DW/LJ knows all!

[oyceter]

1. The new code push for DW is awesome! Especially the expandable cut tag, omg. On another note, I currently xpost to LJ with comments on LJ closed. If that's the case, would people find a link on my DW entry going to the xposted LJ entry useful or not?


2. I am going to Korea soon! Rec me things to do!
   
   I am usually very for wandering into odd places, and I don't tend to like places with a lot of tourists. On the other hand, if it's a good museum, I'm for it. I am not great with scenery or outdoor activity. I would especially love anything on food and/or historical clothing, interesting neighborhoods, fun people watching, etc. A "things to eat" list is also excellent (I eat mostly everything, with the possible exception of bugs, although I am considering trying the silkworms)!
   
   I already am planning on going to as many bookstores as possible, finding used bookstores (any recs?), ordering take out jjajjanmyeon, sitting in one of those outside stands and getting ddeokboggi, and popping into as many convenience stores as possible. What else?
   
   ETA: I am going to be in Seoul for most of the trip, but I think weekend excursions should be possible.

Comments

[rilina]

The National Museum is very nice, and I feel that at least one of the palaces is obligatory. For markets, try Namdaemun or Dongdaemun--the latter has some 24 hour places, and night is apparently the time to go. I think they have some hanbok stores there, IIRC. There's the manhwa museum near Namsan Tower, and Namsan Tower itself if you are into the long hike + pretty view thing. That area is also known for its donkatsu, and while that's obviously not a traditional Korean food, it's still pretty yummy.

Hongdae is a college area, known for being artsy and having many what few good live music places there are in Seoul. You can go by the Coffee Prince cafe if you like, though I'm told that it's really overpriced! I think they have a street market on certain days with indie artists and crafts and such.

Insadong is a bit overrun with tourists, but is a good place to go for historical trinkets; also, there's a fair amount of decent food. Also a bit touristy but nice for a walk is Cheonggyecheong, the restored creek area in downtown Seoul.

Food: since you'll be there in summer, you should definitely have good naengmyeong and samgyetang.