I never had any interest in visiting South Korea. It just wasn’t on my list. But after moving to Japan, I noticed how often people here talked about going there. Friends, coworkers—everyone seemed to visit regularly. That’s what finally got me curious enough to plan a trip.
We went for the first time recently, and I’m so glad we did. I didn’t expect to enjoy it as much as I did, but the food, the culture, and the energy of the city completely won me over. Now I’m hooked on Korean food, skincare, and everything else I discovered on that trip.
Food Was the Game-Changer
The food alone made the trip worth it. Korean fried chicken with tteokbokki mixed in? Unreal. Tteokbokki is chewy rice cakes in a spicy-sweet gochujang-based sauce. Pairing that with crispy fried chicken somehow made both better.
Another new favorite we tried was hotteok, a type of fried filled pancake usually sold as street food. The sweet ones had brown sugar, cinnamon, and nuts inside. The savory ones had vegetables and glass noodles. Both were amazing and made great walking snacks. I still can’t make up my mind which I like better, the sweet or the savory.
We also did a proper Korean BBQ dinner. You grill your own meat at the table, usually pork or beef, and eat it with dipping sauces, garlic, and kimchi, wrapped in lettuce. I understand why everyone loves it. At the all-you-can-eat Korean BBQ place we visited, for 20 USD per person, they also had bulgogi, a sweet and savory marinated thinly sliced beef that is no wonder it’s so popular. On this trip I also discovered that I really like kimchi, or spicy fermented cabbage. This gut health boosting superfood was definitely necessary for digesting all the Korean BBQ and other meats.
The Street Food
In Myeongdong, we explored the street markets and tried a bunch of foods I couldn’t always name. We had grilled squid on a stick, hotteok, korean corn dogs, and melty chewy tteokboki cheese skewers. Other popular foods we saw included: fresh crab, Gyeran Bbang or stuffed egg bread, mochi and ice cream stuffed toasted marshmallows. It’s a loud, busy place, but the food is worth navigating the crowds.
Korean Skincare Is the Real Deal
Before this trip, I didn’t know much about Korean skincare. Then I visited Olive Young (a big super popular health and beauty store), I learned a lot. There are rows of serums, toners, and creams, each promising glowy, “glass” skin. My skincare routine has now gone from 2-3 steps to now 5-6 steps.
Korean brands are also super innovative. They’re always releasing new products, ingredients, and textures, which keeps things interesting. A lot of global trends—like BB cream, cushion compacts, and sheet masks—actually started in Korea. Plus, high-quality products are easy to find and surprisingly affordable.
It’s not about covering up skin problems, it’s about preventing them. That mindset really stuck with me after the trip.
I even had a facial done while I was there, and honestly, my skin felt better than it has in months.
Exploring the City: Markets, History, and Views
We started in Insadong, which is known for traditional Korean culture. It’s filled with antique shops, calligraphy stores, and tea houses. It’s also a great area for picking up crafts or souvenirs. We wandered through street markets and checked out cafes tucked between alleyways.
We stopped at Cheongsudang Bakery, which looked like a modern botanical themed cafe and served Korean-inspired desserts. We had a berry cake and some traditional Korean cookies, including yakgwa (a honey-soaked fried cookie). The space was calming and beautiful. I recommend going right when they open because this place is very popular and when we tried going a few hours before closing time, they were already sold out of everything.
One morning, we visited Gyeongbokgung Palace, the largest and most important of the Five Grand Palaces in Seoul. It was originally built in 1395 during the Joseon Dynasty and served as the main royal residence for kings and their families. The palace was destroyed during the Japanese invasions in the late 1500s and later rebuilt in the 1800s.
Gyeongbokgung remained a symbol of royal power until the early 20th century, when Japanese colonial rule pushed the monarchy aside. Today, it’s a historical site, and the changing of the guard ceremony is a popular event held at the main gate. It’s not an actual military event—it’s a reenactment performed by actors in traditional uniforms. Some even have fake beards taped to their faces, which adds a slightly amusing touch to the formality.
After the ceremony, we walked through the palace grounds, which felt peaceful and quiet despite being right in the center of the city.
Nearby, we went to Bukchon Hanok Village, where traditional Korean houses (hanok) have been preserved. It’s a quiet area with a mix of homes, galleries, and shops. We climbed up to a small rooftop where we had a view of the rooftops and the skyline. A mix of old and new.
Gangnam and Starfield
We took the subway to Gangnam, a district known for luxury shopping, plastic surgery and beauty clinics, and K-pop references (yes, like “Gangnam Style”). It’s polished and modern, with massive malls and endless cafes.
We went to the Starfield Library, a multi-story open space filled with books and people. It’s inside Starfield COEX Mall, one of the biggest shopping malls in Asia. We had bibimbap at the food court. It’s a rice dish topped with vegetables, egg, chili paste, and your choice of protein, usually beef. You mix it all together before eating.
Then we headed over to Lotte World Tower, which is the tallest building in Korea. It stands 123 floors tall and has a mall, observation deck, and even a luxury hotel. We didn’t go all the way up but wanted to see it in person.
Itaewon: Sunset and Nightlife
We spent one evening in Itaewon, which has a very different feel from other neighborhoods. It’s known for being international and diverse, with food from all over the world. There’s also a strong expat community.
We started on a rooftop to watch the sunset. It was relaxing and gave us a chance to slow down. Then we headed into the nightlife area. There were bars, clubs, and restaurants packed into the streets. Most of the food was international—burgers, pizza, Thai—but we wanted something local. We kept walking until we found that spicy hot pan of octopus and pork called Cheese Jjukkumi, that we devoured along with fruity soju.
Final Thoughts
This trip flipped my opinion of Korea. I didn’t expect to like it this much. The mix of modern city life, traditional culture, and incredible food made it one of my favorite trips. If you’re living in Japan or nearby and haven’t been yet, go. It surprised me in the best way.
For more of our adventures, check out these other posts: