Blogs we like

My sister-in-law lives in Namyangju, an outer suburb of Seoul, and it’s still very much developing.  Mixed in among r0w-upon-row of new apartments and a shiny new shopping strip is much of the old village.  I imagine when I return later this year, much of this may be gone, but it was a nice contrast and a glimpse into a different era.

Hopyeongdong - New and old

Back streets of Hopyeongdong

Kimchi to be...

The national flower of Korea

Shopping in Hopyeong-dong, the area of Namyangju that we were in, meant pretty much one thing.  Going to E-Mart.

The Australian retail experience is, to put it midly, lacklustre.  Going into E-Mart was alien in so many ways.  The size of the store, the number of people there encouraging us to try different products, the American-style bulk goods and the near-absence of foreigners in the outer suburbs of Seoul all contributing.  Alien though it was, it didn’t take long to get excited.

Firstly, monkey that I am, they had bananas.  With Australia’s banana crop that season  mostly wiped out and the remaining supplies being sold for extortionary prices, I was salivating the moment we entered the fresh fruit section.  Most of the fresh food is seasonal, so it’s tastier than the cool room stored produce at home.  This can make shopping a challenge for the westerner used to buying most fruit and vegetables on a whim, no matter how unseasonal they might be.  It also brings regular change and odd mountain vegetables, harvested in my mind by an army of Korean Ajumma.

Then there were the freebies.

If you’re every hungry and broke in Korea, try to find the nearest E-Mart.  You won’t be hungry for long.

By the time we had managed to find cake and candles, wine and champagne, as well as all the ingredients for my father’s celebratory dinner, we had walked past enough food stands to be well and truly stuffed.  Side dishes, meat treats and more all made their way into our inquisitive innards.

In E. mart, you can find a little bit of Korea despite the American influence. It’s welcoming and busy. The feeling is much closer to a Korean market, with wares on display for the tasting.

Upstairs, toys, electronics, clothes, homeware, and cosmetics bring a different feel, but a welcome change from the clamour below.

Even there though, play and community areas for mothers and children and the small stand selling fishcake soup on your way to and from the car park. are enough to remind youu where you are.

Note: According to an email I received today, www.visitkorea.or.kr have a free gift coupon for E-mart and details on catching a free bus there from Incheon airport.  There are many other offers available as well:

For Australian travelers heading off to Seoul in the next six months Korea Tourism Organization has released a new discount coupon booklet offering savings of up to 50% off on a wide range of restaurants, leisure activities, duty free shops etc. Along with the present high exchange rate for the Australian dollar there is no better time to visit the country.

The coupon booklet is designed for independent tourists and discounts apply to duty free stores in Seoul’s downtown area, at theme parks like Everland south of Seoul, restaurants, theatre performances and much more. With at least 22 different offers available, visitors will be able to reap the benefits while traveling in Korea.  At the time of purchase, visitors present the discount coupon to receive up to 50% off at participating stores and locations. Discount coupon booklets are valid for use from June 1 to December 31, 2009 and will be available from the Sydney office of Korea Tourism Organization, or simply visit website www.visitkorea.or.kr – Click English International – Click ‘Discount Coupon Book’ banner on bottom right corner of the screen.