South Korea: Second Time’s A Charm

Apart from its natural wonders, Jeju is also famous for its seafood. One particular dish that stood out – Jeju’s spicy mackerel stew. It is a popular dish among Singaporean and Malaysian tourists because of its similarities to our asam pedas, in terms of spiciness and colour.

SINGAPOREAN IN SEOUL

Since we were familiar with Seoul, we had a free and easy itinerary. Taking the Seoul metropolitan subway is the best way to explore the city and blend in with the locals. Not only is the subway extremely convenient, it is also the cheapest mode of transport. You only need to be physically prepared as there will be a lot of walking when you transfer from one subway line to the other to get to your destination. I easily accumulated 10,000-15,000 steps each day on my fitness tracker. It was not only a good workout but also a good way to earn myself Healthpoints (via the Healthy 365 app by the Health Promotion Board).

Like any Singaporean, we love food. After eating seafood and vegetarian dishes in Jeju, we were eager to try out other authentic Korean dishes like samgyetang (ginseng chicken soup), bulgogi (Korean BBQ beef), dalktoritang (braised chicken stew) and Korean fried chicken. My cravings from watching all the Korean mukbangs online were truly satisfied in Seoul. You can find halal eateries along the Muslim street in Itaewon as well as at the popular shopping district of Myeongdong. If you are not into Korean cuisine, there are a variety of other cuisines ranging from Middle Eastern, Indian and Malaysian that you can choose from.

Seoul is a shopping paradise for ‘Made in Korea’ products, from its well-known cosmetics and skincare brands, to clothing, accessories and even their food products. Apart from Myeongdong, our other favourite shopping places are the university districts such as Ehwa Womans University and Hongdae (Hongshik University Street). They are popular haunts for college students, hence fashionable goods such as clothing and bags can be bought at a bargain price as low as KRW10,000 (approximately SGD 12).

A MUSLIM-FRIENDLY DESTINATION

According to South Korea’s government data³, there is an increase in the number of Muslim tourists from 870,000 in 2017 to 970,000 in 2018. This is largely due to the popularity of Korean dramas and K-pop music, which led to an increase in the demand for Korean food and interest in experiencing the culture. The government and Korean Tourism Organisation (KTO) have also introduced initiatives to make the country more Muslim-friendly in order to attract Muslim tourists especially from the South East Asian and Middle Eastern countries.

In Seoul, there are more food options and prayer rooms easily available today, compared to my last visit six years ago. You can find prayer rooms located at the airport, shopping and entertainment places such as the COEX Mall and Everland theme park. Even a non-Muslim restaurant like the one we patronised in Jeju, allowed us to perform our prayers at a corner of the restaurant. These are positive initiatives by a non-Islamic country like South Korea towards being a Muslim-friendly destination.

RETURN OF THE WANDERLUST

To me, my second time (in South Korea) was a charm. Enchanted by Jeju’s natural wonders and Seoul’s modern yet traditional way of life, it made me realise that the country is not just about K-pop, Korean dramas and beauty products. There is more to explore and I can’t wait to return in a year or two.

Travelling independently is not only about discovering new places, but also a time for self-discovery. The challenges encountered during the trip only made me stronger as a person and the experience of exploring unfamiliar places is priceless. As quoted by Marcel Proust, “The real voyage of discovery consists not of seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.”