The weather has cooled down around the time I arrived in Korea so it was around 28 degrees but I still thought that it was extremely hot due to the humidity and also because I am used to living in cooler weather. It was definitely not easy coping with the weather and it made me realized that I tend to become really impatient and frustrated when the weather gets too hot... (stay away!) Good thing air conditioner exists almost everywhere in Korea but apparently last year because air conditioner was on max, the power source of the city was turned off. After that incident, people are trying to save energy but providing less air conditioner in public places such as the subway stations.
I decided to go to Insadong on this day to visit my uncle who has a clothing store on the main street and also to experience Korea culture. Even though I was born in Korea, I always find traditional things interesting and Insadong is a perfect tourist place to come if you want to buy/ eat and experience Korea traditional culture.
There was a Samul nori performance at the entrance. Samul nori is a genre of Korea traditional percussion music
random vendor
My uncle, aunt and cousin went to grab lunch and I think this was my first and last naeng myeon of the trip. I personally am not a big fan of these noodles because they are hard to chew. The noodles are usually made from flour and starch of various ingredients such as potatoes, sweet potatoes or buckwheat. When I do order naeng myeon, I order the spicy version of it like the one in the photo. You can also order a non-spicy version and it is served in a cold soup. (naeng myeon is always served cold)
We also ordered galbi jjim which is steamed galbi (beef short ribs). The meat came right off the bone and it was just delicious. Some places put other ingredients in the jjim such as rice cake which is also popular.
souvenirs
Poo shaped bread (I think they burnt the display ones on purpose to make it look more like poop)
vendors selling yeot.
Yeot is type of Korean traditional taffy/ candy and it can be made in a liquid or a solid form. The one above is pumpkin yeot.
Dried squid and file fish. The vendor will grill it for you if you order it!
Weird cane looking cone with ice cream in the centre
rice bun with jap chae inside
WAFFLES!
I met up with my dad afterwards and shopped a little. My dad became too tired after following me for the rest of the day. Men can't keep up with women when it comes to shopping I suppose! We decided to grab dinner near Myeong Dong station at a place that specializes in tofu. My dad said he's been here before so I trusted him and tagged along.
We ordered a set menu that comes with 2 soups, variety of banchan and rice for like $12. This dish is called bossam (보쌈)
and people usually eat the meat with tofu and other stuff that comes with the dish (kimchi or whatnot).
Rice cooked in stone bowl (Rice cooked in stone bowl is usually more expensive.)
I am not 100% sure what this is but I think it's the left over stuff after making tofu. It supposed to be healthy for you? It's called bi-ji (비지) and they are served just plain as shown in the photo or in as a stew with spicy flavouring.
The whole combo
Bossam (보쌈)
Anyway, Enjoy the photos! I am going to stop here for now. Stay tuned for the 3rd post. I will try to upload it by the end of this week
:)
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