Food & Travel Guide
South Korea
South Korea has been on my travel radar for some time, but this year I'm finally going — and for a very special reason.
My daughter, Leana, is graduating in Seoul, giving me the perfect opportunity to discover a country that is completely new to me. I'll be travelling with my son, Sebastian, and our close family friend Lidde before Leana joins us for the final part of our stay.
As I've been planning the journey, I've found myself increasingly fascinated by the contrasts: contemporary art and centuries-old palaces, traditional hanok houses and modern architecture, busy food markets and quiet tea houses.
And then, of course, there is the food.
I'm approaching South Korea in the same way I approach every new destination: researching carefully, asking people who know the country, choosing a few experiences that really matter and leaving enough space for discoveries once I'm there.
For now, this page brings together my planning and preparations. After my journey, it will grow with the places, food and experiences I discover for myself.
Slow down. Savour more. Reconnect.
Planning your own journey to South Korea?
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South Korea in a nutshell
💬 Languages
Korean is the official language. In Seoul and popular visitor areas, you’ll often find some information in English, but I’ve downloaded Papago for those moments when a little help with translation will make things easier.
💰 Currency
South Korea uses the Korean won (KRW).
I’m planning to use my Revolut card for most everyday spending, with T-money for public transport and some smaller payments, plus a little cash as backup.
🍰 Food, glorious food
Food is one of the things I’m most looking forward to discovering.
My list already includes Korean barbecue, jeon with makgeolli, comforting bowls of gomtang, Korean oysters, traditional tea houses and, hopefully, plenty of dishes I haven’t even thought of trying yet.
Rather than only researching restaurants, I’m also learning about the foods themselves. That way, I can arrive knowing what I’d love to taste while still leaving plenty of room for spontaneous discoveries.
💡 Travel ideas
For a first journey, Seoul offers an extraordinary mixture of old and new.
Explore the traditional streets and hanok houses of Bukchon, wander through Insadong, discover Seoul’s palaces, seek out contemporary art and museums, make time for a traditional craft experience and, most importantly, leave room to simply explore a neighbourhood without an agenda.
Food tours, markets and traditional tea houses can also provide a very different introduction to Korean culture.
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