Hello Kaohsiung (Taiwan) After 9 Years (post here)
Hello Bali (Indonesia) After 12 Years (post here)
And now it's time to say Annyeong to Seoul again after 10 years.
This marks my first international trip for the year of 2025.
DAY 1: KOTA KINABALU TO INCHEON WITH AIRASIA
As usual, our official airline for this trip is with AirAsia. Actually there are many other airines operating this direct route from Kota Kinabalu to Incheon such as Jeju Air, T-Way Air, Jin Air, Batik Air but both of my husband and I still prefer flying with AirAsia.
#1: The flight duration from Kota Kinabalu to Incheon takes approximately 5 hours and 15 minutes. Shorter than flying from Kuala Lumpur right, which takes nearly 7 hours.
Can't believe that after 10 years, finally I'm back in Seoul again. My last trip there was back in 2014 with my mom, my sis and bro-in law. And now I returned to this Land of The Moring Calm with my beloved husband and little son.
By the time the plane landed at Incheon Airport, it already passed midnight. After going through all the immigration and custom clearance, we decided to book a night stay nearby the airport instead of heading down to Seoul city. Do take note that it's mandatory for all travellers to apply for South Korea's K-ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation at least 72 hours prior to your trip.
By the time the plane landed at Incheon Airport, it already passed midnight. After going through all the immigration and custom clearance, we decided to book a night stay nearby the airport instead of heading down to Seoul city. Do take note that it's mandatory for all travellers to apply for South Korea's K-ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation at least 72 hours prior to your trip.
#2: We landed in Incheon Airport passed midnight. Hence, we decided to book a stay nearby the airport.
#3: DreamTrip Guesthouse, Incheon -less than 15 minutes drive from the airport
#4: We booked a double room with private bathroom
DreamTrip Guesthouse, Incheon
Date Stayed: 8 March - 9 March 2025 [1 Night]Room Rate: KRW58,500 (approx. to RM185) for 1 night (Booked via Booking.com)
Nearest Station: Unseo Station
#5: We had breakfast nearby the guesthouse before heading down to Seoul. There are couple of cafes and convenience stores nearby such as Ediya Coffee, CU Convenience store and more.
The check-out time is 11am. Just when we're about to get ready to walk to Unseo Station, the nearest station to the guesthouse, the owner was being so kind and thoughtful that he decided to send us to the station. As for my hotel in Seoul, I will share more details underneath this post.
Myeongdong
Right after we done with the process of checking-in into our hotel in Seoul, immediately we headed to Myeongdong. Myeongdong holds a special place in my heart because I used to stayed here twice when I visited Seoul back in 2011 and 2014. Besides did a little shopping here, we had our early dinner at Bbandak Bbandak which is famous for Dakgalbi (both of my husband and I love this Korean cuisine so much), savoured some street food, dropby Line Friends Flagship Store and Daiso, and brought home with us the Bricksand, a freshly-baked brick shape financier cookies.
#6: Shops at Myeongdong
#7: Dakgalbi - my husband and I love this Korean cuisine so much that we had twice for this trip
#8: Savoured some street food
#9: Dropby Line Friends Flagship Store
#10: Bricksand, a freshly-baked brick shape financier cookies
Gangnam
On the next day, we kicked off our day by visiting Gangnam. Believe it or not, I've been to Seoul twice but I have never been to Gangnam. Therefore for this round, it's in my must-to-go list.
#11: Our breakfast at Cafe Mamas. Might not be the best but I enjoyed their sandwiches so much
#12: One of the main reasons why I wanna go to Gangnam - Starfield Library at Coex Mall
#13: Our signature post as mother and son
#14: Gangnam Style Sculpture - Do you know that Daniel loves this song so much? Hahaha
#12: Cheongdam-dong K-Star Road - a series of bear statues based on K-pop groups along the street such as BTS, Girls Generation and Psy.
Seongsu-dong
From Gangnam, we headed to Seongsu-dong, the latest trendy and hottest neighbourhood in Seoul. You can find all sorts of art shops, cafes and boutique stores such as Dior, Tamburins (sister fragrance brand of Gentle Monster) and more.
#13: Celebrate my birthday at Nudake, an artisan dessert cafe by Gentle Monster
#14: Seongsu-dong boasts a wide array of shops, enough to overwhelm even the most seasoned shoppers.
#15: Can't believe I shop till I drop at this Dasique shop
DAY 4: ANGUK, INSADONG & GWANGJANG MARKET
Anguk
It's the day for cafe hopping and we began with Cafe Onion. As this industrial-theme cafe attracted hundreds of visitors, hence it's advisable to arrive earlier to avoid the long queue.
#16: Cafe Onion Anguk
#17: Hanok, a traditional house converted into a bakery cafe - an unique experience
#18: Drooling by just looking all the yummylicious pastries and desserts
#19: Initially we plan to try London Bagel Museum but it required at least 2 hours. So, we gave it a pass.
#20: From Cafe Onion, we walked to Bukchon Traditional Houses
Insadong
Insadong is always my favourite spot to hunt for souvenirs for friends and families. Here, you can find all sorts of handmade crafts, tea, antique items and even unique Hangeul-themed souvenirs.
#21: Insadong, always my favourite place to buy Hanguel-themed souvenirs
Gwangjang Market
Because featured on Netflix, Gwangjang Market has become the most famous food market in Seoul.
#22: Gwangjang Market, one of the most famous food market in Seoul
#23
DAY 5: HONGDAE & GOODBYE SEOUL
Hongdae
On our last day in Seoul, we decided to wander around Hongdae. There are plenty of things to shop and eat here.
#24: Vibrant and colourful street of Hongdae
#25: Hongdae Tourist Information Center
#26: Shopping here is pretty cheap and affordable
#27: We had Dakgalbi (again) and fried chicken in Hongdae
Goodbye Seoul! Goodbye South Korea!
After spending 5 days and 4 nights in Seoul, it's time to bid goodbye.
#28
#29: Do you know that Pinkfong and Baby Shark are originally from South Korea?
#30: Catching red-eye flight back to Kota Kinabalu
OUR HOTEL IN SEOUL
Mercure Ambassador Seoul Magok
I'm so embarrassed to share that for the first time in my travelling experience, this is the first time I booked the wrong hotel. Initially I want to book the Mercure hotel situated in Hongdae but somehow, I accidentally booked the one Magok. Mercure Ambassador Seoul Magok is pretty close to Gimpo Airport but then it's quite far from most of the famous districts where it takes nearly an hour to Myeongdong.
#31: We booked a superior room with a king-sized bed
#32: Relatively spacious and not compact
#33: Specially requested for baby crib
#34
Date Stayed: 9 March - 12 March 2025 [3 Night]
Total Room Rate: RM1,098 for 3 nights without breakfast (Booked via Hotels.com)
Nearest Station: Magok Subway Station
MY TRAVEL HAUL
My favourite part - to share what I bought from Seoul.
#35: My shopping haul from Seoul
#36: Not a big fan of Starbucks drink but I do love to collect their merchandise for keepsake
#37: I don't normally shop beauty & cosmetic products but these items from Dasique are too hard to resist.
#38: Green tea waffle, assorted teas and facial masks from Olive Young
#39: Hanguel-themed souvenirs from Insadong
#40: Got myself a jumper from SPAO and top from Hongdae
By the way, I just realised that I haven't completed my 2024 travelogue as I had a trip to Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. Maybe going to blog about these 2 Central Asia countries next year.
