I'm there from 26/10 to 8/11.
26/10 - 30/10 - Seoul
31/10 - 3/11 - Busan
4/11 - 8/11 - Seoul

How much cash did you bring? How long did you stay?
I'm thinking on the right amount of cash to bring.
Would RM 2k cash suffice for 2 weeks? If there's card terminal will use BigPay to pay. So the RM 2k is for street food, taxis etc.

I see. Thanks!
Is there any Grab app equivalent for taxi services there?

I'm going with 2 others and the total money we bringing is around RM 7.5k MYR
Excluding BigPay

This is my rough itinerary: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/133S...dit?usp=sharing

This post has been edited by Icehart: Oct 20 2019, 09:11 PM

We try to use Subway as much as we can. However, if the cost difference is not significant then taxi would be better, provided the traffic condition allow for it.
Thanks for the tip on Naver map!

Hi Guys, I'm currently in Busan after hitting 4 days in Seoul. So far the trip has been somewhat average largely contributed by the poor food recommendation online.

Anyone has any outstanding restaurants to recommend in Seoul and Busan? I'll be going back Seoul in another 2 days.

This post has been edited by Icehart: Oct 31 2019, 06:59 PM

Thanks.
The first 4 nights I'm staying in Dongdaemun.
Busan I'm staying nearby Choryang station which is one station away from Busan station.
The next 4 would be in Myeong Dong.

I just hit food and search for top rated 4+ star above with at least 100-150 reviews or more. Even better if some of the reviews are in Korean language (albeit I can’t read, but it’s there for validation).

So far I’ve tried:

1. Street Food that I stumbled on when walking to bus stops or my destinations. Totally skipped those recommended on tourist destinations as they are expensive.

2. Jajangmyeon - There’s one alley in Insa-dong that sell this for 3500. It was tasty but the rest of these staples I tried in other stores were average at best.

3. Kimchi Stew - Probably not my taste. It was also pricey.

4. YooGane Dalgakbi - Probably the best meal I had in Korea, period. I also tried Hongdae Dalgakbi which has 4.4 star reviews but they were comparable. Yoogane is much cheaper.

5. Cold Buckwheat Noodles - Unique but not my cup of tea. Supposedly those famous and recommended online are average. I manage to stumble upon a good one just below my hotel for cheaper price.

6. Mandu - I went to Michelin recommended restaurant in MyeongDong. 10 mandu + signature noodles for 18,000 won. Ok the noodles are smooth and soft. The star is actually their cold buckwheat noodles (MyeongDong Kyoja).

Since I’m such a big fan of dumplings I went to e-mart and bought myself a big bag of assorted flavoured dumplings. Luckily Airbnb has kitchen to cook them.

7. Toasts - Average at best. Isaac, Eggdrop or Egg cellent.

8. Other street stall food that i came across to fill my stomach but not worth mentioning here.

Can you suggest any good eateries?

This post has been edited by Icehart: Nov 5 2019, 01:41 PM

I tried Toksochon Samgyetang. Personally the Ginseng chicken soup taste weird but the strong Ginseng wine make up for it. Good for first time though.

Haven’t tried budae jigae yet. Maybe tomorrow for lunch or dinner.

Chimaek tried Kkanbu and Chi Chi. Prefer chi chi.


Personally it doesn’t matter what plane these airlines are using unless you plan to utilise their entertainment system.

I personally prefer direct flights as I hate to transit with connecting flights. Going to Korea is okay but usually it’s the way home that bother me. Prefer to fly back direct as tired already.

Actually a lot of eateries not listed in Google Maps.
I saw one KKanbu chicken branch nearby Dongdaemun near Ihwa but the branch is not listed in Google Maps.

Nowadays I stop trusting Google Maps and just search for a restaurant when hungry.
IMO better taste and cheaper.
However, the language barrier can be a problem as most Korean restaurant waiters don't speak English.

Unless you're Chinese. Surprisingly a lot of waiters/waitress can speak decent Mandarin & Korean.

Yes Chimaek means Fried Chicken + Beer.
Not cheap though, can set you upfront 18,000 - 20,000 won, excluding beer.

Sure!

Not sure if this count but I tried a lot of ready to drink coffee that are sold in convenient marts here.
So far my favorite is the yellow Viet Cong Caphe.

This post has been edited by Icehart: Nov 7 2019, 12:00 AM

Contrary to popular saying, I find Google Maps better. It nails popular attraction accurately with transit information. It’s just that I won’t rely Google Maps for food recommendation in SK.

I have been here for 14 days and never had any issue with Google Maps for transit and location services

This post has been edited by Icehart: Nov 7 2019, 08:27 AM

I see. You should get Kakao T as well. Just know how to drop a pin and the taxi will bring you there.

Didn’t have time as I follow people’s itinerary. They didn’t left me a good 30 minutes to lurk around cafes.

Yeah, peak foliage now.
Everywhere is colorful.

Google Maps prompt the nearest and most convenient way of traveling.
My experience there is that the bus network is more comprehensive compared to the subway.

For example, my hotel Seoul N Hotel from Seoul Station need to go Dongmyeo station and walk for 10 - 15 minutes.
With Bus, it's just 3 minutes top.

And traveling by bus, it's also more convenient because of the free transfer window. Say you want to go to one location but no direct bus, Google Maps will let you know which bus stop to get down and board the next bus. Since you are transferring, there is no charge for boarding the second bus (within 30 minutes).

Some tips for those who are traveling soon - go and visit Korea Tourism Center in KL. They give a free booklet and a free T-money card. The booklet is quite good. Got 10-20% discount coupon for most tourist attractions.

Also, I'll skip most of the palace and just go with the biggest and best. Most palace looks the same to me.

This post has been edited by Icehart: Nov 18 2019, 07:53 PM

https://www.visitkorea.com.my/discover-kore...-way-dkyw-2019/

The T-money card is behind the booklet.

Hope I can help here.

Usually, if you have more than 3 pax, just take a taxi. The cost is sometimes cheaper than taking the bus. Use Kakao Taxi to get a fare estimate. Most taxi drivers hardly can speak English so you must know how to drop a pin or show pictures to the taxi driver the attraction you're going.

29/1- N Seoul Tower can take 3-4 hours if you're the kind that likes to enjoy the scenery.

30/1 - Start in GyueongBok Palace. Then take bus/taxi to Bukchon Hanok Village. Unless you don't mind walking 25 minutes.

31/1 - Hanuel Park was my favorite place in Seoul. So I suggest this but it's up to you. I'm not sure if the ride up is available during winter.

1/2 - The train from ITX to GapYeong be careful. Buy your tickets from the counter (not the machine). If you buy the wrong ticket and board the ITX train, you'll be fined 2,600 Won. Look for express train.

Nami to Garden is around 1.15 hr by bus. It could be longer during winter.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/4908592...4e6d848d_3k.jpg

From Gyeongbok palace - Bukchon Hanak Village? Hmm walking in winter, your mom can take it or not?
Just row of shops. As far as I know, the temperature should be subzero, around -7 to 2.

And wearing hanbok in winter...hmm i think after taking photo faster wear back jacket.

Taxi I mostly use BigPay.

for nami island
if u take express train its direct to gapyeong without stop from yongsan or cheongnyangyi
and tourist bus is available from the gapyeong station directly

Those in Seoul, how's Myeongdong now? Seen from tiktok that it's dead and not happening.

Since you're traveling with infant, there must be a lot of things to bring, such as stroller and the necessary supplies. I'll do car rental if I were you.
The last time I was there I feel a bit rush as need to stick with the bus schedule. In the end only manage to do Nami Island, Gapyong rail and Petite France then rush back Seoul. Missed the Garden of Morning Calm.