Category: Blog

What is Korean BBQ

Korea has several types of grilled meat.

But, between Korean, we don’t call “Shall we have BBQ?” because we need to specify which kind of meat.

We can separate the meat menu names by (1) the kinds of meat, (2) the part of meat and (3) the origin of meat (i.e., imported vs local).

The kinds of meat and the origin of meat

The most expensive meat menu is beef + sirloin (or maybe, strip loin)+ Korean.

Comparing to local beef, the imported beef price is half or under the half.

Why the local beef is more expensive?

There are several reasons. First of all, the feeding cost is high because we need to buy the corn grain. Also, each restaurant should provide the unfrozen meat, which is the barrier to the imported beef. Castrate the cow is one of reason because Korean is sensitive to the smell from the meat.

Roughly speaking, if I enjoy the local beef with enough quantity, I need to spend US$80-200 for myself.

Can I find the beef restaurant with the imported beef?

Yes, then, you should go to the restaurant who has the marinated beef menu.

Comparing to the non marinated beef, the texture & taste of marinated beef is less sensitive…therefore, about 50% restaurants serve the marinated beef menu with the imported beef. (This is why the marinated beef is less expensive than the non marinated beef. But, top 20% restaurants resist to serve all menu with the local beef.)

What is Galbi [갈비]?

Galbi is the ribs. Therefore, we have pork ribs and beef ribs menus.

For pork ribs, we call Doejigalbi [돼지갈비]. But, we just call Galbi [갈비] for beef ribs.

Most ribs restaurants (regardless pork, beef) serve the meat marinated in their own sauce.

What is Samgyeobsal [삼겹살]?

Samgyeobsal is the nick name for bacon and this is most popular BBQ menu for Korean people.

The differences in the way of eating are

  • We cut the meat thick and
  • We use a slanted pan/grill to let the oil drop
  • We eat with vegetable and spicy sauce (You might the family eating the samgyeobsal wrapping with lettuce or sesame leafs)

The difference between KTX and SRT

Kinds of HIGH SPEED TRAIN

There are two kinds of high speed train in KOREA; KTX (Korea Train Express) and SRT (Super Rapid Train).

Tell the conclusion, both trains are almost same.

Legally, two different companies operate each train system. But, no special difference because KORAIL company became major shareholder of SRT operation company. (KORAIL, which was the sole company who operates the whole train system across SOUTH KOREA, won a vicotry against government….though the government wanted to establish the independent secondary trailway company.)

We call high speeed train started at SEOUL STATION as KTX.

Whereas SRT starts from SUSEO STATION only, which is at south-east corner of SEOUL.

For that reason, let’s call both trains as HIGH SPEED TRAIN in this article.

KTX train

SRT train

STANDRD vs PREMIUM SEAT

As of 1 Aug 2019, STANDARD SEAT price between SEOUL and BUSAN (one way) is KRW59,800 and the price of PREMIUM SEAT is KRW83,700.

Quality wise, there is no much difference except bigger space between front seat and my seat (i.e., wider knee space).

Coverage of HIGH SPEED TRAIN

For high speed train, the railroad should be newly built and it requires the different electronical system. Sound expensive?…yes, therefore, KORAIL company built the rail roads and runs HIGH SPEED TRAIN only on ‘cost collectible’ routes, which show the enough number of passengers such as SEOUL – BUSAN.

high speed train coverage

Speed of HIGH SPEED TRAIN

By machine design, it can run 300KM per hour. But, normally, it runs 270-280KM per hour.

If we drive the car from SEOUL to BUSAN, the road distance is 400KM.

Therefore, if we assume the HIGH SPEED TRAIN runs the same distance, it should arrive at BUSAN in 1 hour 30 minutes. But, as of today, the shortest journey between SEOUL and BUSAN is 2h15m.

Why? The train need to stop at several stations (normally, 5-6 stops) such as DAEGU, DAEJEON.

JEONGSEON RAIL BIKE

There are several rail bikes in KOREA.

Rail bike locations in KOREA

Most were actual rail roads, but, since railway improvement, they were redeveloped for recreation purpose.

Most popular rail bike is GANGCHON RAIL BIKE (GAPYEONG RAIL BIKE, GYEONGGANG RAIL BIKE are gathered nearby) because it is nearest from SEOUL.

At east coast, there is SAMCHEON OCEAN RAIL BIKE. But, our company doesn’t recommend this due to long driving time (unless we arrange multi-day tour across several cities at east coast).

If you don’t mind traveling around the rural area (i.e., you stay at the hotel outside SEOUL), we recommend JEONGSEON RAIL BIKE because this is situated at the mountain & valley and the scenery is very natural.

JEONGSEON RAIL BIKE

You will take this train after downhill rail bike. I.e, This train's function is to bring up the empty rail bikes and the passengers who need to back to their cars.

Posted by KOREA PRIVATE TOURS on Friday, June 14, 2019

Which hotel is good for us?

“Which hotel is good for our family?”

“Which hotel is the best in SEOUL?”

“Which hotel has the good location?”

Above questions are common inquiries from the different country guests.

But, to answer correctly, we need to ask the several things such as your budget, your preference, etc.

Because our company is not supposed to answer/express our opinion with subjective, or personalized words, we have no choice but to state the information as they are.

That’s why we prepared this document.

We hope this document help you to get an idea which/where you stay at hotel in SEOUL.

(For BUSAN hotel, we will follow up the documentation soon.)

1. Zoning SEOUL

If you are tourist who visit SEOUL first time, you had better stay at near MYEONGDONG, or SEOUL CITY HALL.

MYEONGDONG represents the central part of OLD SEOUL.

OLD SEOUL means the inside of SEOUL FORTRESS. The northern border is GYEONGBOKGUNG PALACE and the southern border is MT. NAMSAN. Here, most historical heritages are situated.

MYEONGDONG is the biggest shopping place for foreign tourists. MYEONGDONG shopping district is about 60,000 square meters (15 an acre), consist of 2 parallel roads stretching West-East and 3 alleys connecting 2 roads.

But, please note that this is not most popular shopping place for SEOUL people because each residential blocks has own shopping street, or mall nearby.

For example, COEX shopping mall and HYUNDAI DEPARTMENT STORE at GANGNAM is functioning for shopping place for SEOUL people who live in GANGNAM.

2. Hotel grades

  • Five star hotels

Now days, the most expensive hotel among 5 star is FOUR SEASONS SEOUL.

But, we prefer WESTIN CHOSUN HOTEL because this hotel price shows more value for money in addition to the location advantage.

If you want to stay at GANGNAM, we recommend JW Marriott SEOUL at BANPO.

  • Four star, or 3 star grade hotels

Since 2012, so many hotels have been opened catching up with the increasing number of foreign tourists. Some people call Business Hotel for such grade. 

Typically, this kind of hotels are characterized by smaller room size, simple breakfast (around US$12) and very few parking slots. (On booking sites such as hotels.com, agoda.com, mostly 4 star hotels.)

Though we haven’t used most hotels in this category, we realized that the hotels being operated by big companies are better..

So, go to SHILLA STAY, LOTTE CITY HOTEL, or L7 HOTEL if possible.

3. Do you offer the better prices than online booking sites?

For five star hotels, we can provide the cheaper prices by 5%.

But, four, three star hotels, we can give you the price benefit of 5% only if the number of room is over 3.

Please note that we trust the star rating by expedia.com (hotels.com is belong to this company).

 

hotels comparision at seoul, busan and jeju

Why there are many FOLK VILLAGES?

The meaning of FOLK VILLAGE

KOREA has own language and own character system.

Therefore, sometimes, we have no choice but to translate some KOREAN location names into ‘generic name’ in ENGLISH.

FOLK VILLAGE is the example of such translation. 

If you see the guide book or travel information on the internet, you might think like “No need to visit another * folk village because already included two.”

But, there are significant differences between each villages, that’s why we decided to prepare the document for the same questions even from our clients.

We can categorize the folk villages into two.

Type I is the original villages that was formed since 400-500 years ago. Spontaneously formed by their ancestors, we can call them Clan Villages though several different family names are mingled.

Type II is the residences complex built within 100 years, ‘most’ houses keep traditional Korean house component in architectural point of view. (i.e., Modern HANOK in the cities)

Type Ⅲ is the complex of HANOK, but, not for residence. Built by company, or regional government for tourism, or streamline their cultural identity.

Type I FOLK VILLAGES

For Type I, the following two villages are most famous.

  • HAHOE VILLAGE at ANDONG
  • YANGDONG VILLAGE at GYEONGJU

Both villages are listed up as UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE 2015.

These are the collection of real residences for people. But, due to regal restriction, they cannot demolish or built modern houses. So, the village gets subsidy and entrance fee in return for their limitation on the private property.

Type II FOLK VILLAGES

Even in SEOUL, we can see traditional Korean style houses. What is ‘traditional Korean style’?

These houses are characterized by roof tile, wooden pillar and sliding door (in the past, covered by paper instead of glass)

BUKCHON HANOK VILLAGE is the typical example for this type II. It was built during 1920-1930. It was a kind of multiple dwelling houses by a constructor. But, because of its location (neighbor of president office; BLUE HOUSE), this village is subject to altitude restriction on the building construction. Ironically, this place became tourist attraction. So, SEOUL CITY managed to keep the traditional theme/mood here by subsidizing construction cost only allowed traditional Korean style.

Let’s call this customized HANOK as Modern HANOK.

JEONJU HANOK VILLAGE is also belong to this category.

Type Ⅲ FOLK VILLAGES

For Type Ⅲ, we can subdivide the villages further by ownership; government vs private.

NAMSANGOL HANOK VILLAGE is owned by SEOUL CITY.

This is the collection of the real old houses, each house was scattered around SEOUL. But, in the middle of city development, some historically valuable houses should be considered to be kept because they don’t dare to tear down the houses. So, SEOUL CITY decided to move such houses and put together in central SEOUL under the name of NAMSANGOL HANOK VILLAGE.

The other Type Ⅲ are the intentionally built villages for tourism.

Most famous village built by private company is KOREAN FOLK VILLAGE at SUWON CITY. This is 100% tourist attraction with entrance fee.

Some people would undervalue this village saying “We can go to NAMSANGOL HANOK VILALGE for substitution.” But, KOREAN FOLK VILLAGE has differences in that 1) this looks real village – pharmacy, stores…regional government office incl. jail and etc. – are gathered, 2) traditional Korean performances such as acrobat on the rope, music parade are being performed.

 

HANOK VILLAGES

  • bukchon hanok village by happimize travel
  • bukchon hanok village by happimize travel
  • hahoe village by happimize travel
  • hahoe village by happimize travel
  • yangdong village by happimize travel
  • yangdong village by happimize travel
  • yangdong village by happimize travel

What is DONGDAEMUN MARKET?

Whenever our client ask us “Which is the good place for buying the ladies clothes?”, they expect we will say “DONGDAEMUN MARKET”.

But, for KOREAN people (specifically, who live in/near SEOUL), DONGDAEMUN MARKET functions the wholesale market for few thousands retailers who own their clothes shops scattered around KOREA.

That’s why we prepared this document not to repeat the same explanation.

DONGDAEMUN MARKET

Do you know GANJANG GEJANG (soy-marinated crab)?

Today, we got a call from the clients who are using 15-seater bus (without guide). They want us to call a restaurant to reserve the table.

We realized that this restaurant specialize in GANJANG GEJANG and they are very popular for ‘the value for money’ because their strategy is unlimited serving.

Unfortunately, they don’t accept the booking because their price positioning is medium-low among GANJANG GEJANG restaurants.

Ganjang Gejang set menu (This is not unlimited serving restaurant. Per person price is more than KRW35,000 and this restaurant is listed on Michelin Guide.)

Why these restaurants don’t take reservation?

(1) GANJANG GEJANG (soy-marinated crab) is the sophisticated delicacy because crab became expensive sea food.

So, this kind of ‘unlimited serving’ Ganjang Gejang restaurants can gather the customers easily…. (I.e., volume sales at a low unit margin of profit).

Therefore, they don’t need to provide additional service such as reservation/booking.

(2) In terms of the timing, the crab is being caught in cold season (Nov – Mar).

But, Korean people can enjoy the crab all the year over because crab restaurants stored the big volume in the refrigerator (in the Jan-Feb).

Therefore, they need to restrict the volume of crab for a day. Otherwise, they cannot run the business all the year round.

We hope you try Korean food while touring outside the cities

We completed the private tour for 4 seniors (2 couples) from Middle East.
Unfortunately, we needed to change the guide during the tour to resolve a conflict, which is originated from the meals.

The person who contacted us and arranged the itinerary and the other tour conditions chose Weekend Meal option at US$20 per person/meal. But, when he said “Please exclude the pork and the sea food”, our Sales Desk should have advised them either “You had better exclude the meal budget. Instead, we will assist the guests to the appropriate restaurant at each meal time.”, or “You need to increase the meal budget into US$40 because the beef is expensive at Korea.” I.e., We are partly to blame.

The tour has started. We are getting nervous as we got more negative feedbacks.
By saving the meal budget, we brought them to Korean beef BBQ restaurant (because local Korean beef is expensive menu). But, they didn’t touch any side dish looks red color, or herb flavor. Finally, they refused to visit any Korean restaurant.

They persisted to visit pasta, or western steak house only.
We suggested a compromise proposal; “We will refund the remaining meal budget and we will assist you to find the pasta restaurant, or western steak house.”. For this proposal, they doubted the truth. But, reluctantly accepted our proposal on the 8th days. In the meantime, we had replace the guide.

 

Combining NAMI ISLAND and SEORAKSAN MOUNTAIN is too hectic

By chance, we found the tour package with NAMI ISLAND and SEORAKSAN MOUNTAIN.

We were very surprised to see this kind of very ambitious tour product.

Though SOUTH KOREA is small country, the distance between the west coast (e.g., INCHEON AIRPORT) and the east coast (e.g., SOKCHO CITY or SEORAKSAN MOUNTAIN) is almost 250KM and the driving time is more than 3 hours and 30 minutes.

For reference, the distance between SEOUL (SEOUL CITY HALL near MYEONG-DONG) and INCHEON AIRPORT is 60KM and normally it takes 1 hour.

Therefore, if you join this tour, your itinerary will be like this;

 

08:00 Meet the driver at SEOUL

08:00-09:30 Transfer to NAMI ISLAND

09:30-11:30 Sightseeing at NAMI ISLAND

11:30-14:00 Transfer to SEORAKSAN MOUNTAIN

14:00-17:00 Sightseeing at SEORAKSAN MOUNTAIN (maybe, late lunch here)

17:00-19:30 Transfer to SEOUL

 

We didn’t, actually, couldn’t include the time slot for the lunch. And, we didn’t considered the traffic if this is on the weekend.

SEORAKSAN MOUNTAIN is much bigger than you expected. Just taking the roundtrip cable car to one of beautiful peaks requires 1 hour. But, there are more places to visit such as SINHEUNGSA TEMPLE, BISEONDAE ROCK,…

 

If you see the attached map, it says;

  • The total round-trip distance is 420.78KM if you 1) depart from MYEONG-DONG, 2) stop at NAMI ISLAND, 3) stop at SEORAKSAN MOUNTAIN and 4) transfer back to MYEONG-DONG.
  • The total driving time is 6 hours and 45 minutes assuming the traffic condition is good.

What is the best way of getting the lower-priced tour?

Today, we got an inquiry like below.

********************************************************
Hi Good day,

Were going to South Korea on Nov.3 -8 2017.
And we would like to have a tour to these ff attraction
Nami island
Petite france
Everland theme park
Trick eye 3d museum
ice museum
Blue House
N-seoul tower
Hello kitty museum
Teddy bear museum namsam cable car
Coex aquarium
Bukchon hanok village
Garden of morning calm …
We wanted to know your rates.

Hope to hear from you.
********************************************************

We have many experiences of getting this kind of inquiries.
But, unfortunately, our winning ratio is very low because our price is higher than their expectation.

Why?
We realized that this kind of people are looking for the better, or similar price with group tours, which are departing from their countries.

Unfortunately, we cannot win against the overseas group tour operators because

1) they included 1-3 compulsory shopping places per day for their commission revenue…such as ginseng show room, amethyst shop. This expected commission makes the ‘per person tour price’ lower.

2) they can make the group of 20 people, or more. Therefore, they can get ‘the economy of scale’. The more passengers >> the cheaper international flight tickets and the lower hotel room rates. This is the another reason why their tour price looks better though you exclude the international airfare.

3) (mostly) they choose 3 star hotels, which are not popular by individual tourists, or located at not convenient place. This also makes the total group tour price lowered.

“OK, I understood. But, still, I don’t want to join the group tour from my country because I don’t like the packed schedule. And I don’t like to eat the not-good-quality sharing meal in the tour. Any other solution? Unfortunately, your rates are beyond my budget because we are just 2 people.”

Then, just come to Korea and check in at the hotel. Probably, you will find the brochures at the corner of the lobby. (Or, you can ask the hotel concierge desk.) You will find this kind of brochures; Seoul Day Tour, Half-day DMZ Tour, Nami Island + Petite France Tour. At the prices of USD 50-80 per person, you can join the tour. But, please note that you need to accept following inconveniences.

1) After picking up you (or, before they picking up you) they might pick up another guests for 40 minutes – 1 hour.
2) After the tour, you need to cooperate to visit special shopping center for the travel agent’s commission. Though you don’t need to buy, this session is not avoidable.

Another choice is to find a person, or some business entity who are being listed on TripAdvisor.com
In Korea, the foundation of travel agent requires several conditions such as 1) capital money of KRW200,000,000 (equivalent to USD182,000), 2) maintain insurance for failure of providing tour/service, 3) operating the office,..
But, we found some individuals, or entities on the internet…are not qualified for this requirements.
In this respect, even the licensed tour guide cannot sell the tour/service directly because the contract between the guest and the guide cannot be accepted by government and insurance company.

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