Dongdaemun Square if you dare...

Today we ventured out on line 4 to the Dongdaemun area in Seoul Korea. This area is famous for fashion shopping. Languages from around the world can be heard as people pass by and the bargains are as numerous as are the numbers of the shoppers. This is home to super large highrise malls that operate until the Sun comes up in the morning. I think the appeal of area is that shopaholics can get a bargain fix at anytime.


Fashionable trends can be had at rock bottom prices. Mina was finding dresses, and clothes that sell for fifty to one hundred dollars in the states at ten to fifteen dollars each. These are not knock off clothing but quality clothing at unbelievable prices. Overall it is a women's shopping paradise and not for a Cabelas type guy like Cooper and myself. Cooper and I sat outside feeding the pigeons for hours while Mina and Claire clambered around inside. Meanwhile my wallet was smoking and vibrating like a misplaced phone vibrating on the conference table during the commanders briefing. 

Eventually Mina and Claire came strolling out the doors smiling like a couple of girls who had just conquered the world.... with bags of clothes in tow.  

Another lure of the area is the bulk sale bargain areas. We did not venture there, but if you are looking for bulk fabric it would be a great place to pick some up. Tailors from around the world travel here to purchase materials for clothes and fashion. If you are in need of some socks or underwear this area will suit you as well. No pun intended. The largest of the wholesale malls houses over 1,200 stores. 

Where do you want to eat?

How many times have you had this conversation with your significant other?....

Let's go out to eat....
OK....
Where do you want to go?..
I don't know...wherever....OK then let's go to (insert restaurant name here)...
I don't want to go there.....

Well we all know how this conversation goes and usually ends.

A great thing about Korea is its abundance of eateries and culinary exploits. I have lived all over Asia, and in Seoul there must be one restaurant per person. Let's see 13 million people, so 13 million restaurants. Errrr  maybe not that many but you get where I'm going. If you are wanting to wander around and look for somewhere to eat, it is very easy to find a place to eat and for cheap.

One of my favorites places to look for restaurants is anywhere near high rise apartment buildings. Once you zero in on an area, don't be afraid to venture in to the alley ways and inside streets in search of your subsistence for the day. Usually the choices of restaurants are overwhelming. It is not uncommon to find 4 or 5 restaurants that sell the same fare stacked up right next to each other. I thought this was strange at first and that business must be cut throat in competition, but I started to realize that often it is a son, daughter, sister, or brother who has opened a diner next to other family who also own a diner and so on.

It is easy to feel weary about entering any of these restaurants and especially so if there are no pictures or English menus. Don't worry about it and just simply enter. Make sure you take your shoes off if required. Most shop owners have dealt with the adventurous traveler before and you can rest assured you are not the first to stop by. Look around at what others are eating if the menu is not English friendly. Don't be afraid to ask for what you want or ask what they have. Sometimes it is nice just to let the owner decide what you will be served. You can rest assured it is in their best interest to have you return and they will often serve you what the locals like the most.

So get out and enjoy......don't be afraid. Be that adventurous traveler. You will enjoy the experience, and you just might make some new local friends also.

Our first week in Korea

This blog will give you an opportunity to see what it is like to live in Korea. We are here for 3-5 years and I will try to post often about the opportunities and struggles we find living here. 

My wife is from Okinawa, and we have two kids ages 5 and 7. I have spent half of my life overseas also. We love to eat foods from all over the world and consider ourselves culinary engineers. We love to host parties, cook, brew beer, and have good times with our friends. 

If you are new to Korea, I hope some of my post will help you through some of the hurdles and reduce the frustration of finding things to do, eat, and explore.