I have something to listen to for a while online now soooooo LET'S GO DAY 4 OF SEOUL WOOTS
We wanted to try and visit a more traditional market, so we decided on Kwangjang market, since I saw that place appear on Running Man!
We went to Jongno5(o)-ga station and exited at exit 7. We had to wander slightly before we found the market. That place was worth the visit really, as we got to try the various foods like dumping noodles, cold noodles, kimbap. We were too full to try the big pancakes there, and too wary to try the raw seafood there also. I really don't like kimbap... japanese sushi is best!
Don't expect them to speak english or chinese when you're there. But we were really surprised when we finally chose a place to eat, the lady boss promptly placed a menu in front of us that had chinese english and japanese on it!
We wandered around the market a bit ore and saw pillowcases and hanboks and also traditional korean souvenirs! So if you come here look around and you can buy the usual souvenirs back.
We then headed to the Cheonggyechon Stream and took a short walk. Honestly the best way is just to look at the map of the market near the entrance or from the same red shirt people, and head over to the other side of the market towards the stream. We somehow managed to find it really easily.
We took a short 10 min walk along the stream, and there were a lot of staircases along so that you can leave and go back to level ground again.
Then we walked back to the station and realised that Jongno(o)5-ga has a lot of shops underground that sells hanbok. Just look out for the pink store signs! But really nothing much here to shop... so we left
I found out about Goto mall online and decided to give it a try since many bloggers mentioned how much shopping there is there. We went to the Express bus terminal station and wandered around slightly till we found these doors that led us into goto mall.
Warning: DO NOT BE DISTRACTED BY ALL THE STORES. Because there are so many people transiting at this big bus terminal station, there are really a lot of stores. BUT STAY FOCUSED and head straight for goto mall first! Trust me you won't regret it, coz....
We started off near the middle. 365 metres to the East zone... then 365m back (it's two rows of shops, with shops on both sides btw), then still got West zone.. almost 1km of shopping with shops on both sides :O OH MY TIAN
If you're hungry... East Zone has more meals, while West Zone has more snacks and coffee and bubble tea!
This store in East Zone has really good food. Tried their ttokbokki and it was awesome!
It reads MyeongIn Mandu. Basically their dumplings are supposed to be awesome but I didn't try..
Now for the shopping... SEE IT NEVER ENDS IT'S 500M OF SHOPPING YOU'RE ATTEMPTING TO GO THROUGH!
And it's awesome to shop here because... SO CHEAP
Stiff competition indeed. Most of the clothes here start at 5,000won, or about $6. Not much discounts honestly, but I'm not complaining. Bargaining can be a pain sometimes. No energy for that. I really enjoyed shopping here, to a point I got a bit excited when I saw certain clothes that were selling for higher prices at Hongdae or Edae.
Er warning though, not so much guys stuff. So if you're gonna hate on shopping... please don't don't don't torture yourself here. There is NO PLACE for you to sit unless you camp at the two zones, which is really far. You either endure the whole shopping experience, or you will leave early.
For my family? We conquered all shops in that 1km stretch >:]
But something interesting was that towards the East Zone, there were more and more shops that did not sell fashion items. If I was gonna decorate my home one day, I'll make sure I come here!
Oh one more thing. Doggies. haha so cute
I don't know how come they're allowed to be everywhere honestly O.o Anyway Goto Mall was awesome, and we shop until we felt that 10,000 won was now expensive huhu. I think I spent quite a bit there by buying a lot of stuff that were 5,000 won. Still, look out for the material, coz some materials are really thin for summer, or a bit translucent.
One more thing. Shoes are expensive O.o 40,000 a pair. Think twice!
We headed to kyochon chicken for an early dinner since our meal at kwangjang market was brunch. We went to Sinnonhyeon Station Exit 6 and started to wander towards where we thought kyochon chicken was. Found it quite easily, look out for this street below, and then walk towards this street where there seems like there's loads of food!! Kyochon Chicken is 80 m down on the right
Heard a lot about this so had to come try. There's a half half option which allows you to mix the whole chicken half original half spicy. But I heard normal tastes like four fingers anyway, so my family decided to try the honey flavour, in a mix of 24 wings and drumlets.
My verdict? Better than four fingers, especially when the chicken is still warm! :D
The idea of eating chicken breast and weird parts like the neck was a turn off, so I actually think this option of small drumlets and wings was better! yummy really. along with coke! Though tables around us were all having beer :/
They also served pickles, forks, wet tissue and a glove to eat with! Why don't we have this in Singapore? I think it's genius!
So after a really satisfying meal, we went to explore the rest of the road, which will eventually lead us to Gangnam Station. Gangnam area was quite boring to be honest :/
We looked around for a bingsoo (shaved ice) place coz we wanted to try one at least and I couldn't find the melon one sigh :( Chose this crowded one (like the typical Singaporeans that we are) AND WE WERE TOTALLY DISAPPOINTED
AND YOU'RE TELLING ME THIS COST US S$10?! WALAO EH MY ICE KACHANG BEATS THIS HANDS DOWN LOR PLS. A big pile of shaved ice and some mua chee and some red bean only. whut is this! Angst.
Some underground shopping at Gangnam Station! Not much, didn't buy anything also..
And with that, I end my day 4 in Seoul! :D Hehe goto mall was really the highlight of our trip, my whole family agrees. So if you are a crazy shopaholic like us, you must not leave that out of your itinerary!