Monday 28 April 2014

[O-Train] - Railroad Trip from Seoul to Punggi

[Korea O-Train] Railroad trip from Seoul to Punggi | by Meheartseoul
Korea offers plenty of breathtaking scenery, though some of the region is less accessible than major cities due to its rugged geography. But, Korea never fails to win in tourism industry because they always provide visitors with lots of convenient options to access to their beautiful country.

On 12 April 2013, Korea Railroad Corporation (Korail)  introduced special railroads V-train and O-train to cater for tourists and locals to enjoy the spectacular views of mountains, cliffs and valleys along the ride.

S-train  also started its operation on 27 Sep 2013 for easier and more enjoyable ways to access the southern regions.

DMZ-train route will start operation on 4 May 2014. Korail will launch more tourism-specialized trains such as G-train for the Western coast, and B-train for the Eastern coast, which are currently in their pipeline.

[Korea O-Train] Railroad trip from Seoul to Punggi | meheartsoul.blogspot.com
Our railroad trip with O-train from Seoul to Punggi

[Korea O-Train] Railroad trip from Seoul to Punggi | meheartsoul.blogspot.com
Our V-train and O-train routes plan.
Check this link for full V-train and O-train time schedules. 

So sad that we only took O-train, as V-train tickets were sold out. I couldn't changed our schedule as I'd booked hotel on the respective destinations. Do secure your seat earlier to avoid disappointment, as they are really popular not only for tourists, but locals also love to travel with their family and friends.

The O-train, whose name is derived from the round shape of the letter “O” to suggest its circular route, stops by 13 stations including Yeongwol, Mindongsan, Chujeon, Taebaek, Cheoram, Buncheon, Bonghwa, Yeongju, Punggi, Danyang, and Jecheon. 

The train circulates four times a day with two runs going clockwise and another two in the opposite direction. It takes four hours and 50 minutes to compete the entire 257.2-kilometer loop through Gangwon-do (Gangwon Province), Gyeongsangbuk-do (North Gyeongsang Province), and Chungcheongbuk-do (North Chungcheong Province). 

[Korea O-Train] Railroad trip from Seoul to Punggi | meheartsoul.blogspot.com
 7:45 am: Seoul Station (서울역)

[Korea O-Train] Railroad trip from Seoul to Punggi | meheartsoul.blogspot.com
Upss~! How to squeeze our big luggage 
on this overhead compartment?!

[Korea O-Train] Railroad trip from Seoul to Punggi | meheartsoul.blogspot.com
I checked with train attendant whether there is other place to put our luggage. 
She asked our destination and tickets and moved us to this Couple Room 2. 

[Korea O-Train] Railroad trip from Seoul to Punggi | meheartsoul.blogspot.com
Having our breakfast (Sushi, bread, and rice cake) in O-train.
You can purchase food and drink at reasonable price at the cafe.

[Korea O-Train] Railroad trip from Seoul to Punggi | meheartsoul.blogspot.com
Observatory room for better viewing

[Korea O-Train] Railroad trip from Seoul to Punggi | meheartsoul.blogspot.com
 HD TV screen showing the real time view.

[Korea O-Train] Railroad trip from Seoul to Punggi | meheartsoul.blogspot.com
Pretty sunrise reflection on the river

[Korea O-Train] Railroad trip from Seoul to Punggi | meheartsoul.blogspot.com
Can you feel the cold outside? 

[Korea O-Train] Railroad trip from Seoul to Punggi | meheartsoul.blogspot.com
It's warm inside the train, as the heater just below our seats.

Let's Korail with O-Train

[Korea O-Train] Railroad trip from Seoul to Punggi | meheartsoul.blogspot.com
9:44 - 9:59 am: Jecheon Station (제천역)
with waiting room to shield chilly wind

[Korea O-Train] Railroad trip from Seoul to Punggi | meheartsoul.blogspot.com
11:34 - 11:44 am: Chujeon Station (추전역)

[Korea O-Train] Railroad trip from Seoul to Punggi | meheartsoul.blogspot.com
~the highest station in Korea - 855m above sea level~

[Korea O-Train] Railroad trip from Seoul to Punggi | meheartsoul.blogspot.com
O-train stops for 10 minutes at Chujeon Station

[Korea O-Train] Railroad trip from Seoul to Punggi | meheartsoul.blogspot.com
best of romantic winter scenery~^^

[Korea O-Train] Railroad trip from Seoul to Punggi | meheartsoul.blogspot.com
There are some stalls selling local foods...
We bought makgeolli, grilled cuttlefish and sweet corn ^^

[Korea O-Train] Railroad trip from Seoul to Punggi | meheartsoul.blogspot.com
The last photo shoot before the train leaving us :P

Chujeon Station

Do take note on arrival and departure time of each station. Don't miss the train, especially if your belongings still inside the train! Most of the stations only stop for 1-2 minutes. Only transfer stations (Jecheon & Yeongju), and breathtaking panoramic views from Chujeon station stop for about 10 minutes.

[Korea O-Train] Railroad trip from Seoul to Punggi | meheartsoul.blogspot.com
11:51 - 11:53 am: Taebaek Station (태백역).
Remaining snow still covering most part of Taebaek mountain.

[Korea O-Train] Railroad trip from Seoul to Punggi | meheartsoul.blogspot.com
12:12 - 12:14 pm: Cheoram Station (철암역)
O-train connects to V-train at Cheoram Station

[Korea O-Train] Railroad trip from Seoul to Punggi | meheartsoul.blogspot.com
Picturesque landscape of Korean Peninsula
[Korea O-Train] Railroad trip from Seoul to Punggi | meheartsoul.blogspot.com
14:09 pm: Punggi Station (풍기역)

[Korea O-Train] Railroad trip from Seoul to Punggi | meheartsoul.blogspot.com
For more information on Korail O-train:
www.korail.com 
+82-1599-7777/ +82-1588-7788 (Korean, English)

Thursday 17 April 2014

Namdaemun Market - Cutlass Fish (갈치조림) Alley

Seongyojang Hanok House - a must visit Tourist Attraction in Gangneung | by Meheartseoul
It took 1 hour 30 minutes from Soraepogu to Incheon. But, somehow it took a little bit longer as somehow my hubby told me that we need to transfer at Geumjeong station. Blurred as he suddenly woke me up from my nap, I just followed him out... So, it took a bit longer as we need to wait for the next train.

Anyway, we arrived in Seoul just in time and waited for my friend at Sejong hotel. We took taxi there after walked half way, as they're not sure the direction to walk to Namdaemun market.

Food - Namdaemun Cutlass Fish 갈치조림 | meheartsoul.blogspot.com
Mr Bae, TK, my hubby and me ^^

I got to know Mr Bae 3 years back, as he was handling overseas shipment for Gmarket Korea. He's currently setting up a new cargo / freight forwarder company in Singapore. 

Mr Bae brought us to this old restaurant with 50-year history! Their specialty dish is braised cutlass (hair-tail) fish. 

Food - Namdaemun Cutlass Fish 갈치조림 | meheartsoul.blogspot.com
Braised cutlass fish (갈치조림), Assorted grilled fish (모듬생선구이),
Soybean paste stew (청국장) & Steamed egg (계란찜)

Food - Namdaemun Cutlass Fish 갈치조림 | meheartsoul.blogspot.com
Yes, this Braised hair-tail fish! The taste that I missed so much~! 

I only found out after tasting it. I told my friend that I guessed I had braised hair tail fish in Seogwipo. And TK confirmed that it's famous dish in Jeju Island.

It is made with fresh cutlassfish. In the past the dish was made with radish and soy sauce, but now it is seasoned with soy sauce, red pepper flakes, and gochujang sauce, so the dish is hot and spicy and red in color. The cutlassfish is prepared by being gutted and then cut into pieces that are 7 to 8 centimeters long. 

Rather thick radish slices are placed in the bottom of the pot. The cutlassfish slices are placed on top of the radishes and when the radish slices are cooked, minced garlic and ginger are added. The dish is braised for some time and the heat is turned off when the liquid begins to thin.


Food - Namdaemun Cutlass Fish 갈치조림 | meheartsoul.blogspot.com
Night at Namdaemun Market.

It's not easy to find this restaurant, as there are a lot of others similar restaurants selling braised cutlass fish. When we asked for the direction, they asked us to go inside their restaurants.ㅎㅎ

Food - Namdaemun Cutlass Fish 갈치조림 | meheartsoul.blogspot.com
Cutlass fish (갈치조림 = Galchi Jorim) Alley 

You can see a lot of signboards that they're recommended by MBC, KBS, SBS TV channels. And another restaurant was being featured in Running Man TV Show. 

Food - Namdaemun Cutlass Fish 갈치조림 | meheartsoul.blogspot.com
앙식당  갈치조림
Ang Restaurant 752-2892
Hoehyeon Station Line 4 (Exit 5)
Namdaemun, Seoul

Ok, now I know where to eat this delicious braised hair-tail fish with radish and spicy sauce in Seoul~!^^

Food - Namdaemun Cutlass Fish 갈치조림 | meheartsoul.blogspot.com
FYI... according to Mr. Bae, the office space rental 
around this Toegye-ro (Hoehyeon Station) area is 
the most expensive in Seoul!

Food - Namdaemun Cutlass Fish 갈치조림 | meheartsoul.blogspot.com
@Cafe Bene for a drink after our dinner before going back to hotel

Related Posts:
~ [Jeju Chilsimni Food Street] - Braised Hairtail Fish
~ Incheon - Soraepogu Traditional Fish Market (소래포구 어시장)
~ Insadong, Dongdaemun and Myeongdong

Wednesday 16 April 2014

Incheon - Soraepogu Traditional Fish Market (소래포구 어시장)

Not to miss attraction spot in Incheon Soraepogu | by Meheartseoul
Ms Kim was so nice to drop us to Incheon with her cute baby blue mini Cooper after Fusion Hanbok photo taking. Actually, they're heading to Lotte World, but she's driving us to Soraepogu instead of Oryu-dong station just because she knew that I love to go to beach.

"The sun hangs on the flags of ships returning to a port leaving behind the sun. You might think the ships are carrying the sun. At that moment, let's turn to the railroad bridge... Lean your body towards Siheung and Wolgot, and then turn your head to the right and hold your breath. You would enjoy the sun setting in Sorae that paints the small mountains and the sea with beautiful colors" (Source: Soraepogu Map)

Incheon Soraepogu Fish Market 소래포구어시장 | meheartsoul.blogspot.com
Fishing boats at Soraepogu Traditional Fish Market (소래포구어시장) 

Though it's near to Incheon metropolitan city, Soraepogu still maintaining the atmosphere of an old fishing village. 


Our top priority was to hunt for food as we're starving to the max! I might had took out the red bean breads that my friend bought for breakfast when tidy up my bag... 

Incheon Soraepogu Fish Market 소래포구어시장 | meheartsoul.blogspot.com
Luckily, we still have some strawberries for breakfast!

From Soraepogu Station, we walked and asked direction to the beach. And what we found was this traditional market near the fishing port. 

Incheon Soraepogu Fish Market 소래포구어시장 | meheartsoul.blogspot.com
Busy Soraepogu alleyways with stalls selling fresh seafood, various types of Kimchi, 
Crab Marinated in Soy Sauce (간장게장) and street food.

Quite similar to Jumunjin Fish Market in Gangneung, you can also buy fresh seafood at reasonable price here. It's just more crowded and busier here... maybe because it's Saturday and near to Incheon and Seoul.

Incheon Soraepogu Fish Market 소래포구어시장 | meheartsoul.blogspot.com
Wow~~~ Surprise! see what we found here?!

Locals were sitting on the mat and having their freshly cut sashimi just in front of the stalls. It looked quite fun and you won't experience this everyday (no such place to dine like this in Singapore). 

This type of place is kinda nostalgic for me because I grew up in Indonesia... Occasionally we'll dine out outskirts in open spaces like this at fishing villages or fish farms. But they didn't serve sashimi, you can opted to grill or fry or steam the fish. Normally they serve it with boiled vegetables (lalapan) like cabbage, long beans, tapioca leaf (daun ubi), papaya leaf (daun pepaya) and belacan (terasi).

We went to one of the stall to select seafood (fish and sea squirts). Then looked for a place to sit and wait for Ajumma to prepare our food.

Incheon Soraepogu Fish Market 소래포구어시장 | meheartsoul.blogspot.com
some random photos while waiting... ㅋㅋ

You know?... sitting on the floor when eating can prevent you from over eating. Your stomach is pressed by your legs making it virtually impossible to eat full. It is better for your health~^^

Incheon Soraepogu Fish Market 소래포구어시장 | meheartsoul.blogspot.com
Cheers~!!! 

Incheon Soraepogu Fish Market 소래포구어시장 | meheartsoul.blogspot.com
 Super Fresh Sashimi - 20,000 Won

Incheon Soraepogu Fish Market 소래포구어시장 | meheartsoul.blogspot.com
잘 ~~~ 먹겠습니다! ^^

It's nice to sit and  mingle with locals and enjoy our sashimi here with seagulls singing and cold sea breeze blowing to you.  Oh~ love it! 

Incheon Soraepogu Fish Market 소래포구어시장 | meheartsoul.blogspot.com
Chrysanthemum-shaped bread filled with red bean paste (Gukhwappang = 국화빵 )

Blame the cold weather, I need something hot to munch. We found a cart selling this traditional street snacks. We bought Gukhwappang and my hubby tested the taste of boiled silkworm larvae (번데기 = Beondegi)... yiuuks~! 

Incheon Soraepogu Fish Market 소래포구어시장 | meheartsoul.blogspot.com
Outside Soraepogu Fish Market.

Incheon Soraepogu Fish Market 소래포구어시장 | meheartsoul.blogspot.com
Strolling around the city...

Incheon Soraepogu Fish Market 소래포구어시장 | meheartsoul.blogspot.com
 Seafood restaurants along the street.

Incheon Soraepogu Fish Market 소래포구어시장 | meheartsoul.blogspot.com
Fisherman (어부) sculpture.

Incheon Soraepogu Fish Market 소래포구어시장 | meheartsoul.blogspot.com
 Sauna, hotels and motels...

Incheon Soraepogu Fish Market 소래포구어시장 | meheartsoul.blogspot.com
 Map of Incheon Metropolitan City

Key Attraction: 
~ Incheon Bridge (인천대교)
   The world's 5th largest bridge, selected as "10 Wonders of the Construction World"
   Incheon Bridge, the "Red Carpet" towards the world is an offshore bridge which connects the
   New Songdo City to Incheon International Airport.

~ Incheon Open Port - Chinatown (개항장 - 차이나타운)
   The fist Chinese Street in Korea with 120 years of history. The "pai-loo" (gate) at the entrance
   was recently built to celebrate the area based on Chinese traditions. 

   The neighborhood Samgukji Mural Street featuring major scenes from "The Romance of the 
   Three Kingdoms" along the street to Jayu Park.

~ Songdo Central Park (송도 센트럴공원)
   Eco-friendly park provides relaxation and entertainment with sculpture park, terraces, artificial
   waterways, water taxis and a moving stage.
  
   Visitors can ride the water taxi Michuhol in Korea's first sea park built with waterways.

~ Ganghwa Dolmen (강화 고인돌)
   There are more than 100 dolmens (Jiseokmyo) in Ganghwa area, both the southern and northern
   styles are mixed together. 

   Bugeunri Dolmen located in Dolmen Park is a typical northern style dolmen. It's designated as 
   UNESCO World Heritage site.

~ Baengnyeongdo Island (백령도)
   Baengnyeongdo is the closest island to North Korea. Originally it was the 13th largest island in 
   South Korea with size of 46.35 km. Now it is the 8th largest because of the reclamation project
   that connected Hwadong and Sagot Beach.

~ Soraepogu (소래포구)

Incheon Soraepogu Fish Market 소래포구어시장 | meheartsoul.blogspot.com
Lively Soraepogu city.

Incheon Soraepogu Fish Market 소래포구어시장 | meheartsoul.blogspot.com
So sad that we didn't catch the breathtaking golden sunset in Soraepogu...
need to go back to Seoul to meet my friend.

Incheon Soraepogu Fish Market 소래포구어시장 | meheartsoul.blogspot.com
Upss... trot songs stopped me to go in to subway station...
Everybody~! Let's sing and dance!!!

Incheon Soraepogu Fish Market 소래포구어시장 | meheartsoul.blogspot.com
1 Nonhyeon 1(il)-dong Namdong-gu Incheon

Direction by subway (32 stations): 
Seoul Station -> Oidobound (Line 4) -> Oido Songdobound (Suin Line) -> Soraepogu station
(about 1 hour 30 minutes)