First leg of the trip started a Korean semi-budget airline called Air Premia. Even though it was a budget airline, the airplane was spacious and clean. They even gave free meals that were simple yet delicious. There was also a timely itinerary of when meals or snacks would be served.
Our first meal was served less than 1hr into the flight. We had a choice between porridge or egg. I chose porridge!
My first meal was porridge with shrimp, shiitake mushrooms and carrots. It was served with grape and cantaloupe. The porridge was light and mildly flavored. Not bland nor salty. I thought the mushrooms were a nice touch. I even enjoyed the little carrots. If they had seconds, I would totally eat more! The fruit was refreshing.
Snack time came at the halfway point of our 12hr flight. Vince and I were so excited for it because we were getting hungry. I was hoping for a savory sandwich but they gave us only a cookie!! However, it was a good cookie..
Apple carrot chip cookie. Very interesting and different! It tasted like a dense sugar cookie with chewy bits to it. Maybe it was because we were hungry but it was good.
But then we had to start the countdown again for another 3.5hr until the next meal. And it was well worth the wait!!
For our last airplane meal, we were served salmon with white rice and green peas. The salmon was only a little too cooked but otherwise very delicious, especially with the white creamy sauce. The rice could have used a bit more water when cooked. Our side was potato salad, which was delicious!!! Reminds me of the yummy potato salad side dishes at kbbq.
When we landed, we took the All Stop Train to Hongdae (Hongdik University Stop), which ended up being a 5min walk to our hotel. We were in the heart of Hongdae. It was bustling with college students everywhere!!! Shopping and eating. Loads of shops and restaurants and cafes just everywhere!!! It was too exciting and so overwhelming; we literally took 2 laps before deciding on where to eat.
This restaurant had an upstairs and a downstairs. You pay on your way out.
The sides on the grill (aside from the bean sprouts) were delicious! We enjoyed the kimchi and other vegetables. This is probably the first vacation we took where we were greeted with so much fiber to start!
Vince really enjoyed the marinated white onions and thinly sliced green onions. The seaweed was pickled nicely. The daikon was refreshing.
The meat was delicious! Very tender and fresh. Vince did a good job cooking! You order by the gram and we like it this way since we both don’t eat a lot anymore and don’t want to feel stuffed.
The steamed egg was delicious! It was very juicy and flavorful. Very comforting after a long day of traveling.
The soybean stew was also comforting. I just really wanted soup and was grateful Vince was accommodating to my delirious and hungry needs! The stew was flavorful and full of white onions, beef brisket, tofu and enoki mushrooms.
Afterwards, we walked back to our hotel, showered and knocked out! Excited for the first full day of exploration and eats on no time crunch!
