We decided to go to Hongdae again coz we didn't shop much that other time when we were determined to find Bau House Dog Cafe AND ONLY BAU HOUSE DOG CAFE *sparta cry*
We purposely left the last day in Korea without plans so that we can purposely revisit any places we left out (which.... actually we didn't really leave out anything) and not regret coming back to SG.
For breakfast we went to a Paris Baguette at the Seoul Station. Like woah. They are everywhere in Seoul really...
Why. Is. There. Corn. In. My. Bread. Eww. :(
Ahem anyway yeah so we went back to Hongdae and decided to eat at Kongbul coz I saw people blogging about it. But first.... BOYCOTT BOYCOTT KONGBUL!!!
Angst coming. Why? Coz we faced discrimination by looking chinese -_- Thanks ah
Place was crowded for lunch, and so we queued to get in. Not a long wait so that was good.
BUT THE SERVICE WALAO EH LAST WARNING AH NEXT TIME I DON'T WANT COME BACK ANYMORE ANYMORE ANYMORE. Seriously just coz I look chinese means you stereotype that all of us are like the minority?! Their service was poor to the max and they would much rather be smiley and serve the other korean customers than us. BOYCOTT. If you'd like a happier review, do compare with other blogs ok.
Food was not bad lah but a bit too much 0.0 Service at Yoogane was much better, so perhaps the food tasted better too. Meh. Menu was cute though and easy to order.
So here's the only picture I took of the place. Looks... unappetizing hor.
To make matters worse, I wanted to use the toilet and the unhelpful staff didn't really bother to tell me how to properly get to the washroom. Anyhow point outside the shop and went to do other things. Meh. Boycott! So we tried to find it (and it was raining heavily) and got so annoyed we went into a cafe just to use the toilet and get out of the rain. I believed it's called Picasso Coffee. Nice ambiance really.
Socks from a vending machine for only 900won! HAHAHA I decided to try it just for fun.
Below is a vending machine selling caps, which I did not buy at all during the trip because as much as I do like them, I don't like wearing them :/ Caps are really cheap in Korea for whatever reason, but do try to buy those that are made in Korea. Somehow they fit your head better. Made in China ones are slightly wider with gaps here and there.
There were some interesting foods that we didn't buy coz we were full from lunch. I only got this small mochi with red bean paste and strawberry in it haha.
If I come back again I will strive to come at night, perhaps it's more happening.
When you walk around, do look out for this shop!
If you wanna know how to get to Hongdae, do check out day 1 if you have not already done so! :]
and now. to the best meal of my trip.
Seo Seo Galbi
WARNING: My sharing of this awesome restaurant to you has some conditions. You must PROMISE TO BEHAVE when you are there as a tourist, so that the prices remain affordable and that the owners don't look at us with disdain. Be polite to the uncles and aunties and they would be nice to you too.
How to get there
Go to Sinchon Station and go to Exit 7.
Cross this road.
Walk straight past this small road
Look out for this convenience store AND BUY YOUR RICE AND KIMCHI AND DRINKS HERE. Coz Seo Seo Galbi is that hardcore, selling only meat, beer and coke.
Shortly after that convenience store, you'll see this small hill. Make a left turn...
AND YOU WOULD HAVE ARRIVED.
Price is 15,000 won per head for 150g of meat, additional 10,000 won for each 100g more meat.
I just told the ahjussi 3 people, and he promptly PLOK all the meat onto the grill and we scrambled to cook it lol. Again, it seems like they thought we were irritating chinese tourists until I spoke to them politely in Korean.
Tip: The meat cooks really fast, so once it's done hurry and transfer everything away from the hot grill, before it becomes overcooked and turns tough :( You can either put them in your rice bowls, or into the sauce bowls.
Ah yes, have an early dinner. Queues can get long I heard.
I WANT TO EAT HERE AGAIN. LIKE SERIOUSLY. IT'S JUST SO GOOOOOOD
So make your promise to me that with this information you would KEEP IT SECRET and when you visit YOU WILL NOT CAUSE US TOURISTS TO BE HATED ON. okokokok?
After dinner we went back to the hotel and then flew home to my beloved Singapore. hehehe
Thankful for the safe flight back, so many incidents during the week that we flew :( #sadttm
Wanna also recommend this company for airport pick up. Ask your hotel to help you book. This company really not bad. Seats were big and comfortable... just that please sit properly guys. My dad got excited go and anyhow sit in the 11 seater. Then the rest of us and the driver blur don't know how to roll the chairs to ensure everyone has enough space. -___- 11 seater but the 3 passengers end up so uncomfortable walao ._.
I wanted to end my korea trip with a good experience. BUT NO. INCHEON AIRPORT YOU.
Flight was about 12.45am, we reached there about 9.30pm coz we kiasu don't want miss our flight and we thought we could still shop.
WE WERE EPIC DISAPPOINTED AND ANGST
Closed closed everything closed. Ugly shutters everywhere, and even maintenance work started, where I could see vacuuming, hammering, cleaning. No seriously what? 9.30pm only sia and all closed?!
Ok fine. So we do tax refund la since got time. We already checked in the luggage, got our receipts stamped and were told to go to counter 27 inside the departure gate
WRONG
Ok ok breathe sam breathe.
Mum was getting uber angst also and very very irritated by all the closed counters. As you see below, receipts were strewn all over, some half filled and some anyhow.
Thank God one lady came out from the counter and we asked for help on what to do.
We finally just filled up the relevant details and dropped this envelope (which we got from Lotte at Seoul Station) into the box. Idk if mum ever got the refund yet though.
The only saving grace for Incheon Airport that night was this.
24 hour food court! Where there is only 1 shop open and 6 items on the menu! Yippee! -_- With a blur customer service crew who could only speak korean and pricy food as always. sigh sigh
But ok fine at least the seollong tang (ox bone soup) tasted really good.
Still.... I think my Changi Airport beats Incheon Airport hands down man. #sgpride #noreallywhut
Things to note for Incheon Airport
1) Angst for early closing. So don't bother coming so early la -.-
2) Angst at tax refund, if it's only worth $20 don't bother -_- I thought it was worth the effort to get it back but so mafan forget it.
3) Angst at lack of food choices since everything closed really early
4) WARNING. Once you take the train towards your boarding gate YOU CANNOT COME BACK, BECAUSE THE SIGN ON THE TRAIN DOOR SAYS SO. Please check that all your valuables and your family members are with you before you kanchiong and board the train ok?
With that said...
I really enjoyed my trip! Very thankful that my dad and mum trusted me to plan the trip from end to end and that it really suited us as a family, since it was mostly shopping and eating!
I may do a few more blogposts about my trip but I have some posts for SG I wanna put up real soon also. Thanks for reading! Do check back for updates :D