Euneungjeongi Culture Street in Eunhaeng-dong in downtown Daejeon is the fashion epicenter of Daejeon and is comparable to the famed Myeongdong shopping district in Seoul. Packed with plenty of things to see, eat, and enjoy, the street is bursting with the lively vigor of the street’s young shoppers. In addition to landmarks like the Dongbaek branch of the Galleria Department Store, the brisk economy of the area has picked up thanks to the addition of wedding shops and other business. Easily accessible via public transportation, traffic on the street is limited to create a safer environment for visitors to enjoy the thriving street culture.
Arirang Master Crafts Shop is a comprehensive shopping center dealing with Korean traditional crafts. It covers traditional crafts by famous artists, pottery for daily use, decorative pottery, lacquer ware inlaid with mother-of-pearl, crafts made of Korean traditional paper and more. Every product has a fixed price. In addtion, customers can enjoy diverse works displayed in the Migak Museum (Migak means delicate sculpture for eyes to see), located in the shop.
Tongin Market is the place to go for traditional gireum tteok-bokki. The market is well-known as the best place in Korea for gireum tteok-bokki, and even foreign tourists come to have a taste. Gireum tteok-bokki is made by stir-frying rice cakes in oil and seasonings. There are two types of gireum tteok-bokki sold here. One kind is seasoned with just oil and soy sauce; the other is seasoned with spicy red pepper flakes and oil.
Three of Tongshin Market’s gireum tteok-bokki eateries are particularly famous and popular. One such eatery is Original Grandmother's Gireum Tteok-Bokki. The shop has been featured on TV programs. Another is Hyoja-dong’s Old School Tteok-Bokki, once visited by John Kerry in 2014 while he was the U.S. Secretary of State.
Hamgyeong-do Wangsundae is open 24/7, welcoming guests with a warm and hearty bowl of sundaeguk (Korean sausage soup) prepared with care and additive-free ingredients. Though the space is limited, the place can accommodate up to 54 people. It's cozy atmosphere and top-notch food has earned Hamgyeong-do Wangsundae a good reputation among its customers.
Located in the cultural and art district of Insa-dong, the Sunbee hotel is an “Innostel”, a new concept of hotels developed by the Seoul City Government. These hotels provide comfortable accommodation, but without facilities such as fitness centers or saunas, at very reasonable prices. A wide selection of rooms are available, Korean-style, western-style and even fusion style. Prior reservations are required. English, Japanese service is available.
Mangwon Market is located in the Mangwon neighborhood of Mapo-gu, Seoul. This traditional market is home to many delicous restaurants and friendly vendors offering the freshest ingredients in a clean environment.
Suwon Bus Terminal, located in Gwonseon-dong, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do, offers pleasant facilities, mart, wedding hall, convenient facility, resting area that helps visitors enjoy their travel, shopping, and culture alike.
Located behind the Hamilton Hotel in Itaewon, Maple Tree House (Danpungnamujip, 단풍나무집) is a meat restaurant where diners can enjoy grilled meat in an elegant, wine bar-like ambience. The restaurant's main dish is Cheongyeop, which is pork grilled over a charcoal fire and wrapped in fermented sesame leaves. There are many repeat customers (including international guests) who come back for the succulent grilled meat, unique sauce, and great service. Though the restaurant in Samcheong-dong is the main restaurant, there are also two branch restaurants in Dogok-dong and Itaewon.
This restaurant specializes in boribap (steamed barley). Once a rather humble staple, boribap has been reintroduced as a popular health food. The meal consists of steamed barley and potato, as well as ten types of cooked greens, all mixed with red-pepper paste. Miso soup is also given as a side dish. Add some soup to the boribap for more flavor. Gamjajeon (a potato pancake) and dotorimuk (an acorn-starch jelly) are recommended as good appetizers. Deodeok jeyuk-bokkeum (stir-fried deodeok), godeungeo-gui (a grilled mackerel)and bassak bulgogi (completely baked bulgogi) are the restaurant’s specialties that you do not want to miss out on.
*Best Korean Restaurant as designated by The Seoul Metropolitan Government
Most foods from the northern region are characterized by their mild taste. In particular, Pyeongyang-style cold buckwheat noodles has a milder flavor compared to Hamheung-style cold noodles. Pildongmyeonok's cold buckwheat noodles may taste bland for those who are used to stronger flavors or seasonings, but it is praised by others who prefer mild flavors. The neat after taste of broth and chewy noodles are enough to delight one's tastebuds.
Pyeongyang-style dumplings is another popular dish at Pildongmyeonok.
