Day 7 - Jagalchi Market and First Eatery Alley Seomyeon, Busan

Jagalchi Market

About 5 minutes walk from Jagalchi Station Exit 2, Line No.1

Jagalchi Market is the largest seafood market in South Korea and is located right in the edge of Nampo Port, Busan. The locals and tourists can be spoiled with numbers of fresh-from-ocean fish and seafood that are caught daily. They also offer ranged of dried seafood products here.

Fresh Live Seafood Market on the Ground Floor and Dining area on the 2^nd floor 

Best to visit early, about 10 in the morning to avoid the crowd. By lunch time, this dining area on level 2 is become fully packed with hungry mouths.

Complimentary Side Dishes

They keep on refilling before the side-dish bowl even empty...

While we were eating, suddenly we overheard a loud argument between the waiter in our restaurant with the next door shop owner. Apparently, it was because the group of tourists talked to that next-door shop first but then changed their mind later to our shop. And the owner of next-door shop was very furious thought that our english-speaking waiter stole their customer... Then after things settle down, those tourist explained to the waiter saying that he can speak english while that rivalry couldn't ....

Sashimi KRW 40,000 (about AU$ 36.35)

Fried Fish KRW 30,000 (about AU$27.25)

Top: Complimentary Sushi and Bottom: Complimentary Salmon Teriyaki

Complimentary Spicy Seafood Soup

Overall, we were truly satisfied with this seafood brunch. They used extremely fresh fish with english-speaking waiter made our life much easier....


Gwangbok Underground Shopping Centre

Last day in Busan, we decided to spend the whole day shopping. Little coffee shop just in the corner of somewhere around the underground shopping area, good enough to chill out and refresh ourselves after a long tiring walk of shopping..

Iced Chocolate and Green Tea Frappuccino

Advance ticket purchase again to go back to Seoul. The way back to Seoul cost us bit more expensive than the one when we came to Busan KRW 52,4000 (AU$47.65). It could be because of weekend.

Busan Station

Chinatown in Busan

Seomyeon Area

I felt that Seomyeon Underground Shopping Centre is so far the best fashion heaven for ladies in Korea. You could find fashion from casual wear to luxury dresses plus bags, shoes and accessories just line up along the narrow steamy alley. Bit pricey but guarantee that you will get the good quality goods.

Bread with Egg KRW1,000 (about AU$0.90)

Another gorgeous teeny snack that we found from the street food stall in Korea. The bread was sweet and fluffy with nicely cooked egg on top.

Takoyaki (spicy) KWR2,000 for 7 pieces (AU$ 1.80)

Seomyeon First Eatery Alley

Won't be too much talking here and let's the pictures speak for themselves.



Fried Chicken KRW 2,000 (about AU$1.80)

around KRW 500 (AU$ 0.45) per piece for Eomuk-Guk (Fish Cake Soup) and Assorted Tempura

Grilled Octopus KRW 1,500 (about AU$ 1.35)

We tried to grab anything new and looked tempting along that alley, so we can try as much food as we could even our stomach screamed already "pleazz!!! no more food" but this mouth just wouldn't listen and keep swallow whatever the eyes-catched.



So, Octie-Appetie guys...



Day 6 - Haedong Yonggungsa Temple and Haeundae Beach, Busan

Seoul Station

Lucky we bought the ticket the day before as today the train was fully packed. We didn't bring our huge luggage with us to Busan, instead we stored them in Ibis hotel cos we going back there again after 3 days anyway... which was a really good decision as not that much spaces for the bag in the train, maybe there were any but we just couldn't find where the luggage compartment was.

Inside KTX Train Seoul-Busan

Lotteria Burger Package: Shrimp Burger, Bulgogi (marinated barbecue beef) Burger, Chips, 2 cokes and 2 Prawn sticks KRW11,000 (AU$10)

We didn't try McDonald's while we were in Korea but in my opinion, I think Lotteria is better sales than McDonald's

A very fine sunny day in Busan City

Hotel Phoenix, Busan
8-1 Nampodong 5 Ga
Jung-Gu, Busan, South Korea
Telp: +82 51 2458061

Hotel Phoenix is surrounded with loads of attraction places just foot steps away to Jagalchi Market, Gukje Market, Yongdusan Park, PIFF Square and plenty of Department Stores and Underground Shopping Centres. Its about 5 minutes walk from both Nampodong Station and Jagalchi Station.

We actually booked the standard western room, but once we arrived in the hotel the room wasn't ready yet so while we were waiting, we flipped through the hotel brochure and saw the picture of Korean-style room (Ondol) made us so tempting to get that. So we gave it a try and asked the hotel receptionist if we could possibly swap it. We're so glad that he allowed us to get that room with no extra cost. Satisfied indeed with the room, large space to put our stuff and the best thing was the underfloor heating system right underneath the bed that's just what we need in that cold weather.


Korean-style room (Ondol)

PIFF (Pusan International Film Festival)

Kimchi Bun and Pork Bun KRW3,000 (about AU$2.70) for both of them

Around the Gukje Market (Changseondong Market)

Inside Busan's train (left) and bus

Haedong Yonggungsa Temple
From Haeundae Station, take bus No. 181 (20 minutes) or take taxi about KRW 10,000

Gukhwappang (Flower shaped pastry)

Its essentially identical with bungeoppang (fish shaped pastry filled with sweet red bean paste), only it is a flower shaped pastry.

We headed to Haeundae Beach straight after, but it was freezing cold and we didn't take much photo, so my apologise no photo of the beach this time. After a short walk enjoying the chilly beach, our tummy can't compromise anymore, so we went to have an early dinner.

Don't judge the book by its cover. This yummy-look like meat skewers but it was totally tasteless

3 different meats

This BBQ shop is located on the way back from the beach to Haeundae station (15 Gunamno Road, Haeundae Beach, Busan). We totally lost in translation in this shop, anyway they gave us these 3 types of meat, I guess it was pork belly, marinated pork and beef with rice. Surprisingly, it turned out to be one of the best ever meal we had in Korea and we spent altogether only KRW 9,000 (about AU$ 8.20)

Roasted Soy Bean Powder Coated Chewy Glutinous Rice Cakes

Heaps of shops selling Pork Hock

Busan at night

So, Octie-Appetie...

Day 5 - Seoul Tower & Namsan Village

I'm not too sure with the name of this tiny chic restaurant located somewhere around Myeong Dong market in the small alley. Because this morning we just got lost while we went looking for breakfast and we were like.. "Ok turn here then lets turn there", but its not that far from the Ibis hotel roughly about 10 minutes walk (say that if we know the way). I believe, you won't miss the shop if you walk pass them. They have this big-smiling mouth wood sculpture in front of the shop with tiny door next to it and the shop full of colourful sticky note and pictures.. 

Top: Kimbap KRW2,000(AU$1.80) for 6 pieces and

 Bottom: Pickled Radish and Kimchi - complimentary side dish

Jjajangmyun (Korean style noodles with black bean sauce)

I've grown up with the handmade noodle of my grandma so I always respect the local shop that made their own noodle.This dish looked so appetizing. The noodle was fresh (that's the main reason why I like handmade noodle) and also chewy. We had a good meal this time and not that full so we can hunting another victim.


Deli Manjoo
Myeong Dong Station, Subway Line No.4

Deli Manjoo KRW2,000/9pcs (about AU$ 1.80)

We just can't get enough of them. Really nice snacks on the go. Corn-shaped soft sponge cake filled with warm creamy custard. The exact same thing with the custard egg puff that we have in OZ (Chinatown and Cabramatta, the one I know that selling). However, unlike the custard puff in Korea, the one in Sydney the filling is always too hot and its just burst out on your mouth.


Seoul Tower

Locks of Love in N Seoul Tower

The locks hanging on the fences are placed by couples to represent their everlasting love. The keys are then thrown away as an assurance the sweethearts' vows will never be separated...

Bungeoppang (Korean Fish Shaped Pastry) KRW2,000/2pcs (about AU$ 1.80)

Another Korean snack, this time was the fish shaped pastry filled with sweet red bean paste. The Bungeoppang stall can be seen all over the streets of Seoul baking and one of the them is situated in the entrance of Namsangol Hanok Village. Apparently, the person's character can be evaluated depending on of  the way you eat your bungeoppang. Of course, it is only a fun character analysis.

Bungeoppang Character Analysis (source from: http://www.visitkorea.or.kr)
Eats head first: An easy-going optimist, unconcerned with trivial things. Says whatever comes to mind, is passionate, but the passion can dwindle easily.

Eats tail first: Cautious. A romanticist concerned with the smallest things; is slow in catching onto other’s feelings.
Eats stomach first: Masculine, active, bright, and outgoing.
Eats fins first: Temperamental and childish. A loner.
Cuts it in half and eats the tail first: Polite, good at saving money, and a rationalist.
Cuts it in half and eats the head first: Strong willed who goes through with a plan once it is decided. Stingy, and does not like to lend money.

So which one are you??

Namsangol Hanok Village

 

Vending machine

Pre wedding photo shoot

 

Seoul Station

We stopped at Seoul KTX station on the way back to buy the ticket to Busan for the next day. Best way to buy the ticket in advance as it will guarantee your seating. It costs us KRW 49,200 pp (about AU$ 44.70)/for one way ticket from Seoul to Busan with KTX train (a Korean version of Shinkansen).

To get around in Seoul with subway we can use a rechargeable card. Like an Octopus card in Hong Kong, here in Korea they call it T-Money. My successful weapon at all time is acting confuse whenever I need help in Korea, then promptly someone will come offering help to us. This time was when we were in subway station and wanna buy the T-Money, one of the subway staff came over and did all of them for us from the ticket machine. With T-Money, first we need to pay KRW3000 for the card itself then we can recharge for either KRW1000, 5000, 10000, and so on. You look about KRW900 for a one way trip. However, unlike in Hong Kong, here they will deduct the money at the beginning when you get in to the gate because the fare is the same for one way trip.





Donuts with Cream Cheese filling, Sticky Rice (mochi) filling, and Classic Chocolate @ Seoul KTX train station

Korean Duck, Myeong Dong

This restaurant is a little too pricey ... probably because the location wise or maybe... just maybe they noticed that we are tourist.

Rice Wine

Top: Duck Fillet KRW 25,000 (about AU$22.70) and Bottom: Beef Fillet KRW 35,000 (AU$ 31.80)

Kimchi Jjigae about KRW10,000 (about AU$9.10)

We always see those aprons hung in most of the restaurants in Korea. At first we wonder why and what would be the reason behind that. Then once we saw the Korean who just walked in to the restaurant grabbed one of them and simply put it on like their routine, then we were like enlighted ..but then we thought it was kinda a bit too late to go and grab one since we almost half way through our meal. Yeahh awkward..

So we decided to left that for the next time. After that until the end of our trip in Korea, we somehow still hadn't got a single chance to wear one cos we just kept on forgetting. Haha... What a shame.



From Myeong Dong station, walk toward the Myeong Dong Gyoja Branch 1, this BBQ restaurant is located just a few shops before Myeong Dong Gyoja Branch 1 on the same alley.

So, Octie-Appetie....