Gerry Kerkhof

All over Seoul you’ll find roadside vendors selling all kinds of weird and wonderful dishes representing the best of Korean cuisine. One of the best venues to sample typical street food is at Gwangjang Market. Dating back to 1905 this is one of the country’s largest and oldest traditional markets.

Insadong: This historic neighbourhood was once the centre of the country’s trade in art and antiques. Today it is a popular tourist destination where visitors can pick up traditional souvenirs. Typical purchases include celadon pottery, wooden masks, handmade paper (hanji) and traditional dresses (hanbok). Be sure to buy from reputable dealers as there are some vendors in Insadong selling cheap imported items. This charming neighbourhood is also home to art galleries, tea shops and traditional eateries including Sanchon (30-13 Insadong-gil) which was established by a Buddhist monk. This is Seoul’s most famous vegan restaurant where fresh produce from the Korean countryside is turned into an impressive selection of innovative and tasty dishes. This beautiful venue is highly recommended even for carnivores!

The dynamic, hi-tech economy of South Korea has produced some of the world’s best known brands such as Samsung, LG and Hyundai-Kia. Its capital city, Seoul, is a commercial juggernaut which has become one of the world’s top destinations for international conferences. Every month thousands of business travellers from around the globe arrive in the city with little understanding of what to expect in the boardrooms of Seoul. Just a little research into the social customs and business etiquette of South Korea can pay dividends when preparing to do business in this thriving economy.

Located on the north-west coast of South Korea the port city of Incheon is the gateway to Seoul, the nation’s capital. Until recently cruise ship traffic visiting Port Incheon was limited to a small number of Asian vessels. However, the recent opening of its magnificent new cruise terminal should see a marked increase in cruise ship passengers arriving here from international cruise lines.

The Korean barbecue has become a popular form of dining in cities all over the world. It’s a very sociable occasion at which diners cook their own meat on a grill at their table. Marinaded meat is ordered according to type (beef, pork, chicken) and cut (thick, medium, thin) and is accompanied by a vast selection of side dishes and sauces. Some great places to enjoy a Korean BBQ in Seoul include:

The city of Seoul is the capital of South Korea. It has a population of over 10 million and metropolitan area of more than 25 million making it one of the world’s largest urban areas. Its skyline is dominated by skyscrapers whilst on the ground its residents travel around on one of the planet’s most advanced metro system. Visitors to the city come to discover its palaces and temples as well as shopping to their heart’s content whilst snacking on delicious Korean street food. Day trippers head out of town to visit the nearby Demilitarized Zone which separates North and South Korea.