Things To Do in South Korea
- Andrew
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- Andrew
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- Georgia Harrison
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- Alex Reynolds
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1. Enjoy delicious Korean food
One of the best ways to experience South Korea’s culture is through the culinary delights that can be found in restaurants. Koreans love their barbeque and kimchi (fermented cabbage) is recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity item. One of the main reasons for visiting Korea has to be to get an authentic taste of Korean delicacies. While in South Korea you can indulge in some of the tasty treats like bulgogi, japchae, and gomguk along with a variety of traditional banchan dishes such as flavoured kimchi, bap (rice) and gogumasun namul (sweet potato shoots).
While in Seoul, street foods are a pleasure within themselves. The variety of street foods will blow your mind and can be found at many of the major market areas within the city. The major market areas are packed with food stalls or pojangmachas which specialize in tasty treats from around the country. While you are shopping for that perfect souvenir or exotic high-end item, you can please your taste buds with a variety of flavours.
Recommended eateries
- When in the Hongdae neighbourhood stop for delightful crispy chicken at Kyochon Chicken Hongdae Store or try some pork knuckles at Myth Jakbol Hongdae.
- If you are looking for a sit-down option in the Myeongdong area try Sinseon Seolleongtang Myeongdong or Myeongdong Kyoja Main.
- The best pork bellies or samgyetang can be found a short distance away from Gyeongbokgung Palace at Tosokchon Samgyetang.
- For mouth-watering street food in Seoul, go to Myeong-dong for hotteok (sweet potato cake), gimbap (rice roll) and beondegi (silkworm pupae); or Gwangjang Market for mayak kimbap (rice roll), bindaetteok (mung bean pancake) and soondae (Korean blood sausage).
One of the must things to do in South Korea for all travelers is to visit one of the 900 Buddhist Temples that reside around the country. Each temple has unique tributes to Buddha that include statues, meditation halls and ceremonial tearooms. Temple stays are becoming very common in South Korea. During your stay you can meditate with the monks, learn more about Buddhism and talk philosophy with the monks over a nice cup of tea.
Recommended temple visits
- One of the more interesting temples to visit in Seoul is the Bongwonsa Temple. Here you can gaze at thirteen buildings including the largest wooden building in Korea which was constructed without nails.
- Situated near the Gyeongbokgung Palace is the Jogyesa Buddhist Temple. The temple is complete with locust trees, baeksong trees and numerous statues of Buddha. The temple is a fascinating place from May 6-8 when the annual lotus lanterns are lit in commemoration of Buddha’s birthday.
Insider’s Tips: Visitors to temples in South Korea must remove their shoes and headwear before entering and should refrain from taking photos. You should also bow to Buddha when walking in and out of the temple and exit the temple by backing out so as not to turn your back on Him. When leaving, it is good practice to place a small donation in one of the collection tubs that will inevitably be present. — by Kate Filer from On The Go Tours
9. Take a trip to Busan
Want to breathe fresh sea air during your trip in Korea? Take a short 2.5-hour bullet train ride to the bustling city of Busan. Busan offers a different experience than Seoul with a hipper attitude, beach resorts, 14th century temples and lots of superb food from sit down meals to street food. Being the second largest city of South Korea, Busan is the main port city in the south, known for its local seafood, urban nightlife, long modern bridges, infinite beaches and majestic mountains.
Recommended places to see
- Beach goers will be thrilled if they visit between 1 July and 31 August when the action heats up at Haeundae and Gwangalli Beaches. The beaches are known to be some of the cleanest in the world and there are plenty of onsite water sport activities.
- To have a complete overview of the city, the main attractions to see are Jagalchi Fish market, Haeundae Beach and Gamcheon Culture Village.
- Try a temple stay at the 1,300-year old Beomeosa Temple. Perched high on Mount Geumjeong overlooking Haeundae Beach, you can spend the night meditating while learning about Buddhism from the monks.
- Head to the International Market or Jokbal Golmok also known as Pig Feet Alley for some tasty street food. For a memorable sit down meal try Dongnae Halmae Pajeon.
Insider’s Tips: When you visit Jagalchi fish market, you can buy fresh seafood you like and have it cooked for you in a local restaurant of the market. – by Daehee Won from One Day Korea