By Kim Se-jeong
The Seoul Metropolitan Government together with Seoul Gastro Tour, a startup company, is now offering three gastronomy tour packages in central Seoul.
Each tour offers guests a chance to taste a variety of Korean food in commercial restaurants coupled with visiting major tourist destinations in the area.
The Namdaemun/Myeongdong package takes guests to see Seoullo 7017, Myeongdong China Town, the old Seoul Station built by the Japanese during colonial rule, Myeongdong Cathedral and Namdaemun Market. It also offers a chance to taste Kalguksu, (chopped thick noodle soup), cooked mackerel with spicy sauce, fried flat dumplings, Tteokgalbi (grilled short rib patties), grilled sea bream, black noodle, moon cake and gelato. The package costs $75.
The Joongrimdong package includes visits to Seoullo 7017, old Seoul Station, “shoes street,” Chilpae traditional market, Yakhyeon Cathedral and the Korea Economic Daily. It provides chances to taste seafood, North Korean style vegetable pancakes, rice with marinated mussel, tangsuyuk (fried pork in sweet and sour sauce), and coffee.
The City Hall/Gwanghwamun package takes guests to old City Hall, Cheonggye Stream, Gwanghwamun Square, Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, Donhwamun, the main gate for Changdeok Palace, Gyeonghui Palace, Seoul Museum of Art, Deoksu Palace and Baejae School, the first western middle school opened in 1885. It also lets them taste jjiggae (Korean soup), buckwheat noodle soup, sandwiches and hand-dripped coffee. Both packages cost $80.
For more information about the packages and reservations, visit www.gastrotourseoul.com or call 070-8888-3500.