Compare South Korea Real Food Adventure by Intrepid Travel vs South Korea in a snapshot by Audley Travel
Compare details and see what other travelers are saying.
| Trip |
4.5 | Great
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 8 days | 9 days |
| Price From | $ 3,092 | $ 3,615 |
| Price Per Day | $ 387 | $ 402 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Small group tour | Private guided tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Standard |
| Physical Level |
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| Countries Visited | ||
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Ground transport included |
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| Meals Included | N/A | N/A |
| Description |
Immerse yourself in the choose-your-own adventure atmosphere of South Korean food, from bibimbap to street food markets you could get lost in (if it weren’t for your leader guiding you to the best stalls). South Korea’s food scene is often delightfully informal and meals in South Korea are all about finding your flavours. Chow down on meals served with dozens of toppings, light and crispy Korean fried chicken washed down with a small-batch craft beer, silky glass noodles stirred with colourful salad and the various delightful iterations of kimchi. Discover the flavourful diversity and heritage of this rich culinary scene. |
Buddhist temples, imperial palaces, futuristic architecture and markets so vast they take up whole city blocks…South Korea is a multifaceted destination. Our specialists know the country well and can introduce you to its many attractions, from Seoul’s 14th-century palaces and Gyeongju’s tombs to the volcanic landscape of Jeju Island. Along with seeing the country’s main highlights, we’ll help you explore Korean culture which sees ancient traditions, customs and craftsmanship sit side by side with cutting-edge technology, karaoke bars and quirky cat cafés. |
Day 1 Seoul
Welcome to Seoul, South Korea's vibrant capital of high-tech gadgetry, glittering skyscrapers and scrumptious eats. Your adventure officially kicks off with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight at your accommodation, where you'll meet your leader and fellow travellers. With the formalities out of the way, it’s time to dive into South Korea’s food scene! First, you'll enjoy a welcome dinner of Korean Fried Chicken and beer for a 'chimaek' experience. Then, head to the Gwangjang Market for an immersive introduction to the sights, smells and, of course, tastes of South Korean street food. Go deep into the gargantuan market featured in the Netflix series ‘Street Food’, following your leader to the best vendors for dinner and cultural experience like no other.
Day 2 Jeonju
This morning take the metro to Seoul Station. Set off for Jeonju, a city that’s all about doing things slowly and doing them well – both in food and in life. You'll arrive just in time for lunch at a renowned local noodle restaurant which started as a food stall, but it’s tantalising noodles have made it a hallmark of the city. In the afternoon, spend some time exploring the historical Hanok Village, wandering cobblestone streets between hundreds of traditional homes and further embracing the relaxed pace of the city. Later, learn the art of making kimchi – a Korean slow food poster dish – during a cooking class. You’ll also learn how to make a delicious kimchi pancake. If you're keen for one more 'real food' experience you can opt to join your leader for locally brewed, cloudy rice beer called 'makgeolli'. Accompanied by a parade of inventive side dishes, this singular drink is enjoyed in ritual fashion, served in special brass bowls from the coveted makgeoli kettle.
Day 3 Jeonju
This morning you'll move from the hanok to a hotel for your second night in Jeonju. You'll have free time to explore the village or visit the historical shrines and palaces. Chat to your leader about which works for you. From here, travel by bus to Sunchang Gochujang, a village famous for the production of gochujang (a traditional red chilli paste), for a tasting and demo on how it gets made. Grab lunch at a restaurant that specialises in fermented bean soup. Later, take a stroll around the base of Mt Gangcheon, and choose whether to work up your appetite by walking a little further to a nearby waterfall. For dinner tonight, we will visit the most famous bibimbap restaurant in Jeonju. The bibimbap here is so good it’s been declared an intangible cultural asset because of its iconic chef. Seriously. Scoff down some of the classic rice dish topped with, well, lots of great stuff. Afterwards, opt to wash it down with a couple of beers or non-alcoholic tipples at a craft brewery. South Korea’s craft beer scene is exploding all across the country after a rise to popularity in Seoul, and tonight your belly will reap the benefits.
Day 4 Temple Stay
This morning you'll have the opportunity to start your day with a breakfast of kongnamul gukbap – a hot soup of soybean and sprouts. Today, you'll be traveling from the west coast to the east coast for your temple stay. The east coast is an area rich with temples, tombs and palace ruins (many of which are World Heritage sites). Stop on the way to sample some of Korea's favourite driving snacks, including hotteok (red bean walnut bread), kimbap and jjajangmyeon. At the temple you'll be introduced to the life and meditation routines of a monk. Dinner will be plant-based, in line with monastic custom. In the evening, relax with a chanting and meditation service, then choose to be guided through a monastic training session or simply settle in for an early night's sleep.
Day 5 Busan
Your life as a monk continues today with a 4 am wake-up for a memorable morning meditation (you can opt out of it if early mornings are not your thing, but we highly recommend you partake in this unique experience). Following breakfast, learn about the spiritual values and beliefs of Korean Buddhism over tea with a resident monk. Leaving the tranquil life behind, stop at the Royal Tombs of Silla, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Discover the story of the ancient Silla dynasty and view their tombs from inside and out. Visit a nearby apple farm and chat with the farmer about his life, sampling a slice or two of his best produce. Enjoy a Korean favourite for lunch - Eonyang-style bulgogi beef. Crisp, smoky and juicy, it's popular all over the country for good reason! Travel onwards to Busan to visit the beautiful Haedong Temple, built into the rocks by the sea. After checking into your hotel in downtown Busan for the next two nights, enjoy free time to explore this seaside city. You might like to join an optional dinner of Korean lamb skewers with eggplant, dumplings and other side dishes.
Day 6 Busan
Today you'll be welcomed into the apartment home of a local resident to learn about their life and food culture. Enjoy Korean favourites like kimbap, japchae and banchan (the exact menu will vary with the seasons). Sip fragrant tea and chat with your host about Busan and what it's like to live there. Stop at a local supermarket and get a broader view of the contemporary food habits of modern Koreans. Here, you’ll get an everyday-life insight into the culture, and your leader will pick up some local popular snacks for the group to enjoy. Visit Jagalchi Market, an enormous seafood market situated by Busan port. Wrap up your day at a restaurant overlooking the ocean for a clam bake with a view. Return to central Busan to relax or hit the town and take in the local nightlife in the Seomyeon Entertainment District.
Day 7 Seoul
After breakfast at the hotel, travel by Korea Train Express back to Seoul where you'll have a free afternoon to explore. Perhaps wander around Gyeongbok Palace, marvel at the views from Namsan Tower or check out Seoul’s most eclectic neighbourhoods of Sinsadong and Gangnam. For your final meal, youll head to the youthful district of Hongdae for the most traditional Korean BBQ experience to celebrate your time together.
Day 8 Seoul
Your South Korea Food Adventure comes to an end this morning. If you wish to extend your stay and explore more of Seoul, contact your booking agent for further information.
Day 1 Seoul
Seoul
Arrive into South Korea’s capital, Seoul. Take the rest of the day to get your bearings and your first taste of Korean cuisine.
Day 2 Seoul
Seoul
Spend a full day with one of our private guide-and-driver teams seeing the highlights of the city. The imposing Gyeongbokgung Palace is a great starting point for exploring Korean architecture. Stop at the expansive Namdaemun Market for a spot of street food for lunch, before exploring the village of Bukchon Hanok (made up of traditional Korean houses) and the lively area of Insa-dong.
Day 3 Seoul
Seoul
Spend a long morning driving up to the DMZ at the border with North Korea. You’ll get an insight into the conflict that has spanned decades and continents.
Day 4 Busan
Seoul , Busan
In the morning, take the KTX bullet train across the country to Busan in the southeast. You’ll have the afternoon at leisure to either relax on Haeundae Beach or check out the street food market nearby.
Day 5 Busan
Busan
Drive up north for an hour to the ancient capital of Gyeongju and visit its temples and historic sites. The history of the city is intriguing and tells the story of the Silla dynasty. It’s also a great place to learn about the way Buddhism, Confucianism and foreign influences have helped shape modern Korean society. The tour will end with an hour’s drive south to the city of Busan in the southeast.
Day 6 Busan
Busan
Busan is often praised as having one of the most eye-catching cityscapes in Asia, so start your day at the top of the lofty Busan Tower to take in the views. Then head down for some street food in Jagalchi and Bupyeong markets, which have played their part in giving Busan its reputation as the culinary capital of the country.
Day 7 Busan
Busan
You’ll have today at leisure to explore Busan. We recommend a visit to Gamcheon Culture Village which is made up of polychromatic houses spilling out onto the rolling hills that surround the city. We also suggest visiting Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, which is perched precariously over the cliffs looking out onto the Sea of Japan.
Day 8 Seoul
Busan , Seoul
Take the KTX bullet train back to Seoul for a final day at leisure in the city.
Day 9 Return home
Seoul
You’ll be picked up from your hotel and taken to the airport for your flight home.
