Food Tours

We will start by touring the Mapo food district, famous for its barbecue. Then it’s chow time with a stop at the epicenter of Mapo-style barbecue for some charcoal grilled pork, aged kimchi, and raucous atmosphere. Don’t fill up there because our next stop is our “shiksa,” the traditional tummy filler at the end of a barbecue meal. In this case it’s chilled buckwheat noodle Makguksu at a place that is an outpost of a famous Gangwon Province eatery. Trust me, you’ve never had noodles like these. We will then head to the Jeon Market for some Korean pancakes to chill for the evening.

So, to break it down

• Tour of Mapo food district
• Mapo-style pork BBQ
• Chilled Makguksu noodles
• Korean pancakes and beverages

Wear comfortable shoes and bring an ample appetite. The ticket price includes all food. It also includes alcoholic beverages (within reason) at the first two stops. Beverages at the final stop are a la carte since some guests may stay longer than others. Non-alcoholic discount is available upon request.

INFORMATION

• Length of tour: approx. 3 1/2 hours
• Type: Walking, eating
• Food types: pork, noodles, pancakes, alcohol
• Suggested items: Comfortable walking shoes, bottled water, umbrella (depends), camera
• Start location: Mapo Station, exit 2 (line 5)
• Usually held on: Thursdays
• Start time: 5 p.m.

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Become a Korean food expert in 3 hours

Insa-dong and Bukchon, home of the Joseon Dynasty and a collage of Korean culture. Experience the traditional food and culture of Korea while remaining in the heart of the 600-year-old capital city. You will discover traditional Korean houses, temples, and Korean history and get a crash course in sampling traditional Korean foods including bibimbap, housemade tofu, kimchi, and Buddhist temple cuisine.

Here’s a breakdown.

• A variety of traditional Korean foods, simple and gourmet
• Watch tofu being made
• Explore the historic Bukchon neighborhood and palace beltway
• Get to know famous Korean restaurants
• Try foods that you could brag about to your friends

Wear comfortable shoes and bring an ample appetite.

TOUR GUIDE Veronica Kang

INFORMATION

• Length of tour: approx. 3 1/2 hours
• Type: Walking, eating
• Included: Basic foods and drinks
• Food types for special diet consideration: raw shellfish, gluten products, high sodium
• Suggested items: Comfortable walking shoes, bottled water, camera
• Start location: Anguk Station (line 3), exit 1 in front of Starbucks
• Usually held on: Sundays, Mondays, Thursdays, Saturdays
• Start time: 11 a.m.

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BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND!

Murder! Ghosts! Sex! This is the side of Seoul that you won’t find in the tourism brochures. Take a tour down the dark alleys of the forgotten 600-year history of bloody massacres, seedy hideaways, and mourning ghosts. Stops on this tour include the following:

• A palace so haunted that the famous Queen Min refused to spend the night there.
• The bridge whose stones tell a dark story that lovers and passersby know nothing about
• A neighborhood known to be occupied by the spirits of prostitutes who met grisly ends

Along the way we regale tales of Seoul’s famous ghosts and murderers, weird and surprising landmarks, and the ancient city’s scandalous secrets.

This is not a food tour. There will be an opportunity to buy refreshments. Ladies will receive a measure of protection from certain Japanese ghosts.

Children under 18 should not take this tour. It involves violent stories, sex jokes, and foul-mouthed tour guides.

INFORMATION

• Length of tour: approx. 2 hours
• Type: Walking
• Food types: not included but opportunity to buy street food and refreshments will be made
• Suggested items: Comfortable walking shoes, bottled water, umbrella (depends), camera, change of underwear
• Start location: Anguk Station, exit 2 (line 3)
• Usually held on: Fridays
• Start time: 7 p.m.

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Noryangjin Fish market is one of the world’s largest fish markets. It’s almost like an aquarium where you can eat the exhibits. The fish are so fresh here that there is no foul smell, only the sea. Sample fish that is so fresh that much of it is still swimming, plus a look and taste of the basic elements in Korean cuisine. You will have chances to taste raw fish, fermented fish sauce, or live octopus if you want… or if you can!

The other appeal of Noryangjin is that customers can buy their fish and have it cooked in a myriad ways at any of the on-site restaurants, which we will do. As an added bonus, a secret of Noryangjin is that it’s where the chefs go to buy and sharpen their knives.

So, to break it down

• Tour of Noryangjin Fish Market in Seoul
• Sample raw fish, fermented fish, and live octopus (optional)
• Chance to shop for quality sushi knives
• Sit down for a nice lunch

Wear comfortable shoes and bring an ample appetite.

TOUR GUIDE Veronica Kang

INFORMATION

• Length of tour: approx. 3 1/2 hours
• Type: Walking, eating
• Included: Basic foods and drinks. Special items and knives can be purchased separately, and we can help you communicate.
• Food types: fish, shellfish
• Suggested items: Comfortable walking shoes, bottled water, camera
• Start location: Noryangjin Station (line 1), exit 1 (in front of the convenience store in the station, outside the turnstiles.
• Usually held on: Wednesdays, Fridays
• Start time: 11 a.m.

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Samcheong-dong and Tongin-dong, neigborhoods near the main palace and Cheongwadae, the Korean president’s residence. Samcheong-dong street is lined with hanoks (traditional Korean houses) that have been renovated into cozy cafes, galleries, and restaurants. Walking along the old stone fence of the palace, you can look over the Korean president’s residence Cheongwadae and pass through the narrow alley of a traditional grocery market, where you can stop and sample some tteokbokki (spicy chewy rice cakes) and kimbap (rice and ham rolls). While walking around the neighborhood, you can try Tibetan style noodles, visit a B&B in a traditional Korean house, and check out old Japanese buildings renovated as restaurants.

TOUR GUIDE Veronica Kang

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Traditional or modern, Korean food has a lot of diversity in concept and seasonality. Have a special Korean fine dining experience in Seoul with an expert as your dinner companion, guiding you through the intricacies of the courses. Also imbibe in traditional spirits as you dine.

TOUR GUIDE Veronica Kang

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