Last morning in Seoul and we decided to go back to the 24/7 restaurant where we had breakfast the first morning and also aka where Vince spiced himself out from that super spicy soup. But he’ll order something different this time. I will too.
Pork rib hangover soup. Vince got this soup and this was actually the original soup he wanted until he got distracted and order that “hell” soup. It was so spicy they named it after hell. This hangover soup was very flavorful and delicious. I really liked the broth and kept stealing spoonfuls of it. The pork falls off the bones and is also very tender.
Intestines and rice soup. For me, I got the intestines soup to try something different. The broth looks similar but it tastes slightly different. Still very clear and light. The intestines are small. Just very good typical intestines soup!
Ahh warmed up our bodies temporarily until they get cold again while on the way to try to see Changdeokgung Palace again, attempt #2.
I am finally glad we took the subway back to the area to visit Changdeokgung Palace and the Secret Garden when it reopened today. I can envision how beautiful the palace would be when it blooms with cherry blossoms and the trees have leaves during the spring time.
While we were buying time before entering the palace and checking out two Starbucks for the Seoul mug a block apart, we walked by a super cute coffee shop called Cafe Komplex. A lot of their pastries are based off of London. The style is white with permanent marker writing and drawing. There is even a related artist shop selling fashion connecting to the cafe. Super cute.
I got a Hot vanilla latte to warm up my body before entering the palace. It was decent but I had to add 3 teaspoons of sugar to sweeten it a bit. Cute cafe, coffee can be better.
Afterwards, we walked half a mile to eat at BukChangDong Soondubu for lunch! It seems like a lot of people recommend this place for soon dubu and it was already near our station and tourist destination. My craving is satisfied to eat this in Seoul.
The entrance to the restaurant was a little discrete: downstairs of a very tall multi-business building.
We ordered the Grilled mackerel and grilled beef short rib for 2 set. It came with kimchi, bean sprouts, seaweed, fried tilapia banchan.
The soon dubu was seafood, which included mussels and shrimp. It was so delicious and completely satisfied my craving. Vince loved it too!!!! I was so in heaven while slurping on the soup. I finished every ounce of it!! I’ve been waiting to eat this since we landed and happy we found a place that was convenient!!! (The Hongdae location had closed down).
The pleasant surprise was that the purple rice was served in a hot stone pot so we also got treated for crispy rice!!! We enjoyed the textural difference. Even I enjoyed the crispy rice texture! It was fun to eat.
The beef short ribs were delicious and perfectly seasoned and grilled. This is my favorite protein to order with my soon dubu at home. Sooo good!
The mackerel was flavorful and light. The fried tilapia was crispy. I was just scared to get little bones stuck in my throat.
Now time to head back to Hongdae to rest up and shop and walk around one last time before we hit a different climbing gym called THE CLIMB (most popular gym in South Korea).
We had already decided that our last meal and dinner will be kbbq. However, when we looked at their menu, we realized they only served beef ribs and Vince didn’t want just one type of meat so we picked another.
BUT FIRST, milk tea… ADDICTEA was right across the front of our hotel and I decided to just go in and try another one. This tea place is actually from Wuhan, China.
The amazing surprise about this place was that they use a tea espresso machine to brew each cup of tea individually!!! Just like ChiCha San Chen. Whoaaaaa, I feel like tea in Asia has a higher normal standard than in America. In the states, I have to filter out the ones that actually brew their own teas fresh instead of premixing a batter of powder milk tea flavors and nondairy creamers. This is legit and it’s not even a famous or popular tea place.
I was watching them measure out the tea leaves for my tea drink and grinding it and brewing the tea. The sound makes me feel like a coffee shop haha!
I chose Genmaicha milk tea with cheese foam. It was really, really good. I also saw them mix fresh milk for my tea drink. The cheese foam is so delicious and creamy with a flight foam texture.
For dinner, we decided to choose this place. In the right (it’s too dark), they are heating up their own coals for each bbq table.
The kimchi was good. The creamed corn was also food and reminded me of the corn version of a potato salad or macaroni salad. Vince loves their pickled onions and daikon.
All of their meats are tender and fresh. I can’t really say too much about them because I’m not a kbbq connoisseur. I usually love my beef brisket but they didn’t have any. I know, I know, I’m so basic LOL. But all the meats are good! Vince did a good job grilling them.
I like their soy bean paste stew more than last night’s. This one is less salty.
Do you remember we had kbbq for the first night? we started and ended our Korean leg of the trip with kbbq!
Vince and I are so sad we have to leave Seoul already. We are still on a high rollercoaster going up and want to eat more Korean food! It’s sooooo good! We definitely will be coming back here for food and nature stuff next time!
