Day 7 in South Korea and this time really the last day in Seoul

Hello dear Kimchi fans,

Today, on our last day in Seoul, the good weather returned - at least what we define as good weather: no heat and no rain – simply perfect. So off we went to make the most of our last hours in this amazing metropolis. Our hotel is located very close to Gwangjang Market, which is why you can find us there so often in the last few days. This time, we headed over with the mission of getting breakfast. However, by 'breakfast', we mean more of a colorful street food mix: Kwabaegi (twisted donut) – freshly fried, right in hand and for under a euro. The line in front of the stall is easily 15 meters long. Gimbap with a mild vinegar dip – simple, but really delicious. Hotteok with sweet potato filling – crispy on the outside, warm and sweet on the inside. And yes, also a croissant – just because we could 😄 Along with that, we had award-winning filter coffee from the 'Ilho' stall – an absolute recommendation! The Ethiopian beans there have an intense peach aroma that even convinced Ramona to drink her coffee black (and that usually NEVER happens!). Conclusion: Wild breakfast, great coffee, perfect weather – a last vacation day could hardly start better! 🌤️☕🍩

After our hearty breakfast tour, we headed straight to the Hanok Village Bukchon. I had read online repeatedly that the district might be a bit overrated – but honestly: We would have definitely missed something if we hadn't gone. The neighborhood is known for its traditional Korean houses (Hanoks), nestled between the Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung palaces. Many visitors rent a Hanbok (traditional clothing) to stroll through the historical alleys or take beautiful photos. This probably also explains the high density of Hanbok rental places and shops. What surprised us, however: Among all the Hanoks, there are modern boutiques, charming cafes, Michelin-recommended restaurants, and even flagship stores from brands like Superdry or New Balance. For a moment, it felt like an authentic Wertheim Village, just with a historical flair – not artificial, but naturally developed. Of course, we also took a small souvenir with us: socks with smileys 😄 Afterwards, we wanted to check out the changing of the guard at Gyeongbokgung Palace. I have to be honest: I found it rather disappointing. Men with glued beards and colorful robes stood around quite motionless for minutes while occasionally one would hit a large drum. After a few minutes, it became clear to us: This is not something we need to watch until the end 😅

On our last day, we absolutely wanted to check off a few things on our personal to-do list. For Ramona, that meant: Shopping, shopping, shopping. For me, clearly: Eating Bulgogi! The perfect solution? A visit to a mall, in our case: Doota Mall, since it wonderfully combines both. In every larger mall in Seoul, there are not only countless shopping options but also a well-equipped food court. And in every Korean food court, you will of course find – Bulgogi. Along with Kimchi and Bibimbap, Bulgogi is one of Korea's most famous national dishes: tender marinated beef, usually seasoned with soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, onions, and a hint of sugar, and then grilled or pan-fried. I will definitely recreate this in Germany!

After all the many activities, we first took a breather at the hotel – and yes, also to get rid of all the shopping bags. After a quick power nap, we quickly realized: There were still a few to-dos on our list!

So: Namsan Tower – check!

Eat Korean Fried Chicken – check! 

Fountain Show at Banpo Bridge – unfortunately canceled. 

Supposedly due to bad weather, even though it didn't seem so dramatic to us. Nevertheless, we set off again – this time to Namsan Tower. Once we arrived at the top of Namsan Mountain, we quickly agreed: The view from the mountain is perfectly sufficient. We skipped the visit to the actual observation deck (even though the tower is of course a landmark of Seoul) – saved money, still took photos. Win-win 😄 Afterwards, we continued to the world-famous Itaewon district, which we had on our radar but was surprisingly positively vibrant. So lively and international! Bars, clubs, restaurants, cafes everywhere – and people from all around the world. Especially young people celebrating life. In one corner there were crepes, in another Philly cheesesteaks, a DJ was live mixing in a bar, and the atmosphere was simply amazing. If you want to go out in Seoul, you can't miss Itaewon – just as little as the Korean Fried Chicken at Puradak Chicken. I had never tasted such good fried chicken before: Crispy coating, juicy chicken – simply 🤤🤤!