Ever since the birth of K-pop and K-dramas, more and more Malaysians are making their way to the land of Kimchi and handsome Oppas to experience the true Korean lifestyle. Well, regardless whether or not you’re a fan of the Korean wave, there are tons of gorgeous locations around Korea that will blow you away, especially in Seoul and Busan!
So, if you’re thinking of making your way there anytime soon, here are some of the hidden gems in Seoul and Busan you need to check out!
FIRST AND FOREMOST, SEOUL:
1. Drop by Garosu-gil for some of the best cafes in town
If you love cafe-hopping during your free time, Garosu-gil is where you’ll find all the best cafes in Seoul!
Cafes to visit:
i) COFFEESMITH
Source: ifranchiseiran
- With its high ceilings, big open space and modern design, this two-storey cafe is a great place to sit back, relax and have a cuppa
- Even when it gets crowded, you won’t have to worry about feeling claustrophobic
- Thier popular menu items include Smith Honey Baguette, Rainbow Cheese Cake and Cheese Souffle (they serve delicious tea and coffee too!)
Opening hours: 9am – 1.30am daily (closes at 2.30am on Fridays and Saturdays)
Address: 536-20, Sinsa-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
ii) LINE FRIENDS STORE & CAFE
- Be greeted by a larger-than-life Mr Brown (the big brown bear) and take as many photos as you want with him
- Find your favourite Line characters here! In stationery form, tiny as well as life-sized plushies, even as edible goodies, or accessories, OMG. I. CAN. NOT. EVEN.
- While you decide which Line character(s) you want to adopt, have some Line macarons and sip on some good ol’ coffee or tea
Opening hours: 10am – 10pm daily
Address: 27, Dosan-daero 13-gil, Sinsa-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
2. Visit Zapangi, the pink vending machine cafe
Source: ThereSheGoesAgain
Source: ThereSheGoesAgain
Source: ThereSheGoesAgain
Fun fact: Zapangi means “vending machine” in English.
Also, yes, that vending-machine-looking thing on the wall is actually a door into the cafe. How cool is that?!
What to expect:
- Try their speciality drinks which include the Aurora (Mocha+Chocolate), Cream Latte (Toffenut+Strawberry), Sakura Latte (Cherry Mocha+Cherry Choco) and more, or go for the usual Milk Coffee, Milk Tea and so forth
- They serve tin cakes (yes, cakes served in tin cans) and doughnuts too
- Take as many photos as you can of the pink interiors and make all your friends jelly
Opening hours: 10am – 11pm daily
Address: 400-2, Mangwon-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul
3. Visit one of the oldest neighbourhoods in Seoul: Ikseon-dong
Ikseon-dong village has been around since the 1920s and while some of its traditional Korean houses have been turned into shops and cafes, the overall designs remain unchanged. It’s definitely the place to visit if you want to know what Seoul looked like back in the ’20s!
What to expect:
- Drop by Ikseon-dong Ssal Sanghoe, a shop that sells delicious Hotteok. This Korean dessert is made with chewy rice, and honey and peanut butter fillings. Sounds delish! It’s also a much-loved snack all around Korea!
- Shop ’til you drop as you stroll along the streets and walk past rows and rows of shops selling almost anything you want from food and drinks to clothing, even kitchenware and decor items!
- Experience the wonders of modern and traditional architecture and decor unlike any other.
4. Take a breath of fresh air at Haneul Park
Once a landfill, this vast land was turned into an ecological park after it eventually became an enormous mountain of garbage back in the 1990s. Talk about the ultimate facelift!
What to expect:
- A gigantic field of Eulalias and wildflowers reaching as far as the eye can see
- Stand on top of the observation platform and get a 360-degree view of the entire park as well as the Seoul skyline
- Get a gorgeous view of the Seoul World Cup Stadium floating among the wildflowers
Opening hours: 9am 6pm daily
Address: 487-48 Sangam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul
BUSAN:
5. Check out the enchanting Bosu-dong Book Street
That’s a lot of books!
What began in the 1950s (when Busan became the provisional capital during the Korean War) as a means for refugees to make money by selling their books has now become every bookworm’s haven.
What to expect:
- Get lost among the stacks and stacks of books that give Bosu-dong its charm
- Find books that cater to a smaller niche of loyal devotees, sightseers and hobbyists as well as other well-known books (if you look hard enough you’ll be able to find Japanese, Chinese and English books too)
- Not a fan of books or maybe you need a quick bite? Then visit the numerous cafes available in the area!
Opening hours: 10am – 6pm daily (individual operating hours vary by bookstore)
Address: 8, Chaekbanggolmok-gil, Jung-gu, Busan
6. Enjoy a cuppa while overlooking the ocean at Cafe Rooftop
Located in the quaint little town of Cheongsapo, you have to drop by this cafe if you love beaches, sunsets and crashing blue waves!
What to expect:
- Depending on your mood, you can chill in the indoor, terrace or rooftop sections of the cafe and still enjoy an unobstructed sea view
- The bright coloured interiors will be perfect for #OOTD shots and other IG-worthy photos
- Try out the many (fresh) seafood restaurants nearby or visit during golden hour to watch the sunset over the lighthouses in the distance
Opening hours: 11am – 10pm, Tues – Sun
Address: 139-4, Cheongsapo-ro, Haeundae-gu, Busan
7. Got an eye for photography? Then drop by the Goeun Museum of Photography
Whether you’re a pro or simply a smartphone-photographer, this spacious establishment birthed in 2012 will surely inspire you to pursue your love for photography further.
What to expect:
- View a vast collection of real, valuable and thought-provoking works by both Korean and international artists
- Enjoy contemporary photo works and learn a thing or two about professional and contemporary photography
- Be one with your thoughts and reflect on life in the peace and quiet of the museum
Admission: FREE
Opening hours: 10am – 7pm, Tues – Sun
Address: 16, Haeun-daero, 452 beon-gil, Haeundae-gu, Busan
8. Drop by the Bupyeong Kkangtong Market for things to do, soju to drink and food to eat
While the night market only started in October 2013, the market itself has been around since 1910. So, if you’re feeling restless or hungry at 10pm, this is the place to be.
What to expect:
- Tons of delicious, cheap, authentic Korean street food including Korean style sausages, pancakes and other delicious foods (they offer Japanese, Turkish, Malaysian and Vietnamese food too!)
- Shop for cheap souvenirs, accessories, clothing and more here too
- If you need a drink, the entrance to the Bupyeong Kkangtong Market is situated right next to a couple of bars
Opening hours: 7.30pm – 12am daily
Address: 48, Bupyeong 1-gil, Jung-gu, Busan
Well, that’s it for this list but in case you’re itching to visit Korea anytime this year, here’s a flight deal you might want to check out!
AirAsia X is actually offering direct flights to Seoul and Busan from just RM399! Their award-winning Premium Flatbed on the other hand is from RM1,199 only!
We don’t know about you but that sounds like a pretty good deal. AirAsia X some more leh! Well, if you’re interested or you’d like to book your tickets asap, check out their website!
Booking period ends on 2 September 2018 by the way! So hurry up and book! Don’t say we bojio!
