Winter Seoul 2011 Part II

Rice with spicy chicken & kimchi

2nd day starts off quite late compared to the previous day. I was on my way to my friends place at Dongdaemun History & Culture Park where we proceed to 1 of the local restaurants serving various types of rice and noodles. Most of the menus prices are range from KRW5,300 to 8,000. I've been eagerly to eat their local kimchi since I've tried so-cal the best Korean food restaurant in Kuala Lumpur, Koryo-won. Totally, its way different and of course, can't compare with the original taste of it. The rice was soft and the chicken was really spicy. It's really good to warm you up for the day~

Itaewon station

no more Hard Rock Seoul

We then took a walk at Itaewon where most of tourists goes for shopping. There are a lots of stalls selling merchandises, clothings and also souvenirs. Itaewon have a long stretch of stalls where you can choose to browse around. Things that sells here are quite reasonable especially for winter clothings. To those who would like to buy souvenirs, there's a shop recommended where the owner do speaks Bahasa Malaysia (eventhough a lil bit) but he's really friendly to us especially my friend is consider a "regular" customer of his. There is also an "abandoned" Hard Rock Cafe which the building is still there, the logo is still there as well but there's no more Hard Rock. Too bad~

Ewha Woman's University view

We proceed to our next destination, Ewha Woman's University. This is not a place where you can peek on the university girls but this is the home of the famous Ewha Woman's University. Once arrived at the station, we browse around some food stalls where we bought a spicy grilled chicken costs KRW2,000. This place really full of youngsters where the local university students hangs out. This place is full of shops for you to shop around as well.

Zamboni is smoothing the ice rink every 1 hour

Our next destination is City Hall station where it is located in central of Seoul. This is where Deoksugung Palace is and a hotel where 1 of the Winter Sonata scene was recorded (can't recall the hotel name but it's just in front of the main junction). There's also an outdoor ice rink where locals and tourists can give it a shot and skate with the locals. Surprisingly it is way cheaper than what we have expected. KRW1000 (in this case it was RM2.80 during the time) for 1 hour skate including skates rental. The rink will be smoothen by Zamboni every hour since it will be rough quite fast compare to the indoor because this is frozen by the natural temperature itself. It was definitely an experience to skate on an outdoor ice rink. The environment, the temperature and also you can see the locals behaviors really a new experience one must try when arrive here.

The heaven for shoppers

Finally we arrived at Myung Dong. Just browsing around to see what do they offer. It seems that most of the staff here are clothings, souvenirs and others. Please take note that there will be some girls outside the beauty products store will tell you that they'll give you "free gift" but don't take it. It's a way to promote their product where once you take it, they'll bring you in their store. Yes its a free gift indeed BUT you need to purchase a product from their stores to get it. So just be careful with these promotions.

spicy chicken was cooked before they put in the rice

We proceed along the long alley stretch until we arrived at 1 of the famous local restaurant here, Yoogane where they serve the famous Cheese Fried Rice. It's really unique where there's a stove in the middle of the table (just like in a Korean BBQ restaurant) and they'll cook it for you. Below you can see how they cook this unique cuisine and how fast they did it. After we had our 1st menu, we then ordered our 2nd menu which is grilled chicken where they cook it with cabbage and leek. The price are quite reasonable especially when you eat with bigger pax because they serve in big portions.

We then continue our walk at Myung Dong and covers the other part of the alley. There are a lot of locals and tourists in this area. Most of them are doing some shopping and others are just browsing around.

We then separated where I continue my walk through Insa-Dong and then walk straight to Gwanghwamun station where there's King Sejong Square right in the middle of the area. You can find King Sejong statue and also the Admiral Yi Sun Shin's statue and also the King Sejong's museum. From Anguk station to this place will take you around 20-30mins walk along the main street. I've gotten a challenge from 1 of my colleague here that is to reply her note in the King Sejong's Museum. As soon as I've got the location of this place, I can proceed on replying the message later since it's already closed. King Sejong's Museum opens at 1030hrs-1830hrs everyday.

But the problem is when I checked with 1 of the police on the direction, I showed him King Sejong's picture as well as the note in the museum. Guess what? He said that the museum was 10km away at Cheongnyangni. OMG!!! So now I need to catch a train, departs at the station and grab a cab? This is definitely different from what Jaja have mentioned. Looks like I need to double check back with Jaja on the specific location.

I walked back to my lodge and have a chat with Jaja. It seems that I've arrived at the location, it's just that the museum was below me instead. Haha~ So I've set to return to the exact same location on Tuesday. Time to have a rest where the next day's adventure to Nami Island awaits.

That covers 2nd day of my trip, will continue back in Part III for 3rd day adventure of Seoul~

for more pictures on this trip, kindly refer to my Facebook photo album: 

Winter Seoul 2011 Part 1

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2108578&id=1372841986&l=5ed3f7da79

Winter Seoul 2011 Part 2  

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2108690&id=1372841986&l=4da372f265
Winter Seoul 2011 Part 3

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2108697&id=1372841986&l=9062e7ae64
Winter Seoul 2011 Part 4

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2108700&id=1372841986&l=bfa5efec98
Winter Seoul 2011 Part 5

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2108704&id=1372841986&l=09db5937c3