Korean Food at Emart

Before we moved from Anseong, we wanted to blog about some Korean food. One of our favorite places to shop is Emart. There is a food court there with a wide selection of food, so we thought we would give it a try.

As with many restaurants in Korea, the menu is at the front of the restaurant. There are plastic models of each dish on display with the price and number. This is actually a terrific idea, as you can see what you are eating. After you choose your meal, you tell the cashier what you want, and it's automatically transferred to one of the kitchens. When your order is ready, your number flashes on a display.

I had the bulgogi and my friend had the champong. Bulgogi consists of thinly sliced beef in a broth accompanied with onions and various other vegetables. The side dishes are kimchi, Korean radish, and black beans. The champong is a seafood soup which has oysters, squid, mushrooms, and various other vegetables in it. The side dishes are of radishes, kimchi, sweet and sour chicken, jajangmyeon, and fried rice.

Both of these meals were 6,000 Korean won each and tasty. Most Korean restaurants, this one included, has a water cooler with metal cups housed in a sterilization machine.

In conclusion, the food was fairly decent, and the price was quite reasonable. I would certainly eat there again.

Bibongsan Mountain

Bibongsan Mountain is located in Anseong, South Korea. The mountain is located at the back end of the city or the North Side. There are several trails leading up to the top of the mountain. The one that we took consisted of a dirt path, cobblestone, and several manufactured steps. The total hiking time up the mountain was approximately 25 minutes. The total distance is about 1 kilometer. There are several rest stops resembling mini parks all the way up. As with any climb, the higher up you go the more spectacular view becomes.

The path leading up the mountain

There is a pagoda at the summit. Here you can get up a panoramic view of the city of Anseong. It's a beautiful place to sit and relax, perhaps have a picnic, and snap a few shots.

The mountain consists of several trails that seemingly veer off in every which direction and probably completely surround the mountain. At any time of the day you can see many Koreans, young and old alike, hiking the trails for exercise and leisure. There are also small roads that lead up the mountain, so you can probably drive up. There is also a small cemetery, a monastery, and gardens various types.

About three quarters of the way up

In conclusion, if you're around the city of Anseong and have some extra time, a trip up Bibongsan Mountain will certainly be well worth your while. Here you can take in the sights, explore nature, and get a good
workout.

The view from the summit

The pagoda at the summit

Toyoko Inn 2, Busan South Korea

There are two Toyoko Inns are located in Busan, South Korea. Toyoko Inn number 1 is located directly across from the train station. The second is quaintly tucked away about 3 or 4 blocks from the station. In light of this, it is somewhat confusing. If you are booking online, you need to pay close attention to which hotel you are booking. I have stayed at this hotel twice, and each time booked in the second Toyoko Inn with the intention of looking into the first one.

The rooms are tiny, clean, and have all the basic amenities for a comfortable overnight stay. The rooms contain slippers, a bar fridge, complementary water, robes, a safe, kettle, and free Wi-Fi.

The beds are fairly comfortable, although they are a little on the hard side. There is a nice fluffy bedspread that covers each bed. The linen is crispy and clean. The bathrooms have a small tub, soap and shampoo dispenser, sink, and a western toilet. The toilet seats are interesting as they are electronic. There are several buttons to play with for various functions. However, all the writing is in Korean, so you have to be careful which ones you press. It's a matter of trial and error.

Turning to the negative side, the front desk staff was quite rude. One woman, I think her last name was Lee, very gruffly pulled the hotel voucher your from my hand, gave me a dirty look, and tossed the room key on the counter.

This chain of hotels seems to be popular with travelers from all over the world. In light of this, it is usually booked solid. They offer a complimentary breakfast. It is not very good at all, however. The dining room is overcrowded. We had a difficult time finding a place to sit. All the food was Korean. Most of which did not look good at all. Checkout time is 10 o'clock. Check-in time is four o'clock. Due to the complimentary breakfast and early checkout time, it seems every guest at the hotel is trying to check out at the same time. We were on the seventh floor and every time the elevator door opened, it looked like a sardine can. The hotel only has three elevators which is certainly not enough to service all the guests at the same time.

In conclusion, the Toyoko Inn provides decent accommodation at a reasonable rate. You can usually get a double room for about 65,000 Korean won which is about US$60.

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More Motel - Busan South Korea

The More Motel is in Busan, South Korea. It is located in the Songdo Beach area. The main street runs parallel to the beach, and the motel is in the center of the strip. If you're coming from the train station, you are best to ask the taxi driver from a more prominent landmark such as the Songdo Beach Hotel or simply Songdo Beach.

The outside of the hotel is eye-catching due to its quaint balconies which overlook the beach. As with most accommodations in the area, you will have to search a little for the entrance.

The front desk is located on the second floor. As you walk in the main doors, the elevator is located to the left around a corner. Upon the time of checking in, the reception was very friendly and accommodating. They allowed us to look at the rooms in advance and gave us some options. The cost of the hotel is incredibly reasonable - about 50,000 Korean won or US$58.

The rooms are small and basic, but they are equipped with essentials required for a comfortable night. It is a typical Korean love motel with all the amenities such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, gel, soap, and much more. As always, there is your basic big-screen TV complete with late-night pornography. I guess this is a must for Korean love motels.

The bed linen is clean, and the bed is reasonably comfortable. It has a wet bathroom containing a standup shower, Western toilet, and vanity. It is well clean and sanitary. If you are staying in Korean hotels or motels, be prepared to have one pillow per person. When the receptionist for the afternoon shift came on duty, I asked her for an extra pillow, and you think I was asking her for her firstborn. For some reason, they simply don't understand the concept of two pillows.

Leading out to the balcony there is a nice patio door. The balcony is large enough for two people and has a small table and two chairs. The motel has no Wi-Fi, but if you hunt along the baseboards by the wall, you will find cable.

Overall, I was relatively impressed with this small motel. It was clean, accessible, close to the beach, bright, had a nice view. I would certainly stay there again.

 

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Sondgo Beach Hotel - Busan South Korea

Busan is known as the bustling port town of South Korea. It is also famous for its popular beaches, one of which is Songdo Beach. The street running parallel to the beach (running north to south) has a number of motels and hotels. Songdo Beach Hotel is located on the south end of the strip. If you're coming from the bus station, ask any taxi driver for the Songdo Beach Hotel.

The outside of the hotel is well kept. The entrance is a little out-of-the-way. You have to walk up a set of stairs, past a coffee shop, to reach it.

The front desk, located on the second floor, is quiet and usually has one receptionist. It lacks finesse, air conditioning, and charm, but it gets the job done. The receptionist usually speaks English, although not fluently.

The room rates are about 120,000 Korean War on or US$130. The hotel is beginning to show its age, and the rooms reflect that. They're reasonably clean but in need of a face lift. The bed linen seems clean, and the beds are reasonably soft. I'd rate them six or seven. As always, in Korea, there is a big-screen TV with cable.

The rooms are fairly small. If you're located on the beach side, there is a window which provides a beautiful view of Songdo beach. The hotel provides basic amenities such as water, coffee, and a bar fridge. Again, as mentioned in a previous blog, as with any hotel in South Korea, there is a spot beside the door where you have to insert your key or card before you can use the electricity.

The bathrooms are clean and small. In most of the rooms, there's a small tub with a shower. Of course, a vanity and Western-style toilet are provided, as well.

In conclusion, we spent a comfortable night there, and would have spent a second night it wasn't for the price. One hundred thousand Korean won, in my opinion, is just a little too much for accommodation that is slightly outdated. If they would have provided a little more bang for our buck, we would certainly would have stayed there again.

 

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Children's Grand Park in Seoul South Korea

Children's Grand Park is located in Seoul, South Korea. Getting there by the Seoul Metro can be a little confusing. The olive line (line number seven) will take you to the Children's Grand Park station. However, it is a long way from the park's main entrance and incredibly difficult to find. In light of this, you're best to take the violent line (line number five) to Achasan Station and go out through exit number four. This will basically take you directly to the front gate.

The admission to the park is free. It is well kept and offers a variety of attractions. There is a mini zoo which houses a diversity of animals such as elephants, tigers, monkeys, ponies, birds, various species of fish, snakes, turtles, and more. The park's layout is relatively easy to navigate. There are different animal rides available for children at a minimal fee. A nice botanical Garden with a number of different species of plants is enclosed in a rather impressive greenhouse. Here, you can find species of plants which include cacti, bonsai, and water plants. There is also an abundance of fast food places, convenience stores, and Korean eateries. The park also has some nice, scenic trails to walk along and relax.

A small amusement park with a rather impressive variety of rides ranging from children's to adult's is found close to the front entrance. Although, at the time of writing this blog it was closed for renovations.

In conclusion, if you're looking for inexpensive days outing while in Seoul, I would certainly recommend Children's Grand Park.

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Vision Hotel in Seoul South Korea

The Vision Hotel is located in Seoul. You can access it via the Seoul Metro by taking the violet or green line (lines number five or two, respectively) to Wangsimni station. Find exit number two, walk straight for about two blocks, and you will see it on your left-hand side.

The hotel is located in a fairly decent area. It is close to basic amenities such as Mr. Pizza, Pizza Hut, McDonald's, and a vast array of Korean eateries. One of Korea's largest retail outlets, Homeplus, is about a 25 minute walk or a 5 minute cab ride. Korea's largest outdoor market, located in an area of Seoul called Dongdaemun, is about a 10 minute cab ride.

We actually found this hotel through Agoda. If you book with them, especially during the off-season, discounts are frequently offered. We got a double room for approximately 58,000 Korean won or 50 American dollars.

Interestingly enough, the hotel bears the Best Western symbol. Although, in my opinion, it is not up to Best Western standards. The hotel staff speaks English very well and is incredibly friendly and helpful. There are two sides to the hotel, and rooms contained on each side. I think perhaps it might be an east side and west side. If you say on one side, it's relatively bright as a fairly large window overlooks the city. The other side, however, is about 6 inches away from another building, and no light comes through the window. In light of this, it's similar to staying in a medieval dungeon.

The rooms themselves are relatively clean and well equipped. The side with the view has a small bathtub and shower. The side with no view has only a shower. The hotel is relatively old and is beginning to show its age. The beds are okay, and the and the linen seems to be clean. They are, however, a typical Korean bed and a little on the hard side. Each room is equipped with a modern, large screen TV. There is cable in each room and complimentary Wi-Fi. Be sure to ask for the password at the front desk. There is also a bar fridge containing two bottles of complimentary water and instant coffee. A kettle is also available in each room. All Korean hotels have a panel beside the door where you have to insert your card or key  before you can turn on any lights. So be sure to look for that area or you will be left in the dark.

There is a restaurant in the lobby. We have been there three times and have yet to have seen it open. Perhaps it's because we've been there during the off-season.

In conclusion, if you can book this hotel at a discounted rate, I would certainly give it my two thumbs up. The regular rate, however, is about 110,000 won. Personally, I would not pay that for this calibre of the hotel.

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