Our first day in Seoul was spent at a budget hotel located between the international and domestic airports. Since we were planning to visit Jeju Island the next day, we opted not to stay in downtown Seoul. This allowed us to experience a different area of the city. After our plane landed around 6 pm, we reached the hotel between 7-8 pm. Our plan was to freshen up and explore the nearby lively Chinatown, as it was a Saturday and we expected plenty of activity. The hotel was conveniently situated right next to a metro station, making it a convenient hub for our travels. Despite the multiple exits at the underground station, we easily found our way.
Tokoyo Inn Inn Bupyeong
Upon exiting the metro, we found ourselves in a bustling mall-like area with an array of food options, including tempting street food stalls. Due to our limited time, we decided to proceed directly to the hotel without stopping to eat. As mentioned, the hotel, called Tokoyo Inn, was a cost-effective choice for our one-night stay. Although the room was relatively small, it fulfilled all our requirements. Surprisingly, it provided additional amenities such as facial cream, facial wash, slippers, and a heated toilet with bidet function. Our room on a high floor offered a pleasant view, and the comfortable bed, along with a humidifier, ensured a restful sleep.As someone who greatly values the comfort of a softer sleeping surface, especially due to my back’s sensitivity to firm beds, I was immensely relieved to discover that the bed in this hotel met my requirements perfectly. After enduring a lengthy and tiring journey, it provided the much-needed respite and ensured a restful night’s sleep. Furthermore, it was a great convenience to have breakfast included as part of our package.
Chinatown
After freshening up and changing, we ventured back to the metro station to explore the supposedly lively Chinatown and savor some street food. Purchasing the metro ticket proved slightly challenging, as most machines required payment in coins, and those accepting cards either malfunctioned or had run out of paper tickets. We had heard that it would be more convenient to buy a metro card and top it up, but even that option was not functioning properly. While we encountered a couple of issues with the ticket, the locals were incredibly friendly and helpful, often offering assistance even when we didn’t request it, despite the language barrier. It was a level of hospitality I had never experienced before. It is important to note that the paper ticket should be kept safe throughout the journey, as it is necessary for exiting the metro. Upon leaving the metro area, we were able to receive a refund for the paper ticket deposit. Although the amount was minimal, it was a convenient process.
Returning to our trip to Chinatown, we boarded the metro and passed several stops, with one particular station, Juan Station, appearing particularly lively. However, we decided to continue to Chinatown and ended up traveling farther than we had anticipated. Fortunately, we didn’t need to change metro lines. As we approached Chinatown, we noticed that the surroundings grew quieter, with fewer people and dimmer lighting. Upon reaching our destination, we realized that Chinatown was closed, which was surprising considering the time was between 9 pm and 10 pm. It seemed that the concept of night markets, as found elsewhere in the world, differed here. Despite the closure, we walked through Chinatown, appreciating its unique charm, even in the absence of open establishments. It appeared that restaurants in Korea closed early, much to our disappointment, as I had been looking forward to trying the dim sum I had been dreaming about. Faced with this setback, we made the decision to return to the metro station and head towards Juan Station, which we had passed earlier and noticed was bustling with activity. Fortunately, the metro was still operational, although we had to wait a while for the train.
Juan Station
Upon reaching Juan Station, our appetites had intensified, and we were in search of a suitable place to satisfy our hunger. We were uncertain about which direction to take in search of a place to eat. Along the way, we encountered several coffee shops that were open 24/7, but unfortunately, they did not serve meals. It became evident that coffee shops are extremely popular in Korea. However, as we continued walking, we were relieved to come across a few restaurants, and I am grateful that we kept going and didn’t settle for the first option we encountered. We continued walking further, and suddenly, we stumbled upon a lively street that fulfilled our expectations for a vibrant evening. The street was lined with restaurants offering barbecue, bars, karaoke establishments, card game rooms, and K-pop reverberating throughout. Colorful Korean signs illuminated the surroundings, creating an immersive experience on our first night in Seoul. It felt like we had walked into a scene straight out of an anime series, with vibrant streets and captivating Korean signs that matched the imagery I had imagined. Though it wasn’t exactly Chinatown, it exuded an unmistakable Korean vibe. Regrettably, our stay here was brief, as we needed to retire early to ensure a restful night’s sleep before our early morning departure to Jeju. Considering the expense of the hotel I had booked in Jeju, I wanted to fully enjoy the experience without the burden of a hangover or excessive tiredness.
(Korean) Barbeque
After strolling through the street and exploring our options, we couldn’t resist the temptation to satisfy our cravings with some mouthwatering Korean barbecue, or obviously just “barbecue” in Korea. It was an incredible culinary experience. I would even venture to say it was the best Korean barbecue I had ever tasted, although my exposure to Korean barbecue outside of Korea had been limited, often lacking authenticity.
The meat offered exceptional flavors, and we tried both the premium and regular cuts. Surprisingly, the cheaper regular meat had a more pronounced and satisfying taste. The menu also featured intriguing options like pigeon, adding to the variety. The accompanying side dishes complemented the meat well and added an extra touch to the dining experience.
It was quite amusing that the restaurant didn’t have an English menu. Instead, they suggested using a translation app to capture photos of the menu and translate it. Unfortunately, I didn’t have access to Wi-Fi or the necessary app at the time. To our surprise, the waiter kindly offered his personal phone, which was in a flip case. Inside the phone case, we discovered not only his phone but also his credit cards and ID cards. It was an interesting glimpse into the level of trust and casual approach to security in this particular place.
We couldn’t resist ordering additional servings. At one point, I had to persuade my partner to refrain from ordering more, as it was time to conclude our lively evening and head back home. By then, it was around midnight, perhaps slightly earlier. I was surprised to observe many locals who were heavily intoxicated, with some girls stumbling about. I had no issue with this; it was merely intriguing to witness such a scene at what I considered to be an early hour. Additionally, numerous people approached us, eager to engage in conversation.
Taxi
Eventually, we returned to the metro station, only to realize that we had missed the last train. Exhausted and annoyed, our intention of an early night’s rest seemed to evade us. Moreover, it was not an ideal situation after a long flight. We resolved to hail a taxi, assuming the cost wouldn’t be exorbitant. However, we didn’t anticipate the length of the taxi line. Although it wasn’t particularly long, with only a few people in front of us, the taxis took an unusually long time to arrive. We waited for approximately an hour, feeling increasingly fatigued and frustrated. Many people around us resorted to booking rides through ride-hailing apps, similar to Uber, but even those options seemed to fail. Eventually, it was our turn to enter a taxi, and to our relief, the fare for the distance was not as steep as we had anticipated. The feeling of relief washed over us as we finally arrived back at our room. As mentioned previously, the bed provided exceptional comfort, allowing us to enjoy a restful night’s sleep despite the jetlag and the early morning departure for Jeju.
Summary
In short, our first day in Seoul was full of excitement. We explored lively streets, enjoyed delicious Korean barbecue, and encountered friendly locals. Despite a few challenges, we found comfort in our cozy hotel and felt welcomed by the city’s charm. It was a memorable start to our Seoul adventure.
Anyah Mroz 