Insadong: Shopping & Eating

Insadong is one of my favorite areas in Seoul. Here you can find many shops selling traditional Korean arts and crafts. It is also within walking distance (about 10-15 minutes) to Gyeongbokgung and the Cheonggyecheon Stream. Although it is a little touristy, it is a great place to buy souvenirs (like these cute wooden rings above) and eat delicious street food.

(left) Cute display outside of a coffee shop; (right) Heading to a small mandu place for lunch

Fresh steamed mandu outside of the shop

James and I had a delicious lunch at a tiny mandu shop. All the locals were there so we knew it was going to be good. The mandu (Korean dumplings) were so fresh and delicious. Our favorite were the fried ones :)

We did a little shopping after lunch. I love these door knockers but they were too heavy to carry around!

It's so hard to resist buying souvenirs when I'm on vacation. It's not just me, right? hehe

These poo-shaped cakes are really popular there! They're a pancake filled with sweetened red bean and pieces of walnuts. They're quite good if you can get over the fact that it is suppose to mimic poo. Kids love them. Don't they always love things that are slightly gross? lol

(left) Cool wall outside of Starbucks; (right) Squid snacks

James love antiques but I find them kind of creepy. I like to look at them but I always wonder about the previous owners; who and what kind of people they were. Not knowing just creeps me out. (I think I watch too many scary movies lol.)

This old phone caught James' eyes.

(left) More antiques; (right) I love this traditional mini chest drawers. It's perfect for storing jewelry or other knickknacks.

This is my favorite street food in Seoul. It's called Hotteok and is a pillowy soft fried dough filled with cinnamon sugar and nuts. Since it's fried, the cinnamon sugar inside melts to a yummy syrupy goodness. It's so good! (Just be careful not to burn your mouth! I had a few close calls hehe)