Spring Waltz in Seoul 2012 – Day 8

12^th April 2012

이태원 Itaewon (梨泰院)

Today we are visiting Itaewon. Itaewon is Seoul's international district, housing a variety of Western-styled venues to eat, drink and be merry. Being a place where many foreigners congregate, it remains somewhat of a niche nightlife area for Koreans who are interested in a more international scene. 

It is basically just one main shopping street.

Tourist map of Itaewoon 

A very nice restaurant 

Street of Itaewon 

I like all these restaurants 

How nice to enjoy dinner in the cool air?? 

Don't you just like it at first sight? 

Menu - What do you want to eat? 

Street of Itaewon

My friend told me that Kraze Burger is nice and we decided to have that for our brunch.

Kraze Burger - Itaewon 

Kraze Burger 

Chili Cheese Fries 

My burger 

Pris had this!!!

After our brunch, we did some shopping and chance upon this shop where the uncle says he sells the mama-san bags used by SQ crew. It was in an underground shop and it was really coincidence that we bumped into it. *FATED*

We bought 2 bags and were amazed at the uncle’s freehand embroidery skills. He is really skillful!!

Remember him - this is the shop.

Next was Seoul’s City Hall. As it was near Cheonggyecheon, we decided to walk there and enroute to Cheonggyecheong then KTO Building.

City Hall 

City Hall 

Flowers @ City Hall 

Flowers @ City Hall 

Flowers @ City Hall 

Flowers @ City Hall 

Flowers @ City Hall

Another surprise – Changing of Guards Ceremony at Deoksugung. Pris had wanted to see this but didn’t plan into the itinerary (as it’s like quite stupid to go for 2 Changing of Guards Ceremony) so she was quite pleased when we happened to pass by Deoksugung and see it. This ceremony is slightly different from the one at Gyeongbokgung and the guards’ uniform were more colourful.

Changing of Guards Ceremony 

Changing of Guards Ceremony 

Changing of Guards Ceremony 

Changing of Guards Ceremony 

Changing of Guards Ceremony

After watching the ceremony, we continued to KTO. We wanted to take photos wearing hanbok so that’s why we are visiting KTO. As the KTO building is by Cheonggyecheon, we went via the stream as Pris wanted to take more photos.

Cheonggyecheon 

Cheonggyecheon 

Cheonggyecheon 

Cheonggyecheon 

Cheonggyecheon 

Cheonggyecheon 

Cheonggyecheon 

Cheonggyecheon 

Cheonggyecheon 

Cheonggyecheon

When we arrived at KTO, there was no hanbok wearing experience today. The staff suggested that we visit their branch at Myeongdong where it is available daily. We then proceeded to Myeongdong.

As we are watching Nanta tonight, we had an early dinner at Nolboo Budae Jjigae (Military Stew). It is located in a small alley next to The Body Shop.

Budae jjigae ("army base stew") is a type of jjigae (a thick Korean soup similar to a Western stew). Soon after the Korean War, food was scarce in Seoul, South Korea. Some people made use of surplus foods from U.S. Army bases, such as hot dogs, canned ham, and Spam, and incorporated them into a traditional spicy soup flavored with gochujang (red chili paste) and kimchi.

This is delicious – not what I was expecting. In addition, it is so cheap as compared to how much we will be paying if eating in Singapore, KRW23,500 for 3 pax. Each person pays only about SGD10.00.

Myungdong 

Nolboo Budae Jjigae

Budae Jjigae 

Budae Jjigae

After dinner, it was show time. Since we were early, we had a short break and bought a hot chocolate. I cannot emphasize more. Their hot chocolate is REALLY REALLY DELICIOUS!! How nice if ours were the same. We also took the opportunity to take some pictures at the theater.

Nanta Theatre 

Nanta Theatre 

Nanta Theatre 

Nanta Theatre 

My delicious HOT CHOCOLATE!! YAH!!! 

Nanta's Stage

After another good show, we returned to our apartment. Comparing the 2 performance that we have watched, Pris and I both preferred JUMP! However, it is still worth a visit.

Tomorrow we are moving to a different hotel so it’s packing time.