Fascinating facts about South Korea.
Many people are followers of the Korean lifestyle, listening to K-Pop bands such as BTS and watching romantic K-Dramas, yet there may be many more things about Korea that you are unaware of. Let BAZAAR walk you through what really makes South Korea a must-visit destination.
1. A Bakery Outperforms a Supermarket
What does that even mean? The evolving innovation in South Korea’s baked goods has made it a popular daily quick fix. Koreans use traditional ingredients such as rice cake, sweet red beans, Matcha (green tea) in their bread. Nothing beats the aroma of freshly made bread drifting out of a bakery early in the morning.
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If you are visiting Korea for the first time, the number of bakeries in an alley will astonish you. South Korean bakeries are a bread lover’s paradise. The small bakery’s appearance is cozy, offering mouth-watering pastries, and freshly cold brew coffee. That’s why most bakeries are a common place to hang out with friends or a place for couples to go on a date.
2. Hanok is The Most Traditional Village
Topping the chart as one of the top places to visit in South Korea is Bukchon Hanok Village. It is surrounded by the Gyeongbokgung Palace, Changdeokgung Palace, and Jongmyo Shrine. They are the home to hundreds of traditional houses known as Hanok, dating back to the Joseon period – adding an even more old and mystical ambience.
Hanok houses cultural institutions, guesthouses, restaurants, and tea houses, allowing tourists to experience, learn, and immerse themselves in traditional Korean culture. Visitors are recommended to be respectful at all times when exploring Bukchon Hanok Village because it is a historical community within people’s homes. The village is located to the North of Seoul and is ideal for individuals who want to explore Seoul’s rich history dating back to 600 years.
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3. Street Food is South Korean Fast Food
You must experience Korea’s Street food culture. They have soo much to offer, and the best part is everything is affordable. Tteokbokki, Kimbap, Eomuk (skewers), Bungeo-pang (a fish-shaped pastry loaded with sweetened red bean paste), Kimchi Jeon (kimchi pancake,) and Hotteok (a traditional Korean pancake filled with cinnamon and sugar) are all popular Korean street foods.
Stop by at Myeongdong, Hongdae, Jono, Itaewon, and Gangnam for a late-night bite, the street stalls are open from am to pm.
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4. Side Dishes are refillable at all Restaurants
Side dishes or better-known as 반찬 (banchan) are a staple in Korean cuisine. Banchan is often served whenever you order any main course in all restaurants in Korea. Ranging from kimchi, anchovies, odeng (fishcake), pan-friend Korean zucchini (hobak jeon) and many more.
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5. 24/7 Convenience stores
In Korea, convenience stores outgrew traditional supermarkets. It’s a store that is a one-stop-shop for everything. You can have your breakfast, lunch, dinner, and midnight snacks (ramen, chips, mochi rolls, and banana milk) there 24/7. It welcomes you all the time. GS25, CU Mart, 7 Eleven, and E-Mart24 are just to name a few.
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Enjoy your trip to South Korea!
