DAY 5 in SEOUL - Myeongdong, Itaewon and Insadong-gil

After coming down from Seoul Tower Namsan via bus no 3, we alighted outside Myeongdong and headed in search for lunch at the many varied eateries there. We decided to follow hordes of Korean youths who were queuing up a flight of stairs along one of the shophouses along the main shopping street and found ourselves at a eatery selling Cold Korean noodles. Thus eatery is located opposite Beanbin coffee(below) cafe if you wish to locate it as we didn't not which street it was within Myeongdong.


(Above) Located opposite Beanbin coffee from where we sat in the eatery on the 2nd floor.


(Above)Unique utensils door handles to the eatery.


(Above)Entrance to the eatery


(Above)Menu available


(Above)The crowd inside the eatery tells you the good, value for money food available. You can watch through a glass panel the cooks bbq the beef.


(Above)For 5000W, you get a set meal as above.


(Above)Close up of the beef slices. Tender, fragrant and sweet


(Above) Do as the Koreans do, use the scissors provided to shred your noodles so that it's easier to eat.


(Above) An emptied bowl is testimony to a good meal

After lunch, we set off for the Seoul Central Post office which is one of the filming locations of one of our favorite Korean drama - 'The Accidental Couple' starring Kim Ah Joong and Hwang Jung Min as the leads.


(Above) Along the way, we saw Korean little tots having their learning journey. It seems to be a common activity where they bring the kids around the city and to tourist spots.


(Above) Along the way, we stop by Mister Donut to buy some for supper.



In the drama - 'Accidental couple, the main character -Dong Baek played by Hwang Jung Min works at the Seoul Central Post office. Therefore many scenes are set in this post office. Seoul Central Post Office is located in Myeong-dong, Seoul. On the 2nd basement floor of the post office, a post stamp museum, Upyomunhwanuri (Korea Stamp World) can also be found. A wide range of post stamps are on display. For fans, the address is Seoul Jung-gu Banpo-ro 1 and you can get there within a 5 minute-walk away from exit# 5 of Myeongdong Station


(Above)At the entrance of the post office.


(Above) Steps up from the post office entrance where in one episode, Kim Ah Joong's character waits for Hwang Jun Min for their first date.


(Above)Lobby of the post office where many scenes were filmed.

After soaking in the filiming location, we decided to take the subway to Itaewon to take a look there. We found the place to be not exactly what we were looking for as it was more sleazy and the main business there was booze and sex with many ladies of the night coming out. We left soon after for Insadong as it wasnt our cup of tea. 2 scenes from the not so sleazy side of Itaewon.






(Above) At the subway station, we came across this interesting signage which requested the young to take the stairs instead of the elevator(below).




(Above) Arriving at Insadong, we walked into one of the many streets looking for dinner.


(Above) We turned into Insadong Gil 4.


(Above) We decided to splurge a little and have a nice dinner at one of the cozy restaurants at Insadong.


(Above) Attracted by what we saw as a delicious looking meal of soya sauce crab which is a favorite delicacy for the upper class Koreans,we decided to give it a go.

The restaurant has a very nice, cozy and romantic atmosphere, good for dating couples, discreet and tuck away in a quiet corner.










(Above) Waiting for our dinner to be served


(Above) Side dishes although not as sumptous or generous to what we are accustomed to in normal eateries we have been to.


(Above)Standard fare - Bean paste stew, our favorite stew.


(Above) To our surprise, the crab was actually raw crab and so it was a really interesting and unforgettable dinner. Eating crab sashimi style is really a slimy and raw affair. A bit queer feeling but luckily, our stomachs were okay. We drank lots of hot bean paste stew to compensate.


(Above) Close up of our crab dinner.


(Above)Eugin eating - when you are hungry, you can just eat anything, even raw crab roe and flesh.

After dinner, we set off to shop around Insadong vicinity to help us digest our meal.


(Above) Gayle stopping by a stall selling pet clothing and accessories.


(Above) We turned into Jeoimeumui-gil street where there was more street shopping to explore.




(Above) Shopping scene.

After shopping the evening away and as we were tired, we decided to make our way back to our apartment, along the way stopping by the convenience store(below) to top up our T-Money cards.




(Above) Peak hour traffic quite chaotic so avoid taxis, buses and go subway.


(Above) Traffic Light crossing - the first time, Eugin pressed a button on the traffic light post thinking it was to activate the pedestrian crossing but it turned out to be a direct intercom with the police, when we looked closer and a authoritative voice boomed out over the intercom at the traffic light - what an embarassing episode. Moral of story - look before you press, don't assume.


(Above) With the heavy traffic, waiting for the green man takes some time so we take a rest for our weary legs.


(Above) Finally, turning around the street corner, we reached Somerset Seoul Palace.


(Above)Some of our buys for Shayna






(Above) Donuts for supper - coffee bean, chocolate and raspberry marked the end of Day 5 in Seoul and we rested ourselves for the next day's trip to the Wodang Horse Ranch.