MODULE 4 – FOOD, TRADITION, FESTIVALS AND CULTURE South Korea is a country rich in culture and tradition. The lineage of the Korean tradition helped to shape up the modern South Korea. The country is a vivacious platform to showcase the rich heritage through festivals, dressing, food, lifestyle, arts and crafts etc. Various temples, fortresses, monuments etc. exhibit the tangible cultural heritage of South Korea and the festivals, performing arts, customs, lifestyle etc. exhibit the intangible cultural heritage of South Korea. Content Partner: DELICACIES 2 While on a vacation, every Indian Traveller wishes for a comprehensive experience involving sightseeing, stay, relaxation and most importantly food. South Korea is a gastronomical delight for Indian Travellers as the country’s delicacies are full of flavours and spices to tickle the taste buds of your guests. The recommended dishes that your guests can savour while on a vacation in South Korea are – Bibimbap, literally meaning mixed rice, is a combination Kimchi, a staple South Korean cuisine, is a traditional side of rice, meat and vegetables infused with spices and dish made from salted, fermented vegetables, most herbs giving it rich colours and aroma. For your commonly napa cabbage and South Korean radishes with a vegetarian guests, the dish can be customized to replace variety of seasonings including chilli meat with exotic vegetables. powder, scallions, garlic, ginger and salted seafood. There are hundreds of varieties of kimchi made with different vegetables as the main ingredients. Samgyetang or Ginseng Chicken Soup is a warm rich Bingsu, a South Korean dessert prepared with Red Bean flavoured soup where Ginseng herb is used paste as the base, adding crushed ice, ice cream and predominantly. different kinds of fruits as the topping. It is a very delicious dessert which should be recommended to your guests while in South Korea. Chimek, is a combination of South Korean fried chicken Soju, a variety of South Korean wine prepared from rice. It and beer. It is a very popular dish among South Koreans is widely available and the favourite drink of the locals. as well as visitors from around the world. A classic Indian travellers should give it a shot while on a vacation combination to satiate the taste buds of your guests. in South Korea. South Korean cuisines are gaining popularity all over the world for its distinct aroma and nutrition benefits. Rice is the staple food and the cuisine is characterized by a wide variety of meat and fish dishes along with herbs and vegetables. Apart from the dishes mentioned above, there is an abundance of options for your guests to taste South Korean delicacies. INDIAN RESTAURANTS 3 South Korea has a lot of options for Indian Food as it is a growing trend. Indian food is popular with local South Korean people and your guests will find Indian restaurants in abundance. Currently, there are more than 100 Indian restaurants in South Korea. Some of the Indian Restaurants are: Ganga – Gangnam, Seoul,: As the name suggests, Ganga Moghul Restaurant, Itaewon, Seoul: It is Korea’s first is an authentic Indian restaurant. The dishes are Pakistani restaurant with a range of délectable Mughlai prepared by a chef from India with over 20 years of cuisine. The outdoor seating in a lush garden adds to the experience in Indian cuisine. With a seating capacity of excellent dining experience. With a seating capacity of 100 125 people, this restaurant is ideal for FIT and small people, this restaurant is ideal for FIT and small groups. groups. Taj – Taste of India - Myongdong, Seoul: The Taj offers Bagdad Café, Jeju Island: Bagdad is an Indian restaurant unique dining experience. The restaurant presents located near Jeju City Hall. Its chef, who is from India, constantly evolving menus and a carefully matched wine offers high-quality traditional Indian dishes that draw list all designed to reflect an ethos of innovation and tourists and locals from all across the world. For a relativity Aromatic spices are the essence of the TAJ's winning taste combination, try one of the curries with a cuisine, making it different from others in the same. side of nan. Punjab, Busan: Located near haeundae beach, this Raj Mahal, Jeju Island: Rajmahal is an Indian restaurant restaurant offers delicious Indian food. The cozy and located in Jeju Island. Popular dishes on the menu include warm ambience and friendly staff make the dining curry, nan, and tandoori chicken. The elegant and experience an wonderful affair. comfortable exotic feel of the restaurant is another draw for diners coming to get their share of delicious Indian cuisine. With a seating capacity of 65 people, the restaurant is ideal for FIT and small family groups. For the detailed list of Indian Restaurants, please refer to the Resource Section 3 SHOPPING South Korea is one of the most dynamic and vibrant countries in the world. In the short time following its dramatic and impressive development, it has managed to maintain the delicate balance between preserving its impressive history and traditional heritage and embracing all the conveniences and technology of the modern world. This dichotomy of old and new is reflected in South Korea’s diversity of shopping and tourist destinations. South Korea is a shopper’s paradise and your guests will be delighted by both the glittering department stores and shopping malls and the charming traditional markets. There is no better place to go than South Korea for an all-inclusive getaway of shopping, touring and entertainment. All the major tourist destinations like Seoul, Busan and Jeju Island have a variety of shopping options comprising glamorous shopping malls and quaint traditional markets. 4 SHOPPING IN SEOUL Seoul has the most exciting and vivacious dedicated shopping districts where you guests can shop to their hearts’ content. Most of these shopping districts are located in Northern Seoul near the Downtown. Areas such as Myeong- dong, Dongdaemun Market and Namdaemun Market draw millions of international tourists every year to their renowned shopping centers. Each place preserves its own distinct culture – a traditional market with over 600 years of history is located in the heart of Seoul while other places specialize in splendid luxury brands, clothing, cosmetics or electronics. 6 While in Seoul, you can recommend your guests to explore these markets for a joyous shopping experience - Namdaemun Market, the biggest traditional Dongdaemun Market, a 24 hours open market and market in South Korea with a historical legacy of Myeong Dong, the favourite and the most popular shopping destination in Seoul which has large over 600 years. The market is located in the shopping destination among tourists. Your guests shopping malls and your guests can purchase downtown area at a walking distance of 10 min will be spoilt for choices among the famous fashionable clothes and accessories at a very from the famous Myeong dong shopping district. shopping products like cosmetics, clothes, bags, reasonable price. There are more than 30000 This wholesale market’s narrow streets are lined etc. It is conveniently located in the heart and stores in Dongdaemun. Dongdaemun Design with a colorful mix of stores offering different downtown area of Seoul city. This is famous for Plaza is a modern monument and attraction in the kinds of items at reasonable prices, such as: clothing, accessories, cosmetics, eyeglasses and centre of the market area. children’s clothes, men’s/women’s clothing, souvenirs. accessories, home goods, utensils, electronics, wedding items, stationery, folk crafts, local produce and imported goods. For those hoping to experience the feel of the traditional market as well as find some good bargains, Namdaemun Market is definitely the place to go. 7 SHOPPING IN BUSAN Busan, the second largest city in Korea, is famous for tourist attractions and shopping districts. Giant department stores; such as Shinsegae Centum City, the largest department store in the world and numerous shopping streets offer a wide selection of merchandise, drawing local and international visitors year-round. Busan is home to the Jagalchi Market, famous for its astounding variety of fresh seafood sold at extremely reasonable prices. 8 Your guests can visit these main shopping destinations of Busan for an overwhelming experience - Centum City, the largest shopping mall in the Gukje Market, the largest traditional market in world, is a new urban development project in Busan, is a place immersed in history and Busan. It has become Korea’s most sought bursting with the old-fashioned marketplace after shopping destination and a major spirit. It treats guests to the boisterous, vibrant symbol of trendy and upmarket fashion. marketplace experience and the incomparable Centum City is home to Shinsegae Centum hospitality of the merchants and citizens of City, the largest department store in the world, Busan. as well as the Lotte Department Store, an established favorite when it comes to luxury brands. Main shopping items in Centum City include clothing, bags, shoes and in particular- premier luxury items. 9 SHOPPING IN JEJU ISLAND Jeju Island is covered with stores featuring unique local products. Fresh tangerines and other Jeju specialties are readily available for purchase in tourist shops and traditional markets such as the Five Day Market. Crafts, specially-dyed clothing and cosmetic items using natural ingredients are other popular souvenirs that embody the unique cultural flavour of Jeju. Most tourist attractions on the island are coupled with their own souvenir stands, featuring products specific to each site in addition to Jeju favourites. Apart from the market areas, your guests will find a variety of distinctive souvenirs at many of the island’s museum shops. In addition, three duty-free shops offer famous luxury brand items alongside the many souvenirs and local produce characteristic of Jeju Island.