Seoul II: Gwangjang Market + Dongdaemun

April 2014

I love visiting markets for their cheap food and to experience its local feel. From Jongno 5-ga station,Exit 8, turn into the small alley into Gwangjang market 광장시장. The market is clean and no odour at all. Be prepared to sit alongside strangers while eating in front of the stalls.

Famous dishes here are the Korean pancakes (빈대떡/bindaettuk) or baby gimbap (마약김밥/mayakgimbap)

 Food stalls selling the same dishes are grouped together. I just randomly choose a stall. Surprisely, the Koreans ahjumma (aunt) can understand English. Tough Competition among the stall owners.

 This is my first time eating Korean Pancake - 4000 won. The portion is just nice for 2 people. It is eaten with a dip into the light sauce.

 I came back on another day for the Korean Gimbap(seaweed roll with rice and veggies) at this stall which was featured in Running Man - a very popular Korean variety show.

 I walked from Gwangjang Market to Dongdaemun. It is quite a distance to people who do not like to walk. Usually I will walk one subway station distance to avoid paying for transport fee since I can explore the area and save money. 

Here's the map to show you how walkable the distance is

I

 Passed by Pyounghwa Clothing Market. Along Cheonggyecheon Stream, there are a line of pet shops and I get to take photographs of these cute animals. 

 There are even squirrels too. Awesome!They are so cute!

 I like the fluffiness of bunnies' fur coat. They look so cosy, snuggling together.

 My fried breaded hotdog stick - 2000 won from the street stall outside Doota

 

Bought the food at Gwangjang Market and clothes at Dongdaemun area. 

Seaweed - 5000 won

Ginseng Tea powder - 7000 won

Rice Cake (at bottom left) - 4000 won

Singlet Dresses x4 - each at 5000 won

Striped Long Sleeve Dress - 10,000 won

Cute couple stitched print tee - 10,000 won

Cute girl stitched print tights - 10,000 won

Up Next: Sinsa + Namdaemun Market

Seoul II: Cute Puppies @ Hongdae/Shopping@ Ehwa

April 2014

While trying to find my way to Dorothy Pet Shop, I chanced upon two cute puppies on the streets (leash free). Apparently, their kind owner let them roam around freely for a while. I was lucky to get a few shots with them. 

The puppies may look uncomfortable with my hugging, but they are definitely not experiencing that. A pity they both looked down instead of straight at the camera.

 

Finally I found it! It took me quite some time to walk around to find it.

These puppies are dressed up in dresses so I assume they are female. Things sold in the shop are quite expensive to me so I didn't buy anything. It took me quite some time to find this shop after going back and forth along the main street. The shop is actually situated at the road behind the main road.

 I walked from Hongdae to Ehwa Woman University for about 20 -30 minutes and shopped around the district.

 I had Shanghai Burger 4300 won which is only available in Korea MacDonalds. It is just fried chicken patty with lettuce and tomato slices. Nothing fantastic about it. I prefer ebi burger (shrimp) from Japan's MacDonalds.

This is what I bought on the day itself. I saw the same white skirt sold at Gangnam Underground Station and Dongdaemun too. It is of the same price as well. The facial masks are real cheap compared to the other brands which are usually 1000 won per piece

Black top with blue collar -5000 won

Facial Yoghurt Foam x2 - 7000 won

Facial Masks - 12,000 won ONLY for 40 pieces (@Ehwa University shopping district)

Necklace-9000 won

Bracelet-9000 won

White skirt with black flower print - 5000 won

Up Next: Gwangjang Market + Dongdaemun + Pet Shop Street

Seoul II: Thanks Nature Cafe > Cute Sheep

April 2014


Animals cafe such as dogs, cats and even rabbits are kinda common but sheep cafe? It is interesting and I read online about this owner of a cafe which has 2 cute sheep stationed there.... I spent my afternoon hanging out at Hongdae area and there wasn't much to buy, given that I do not fancy Korean clothes...

Thanks Nature Cafe is situated at the basement of a building which is along the road to Hongdae University

This is the view along the road to the university

 Cute sheep figurines and the menu

The sheep are kept outdoors and I chose to sit at the outdoor section to have a good view of them.

 I like this shot with the sheep but my face was cropped away

The sheep walk around freely and they are not afraid of strangers

I ordered a cup of Green Tea Frappuccino

 Here comes my Green Tea Frappuccino...

Aren't they adorable?

 

The menu is tourist friendly with English and Japanese languages.

I love it that Korea's cafes provide free wifi

Up Next: Visit to Dorothy pet shop to see cute puppies!!