Top 8 Must-Try Korean Snacks in Korea

Did your friend who had been to Korea tell you something about Korean snacks? Did they tell you to visit the supermarket, mart, or convenient store because there is something you should not missed out? There is one common thing that people who have visited Korea will recommend to people who is going to Korea -- to taste or try some of the Korean snacks! 

There are just too many snacks that you should try in Korea. It is a must for you to visit the supermarket or marts to check out all these delicious snacks! Often, people buy Korean snacks as souvenirs for their friends and family. If you are wondering what are some of the Korean snacks that you must buy in Korea, check out the following list we have prepared to you.

1. Choco Pie

Choco Pie consists of two round layers of cake coated with chocolate and filled with marshmallow filling. It is one of the favourite snacks among Koreans in Korea. Sometimes, they call choco pie as national snacks. This is not only popular among Koreans, it is definitely famous among foreigners as well. Recently, they came out with new flavour  - green tea and banana choco pie - which became so popular.

 2017 Spring Special Edition: Strawberry choco pie

 2. Honey Butter Chips

What? Honey and Butter? A mixture of sweet, salty and buttery in one packet of chips? This may look weird to you, but once you have tasted one bite, you want the second bite. This is one of the popular chips in Korea too. If you love Korea and KPOP, this is a must-try snacks for you! You can get it in any convenient store or marts. Small packet costs KRW1,500. They have it in big packet too!

 3. Market O Real Brownie

Are you a chocolate lover? If yes, you will definitely fall in love with Market O Real Brownie. It has very rich chocolate taste. How about adding a scoop of ice-cream on top of the brownies? You will finish the whole box in no time. Every box comes with 4 or 8 small individual packets. This will be your perfect souvenir for friends who love chocolate. Give them one small packet, and they will definitely ask for second packet. So, remember to buy more!

You should not missed the green tea flavour brownies! 

4. Famous Korean Fire Noodles

You have probably seen some of the videos on Youtube where they took the challenge to eat this Korean Fire Noodles. It seems really spicy on the videos, right? Have you ever how spicy it is? Try it yourself. Recently, there is curry flavour, and Spicy x2 fire noodles. If you love spicy food, you must try this!

Tips: Add some cheese on top of the noodles. It makes the noodles less spicy and is really delicious.

5. Waffle Biscuit

This is for all waffle lovers! Something simple and sweet for your afternoon tea time.  

6. Yogurt Jelly

Looking for some snacks for children? Buy this small packet yogurt jelly for them!

7. Dakdari Chicken Leg Snack

This is a cute snack in "chicken leg" shape. Available in original and BBQ flavour.

8. Honey Citron Tea

Looking for something to bring back from Korea for your parents? You may want to consider buying this honey citron tea which is made in Korea. It is really simple to make this drink. You just have to add warm or cold water into it. 

If you are planning to get all these Korean snacks, we want to recommend you to go to Lotte Mart Seoul Station branch. They have all the Korean snacks that you need to try and buy in Korea. BONUS: They are open until 12 midnight! If you are catching a night flight in Incheon International Airport, you should visit Lotte Mart Seoul Station to buy all these and take the Airport Railroad AREX Express Train from Seoul Station to Incheon Int'l Airport. To find out more about AREX Express Train, visit http://www.arex.or.kr/main.do.

<How to get to Lotte Mart Seoul Station branch>

Directions: Take Airport Railroad to Seoul Station, get off at Exit 1 or 5. 

Opening hours: 10:00 - 24:00

Website: https://company.lottemart.com/eng/branch01.html

Last week, we posted an article about "Best 5 Korea Snacks to buy for your friends and family" on AREX Facebook Page. To find out more about our Facebook post, go to https://goo.gl/QNypWP. 

[Seoul Station] Things to do near Seoul Station

How to start your trip in Korea when you arrive in Incheon International Airport? Airport Railroad (AREX) Train takes you from Incheon Int'l Airport to Seoul Station within an hour. What about visiting some attractions around Seoul Station before heading to your hotel for check in? Here are some recommendation of attractions near Seoul Station which you can visit.

First of all, visit the Airport Railroad (AREX) Travel Center located at B2 Floor Seoul Station to store your heavy luggages. The AREX Travel Center in Seoul Station provides baggage storage services starting from KRW 3,000.

Opening hours: 08:00 - 20:00 (Open all year round)







1) LOTTE OUTLETS & LOTTE MART

Lotte Mart is located next to the Seoul Station building. You can buy cosmetics products from many different cosmetics brand counter such as Etude House, Innisfree, Missha, It's Skin, etc in Lotte Mart.

Other than cosmetics products, you can also buy Korean snacks and food from Lotte Mart. They often have special offer for the snacks such as 2+1, 1+1 etc. Sometimes, they have free sampling as well. You can taste the food or drinks, and if you like it, you can grab as many as you want.

If you buy from KRW 30,000 ~ KRW 199,990, you may get Immediate Tax refund at the payment counter. So, get ready your passport.

2) Seoullo 7017


You shall not missed this newly opened Sky Garden which is located right outside Seoul Station. Seoullo 7017 was opened in May 2017 and this project turned a highway into a pedestrian walkway. You can take many nice photos from Seoullo 7017. So, prepare your camera before you come.

View of Seoul Station from Seoullo 7017 

It is beautiful during sunset.

How to walk to Seoullo 7017? Get off at Exit 15 Seoul Station (Airport Railroad Line) and walk about 5 mins. You can also get to Seoullo 7017 by taking Exit 2 or 9-1.


Visit our previous blog post about Seoullo 7017 at http://arexkorea.blogspot.kr/2017/05/seoullo-7017-sky-garden-and-shoes-tree.html.



To find out more about Seoullo 7017, visit their website at http://seoullo7017.seoul.go.kr/.



3) Culture Station Seoul 284

Culture Station Seoul 284 is former Seoul Railway Station. It is now a place for public to enjoy arts and serves as a space for diverse artistic and cultural creation and exchange. You can enjoy the exhibition and performances available in this place.



Admission Fee: FREE

Opening Hours: 10:00 - 19:00 (Closed on Mondays & 1 January)

Inside Culture Station Seoul 284

 Exhibition

To find out more about Culture Station Seoul 284, visit their website at https://en.seoul284.org/.

[AREX - All Stop Train] From Incheon Int'l Airport to Seoul

There are two types of Airport Railroad (AREX) train from Incheon Int'l Airport to downtown Seoul, namely All Stop Train and Express Train. Let's take a look at how to take the AREX All Stop Train when you arrive in Incheon Int'l Airport.



AREX All stop Train is a Commuter Train connected to Seoul Metro lines, helping you to travel to Incheon Int'l Airport, Seoul and other surrounding areas. All Stop Train stops at 12 stations from Incheon Int'l Airport to Seoul Station.

*Source: http://www.arex.or.kr/main.do

1) Finding Incheon Int'l Airport Terminal Station


Airport Railroad is located at B1 Floor of Transport Center. When you have arrived at the arrival hall of Incheon Int'l Airport, look for "Airport Railroad" signboard and head towards B1 Floor of Transport Center to get to Incheon Int'l Airport Terminal Station.

When you arrive at B1 Floor, look for a blue sign that says "All Stop Train". There are ticket vending machines located right below the sign, which is at the entrance of the Incheon Int'l Airport Terminal Station.

2) Buying Train Tickets



There are few ways to purchase the Airport Railroad train ticket.



- Buy Single Journey Card at the Ticket Vending Machine.

- Buy prepaid transportation card (eg. T-money, Cash Bee, etc) in the convenient store upon arrival at Incheon Airport.

- Recharge prepaid transportation card at convenience store / Ticket vending machine.



BONUS: You can find Korea Tour Card Vending Machine at this place too.



Korea Tour Card works as a transportation card (T-money) and gives you other discount benefits. It costs KRW4,000 for the card and you have to recharge the card on the ticket vending machine which is located just right behind it.

 Korea Tour Card Vending Machine

All Stop Train fare is different according to your destination. If you are using transportation card, the fare starts from KRW 900 to KRW 4,150 (Adult). However, if you are purchasing the single journey card, you need to pay extra KRW 100 and a deposit of KRW 500 (refund at arrival station).



After you have purchased a ticket or prepared the transportation card, head over to the ticket gate of All Stop Train.

Make sure you go to the correct platform

(Boarding place for Express Train and All Stop Train is different)

After you pass through the ticket gate, take the escalator down to the boarding area.

Boarding Platform to take the All Stop Train

3) Incheon Int'l Airport Terminal Station Time Table

You can find the departure time from Incheon Int'l Airport Terminal Station to the other Airport Railroad stations at the boarding area. One of the biggest advantage of taking Airport Railroad (AREX) train is that you can estimate your departure and arrival time. This will help you to save your time and ease your itinerary planning. You may also check the total journey time that will take to arrive at your destination.

First All Stop Train from Incheon Int'l Airport to downtown Seoul >> 05:23

Last All Stop Train from Incheon Int'l Airport to downtown Seoul >> 23:57

Isn't it easy to take the Airport Railroad from Incheon Int'l Airport to downtown Seoul? It is fast, cheap and easy! For more information about Airport Railroad All Stop Train, check out AREX website at http://www.arex.or.kr/main.do. 

[Information of AREX Station] Cheongna Int'l City Station

Cheongna Int'l City is one of the Incheon Free Economic Zone (IFEZ). This city is the first among the free economic zone cities that is reachable by Airport Railroad from Seoul. Let's take the Airport Railroad to the development district of economy and trade that is near the Incheon Int'l Airport - Cheongna Int'l City Station.

1) Station Building

When you arrive at the Cheongna Int'l City Station (Airport Railroad Line), both northbound and southbound line will arrive at the same platform. At both side, the platform gap between the train car and station platform is wide. Therefore, please be extra careful when you get in and off the train.

At the Cheongna Int'l City Station (Airport Railroad Line),
the distance between platform and station building is far. It is a pedestrian bridge with the width of approximately 11 car lanes. The passage is straight and without any curves. Once you have walked through the passage, it makes you feel like you have arrived at the immigration of the airport. In fact, the editor has seen many passengers carrying luggage that makes this place feels a lot like an airport.

If you turn to the left, you will see a long escalator. Once you come down from the escalator, you can exit through the ticket gate.

Cheongna Int'l City Station (Airport Railroad Line) Exit 1 is where the bus and taxi stops are located while Exit 2 leads to the car park.

There is a place to keep your bicycle outside the station building. It is free-of-charge and the method to use it is explained with pictures that can be found beside the storage area. You can set password (4-digit), which will prevent your bicycle from being stolen.

<How to use the bicycle storage (Same for both keeping and collecting)>

1. Grab the handle of the bicycle rack

2. Open the door and pull the handle to the end.

3. Push down the handle slowly.

4. Lift the front wheel of the bicycle.

5. Place the bicycle at the round bar.

6. Grab the handle of the bicycle rack and pull it up slowly.

7. Push the handle to the end.

8. Check and confirm that the door is closed properly.

At the Cheongna Int'l City Station (Airport Railroad Line), there is a smoking area. Beside the smoking area, there are benches available.

2. Facilities 

Cheongna Int'l City Station (Airport Railroad Line) utilized the small area and has prepared some convenient facilities. There is a nursery beside the information center. In addition, With Me convenient store and the toilet are located right next to it. Across the information center, you will see Paris Baguette and right beside it is Exit 2 that leads to the car park.

There is Kookmin Bank ATM beside the Exit 1 where you can use it for simple bank services.

3. The Special Feature of Cheongna Int'l City Station (Airport Railroad Line)

In front of Cheongna Int'l City Station (Airport Railroad Line), there is a bus stop and taxi stop that goes to Cheongna Int'l City. The bus stop is located right in front of the station and taxi stop is located opposite it. Whether you are taking the northbound line or southbound line, you have to board on the same bus stop. Therefore, it is recommended that you ask the bus driver to check on the bus direction before you board it.

Trick Eye Museum in Hongdae

There are a few Trick Eye Museums in Korea. There is one in Seoul, one in Jeju and one in Busan. Today, we will introduce the Trick Eye Museum that can be found in one of the most popular areas in Seoul - Hongdae.

Seoul Trick Eye Museum is located in the famous shopping street of Hongdae. In the same building, there is Ice Museum and Love Museum too.

Entrance to the Trick Eye Museum ticket counter

Ticket counter

When you purchase the ticket, the staff will explain to you about the Trick Eye App that enriches your experience in the Trick Eye Museum. Trick Eye Museum is world’s first museum to apply AR technology to artworks. At some of the trick eye paintings, if you take photos or videos using the app, you will be able to see some special effects. Don't forget to download this! There is also free wi-fi in this place for you to use freely.

Tips: Recharge your camera or phone to the max before coming to this place and be prepared to take a lot of cool photos.

Do you want to dance with her? 

There are some ideas of how to pose with the Trick Art. Follow their way or be creative and come out with your own unique pose.

For those who are traveling with children, it is recommended to visit this place because children will definitely enjoy themselves here. It is fun to come here with your friends too! Think of funny poses together with your friends! Meanwhile, if you are visiting this place alone, don't be afraid to ask other people to take photos for you. Be it alone or with friends/family, for sure you can enjoy in this place.

When you are done visiting the Trick Eye Museum, go over to the Ice Museum to cool down. It was -5 degree Celsius on the day we visited.

Ice Museum

Price for Trick Eye Museum + Ice Museum:
KRW 18,000 (Adult)
KRW 12,000 (Children - Under 18)

[ Information about Trick Eye Museum, Hongdae]

Address:
B2 floor, Seogyo Plaza 20 Hongikro 3gil, Mapogu, Seoul.

Opening Hours:
09:00 - 21:00 (Last admission at 20:00)

Directions:
Take Airport Railroad Line to Hongik University (Or Seoul Subway Line 2), get off at Exit 9.

Website:
http://trickeye.com/seoul/en