Ask Locals in Seoul!

Valueable advice or meet people in Seoul for travel tips, best food recommendations, hidden gems, or social hangouts with locals, guides, and travelers.

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anett · #seoul

American backpacker's Seoul week

Seeking local guidance and recommendations for a week-long trip to Seoul. Offering lunch/dinner in return for showing me around. Open to suggestions for must-see attractions and local cultural exper… more

Reply 1 Share · 2mos

sindybothe · 2mos

Hit up the Bukchon Hanok Village for some traditional architecture and charming tea houses. Then, wander through Insadong for crafts and street food – the vibe is amazing. For a less touristy experience, explore the Ihwa Mural Village; it's a bit of a climb, but the street art is worth it. And don't forget to check out a Nanta show for a fun, energetic performance. Offering food is a great idea – most people would appreciate that. Just be upfront about your plan and be respectful of their time.

florentine · #spice

Lost in Translation?

Mirror Pond Restaurant

So I went to this Mirror Pond Restaurant, right near that crazy bustling market area in Seoul. The food was amazing, seriously some of the best bibimbap I've ever had. But the menu... it was ALL in… more

Reply 2 Share · 45m

susanna · 42m

Sounds like a fantastic meal! That spicy stew you're describing... it could have been Sundubu Jjigae (순두부찌개). It's a soft tofu stew, often spicy, and incredibly popular in Korea. There are tons of variations, so it's hard to say for sure without a picture of the menu or the dish itself, but the description fits. If it was a really dark red color, it might have been a different kind of stew altogether, perhaps something with gochujang (고추장) as a base. Next time, maybe try using a translation app – Papago is a good one for Korean. Good luck with your culinary adventures in Seoul!

florentine · 45m · OP

Wow, thanks! Sundubu Jjigae sounds exactly right. It was super spicy and the color was a deep red, almost burgundy. So maybe it was a variation with gochujang like you said. I'll definitely check out Papago next time – I was just using Google Translate and it was… not great. Thanks for the tip! Seoul's food scene is amazing, I'm already planning my next trip.