Review of Korean Food & People

"The food in Korea is unique and very tasty at least that's what I feel. It all started out with our first stop at udon shop and it was totally amazing with a clear yet tasty soup base, along with it was kimchi which is one of the most common food in Korea. 

Breakfast & udon noodles (Jeremy at right corner)

Udon noodles with pickles

Then we had lunch which consisted of grilled pork and side dishes, absolutely amazing. For the very first time I tried the banana milk and now I can't stop drinking it! 

For dinner we had shabu shabu which was enjoyable and it bonded us together as we had great food and great conversations, we also had cheese toppokii which was introduced by Hafiz's Korean friend, Soo Yeon. It was one of the best food for the trip, the rice cake, ramen and sticky cheese was the perfect combination bring out the sticky, chewy and savory flavor. After that we bought cheese pizza, large ones at only 5,000 won and it sure was filling!

Daphne & Carine having shabu-shabu

Tuesday came fast, breakfast was buffet in the guest house and it was not bad despite less variation, certain kinds of kimchi were introduced such as radish, squid, cabbage, seaweed and many more. 

Buffet breakfast at Hanyang University Guest House

Then came the pit stops in between traveling which we bought various kind of foods such as the corn dogs, donuts, toppokii and fish cakes of different flavour such as kimchi, cheese and ham. 

Pit-stop in Yesan

For dinner it was free and easy, our group went to Mr Pizza which served pizza with unique favours such as a lobster pizza or fish roe pizza. It also had a salad bar which we sadly didn't try as we were too full. On the way I bought some grilled intestines which were chewy and had a tangy flavour.

Mr Pizza

The next 2 days were spent at Inter-burgo Hotel one of the best hotels that had a really great buffet breakfast, consisting of a variety of food from Korea infused with a western mix of omelettes bacon and waffles. 

Buffet breakfast at Inter-Burgo Hotel

We then had a bento lunch at Yeungnam college and the Korean students there taught us the sequence of eating such as wrapping the rice with seaweed. 

Dinner came and the barbecue pork we had was truthfully the best pork dish we had in the trip so far. After dinner we went to the streets and Yeungnam students brought us around bringing us to different shopping areas and of course different snacks and food such as cheese toppokii that we craved after trying it the first time. It was also very tasty and was served in a different style where we had to cook it ourselves, a different experience! We also tried the cheese ice cream which had cheese bits in it giving it a creamy chewy yet salty ice cream flavor.

BBQ pork on hot plate

The next day we had pork cutlet and beef cutlet for lunch which was very tender on the inside yet crispy on the outside. Night came and Soo Yeon brought us out to eat again, this time it was grilled chicken gizzards, chewy and unexpectedly tasty, a large portion which finished really fast. The street foods around that area was also really good such as grilled pork on sticks, hamburgers and seafood mix.

Following day was Everland and everyone had so much fun that they skipped lunch but I didn't of course, couldn't stand the hunger. I tried their Cajun chicken burger and popcorn chicken which was really crispy :). 

Grilled Saba fish for dinner

We had Thai and Chinese food the next day, so delicious that most of the people in our table took second helpings of rice even thirds. 

For dinner we had ginseng chicken soup with a whole chicken in each bowl, really filling and refreshing, alongside was a small cup of ginseng wine to end the meal.

Spring chicken & abalone in ginseng broth

Now the last day of the trip and we got to try the fresh sashimi at the fish market which was really really cheap and fresh. 

Ariffin having his first taste of sashimi with Rakesh watching with unbelieve

Before leaving Korea I had to have a last taste of cheese toppokii and went to the food court in the airport to have it!!!

Overall this was a really great experience and I hope to come back to Korea to try many other food that I have not yet tried."

Jeremy, DARE/2A/03

Professor Hwang with YNC and SP students

Jumping for joy

Friends forever

Competing who can jump the highest (Hafiz, second from left)

"It has been an interesting journey meeting and making new Korean friends from different universities. From the communication with Korean friends, I have learnt more about their culture and people. Personally, I felt that the Koreans are more conservative but yet friendly as compared to Singaporeans. 

I love how they bow every time they greet each other. It is something unique which actually symbolises their culture. I don't think we can find that kind of respect given to each other in any parts of the world.

Also, Koreans tend to call someone older either with "Hyung" or "Noona" (for guys) and "Oppa" or "Unnie" (for girls). That is something different as compared to Singaporeans where we tend to call people by their names.

Overall, I love the unity among the Koreans. I love Korea!"

Hafiz, DNS/1A/01

Day 8 - Seoul & Incheon

After breakfast, we headed down to Noryangjin Fish Market to sample fresh sashimi before our afternoon flight back to Singapore.

Noryangjin Fish Market

Freshly-cut sashimi on shrink-wrapped plates

Sampling of freshly-cut sashimi

"The last 7 days can be listed as the best moments of my life! This is because I went to Korea with three different schools: EEE, MAE and SMA.

In this trip, I only knew Zaki because he was my classmate. There I met up with other awesome school mates from different courses like Hafiz, Jeremy, Ariffin and Rakesh to name a few. We bonded well throughout the whole journey - from strangers to buddies who took care of each other.

I really hope that SP will make more trips like this in the future as it is a great way to strengthen friendship amongst students from various courses".

Fareed, DEEE/1B/21

Safely back at Changi Airport
(Fareed standing at third right from the back row & Jia Li first from the left)

"I've always wished to go on a trip to korea and my wish was realised.

To embark on a overseas study trip with people we barely know at first was quite a lost feeling for me. The unknown faces we met at the Changi Airport upon departure from Singapore has became known faces to everyone of us. It was quite a memorable and enriching experience for me, as we made friends with our fellow Singapore Polytechnic mates, we learned the skill and need of being able to make friends and adapt to surrounding.

Throughout the 7days, we visited various industries, attractions which gave me an added on aid apart from what I've read in books as book doesn't give us the visual part. For example at the steel factory where we got to see how the steel were made from the raw stage to the finished product, it was fascinating! We also got to mix with the Korean students and exchange contact. Soon enough, my mates and I made friends with each other and it is also where the fun starts.

Though everybody were quite exhausted by the events, however in return it gave us invaluable knowledge and experience. The teamwork we built with our fellow peers wasn't easy but its worth the while. 

Overall this trip was really an enriching one, yet fun filled. It enabled everyone to bond together and enforce the spirit of mutual respect and kindness. Everybody has indeed played hard as well as studied hard in this trip. Though the trip has ended, but I have learnt many valuable knowledge and would love to go on such trips again. I love Korea!"

Jia Li, DEB/1B/22

Day 7 - Seoul

Gyeongbuk Palace

"The palace is a majestic place which portrays the significance of the royal family in Korea. Although most of the buildings in the palace were destroyed during the Japanese invasion in world war 2, the palace still remains a breathtaking sight to behold. 

At the time of our visit, the palace is still under reconstruction. Exhibitions on the traditions and culture of Korea in the past serve as an eye opener and surprisingly many of them are still practice till today but with a few modifications. We ended the palace tour with a visit of the king's and queen's palace which look splendid in every perspective with detailed carvings of dragons and paintings etched on the walls and rooftops. 

Overall, the palace tour is an enriching, fruitful and fun tour!"

Ming Hao, DARE/2A/04


After lunch, we went shopping at Hongik University Street and Myungdong Street. These shopping districts offered a different kind of fashion than Dongdaemun. Later in the evening, we were treated to the highly entertaining and brilliant NANTA show.

Hongik University Street

Myungdong Street

NANTA show