A Whirlwind Summer: Busan, Chuncheon, and Goseong Adventures
This summer was a blur of heat and busyness. Despite the melting weather, I was constantly on the go.
My first stop was Busan. It's a place that always excites me and fills me with anticipation. I wish I could visit more often, but the distance is a constraint. I usually make it there once every year or two, and this time it was a short one-night, two-day trip.
I had been craving Dwaeji Gukbap (pork rice soup) before even arriving. No trip to Busan is complete without a bowl of it. I took the SRT to Busan Station and, as it was lunchtime, headed straight to a Dwaeji Gukbap restaurant.
On my previous visit, I went to a Dwaeji Gukbap place right next to the station, which was good, but this time we decided to try Bonjeon Dwaeji Gukbap.
We ordered Suyuk (sliced boiled pork) and Dwaeji Gukbap. Sadly, I don't have a picture of the soup, but I was so hungry and it was so delicious that I finished the whole bowl. My husband and I both agreed that Bonjeon Dwaeji Gukbap was tastier!
Since I had plans for the evening, I checked in with plenty of time to spare. I wanted to go to Gukje Market for sightseeing and shopping, but it started pouring rain. Luckily, I had rented a car, but the traffic was terrible, so I had to skip the market, which was a real shame...
Still, I managed to eat Geoin Tongdak (Giant Chicken), which I had been wanting to have in Busan for years! The shop inside the market had closed, and now it's just a takeout place.
I pre-ordered by phone and was able to pick it up right away. As expected, the taste was heavenly! I ate so well during my one-night, two-day trip to Busan. It's delicious even when it's cold!
My hotel was the Ramada Encore by Wyndham Busan Haeundae. I booked it for a relatively low price in the 100,000 KRW range, which was a good deal considering it was peak season. The location was great for strolling along the beach. It's more of a business hotel, so it's not ideal for a staycation, but it was perfect for just sleeping for one night.
I went out for a walk on the beach at night and enjoyed busking performances and the Haeundae Festa. Busan seems to change every time I visit.
Before going back to the hotel, I bought a Mooltteok (fish cake skewer in broth) from Haeundae Market. Whenever I come to Busan, I eat like a food fighter!
For brunch on the second day, I went to Geumsu Bokguk (blowfish soup) in Haeundae. It was the day after Malbok (the last day of the hottest period of summer), so it was a great way to nourish my body. The portions seemed bigger than before, and the clear Bokguk was as always, healing soul food itself.
I also took a short weekend trip to Chuncheon. There were many places to visit near the hotel, so even as a spontaneous person, I was able to visit various places on the spur of the moment.
After breakfast, I went to a Starbucks with a great view for my morning coffee. It was the Chuncheon Gubongsan Reserve store, and there were many cafes nearby, perhaps because of the high elevation and great view.
It's famous for its mountain view, and as expected, the view of Chuncheon was amazing. The view from the basement floor was even better, so I ordered on the first floor and drank my coffee in the basement.
Since there was an event going on, I also received a kids' reusable cup, which made me even happier. There were plenty of seats because it was a weekday, but it seemed like a place that would be packed on weekends.
I couldn't leave without stopping by the Chuncheon National Museum. Unlike other museums, it wasn't located in a remote area but in a residential area, which gave it a unique feel.
Again, since it was a weekday, it wasn't crowded, so it was perfect for taking my child around slowly. There was also a children's museum, where my elementary schooler stayed for quite a while.
These days, museums pay a lot of attention to visual aspects, and there are many places where media art is worth seeing. The Chuncheon National Museum was one of them.
If you ever have a chance to visit nearby, be sure to check it out!
I couldn't leave without having lunch. I've been trying a lot of Makguksu (buckwheat noodles) this year...
I haven't found a Makguksu restaurant that I can say "This is it!" but this was the most delicious Makguksu I've had this year.
The food came out very quickly, and everything was delicious. The Makguksu had a strong sesame oil flavor, but it wasn't overpowering, and it was easy to eat. The Suyuk was also tender and soft, perfect to eat together. I'm definitely going back here next time I visit Chuncheon!
Maybe it knew I was reluctant to go home...? I saw the Chuncheon Potato Field Cafe on the way to Myungga Makguksu. It was so close that I couldn't resist going. haha
I've had potato bread from cafes a few times before, and I remember it being delicious, so I decided to try it! I was already full, so I decided to just try one potato bread and one corn bread.
It's so chewy and delicious!! To be honest, I really wanted to buy a few more and eat them right away, but I resisted. Potato bread is the real deal, even better than sweet potato bread! It's full of potatoes, and I understand why it's so famous.
The cafe was big and the outdoor area was decorated nicely, making it a great place to relax and have coffee. I'll definitely come back here again. Now I have another reason to come back to Chuncheon.
To enjoy the last of summer, I took a trip to Goseong, Gangwon-do. It was another incredibly hot day, but as expected, the valley was the perfect escape. It was so cold that I couldn't stay in the water for long!
It was a private property in Misiryeong Valley, and I made a reservation for a day trip for 50,000 KRW.
It was so nice to have a picnic on the platform, have a cold beer, and relax. The water was very clean, but there weren't as many fish as I expected. I brought my fishing gear to catch some, which was a little disappointing.
The accommodation was somewhere I’d never been before, Shinsegae Central City Yeongnangho Resort. An acquaintance from my husband's company recommended it, so I was curious and booked a suite room.
The Yeongnangho view and the walking trails were great, and the fact that it was close to downtown Sokcho was also a plus. I could even see Ulsanbawi Rock from the room, which is a detail that parents would love.
They say the rooms have been renovated and are cleaner, but I can't compare because I hadn't been there before. The room condition wasn't super clean, but it was decent for the price during peak season.
There's Yeongnangho CC and a park golf course right in front, so this golf fanatic's heart was pounding... It makes sense that there were so many golf tourists in the lobby.
The accommodation was about a 10-minute drive from Sokcho Jungang Market. It had been a long time since I had eaten Mansuk Dakgangjeong (sweet and sour crispy chicken), so I packed it up and ate it, and it was so delicious that I almost cleared it before eating the sashimi. The packaged sashimi was also chewy and delicious.
The second day was the hottest day ever. Could it get any hotter than this? I wanted to jump into the sea, but I held back... Next time, I'll make sure to bring everything I need!
I was so exhausted from the heat that I looked for a place to eat something delicious and found Nokwon Restaurant in Goseong! Make sure to make a reservation on the Tabling app. I didn't do it in advance, so I had to wait about 30 minutes. I was able to order while waiting, so I was able to eat quickly.
I ordered the large size, and the quantity was considerable and savory, and I enjoyed it so much. The potatoes were really delicious, so it was good to eat with rice and sauce. Refills of bean sprouts are a must...!
Lastly, I visited the Goseong cafe with an ocean view, "Coffee Go."
I accidentally came here when I visited Seorak Sun Valley CC a while ago, and I remembered it being good, so I came here on purpose this time. It was still as relaxing as before... The coffee was also delicious, and it was perfect for taking a walk along the beach.
There is Bongpo Beach in front of it, which is shallow and cozy, so it seemed suitable for children to play in the water. Next time, I think I'll come to Bongpo Beach instead of Sokcho.
Looking back, I understand why I was so busy this summer. I saw that Naver Blog was doing the 2025 What's In My Blog challenge, so I brought out my travel memories. I want to let go of summer now...!!
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