to put on the same atmosphere you'll find in the USA. It was OK, but I think the company struggles to find its place in Korea. There are plenty of other American eateries in Korea. Some are good, some are not as good, but if you want a break from Korean food, there are plenty of alternatives.
I really like the milk in Korea. It makes milk in the USA taste as bland as the milk in Korea is good. I've asked myself why is it SO much better and the tastiest stuff I would like to have all the time? Here is part of the answer. Link one. Link two. If you ever get the chance, make it a point to try the difference. I think you'll agree.
One unplanned thing I did in Korea was to slightly pull a muscle in my lower back getting out of the shower. Don't ask me how. I'm not really sure I could tell you. Anyway, Sue's sister suggested I visit the clinic she goes to. Now I have never had the experience of acupuncture, but at the point I was at, I was ready for anything. She took me to the Korean Medicine Clinic where I was greeted by the most charming doctor. She gave me a treatment, and I went back for four follow-up visits. It was brand new experience for me, but she opened my eyes to alternative kinds of healing therapy. I feel it helped me get through the rest of my time there, and now I feel I'm returning to normal.
On one afternoon there I visited the Buddhist temple called Bogeunsa (봉은사), and took part in a tour called Temple Life. Here are Link one and Link two for a little more info. It was an interesting experience and a beautiful place to visit. It was a little rainy that day, so I didn't get to see as much as I planned, but what I did see was a pleasant way to spend a few hours.
That about wraps it up. As the end approached, it seems like there was a few things I still wanted to do. I guess they will have to wait until the next opportunity. I included a few photos at Flickr. Check them out.
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