Eating wonderland
by Vita500
A general tip about eating in Seoul:
I suggest to go around and try any of the numerous Korean restaurants along the street. It's one of the best ways to experience the distinguished flavours of Korean dishes and will provide you with an unique experience... but don't expect to find an English menu!
Also, whether it's Chinese, Italian or German, every dish has more or less been "Koreanized", i.e. don't expect to find hometown spaghetti or fried rice. In Itaewon, however, are some quite authentic restaurants from all over the world.
As Koreans can not survive without their traditional Kimchi, you can expect to find Kimchi as side-dish in any sort of restaurant... I even found a Kimchi-Pizza... simply everywhere.
Nevertheless, Seoul offers almost everything... check-out the following web-site to find your favourite dish: http://www.wguides.com/city/81/subsub_92.cfm
You Can Get By With English
by AKtravelers
Korean is a very hard language for a native English-speaker to learn. I have managed to pick up a few phrases, but it's a lot more difficult than Spanish to try to improvise your way through a conversation.
Luckily for people like me, all Koreans learn English in school. This doesn't mean that everyone is fluent, but it does mean that people in the service industries are likely to have that language as their second language of choice. I have found very few Koreans who can speak French, but almost all educated Koreans will have some English.
In fact, you may get accosted by students of English from Ehwa Women's University who want to interview you in public. This happened to me in Insadong and to a friend of mine at Gyongbukgung. The first questionthey asked me was why I came to Korea. "For the bulgogi" was my answer.
Of course, it's still useful to be polite and use the Korean terms for hello "Anyanseyo", thank you "kamsahamnida" and you're welcome "Chanmaneyo". Put your emphasis on the first syllable and you will always get a smile from the people of Seoul.
Sohju Wine
by emilytyc
When someone pours sohju in your cup, raise/ touch the cup, say thank you and sip the wine. If you drink it all in one gulp, your host will be pleased.
it is considered rude if you do not finish the content.
One unique point about Korean...
by Babybeary
One unique point about Korean ladies is that they will always put on their make-up whenever they leave their house. They see it as a basic politeness. Heard from my local guide that some of them would wear their make-up on before waking up their husbands every morning. Wonder if its true. Perhaps Koreans out there can let me know. Thanks.
Packing List
by moremaga
Alarm clock is a must too, so you don't waste your day or miss your flight if you sleep in too long;) Bring a water proof coat if you are travelling to Korea in the fall or winter. Also, it's always a good idea to bring some comfortable shoes to walk in during the day. Waterless soap, it saves you when you decide to eat someplace on the street and don't have a place to wash your hands.
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Everland
My sis and I as a palace guard and polis officer
Beautiful station line 7
Seodaemun Prison
