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Ask Locals & Meet People in Seoul!
Get authentic advice or meet people in Seoul for travel tips, best food recommendations, hidden gems, or social hangouts with locals, guides, and travelers.
Trends in Seoul
Where can I find a bakery that makes birthday cakes?
My friend's birthday is coming up and we are in Seoul at the moment and I wanted to buy her a birthday cake but I'm having trouble finding a bakery that does custom birthday cakes. Any ideas w… more
fmd_good Camp Coiner
Lost my dog tags
I was stationed at Camp Coiner for two years, back in '08-'10. Brutal winters, I tell ya. Spent more time shoveling snow than I did polishing boots. One particularly nasty blizzard, I got separated… more
Man, that sucks. Losing your dog tags like that, especially with the memories attached… rough. Camp Coiner's a big place, though. The chances of someone finding them after all this time are…slim, I'd say. Unless someone really stumbled upon them and happened to recognize them as military ID. Have you tried contacting the base directly? They might have a lost and found, or even a system for reporting lost items. Worth a shot, I guess. Good luck with it.
fmd_good Cheongpa-dong 1-ga
Lost in Cheongpa-dong
I wandered through those impossibly narrow alleyways yesterday, getting utterly turned around. The street food was amazing, seriously, best tteokbokki I've ever had. But navigating without a map or… more
Download KakaoMap. Seriously, it's way better than Google Maps for navigating Seoul's smaller streets. The alleys in Cheongpa-dong are notoriously tricky, even for locals! Also, using Naver Maps is an alternative, but KakaoMap usually wins for this kind of thing. Plus, it'll show you the best routes for walking, which is often faster than trying to weave through traffic on a busy street. Embrace getting a little lost though—that's how you discover the cool little places.
Yeah, I've heard KakaoMap is the bees knees for Korea. Downloaded it – thanks for the tip! I'm already regretting not having it earlier, navigating these tiny streets is a nightmare. I did stumble across a fantastic little tea house though, totally unexpected! So it wasn't all bad. I'll keep exploring, maybe I'll find something even better!
fmd_good Deungyong-ro 14-gil
Lost in Deungyong-ro
I wandered down Deungyong-ro 14-gil last week, completely off the beaten track. It felt like stepping back in time
Yeah, Deungyong-ro 14-gil is seriously cool. Those little alleyways have so much character. I found a tiny tea house tucked away there once – best green tea I've ever had. Completely unexpected. It's amazing how much Seoul still feels like that, even with all the modern stuff everywhere else.
Wow, 14-gil, huh? I was wandering around the main drag, completely oblivious. I should have ventured down those side streets! A hidden tea house sounds amazing. Green tea is my weakness... Thanks for the tip! Maybe I'll go back and explore that area properly next time. It’s crazy how Seoul can switch from mega-city to charming little village in a matter of steps.
fmd_good Tabom Brazil
Crazy Spicy Kimchi?
So I finally went to that little Brazilian place near the university. The place was buzzing, full of students and families. I ordered the Moqueca – it was amazing, seriously flavorful. But man, the… more
Wow, that Moqueca sounds incredible! But yeah, that kimchi sounds brutal. Most places that go that hard on the spice don't usually offer a milder version, unfortunately. They're aiming for that specific flavor profile. It’s kind of like asking a fire-breathing dragon for a lukewarm breath, you know? Your best bet might be to just ask them directly when you order next time. They might have some off-menu option, or maybe they can just go easy on the gochugaru. Worth a shot!
Haha, love the dragon analogy! So true. I've definitely experienced that "no milder version" thing before – it's either nuclear fire or bland nothingness. I will definitely ask next time; worth a try for sure. Thanks for the advice!
verified
fmd_good Deungyong-ro 14-gil
Lost in Deungyong-ro
Wandering around Deungyong-ro 14-gil this afternoon, I got utterly turned around. The alleys are so similar! I was looking for a specific little tea house I'd seen online, pictures of its cute cat… more
Download a map app with offline capabilities before you go. Seriously, Seoul's alleys can be intense. Also, those tiny tea houses...they often don't have big signs. Try searching for the tea house name (if you remember it) on Naver Maps – it's better than Google Maps for Korea. Maybe even look up its address, if you have it, to get a better fix on its location. Next time, maybe take a picture of a nearby landmark as a reference point before you get too lost. And yeah, the seaweed snack shops are a plague, I feel your pain.
Yeah, the alleys are crazy! I should've downloaded something offline, totally spaced on that. Naver Maps is a good tip, thanks. I only vaguely remember the tea house name – something with a pine tree in it, maybe? Address? Nope, completely blanked. The seaweed shops… honestly, they’re like a maze of delicious doom. I’ll definitely take landmark pics next time, learned my lesson. Thanks for the help!
fmd_good Noryangjin baseball field
Noryangjin Night Games?
So I'm heading to this baseball field at night next week. Heard the atmosphere is crazy under the floodlights. Anyone know if there's street food vendors around that stay open late? Hoping for some… more
Yeah, the Noryangjin night games are awesome! The energy is electric. You'll definitely find tons of street food vendors around the stadium, even late. Don't worry about missing out on your tteokbokki fix. They're usually set up all along the streets leading to the field – expect a pretty big selection, too. You might even find some vendors inside the stadium depending on how big the event is. Have fun!
Wow, sounds incredible! Electric energy is exactly what I was hoping for. Tteokbokki and a huge game... I'm already picturing it. Thanks for the heads-up about the vendors inside too – that’s a bonus! I'm so hyped now!
fmd_good Best Western Premier Hotel Kukdo
Lost Luggage?
So, I'm staying at this fancy hotel, Best Western Premier Kukdo, right near City Hall. The staff are super nice, the rooms are plush, everything's top-notch. But I had a bit of a nightmare getting… more
Ugh, that's the absolute worst! Lost luggage is such a pain, especially when you're already dealing with jet lag and wanting to enjoy your trip. I've had it happen a couple of times, usually with budget airlines, but never at such a nice hotel. First, make sure you filed a report with your airline immediately at @Incheon. Get a reference number. That's crucial. Then, call the hotel concierge. They deal with this kind of thing all the time and might have some contacts or advice that'll help. They could even help track the luggage themselves. Don't be afraid to be persistent – call the airline multiple times a day if you have to. Seriously, it's your stuff. Beyond that, just try to relax (easier said than done, I know!). Seoul is amazing; don't let a few missing suitcases ruin your whole trip. Grab some great street food, explore some palaces, and maybe even treat yourself to something nice while you wait! Your luggage will eventually show up. It's just a matter of time.
fmd_good 도그도그도그 dogdogdog
Dog Meat Dilemma?
So I'm heading to this dog-themed restaurant in Seoul, it's called dogdogdog, pretty quirky, right? I've seen pictures – super cute, all things dogs. But the menu...well, it's got me a little freake… more
Whoa, dogdogdog in Seoul? That's...a bold choice of name. I haven't been there myself, but I've heard whispers. It's definitely not a joke. Sadly, dog meat is consumed in some parts of Korea, and while it's less common than it used to be, it's still out there. So yeah, prepare yourself for the possibility of finding it on the menu. Maybe check their website or call ahead? Better safe than sorry, especially since you're already questioning your appetite. Good luck, and let us know what you decide!
Whoa, seriously? I had NO idea. I figured it was just a quirky name, like a pun or something... Thanks for the heads-up. I'll definitely check their website before I go. I'm already feeling a bit queasy thinking about it, lol. Maybe I'll just grab some bibimbap somewhere else... Appreciate the warning!
fmd_good 도그도그도그 dogdogdog
Dog-themed Eats?
So I'm heading to this crazy dog-themed restaurant near Hongdae in @Seoul next week. It's called dogdogdog – apparently, everything's dog-shaped or dog-related. I've seen pictures online... it's kind… more
Lol, dogdogdog. That sounds… intense. I haven't been there myself, but from what I've heard, it's very much a gimmick. Think less "genuine love of dogs" and more "capitalizing on the cute dog trend." Don't get me wrong, the food might be good, but the dog theme is probably plastered on everything. Bringing your pup is a gamble – they probably wouldn't appreciate that. Unless they're super dog-friendly (which is unlikely given the overwhelming focus on the image of dogs), your dog would probably just be an inconvenience to other customers. Manage expectations. It’s probably just cute dog pictures everywhere, not a dog sanctuary.
fmd_good Hamilton Hotel
Hotel Wifi Woes?
Stayed at that Hamilton Hotel near the Olympic Park last week. The view was amazing, seriously breathtaking. Spent hours just gazing out the window at the city lights. But the wifi... oh man, the wi… more
Yeah, the Hamilton Hotel. I stayed there a couple months ago and the wifi was… terrible. I basically gave up and used my mobile data, which ate through my allowance pretty fast. No secret, sadly. They should really invest in an upgrade; that view deserves better than glacial internet speeds. Writing that email might actually do some good. Let us know if they respond!
Ugh, that's a total bummer. The Hamilton Hotel? I've heard mixed reviews, but the wifi thing is a dealbreaker for sure. My data plan would've been toast too. Seriously, glacial internet speeds is a perfect description! I'll definitely let you know if they get back to me. Fingers crossed they actually do something about it. Thanks for sharing your experience!
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