You Should Visit Seoul for the Shopping!

Shop! Whether you’re looking for designer goods or night markets, make sure to have space in your luggage to bring souvenirs back. Boni, a Samsung executive and good friend of mine, suggests to check out the new COEX Mall located close to the Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas, a modern property in the heart of Gangnam. Shopping and luxury lodging in the same place? Sign me up!

If you’re looking for traditional Korean art, I suggest heading across the river to my old neighborhood of Insa-dong. The alleys are lined with galleries that feature antiques and modern art and beautiful tea houses. During the weekend, you can experience an outdoor market with vendors and local performers.

You Should Visit Seoul for the Food!

Food! When I had my first Korean meal in Seoul, my life changed. I’ll never forget when my Korean friend took me to an anonymous place that served Samgyeopsa (Korean style pork belly). I remember the dining experience like it was yesterday: the savory scent of the sizzling meat, the groups of people gathered around their individual barbecue laughing, drinking their OB beer, the sweet scent of plum soju (a Korean spirit), and the dozen little plates filled with pickled vegetables.

Most reputable Korean restaurants have one main ingredient on the menu: it can be seafood, poultry, pork, or soups. They have a few items on the menu, but those recipes have been mastered for decades. Also, don’t miss out on eating at a street stand. They’re everywhere in Seoul. Sometimes I would have a plate of Tteokbokki (rice cake with spicy chili sauce) from a roadside stand on my way home from work for $2. Street food stands are immaculate in Seoul.

If you’re looking for an international vibe, I suggest you head to Itaewon. When I lived there, I started to witness the neighborhood transitioning from an undesirable area where only the military guys from the nearby Yongsan base hung out to an international hub with embassies, multicultural restaurants, shops, and a melting pot of expats and locals.

My friend Chris, a professional photographer who recently lived in Seoul for two years, says, “When in Itaewon, don’t miss the very popular Street Churros. If you love coffee… this is the area to get a wide variety of high quality coffee places to satisfy your fix.” Looking for an unforgettable culinary experience? If you want to splurge, Boni recommends going to Jungsik, which serves molecular Korean food. It was voted the #10 restaurant by “The World’s Ten Best” and top restaurant in Korea.

You Should Visit Seoul for Nature and Culture!

Korea has a rich culture, and you don’t have to go far from Seoul to experience it. One of my favorite places to visit was Gyeongbokgung Palace, a majestic palace located in north of the Han river in Seoul. You’ll notice not only the beauty of the architecture, but also the mountains of Bukhansan National Park. Koreans love to hike, especially on the weekends. If you want to catch a glimpse of local culture, go for a hike on the many trails that are accessible by public transportation. Here are some hiking ideas via 10 Magazine.

The Verdict: Why you should visit Seoul? Upon arrival in Seoul, it may feel quite overwhelming, but there’s something that makes it truly special: the people. I had the opportunity to work side by side with Koreans and loved their fun, outgoing personalities. Their hospitality is the main reason why you should visit Seoul!

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Can’t help to be thrilled when I find a fellow Marine who is a creative as me! Chris Beasley is a talented photographer with Chris Beasley Photography. I enjoyed his natural landscape photos on his Instagram account and now I am even more in tune with his page as he lives in one of my favorite Asian cities, Seoul, South Korea. Due to his work schedule, he’s spending the holidays there. This is his perspective: 

Contrast of the Old and Christmas Lights, Seoul

1.What do you like to the most about holiday season in Seoul? 

Well, Jessica, first of all, thank you very much for including me in your Holiday Abroad blog.  I think what I personally like the most is that the weather reminds me very much of where I grew up in New England near Boston.  In fact, as I write this it’s raining and snowing at the same time and I can hear cars skidding and spinning their tires out in the street, just like home.  I also approach the holidays with a split personality, a serviceman and a photographer.  As a serviceman, it’s a special time for us.  We are all from somewhere else and many of our families are not here in Seoul with us to celebrate the traditional aspects of the holidays like family dinners, giving and receiving presents and visiting with friends while drinking egg-nog and eating Christmas cookies.  But as servicemen, we also form a unique and close bond that allows us to navigate through the sometimes lonely holiday periods since it’s also a time when many take leave to vacation with their families or travel home to the states for a brief reunion until they have to make the trek back.  Mostly though, it’s a time to re-focus on the mission at hand and re-dedicate yourself to a life spent serving our country, no matter the clime or the place.  My other personality, a photographer, thrives in this environment.  I yearn to explore every nook and cranny of this city with a camera and attempt to capture it’s spirit and personality.  Seoul is a combination of New York City, Los Angeles and Las Vegas all wrapped into one.  On one street you can see a stylish and trendy nightclub while one street over is a historical palace gate set among a village filled with traditional Korean homes and markets. 

 

Namdaemun Market, Seoul

2. Where is home and what do you miss the most about holidays there?  

As I  mentioned, Boston is my hometown and mostly miss the time spent with family to include my extended family of cousins and Aunts and Uncles that are scattered around the great Boston area.  Nothing to special, just great memories city around a crackling fire sharing stories of the year past, catching up on the news of births, marriages, divorces, achievements and failures of our large and colorful family.  But mostly just great conversation with great food is what I miss most.  I will have that again one day as I near retirement and make plans to settle back in the states.

 

Traditional Korean Dress, Namdaemun Market, Seoul

3. Any interesting holiday traditions in Seoul? 

Being a country of about 50% Christian, there is a good amount of Christmas cheer here with lights, Christmas Trees, and even American Christmas tunes playing in the shops.   However, New Years is not celebrated quite as much here in Korea since their main celebration of the New Year centers around the Lunar Calendar which has February 18th as the big day, called Seollal here in Korea.  Also, little do many know but Korea has a very strong hiking and skiing culture here.  The entire Korean Peninsula is quite rugged with mountain chains that rival the Adirondacks of New York and the White Mountains of New Hampshire.  Especially in South Korea’s Eastern areas, people flock to ski resorts and remote cabins to enjoy the bounties of Mother Nature.  A very spiritual people, Korean families very much enjoy quiet, natural settings for reflection, contemplation and renewal.  One of Korea’s trademark labels is that it is the “Land of the Morning Calm”.  Koreans often find this calm in the Mountains.

 

At Namdaemun Market, Seoul you find everything from Christmas decorations to fresh fish.

4. What do you recommend to travelers thinking of spending their holidays there?  

Seoul is COLD.  Bring an extra layer, bring a hat, and prepare to scurry from shop to shop or from cab to subway train quickly to avoid the bone chilling cold and wind.  Additionally, Seoul is an extremely navigable city.  The subways have floors you could eat off of, taxis are cheap and prevalent, and crime is virtually non-existent.  Although you should always be careful in any surrounding, Seoul is widely known for it’s safe neighborhoods, streets, public transportation and lodging.  Korean law is brutally harsh with criminals and Korean culture breeds honor and respect in it’s youth.  Most Americans would be shocked at the good behavior of the Korean populace.  Also, bring your mobile electronics.  Seoul is widely regarded as the most wired city in the world.  You can walk down the street and into almost any store and obtain excellent wi-fi coverage.  If you have cellular service here, you will enjoy 4G LTE just about anywhere in the city…including 500 feet below the surface in the subway…that goes for wi-fi too!!!

 

Seoul, South Korea

 5. Any holiday tips for people living abroad?  

Technology has come a long way since the days of letter writing.  Make sure you have a way of communicating with family on those special days.  Facebook Messenger, Google Hangouts and Viber are my main methods I use to keep in touch with family and friends back home.  Write to Mom and Dad often and you’ll generally stay out of the dog house.  Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Everyone!!

All photos taken by Chris Beasley. Check out his work at Chris Beasley Photography.

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