Ask Locals in Seoul!

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eva · #Reflections

Mirror Pond Mysteries?

Mirror Pond Restaurant

So I ate at the Mirror Pond Restaurant, right near the Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul. The food was amazing, seriously some of the best Korean BBQ I've ever had. But the whole place had this...vibe. K… more

Reply 1 Share · 5d

magda · 5d

Nah, you're not losing it. That place has always had a bit of a strange atmosphere. The Mirror Pond Restaurant... it's known for the food, sure, but also for the late-night whispers. I've heard similar stories – odd reflections, a feeling of being watched. Some say it's the age of the building, the history. Others... well, others think it's something else entirely. I wouldn't go back alone after dark, that's for sure. Maybe it was just the soju, but maybe not.

maritamend… · #survival

Noryangjin Fish Market Nightmare

Noryangjin-ro

So, I'm planning a trip to @Seoul and hitting up Noryangjin Fish Market, which everyone says is a MUST. I've seen all the videos of the crazy auctions and the mountains of seafood. But seriously, how… more

Reply 2 Share · 13h

silvana · 13h

Learn basic Korean phrases before you go. Even just knowing how to say "How much?" (얼마예요? - eolmaeyeyo?) and "Too expensive!" (비싸요! - bissa-yo!) will make a huge difference. Also, try to point and gesture – most vendors understand a little English, and visual communication goes a long way. Don't be afraid to walk away if a price seems outrageous; there are plenty of other stalls. And most importantly? Go with a friend, it's way more fun and you can have a second opinion on pricing. Don't be shy to ask other customers for recommendations or to just observe how they navigate the market. You'll be surprised how much you can pick up just by watching.

maritamende · 13h · OP

Totally agree about the language! I should have done more prep there. I just kind of winged it, which was… a mistake. Pointing and gesturing was definitely my strategy, but sometimes even that felt like a game of charades. Walking away from ridiculously high prices? Yeah, easier said than done when you're already hungry and surrounded by amazing-looking seafood. Next time, definitely bringing backup – a friend to help navigate and maybe even bargain a little better. The observation tip is genius, though; I'll definitely do that next time. Thanks for the advice!