Planner’s Travel Series
About the series: Welcome to our ongoing travel series. These are all posts written by planning students and professionals about what to do in a given city when looking for Brunch, a Brew, or a good idea on a Budget. To cap it all off, we include a fun planning fact!
By Jo Kwon
About the visit: During my seven-year stay in Seoul, I never had the chance to explore the city as a tourist until my friends from Boston visited in May. Wearing Hanbok (traditional Korean clothes) and strolling through the old city with fellow tourists made me truly feel like one. Here are some of my favorite recommendations as a tourist:
Brunch
Sujebi is a traditional Korean dish. This dish is a type of soup made with hand-torn wheat flour dough, which gives it a rustic and comforting texture. One of the key ingredients in Sujebi is the anchovy broth, which imparts a rich and savory flavor to the dish. This makes it a suitable choice for pescatarians. Among the notable establishments serving this delightful dish, Samcheongdong Sujebi stands out as it has earned a spot in the prestigious Michelin Guide. The price is only 9,000 KRW which is around 7 USD, which is very affordable! According to my friends, this dish was the most memorable culinary experience of their trip to Korea.
Brew
Osulloc tea house is renowned in Jeju Island, South Korea, but it is not limited to that location alone. Osulloc tea houses can be found in various cities across Korea. Osulloc green tea is served alongside an hourglass to guide customers on when to pour the tea. Moreover, a delightful traditional Korean dessert is served alongside the tea. Osulloc also presents a range of exquisite green tea desserts, including green tea roll cakes, green tea ice cream, and green tea cheesecake.
Budget
The Lantern Festival in front of Gyeongbok Palace during Buddha’s Birthday Celebration in May is a mesmerizing event. Various lanterns show Buddhist symbols and Korean folklore. Many tourists and local residents eagerly capture photos in front of the radiant lanterns, which are only displayed for a few weeks. The event is free to everyone!
Fun Planning Fact
Originally transformed into a highway in the 1950s to cater to automobiles, Cheonggyecheon underwent a significant transformation in 2003 through the Cheonggyecheon Restoration Project (CRP). Today, it is a must-visit destination for visitors seeking a unique experience. Cheonggyecheon has emerged as a popular hub for various activities, including lantern festivals, vibrant events such as busking performances, and a range of leisurely pursuits. If you are interested in the CRP, read more about the project here: Cheonggyecheon: A Revolution of Environment, Rule, and Interaction within Seoul.
Featured Image: Gyeongbokgung Palace. Photo Credit: Jo Kwon
Jo (Joungwon) Kwon is a fourth-year Ph.D. candidate in the Department of City and Regional Planning, driven by a deep interest in exploring the applications of visualizations in planning. Since joining CPJ in 2019, she has been actively engaged in her research pursuits. With a diverse academic background in Statistics and English Literature, she holds an M.A. in Computational Media from Duke University. In her free time, she enjoys watching indie films, attending live performances, pursuing climbing adventures, and drinking a good cup of coffee.