Nami Island, Seoul

Let's play the 20-word game .. what comes to your mind when I say 'Coke'? Red, caffeine, diet, McDonalds, glass bottle, cherry, sugar, happy, energizing, addiction, cool.

What comes to your mind when I say 'Nami Island'? Beautiful, tall trees, photos, romance, winter sonata, half-moon, peaceful, culture, smiles, couples, relaxing.

That is what I have always thought of Nami Island and I have heard so much about from people around me that I figured I have to go and see it for myself. So, on the second last day of my recent Seoul trip, my family and I made a special trip there.

I love the fall colors! They are so beautiful!

Lovely couple! My best wishes to you!

Other than the fall colors, I am so disappointed with the island. The place is way over-rated. It is so crowded with people that I cannot even think straight! Many places are unkempt, there are weeds and dried leaves everywhere, the food is overpriced and fixtures are highly vandalized. 

We did not catch the shuttle bus from Tapgol Park and took the subway, taxi and ferry to the island. It took us about 2 hours to get there and another 2 to 3 hours to get back. On the way back, the taxi / bus queue from the ferry terminal to the subway station was so, so long. All-in-all, it is not worth the trip and the time. But, at least, now I know what Nami Island is all about.

People everywhere. How to take nice pictures?

Dried leaves everywhere, unkempt weeds and plants. So messy!

Let's repeat the 20-word game .. What comes to your mind when I say 'Nami Island'? Messy, overcrowded ferry, far away, unkempt, tall trees, noisy, photos, local people, tourists, tour buses, headache. 

Till my next blog post, don't believe everything you hear! =)

Made it to the top of Achasan but where is Yongmasan?

Inspired by last year's hike at the Bukhansan National Park, my family and I went for another hike when we visited Seoul in October. And this time, we decided not to overwork ourselves and opted for a much easier hike. 

Pile of stones at the top of Achasan

Our plan was to conquer 2 easy peaks .. the Achasan and the Yongmasan. We reached the top of Achasan but totally missed Yongmasan. The signboards are mostly in Korean and I guess we followed the wrong ones. We descended to somewhere near the Sagajeong subway station. I am somewhat disappointed that we missed Yongmasan .. I am hoping to check out the wall art near the Yongmasan subway station. Another excuse to visit Seoul next year. =)

The hike was good and we enjoyed ourselves. We did better this year. We went with 2 bottles of water and 2 packets of chips (vs one of each last year). But we still wore our city clothes and shoes and not hiking clothes like the Koreans. =)

The top of Achasan is quite sad-looking. Why do they have to chop off the trees?

This looks like a helicopter pad. Spotted somewhere near to the top of Achasan.

Some interesting sights along the hiking trail ..........

Shopping!! =) She sells gloves, scarfs and other hiking necessities. 

Energizers: Eggs, drinks, instead noodles, biscuits, etc for sale.

Exercise equipment for you to work out other parts of your body.

Well-defined steps and more exercise equipment

Non-slip features at the steps .. good for the elderly and clumsy people like me.

Till my next blog post, go hiking! =)

Art or disrespect?

Spotted at Samcheongdong, Seoul ....

Till my next blog post, attend an art show! =)

Samgyetang in Seoul: Tosokchon vs Korea Samgkyetang

I have been neglecting this blog and I feel bad. Work in the past few months is like madness. I was fortunate to be able to take a week off and spend it in Seoul with my family. We love Seoul in fall. The weather and colors are beautiful!

When on holiday, food is very important to me. I searched the internet and read many blogs on the best ginseng chicken or samgyetang in Seoul. 2 names kept popping out and it became my mission to try both. Tosokchon is frequently recommended by many people. Korea Samgkyetang (or Goryeo to some people) is not as popular.

Samgyetang in Seoul: Tosokchon vs Korea Samgkyetang: Signboards

Walk-in (locals and foreigners) guests at Korea Samgkyetang go into the restaurant on the ground floor and get to sit on chairs. I think the floors above the ground floor are for tour groups. Guests at Tosokchon have to remove their shoes and sit on the floor. The way they show you to your seats and the service they provide at Tosokchon makes me feel that the place is more like a factory than a restaurant.

We ordered the same thing at both places (to ensure that we have a fair test =)) .... the samgyetang and the chicken.

Samgyetang in Seoul: Tosokchon vs Korea Samgkyetang: Their main dish - Ginseng Chicken

For the samgyetang, I prefer the one from Korea Samgyetang. We ordered the one with the wild ginseng in it (Won20,000). It comes piping hot (see the bubbling in the left picture above). It has ginseng shreds on top and the soup has a stronger ginseng taste. The side dishes include a bowl cold glutinous rice which helps to provide a balance to the piping hot soup and fill my stomach. The ginseng chicken from Tosokchon (Won15,000) is not piping hot (see the right picture above, it looks 'flat'), has sunflower seeds on top and I have to add the ginseng wine to the soup to get the ginseng kick. It is a bit of a let-down after the raving reviews that I have read online.

Samgyetang in Seoul: Tosokchon vs Korea Samgkyetang: Roasted Chicken

Both places also serve chicken which is great for kids who do not take samgyetang. The roasted chicken at Tosokchon (Won15,000) has some ginseng marinade in it and my son did not like it. I cannot get used to it too. The rotisserie chicken from Korea Samgyetang is crispy, the meat is tender and when dipped into salt and pepper, it is delicious. 

Samgyetang in Seoul: Tosokchon vs Korea Samgkyetang: Price list

Prices at both places are about the same. Tosokchon is not worth the trouble of removing your shoes and sitting on the floor for their samgyetang and chicken. Thank goodness that we did not have to queue to get, otherwise, it would be a waste of our time.

This is just my opinion. If you go to Seoul, try both places and let me know what you think. =)

Till my next blog post, have some tonic soup! =)