Jalan – Jalan Cari Makan Seoul (part 1)

I always got question from others “ How much you budgeted for your food?”. Frankly speaking, I never put an X amount for my food during my visit to South Korea. I do concern on how much I pay for my lodging, transportation and shopping but never do as food is concern. Food for me is something that equal to places I should visit during my stay at Korea. I eat what I want to eat and what I suppose to eat at South Korea. Besides the street food and raw seafood that I talk about at previous entry, I would like to share other Korean food that you can give a try and Insyallah for Muslim, it’s Halal.

Grill Seafood with the best Banchan ever @ Kui Kui, Yeoido
Miss Han is a frequent customer at Kui Kui Restaurant located at the ground floor of her apartment. And I naturally become a frequent too whenever I went to Seoul. I love their banchan or side dishes the most. Usually, they will serve not less than 4-5 banchan with our main dish which usually consists of spicy seafood soup and variety of grill seafood. We love to order Moli Fish. I don’t know what fish it is in English or Bahasa but it taste tender with fish fat (should I describe it like this?) which give a special taste. You might face a difficulty to order due to NO English translation on their menu .But they do display pictures of their menu on the wall and also display it outside the shop. Even, Wawa, Fidza and Syikin (my ex-office collogue) managed to order it in Bahasa Malaysia for their second visit…. Hahahaha
Price: 10,000 ++ Won per dish (per person)

Our favourite : Moli Fish

How to get there: National Assembly Station, Line 9, Exit 4. Go straight; cross a road till you see an apartment next to KBS, turn right and find Kui kui restaurant (5 minutes walking). It’s actually opposite to KBS and if you are lucky you might see Korean artist around. As for me, I managed to meet an in-famous Emcee, Mr Kim Gura at the coffee shop next door. Huh.. I wish I can switch that moment with another person.. Kim Gu Ra says Thumbs Up to Kui Kui !!!

Spicy Octopus @ at Octopus Street, Gwanghamun
I never missed going to Gwanghamun area before. After the second trip, I realized that if I was there I can access to many sightseeing area that I luv to go by walking - Bukchon Village, Insadong, etc . And I never miss eating Spicy octopus dish at this area. Small octopus fry with spicy hot sauce and bean sprout and eat with hot rice…aghhh .. I wish I can describe the taste with a word!!! “Fight Fire with Fire” , yups Spicy octopus is the answer. And after having spicy food, cool down yourself at Cheonggyecheon Stream nearby. I bet even a king food can’t win this.
Price : 15000 – 20000 won

How to get there: Exit No. 5 of Gwanghwamun Stn., Seoul Metro Line No. 5. Find the Cheonggyecheon stream nearby. Follow the stream till you see a bridge and turn left to the alley full of small restaurants selling octopus. Octopus here, octopus there.. me, is everywhere.

Are u a Fat and Ugly Foreigner???

Huhuhu... i thought that i'm the only one who have this kind of thought till i happened to read an entry from eatyourkimchi on the related issue. The obsession of Koreans to be pretty and slim cannot be deniable!!!Even their man is very particular on skin treatment and even put a make up... For you to succeed in getting a job you must be graduated from a top university and second you should be pretty and third, pretty.

Beauty is on the eyes of beholder.. But in Korea, it's something that has own measurement and standard. A girl is a perfect beauty when you are 165 cm tall and more, have a small face - that can fit a palm size, V-line face, double eyelid and big eyes, sharp nose and full lip, s-line or x-line body and fair. For a guy, you must be 180 cm tall and more, long and slender body with 6 pack chocolate abs. A beauty regime for Korean girl before they step out from their house is by applying almost 15 beauty products!!! and hell they put a heavy make-up to look neutral!!!! Neutral is when u wear Zero MAKE-UP!!! And I’m not surprise when my Korean Teacher once told us that Korean man first impression towards girl is a pretty girl must has a good heart!!! Keke..how far this statement is true or not .. Only Korean man knows best.

But as for me, besides feeling jealous while admiring the results of Korean obsession to beauty, nothing more. I might feel intimidated once a while when I’m walking among the skinny Korean girls or because I find that their XL size is actually S. But I still feel that because I’m not part of this society, I’m free from being judge on that standard of beauty. And somehow, someday this believe of theirs will change. And beauty is something that you must appreciate and treasure.. and this kind of beauty, my eyes is in heaven!!

So, which one you prefer?

Korean standard of beauty?

or

Western standard of Beauty?

Besides Olle Walking, there are lots to do at Seogwipo area.. By airport bus which frequently have trip back and forth from our Inn to Airport … we manage to visit this places which either located near to the Inn or can be access by the bus… and definitely your T-Money will make your trip easier.

Places near to Jeju Hiking Inn (walking distance)
Jeongbang Waterfall
Cheongjiyeon Waterfall
Saeyeon Bridge
Bird Island @ Saesom

Jungmun Area
Teddy Bear Museum
Museum of African Art
Daepo Jusangjeolli
International Convention Center Jeju.

Jeju-Si
5 Days Market

Somewhere in between Jeju Hiking Inn and Jeju-Si
Jeju Worldcup Stadium
E-Mart

STREET FOOD

Street food is something that you must taste whenever you are at Korea... Can i say that it's represent korean food besides Bibimbap? But whatever it is.. it is a must to try and as for me .. i luv it!!! Here the list of the street food for you to give a try, my favourite one.

Ddeokbokki (떡볶이): Spicy Rice Cake
I don’t really love the Tteok coz it’s hard to chew but there are other things inside to eat and it's something that i can't but craving for it!! And eating it with Odeng during rainy day .. hahaha .. alamakss..feel like eating it now!!! Omma!!!
Ddeokbokki at Jeju 5 days market

Ddeokbokki at Hongik UniversityUncook DdeokRamyeon at Ehwa University

Odeng @ 오뎅 : Fish cake with soup

Imagine that u eat this during winter...heaven!!!

Fish Bread@잉어빵 : Read been bread

My happy face after eating the fish bread at Jeju 5 days market


Ho Ddeok @ 호떡 : Bread with cinnamon and sugar
The only thing that have cinnamon i'm ok to eat

Our perfect breakfast with Banana milk that i love

You can find the street almost everywhere as long as you can find a street?? hahaha .. with a cheap price too 1000 - 3000 won .. Please do give them a try!!!

Love for freshness … Raw seafood is the answer!!!!! ehehehe

Some people say that raw seafood is good, some says the other … but my taste bud never denies that raw seafood is the best!!! As I can’t consume meat in Korea…and Korea is best known for their raw seafood or회..It’s something that I can’t leave behind but to taste it even it’s damn expensive.

Raw Fish @ 생선회
I never know that Korean way of eating raw fish can be this amazingly delicious… and if someone afraid of the smelly taste of the fish (for me it’s not smelly) also can enjoy this. Korean style raw fish will be eaten together with sesame leaf (this leaf has a strong taste), and spread with 고추장 @ pepper paste, add green chili, fresh garlic and the main ingredient, slice of raw fish. Fold it and eat…. Nyummmm .. the taste? I can’t describe it with words…. Maybe the feeling is like when you can swim in cold water during hot/summer season …

Raw Fish at Jeju

Raw Fish : Tapau

Live octopus @ 사는 오징어

Yes..it’s still alive, crawling, moving even after ahjumma cut it to small pieces… and people don’t wait till it’s not moving to eat so it won’t be live octopus anymore…

This is something that I eat not because I want to eat but challenge myself to eat … haahah … and for seafood lover, this is something not to be miss at least once.. and i do experienced a little hesitance at first and took almost 5 – 10 minutes to try my first spoon, thanks to our next table guest, a couple who already there for a quite sometimes but the girlfriend still having a scary expression when she look at her plate and somehow I get her indirect message telling me that I shouldn’t eat it. But hey, I paid 20,000 Won for that small “scary” thing, hell no, I need to eat ya!!!

Live Octopus at Jagalchi Market, Busan

Till Next Time

Someone is leaving.. I hate to say Goodbye.. So, I guess " Till next time"
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Winter is creeping early .. it's gonna be a very long and lonely one

그럼, 다음 시간까지 ...잘 가요....안녕히 가세요

Hungry!!!!

What else I love about being in South Korea? Weather, culture, scenery.. It’s all about Food!!

Being a Muslim traveling in Non-Muslim country, food will be a big problem!! But in South Korea, I found myself having less distress on this matter. As I can’t enjoy meat in South Korea and refuse to be bound to only Pakistanis restaurant in Itaewon for that.. I’m enjoying seafood the most here!!! And I’m glad the way Korean cooking and taste fit my taste bud just nice …

Basic things you will find at Korean Restaurant.
1.Main Dish – Stew @ grill/fried , rice
2.Banchan (side dishes) – Kimchi (a must), others (vegetable, anchovies, peanut, etc), it’s very
rare to find meat based banchan
3.Mineral water @ sometimes tea

After ordering, you will find on your table ready utensils (chopstick and spoon), tissue, mineral water and cup. It’s a job of the maknae (youngest) of the group to set the table to his/her seniors. Place a tissue each, and a set of chopstick and spoon, pour the mineral water and shortly the banchans will be serving. So, you can dig in your banchan first while waiting for the main course (my style). Following the etiquette, you should taste your soup/stew first before eating.

General Table Manners
- At first, taste soup or kimchi juice, and then try rice or other dishes. Use spoon for rice and
liquid foods, such as stews or soups; use chopsticks for other foods.
- Do not make noises with spoon or chopsticks hitting the rice bowl or other food containers.
- Do not hold the rice bowl or soup bowl in your hand during the meal.
- Do not use your hands to pick the foods.
- Use an individual plate for foods served for a crowd, and also for sauces such as soy & vinegar
sauce or sweet & sour hot pepper soybean paste.
- After a meal, put the spoon and chopsticks on the spot where they were placed first and put
used napkins on the table after folding it little bit if they are big.

Table Rules
- Hot and watery foods are placed on the right side and cold and dry foods are placed on the left
side.
- The rice bowl is on the left, and soup bowl is on the right, with other bowls placed in the
middle.
- The spoon is on the right side and chop sticks are behind the spoon and placed a little towards
the outside of the table. Place kimchi dishes in the back row, stew dishes on the right, sauces in
the middle of the front row, meat dishes on the right side, and vegetables on the left side.

How to use chopsticks and spoon
- Do not hold the spoon and chopsticks together in one hand
- Do not suck the chopsticks and do not hold spoon and chopsticks at the same time. When using
chopsticks, place the spoon on the table.
- The spoon and chopsticks should not rest on any bowl or dish during the meal. Use spoon for
rice and watery foods and chopsticks for other side dishes.

But, hey!!! You are foreigner, so you don't really need to follow all this. They will understand. But who says learning something new is not fun?? So, have fun!!!

Morning at Jeju

The wind,
Knocking on my window on the early morning
Wake up sunshine
The roster already calling
The farmer is now working
From the kitchen, the smell of fresh coffee coming
And the field of yellow Cornelia greeting

And from the distance
The wave is singing a love song
The weather is fine
Today will be a great day
Coz I’m at a great place

Jeju Olle Trail Route No. 2 – NO!!! Scooter, Go!!! Go!!!

Hahahaha .. In traveling… Planning is just a guide .. I love to go with a flow … No Jeju Olle Trail Route No. 2 for us this time .. Renting a scooter give us more mileage to travel and stop at any place that we feel like going.. “Panjang Kaki” :)

How we meet our Scooter owner? After having a very long walk for Olle route 1, and felt how inconvenience for us to commute from our guesthouse to other locations, we decided to rent a scooter. After some calls made by our guesthouse owner, we are waiting eagerly for our scooter owner to fetch us and pick our scooter.

After 30 minutes and more I guess, he came and asked our guesthouse owner several questions about us. He looks nervous and later I found out that we are his first foreign customer!! And as language is concern, he worries more! International Driving License – Check, and an assurance that I can actually speak basic Korean ease him a little bit and off we are on the road to pick up our scooter. No wonder we need to wait for him more than 30 minutes, his shop is actually somewhere, quite far from the guesthouse area. We tried so hard to remember the road, junction, signboard or anything that can be a mark so that we didn’t lost. Now, we are nervous! :) But hey, this is what we call adventure! The owner is a very nice man, trying hard to talk to me in a simple Korean so that I can understand him. Telling me about everything we see a long the way and I will translate it back to my sister.

He owns a very, very nice shop and house!!! And very nice and wide range of scooter to choose from. After some documentation and checking on the condition of the scooter so that we are supposed to return it back in the original condition, some commemorative picture and a map, our journey begins!!! The scooter owner is so kind that he offered to accompany us to our first location. Or maybe he worried that we might run away with his scooter? Hahaha .. For 2 days this scooter will be our!!!

Things to have and do to rent a scooter or car :
To have : International license
To do : 1. Fill up the form
2. Check for the condition of your transportation for any previous scratch so that you won’t be blame for it later.
3. Check your fuel meter as you need to return the same exact amount.
In Korean the driver seat will be on the left, so you need to familiarize yourself with the difference.

Jeju Olle Trail Route No1.1: Udo (Cow Island)

Udo had me at Hello!!! I wish I can live here where my house will facing the blue sea and at the back garden full with beautiful flowers .. and it will be good if it has 1 supermarket ..ahaksss … dream on..

Udo Island is a mysterious island and it has everything that you can expect an island in Jeju can offer. A small island with around 2000 inhabitants, 10 minutes from Seongsan port by ferry. Due to volcanic activity on the island, Udo’s coasts are filled with impressive black stones and rocks.

We opt for a different transportation to explore Udo, scooter!!! Walking no more ....We rent a scooter through our guesthouse owner for 2 days to explore the rest of Seongsan Ichilbung area and Udo. Bought our ticket with the help of our kind scooter owner (I will write a story about him later) and hop we off to Udo Island with our cute scooter (the same experience if you bring your transpiration on the Penang Ferry).

We took our own sweet time exploring Udo for 2 – 3 hour and back to Seongsan port.

How to get there:

By Bus: From Seogwipo or Jeju si, take a bus to Seongsangri Port. The bus will drop you approx. 10 minutes (walking) from the harbor. Once at the harbor, the ferry terminal is visible. The ferry takes 15 minutes to get to Udo Island and if you wish, you may take your car over to the island.
* Ferry Fare Age 13 or over: 2,000 won / 12 or under: 700 wonfull size car: 13,200 won / mid-size, economy: 11,000 won / compact: 8,800 won
Transportation on Udo Island:Car: you can take your car over on the ferryRentals: Bicycles to ATV’s and *scooters (the latter is roughly 10,000W/hour). You can find them right off the ferry dock as you arrive into Udo Island.Bus: There is an island tour bus that makes stops along tourist sites
Time:It takes about 1 hour to get around the island; however for quality sightseeing, it will take longer.

Jeju Olle Trail Route No1: Sunrise Peak Area

For our second trip to Jeju, we change our location from Seogwipo to the other part of Jeju Island. Much remote area with a small town that becomes quiet after 9 pm. This time we took a taxi as our guesthouse is located quite far from the main road, a countryside.

We planned to walk at Route no. 1, no. 1.1 which is Udo and no. 2 which mainly surround the main objective of our tour which is Seongsan Ichulbung @ Sunrise Peak. Our guesthouse owner is a young lady who came from Seoul after decided that she need more peaceful and low pace life. Rent the big land with a house and open it as a guesthouse. Basically we are staying together with her. She dropped us in front of Siheung Elementry school gate as a starting point of Route 1 and we start our walking for that day aiming to finish almost 20 KM trail plus doing a little bit of hiking. But after some hiking for 3 KM we end up doing our own Olle Trail that we called Olla Trail by following the smell of food. So, please eat before you walk or not you will end up like us J. But after all, we still walked for 20 KM for that day!!

Jeju Olle Trail Route No. 7 : Oedolgae Rock to Wolpyeong Pogu(port)

After an hour bus ride from Jeju International airport to Jeju Hiking Inn at Seogwipo area and a very nice sleep in a very humble room, we woke up early and been greet by Kyung Min a Jeju native who will become our tour guide for Jeju Olle Route 7.

Three of us, Kyung Min, my sister and me take a quick cab drive at the starting point of Route no. 7. Jeju Olle also a first experience for Kyu Ming who never tried this activity despite being a Jeju native. I guess my pictures will tell you more on what you can expect during this 15 KM journey that took us 7 hours to finish it.

Jeju Olle Train Route No. 7

Oedolgae Rock with Kyung Min

The trail

Tangerine Orchard


Resting: Half Way




Walking along the beach


Our lunch : Fresh cought Sea Urchin mee and porridge

I love Olle Walking !!!!

Walking .. walking and walking.. this is what you can expect in South Korea. Especially at Jeju Island. With the find weather where you can happily walking even at noon and being accompany with extremely beautiful view I welcome Jeju Olle Walking activity with a big heart.

The Jeju Olle, which were inspired by the famous Pilgrim’s Trail in Spain, was made from the hidden, forgotten routes of Jeju Island, which cars cannot access. The route will take you to forests, mountains, beaches, and remote places and offer unrivalled views over Jeju’s unique, dramatic, volcanic landscape. The paths are connected, so you can start your walk from where you finished the previous day. The route is divided into twelve sections, which will take you through along forests, beaches, and villages, where you can meet the warmhearted local people. If you want to explore all routes, usually 2 weeks will be needed!!! Who says Jeju Island is small?

Jeju Olle Walking Map - all course

What you should prepare:
Shoes - Comfortable walking shoes are needed. Sandals would be good for the sandy paths on some routes in summer
Clothing - Jeju weather is unpredictable. Even though the sky is clear, prepare suitable clothing for occasional strong winds and rain. Wind stopper jackets, a spare jacket with long sleeves and raincoats are recommended.
Cash - When you buy seafood, drinks or snacks on the routes, please be aware that the kiosks don’t take credit cards. These small stalls are often run by old grandmothers, who only accept cash. Be prepared and bring a small amount of money with you.
Mental and Physical – 1 course route usually will be more than 10 KM and it will take more than half of your day walking. Just take it easy and don’t force yourself to finish it if you can’t. Anyway, you are not walking for a finishing line and prize!!!

Along the way you will be fascinated with what Jeju can offer for your eyes, soul, and taste bud which you can’t easily encounter if you take a different way of touring Jeju and that is why I never stop at trail route no. 7!!!

University District: The Best Hang Out Area!!

Never miss to hang out at University area! is what I recommend most of you to do if you are at Seoul. If you love the “youth” environment, night life, cheap stuff, street food, club and be surrounded with “k-pop Idol” look alike .. you must visit any universities in Seoul. I’ve been to Ehwa Women University, Yonsei University, Hongik @ Hongdae University and Konkuk University. But the best area will be at Ehwa Women University and Yonsei University which located in the same area and the most well known Hongik area at Sinchon. You will never disappointed with what they can offer you.

Ehwa Women University

Yes, lots of girls around with trendy fashion, high heel, make up and skinny body … aishhh .. my eyes and heart was in envy and despair.. hahaha .. not until I saw their beautiful university structure. Have been said that this University has the most beautiful design for their building. Walking around in their University area and being accompany with a beautiful cherry blossom on early spring, it’s just prefect. Previously, no guys allowed in this university area but not any longer! Ehemmm .. but most of them are here because they have girlfriends study in this University .. “ I hate couples, Shiro!!!” This is what Do Kyung said throughout our visit here. Yeahh…I hate it too...let's move on …

Out we go venturing the vicinity. Shops, shops and more shops … Clothes, accessories, saloon, and what I love most shoes!!! You can get the latest fashion with affordable price here but not for my Bigfoot feet… Now, I can left behind Dongdaemun and welcome Ehwa!!

Street food is something you must give a try when you are here… most of the restaurant serve much cheaper price for food and TTeokbuki or in da picture ramyeon + Ttteokbuki taste most delicious here!!! Erggghhh … maybe I’m too cold and hungry!! 

Before

After

How to get there:
5 mins walk from exits # 2 & 3 of Ewha Womans University Station (Subway Line 2)

Hongik @ Hongdae University

Hongik University has the most well known school of Fine Arts and Design in Korea and has built cutting-edge facilities on the campus. Sculptures can be found throughout the campus, and the Munheongwan Hall in the university contains a museum of contemporary art, which holds exhibitions by students, faculty members, or acclaimed professional artists. (Copy it from the internet as I’m yet to be inside the campus).

But what I can say, this area is alive after midnight. During the day it almost the same as what we have at Ehwa. As I’m not into partying and drinking stuff, I skip this activity which is heaven for the one who enjoy this. As this university is an art university, you must check their street market which students will display their work and sell it and at the back alley of the area you can basically find lots of private gallery and we bought ourselves Nanta ticket show and watch it at the theater which newly opens at Hongdae. We also found Tricks Museum here at Hongdae which we visited during our trip at Jeju previously. Anyway, the experience here will surely different from other place.. anything involve with arts will give mysterious and sexy feeling .. emhh...that is what I thought ..

If you happen to watch one of Running Man episode shoot here in Hongdae, you will come across a very famous Teeokboki shop. You need to wait in long queue to be in the shop and never regret it as the food is worth waiting. Don’t forget to stroll around this area and check the cafés too. You will find very nice and unique design’ Cafés and settle down at one of it having a hot cappuccino while enjoying the view is the best. Don’t mention that you might be lucky to be served by “boy prettier than flower” that makes espresso taste like mocha .. yeahhh … now I know where good looking guy goes .. Right here in Hongdae!!!!

Never know what you can find at Hongdae's back alley : i found Marry me Mary filming location

How to get there:
Five minutes walk from exit # 6 of Hongik University Station (Subway Line2).