Culinary Tour of South Korea

(8 Days - Departs Daily on a Private Basis)
Seoul, Busan

On this private culinary tour of South Korea, discover the flavors of Seoul and Busan during food market tours, a cooking class, a temple visit and street food tours. Also visit major cultural sites such as palaces, temples and traditional neighborhoods according to your interests.

Begin in Seoul, the fascinating capital of South Korea. During flexible private culinary touring, visit Gwangjang Market or one of the other vast markets dedicated to food and sample Korean street food dishes such as tteokbokki (chewy rice cakes in a sweet and spicy sauce), bindaetteok (fried mung bean pancakes) and irresistible hotteok (pancakes stuffed with brown sugar), and perhaps try soju or makgeolli (rice wine). Also stop for a cup of tea in a traditional teahouse.

Also tour highlights such as the Changdeokgung Palace complex—a UNESCO World Heritage Site—and its "secret garden." Learn about traditional Korean lifestyles while walking through Ikseondong and Bukchon, neighborhoods filled with hanok (traditional Korean houses), and browse the best local shops for Korean antiques, textiles, ceramics, clothing and more in the Insadong neighborhood. Discover the treasures of Seoul's best museums, such as the Leeum, Samsung Museum of Art, Korea Furniture Museum, the War Memorial of Korea or National Museum of Korea. Other options include visiting the Zaha Hadid-designed Dongdaemun Design Plaza, walking along scenic Cheonggyecheon Stream, touring Gyeongbokgung Palace and additional royal palaces, visiting the National Folk Museum of Korea, learning about Confucian traditions at Jongmyo Shrine, walking through trendy neighborhoods such as Myeongdong to see the latest fashions and pop culture (including K-Pop), visiting high-end fashion boutiques and restaurants in Gangnam, going to the top of N Tower, hiking in the mountains surrounding Seoul, stopping by top art galleries and visiting the vibrant Hongdae university district. One evening, if desired, Artisans of Leisure can make a reservation at a makgeolli cafe, where the rice wine is served in a brass kettle and complemented with many banchan (small side dishes).

Next, travel by high-speed train to Busan, a bustling port town that’s South Korea's second largest city. During private cultural and culinary touring, visit highlights of Busan, such as Jagalchi Fish Market, the largest fish market in Korea; Huinnyeoul Culture Village, a charming coastal village; and Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, an important Buddhist temple on the waterfront. Also sample local specialties, such as milmyeon (noodle dish) and dwaeji gukbap (pork soup rice), or stop by a microbrewery for a local craft beer. Other options include riding the Busan Air Cruise for scenic views over beaches and the sea and shopping at Shinsegae or Lotte Department Store Centum City, among the world’s largest department stores.

Return to Seoul and enjoy a private Korean cooking class to learn to prepare kimchi or other typical Korean dishes.

Upon request, Artisans of Leisure can further customize this tour to include special interest activities, such as a strawberry picking activity or lessons in taekwondo, or excursions to ceramics villages, folk villages, other UNESCO World Heritage Sites, amusement parks, hallyu sites and other destinations outside Seoul.