Yahoo! Features Korea

Korea Tourism Organization President Mr. Charm Lee talks to Yahoo! Southeast Asia about the attractions in South Korea. Report by Jason Domantay of Yahoo! Southeast Asia. Video produced by Yahoo! Southeast Asia and loQal.


Check this out: 
http://ph.news.yahoo.com/video/newsoriginals-26883186/finding-inspiration-in-korea-27597503.html

King Sejong



"The most important element in ruling a country is showing trust."
(from Annals of Sejong, July 3, 1423)



King Sejong's name is Yi Do and his courtesy name is Won Jeong. He was born in Junsubang, Hanyang (currently around Yeongchumun, Gyeongbokgung, Tongin-dong, Seoul). He was born in April 10, 1397 and died February 17, 1450. He reigned for 31 years and 6 months. His important contribution to South Korea is the creation of the Korean alphabet or Hangul, contribution to the development of science, music and technology, and territorial expression.

What struck me most during my visit to the Underground Gwanghwanmun Square in Seoul where King Sejong's achievements are exhibited was his love for his people whether they are rich or poor. The yearly party for the old people during his reign allowed poor subjects to mingle with the rich.  

Eating My Way Through the Land of the Morning Calm

Local food is always in the top of my list when travelling. Eating or trying a local cuisine or delicacy can be an eye opener to a culture strange to ones own. However, to me, Korean food is no longer alien. I've been hosting Korean students for 5 years and managing a dorm full of Korean for another 5 years so I get to sample, taste and cook Korean dishes. In all honesty, I find it easy to prepare Korean food than Filipino food. Really!

Landing in the Land of the Morning Calm, it is in my utmost list to eat the originals...... different kinds of kimchi, eat meals prepared by azzumas. Anyway, here are the pictures of what I ate during my six days travel in South Korea.



Dokkbuki with kimbap, boiled eggs, kimchi jeon, mandu.
Pickled radish is served as a side dish. 
That's my yummy lunch at Seogwipo Market in Jeju-do.
Okay, this meal can also be found in the streets of a metropolitan city like Seoul.




Kimchi Bukeom




A Korean meal is not complete without side dishes.
We had seven (7) side dishes with our kimchi bukeom meal. 



Korean rice with shrimp and vegetables and
topped with fried egg and spring onions at Westin Chosun, Busan-si

I also had two (2) samgyupsal dinner. The first one was served with beef and mushroom (my first time to eat samgyupsal with mushroom) and the last samgyupsal meal, duck was served, and as I understand it, duck for samgyupsal is special. I also was able to eat at a Kimchi tchigae specialty restaurant in Jeju-do. All I can say is that I'm just too damned comfortable in there with the food, culture and all. Yum!

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