It's my first time back to South Korea ever since the pandemic and boy, am I excited!
However, I'm not going to be like how I was in my past travels. I've realized that with age I have also mellowed, gained more experiences and I truly see the trip as one that I can take slow.
One thing, alas, is that I had booked a red eye flight. Unbeknownst to me, I think I have outlived the days where I once felt red eye flights were wonderful - now it just drains me!
Our flight was supposed to be at 1am from Singapore Changi Airport, but it got delayed by close to 1 hour. Oh well - we were fine with the delay, we were just tired before the trip even began. haha!
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| In-flight meal: I had the noodles! |
We finally reached Incheon Airport around 8am.
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| hey Incheon! |
Honestly, these buses are wonderful - I just had to store my luggage, and board. Easy peasy - I just like convenience and I don't really want to be lugging my luggage on the metro. So this works, for me.
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| Bus 6015 from airport to Myeongdong |
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| Lots of leg space with a foot rest, charging port |
Seats were spacious and clean, and USB charging is available albeit slowwww. Well, we just slept through, especially since the red eye flight totally drained us.
After close to a 2.5 hour bus ride, we were in Myeongdong seeing familiar sights (at least, for me).
I checked into L7 Myeongdong hotel, and honestly I highly recommend it.
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| L7 Hotel, under Lotte Group |
Previously I recommended Metro Hotel Myeongdong to so many people that now it got terribly difficult to book. Along the years I've heard that it has now turned into a 'Singaporean' hotel - so many Singaporeans choose to stay there now. So I'm exploring someplace new. haha!
Before heading out, we also ate up our rice cakes to gain some strength. These were nice, but nothing much to shout about.
So to gain even more energy, we head over to have some traditional hand knife shaven noodles at the popular tourist restaurant: Myeongdong Gyoja. Honestly, I chose to go there because it was my travel companion's first time in South Korea - so I wanted to add this in so she can tell others she's "been-there, done-that"!
I also enjoyed a bowl of chilled soybean noodles, and I must warn that it gets very "jelat" (sick of it due to its richness) at some point.
We then also did some easy walkabout in Myeongdong - just to take a walk and digest the food.
I noticed that so many caricature shops opened during this trip back to Seoul, and I realize it was getting pretty touristy. I walked by, but didn't bother to do any of them.
After that, we head down to Hongdae by metro, and obviously, our first stop is exit 9, where a super huge Medicube store would greet us. We obviously went in to browse, before hitting Popmart, which was just further down the road.
There were so many self-photo houses (sa jin guan) as well, and we bookmarked it as something we probably need to do later part of the trip.
Again, shopping - which was needed because I packed mainly for a cooler weather in October but it turned out to be kinda sweltering.
And... of course - another "been-there, done-that": Marithe Francois Girbaud. I've already seen so many Singaporeans wearing it in Singapore that I just did another browsing.
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| Marithe Francois Girbaud |
A fun store to check out would also be Wacky Willy, which is just nearby.
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| Wacky Willy |
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Further down the road from these 2 shops, you'll find Running Man Haha and Kim Jong Kook's BBQ restaurant.
I was also drawn in by a thicc cookie from Bella Cookie - pretty, but I did not and could not finish it.
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| Bella Cookie |
And the OG sunglass wear, of course. The gallery was stunning as usual, just like how I remembered it in my previous travels.
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| Gentle Monster |
But all that's said and done - it's now time to eat up a feast again!
So I brought my friend to one of my favourite BBQ restaurants ever - and yes, it's still going strong even after the pandemic! Tried and tested, only the good restaurants will stand.
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| Doma Hongdae |
The mayak jjigae here is CRAZY good - I cycled between eating a lushious piece of beef and taking a spoonful of the jjigae just to ensure I can keep on going for longer. haha. Dip a piece of their beef into their herb salt for ultimate enjoyment.
After the meal, again, we had to stroll to digest again - so we strolled all the way to Wappen House and I had to bring my friend to her requested spot for pet toys: Fresh Plush.
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| Wappen House |
This place was so small, but so cute! Dog owners, you will definitely be able to find your dog best friend something it will enjoy playing with. Fresh Plush is located just above Carlyn, which is another popular shopping spot selling cushiony bags. Not my style, so I pass.
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| Fresh Plush |
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| Carlyn |
We also visited Sappun, one of the popular Shoe shops in Korea before we called it a night.
It was such a productive day, we managed to complete it all by 6.30pm! Are we fast or what!
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| This store calls out to my Singaporean self, where everything is 3900 won. |
After tiring our legs out the most, we got up to the L7 rooftop where guests can enjoy a drink and enjoy the night view, before dipping our feet into a mini foot spa area for guests.
Time to hit the sack! :)
xoxo,
Janel
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