Day 1: Seoul Getting Away with Our Girlfriends :)

Finally we are embarking on this long awaited Seoul trip. :) Everyone's worn out by the red eye flight but we are bursting with anticipation on what's in store for us the next few days. :D We are going to create memories girlfriends! :) Let's freshen up at L7 Myeongdong before heading out again. :)

L7 Myeongdong is conveniently located next to Myeongdong subway station. Yeah to the superb convenience. :) But...the room is cramp for 3...We took 2 rooms, 815 and 816. Wendy, Angie and Issac shared a room (815) while Tina, Lin & I took the other room (816).

We are heading out for lunch in a jiffy. :D Please excuse us as we use the bathrooms. :))) Meanwhile feel free to check out our room. :)

Each room comes with a single bed and a queen size bed. There isn't much space to move  around once our luggages are in the room. *.*

The bathroom lacks hanging racks to place our clothes and towels. This is makes bathing etc challenging. : I

L7 Myeongdong uses Malin + Goetz for their toiletries. That's about all to our tiny nest. :D

Lunch! We need lunch! : O Lin led us to Jinokhwa Halmae Wonjo Dakhanmari (진옥화할매원조닭한마리).

Jinokhwa Halmae Wonjo is famous for its Dakhanmari. Unlike Samyetang which uses ingredients such as chicken, ginseng, various herbs & chestnuts, Dakhanmari is made using simpler ingredients: 35 days old whole chicken, water and garlic. It's amazing how flavourful Dakhanmari can possibly be. :)

Lol! We were stunned when two washbasins of chickens and broth were brought before us. :D

Everyone looks tired! Food will make us better. :) Becos we didn't know what to do with the chicken before us, we went about taking pics instead. :)))

A Mandarin speaking server came to our rescue. :)

This is an absolutely perfect dish for a cold day! Do not be deceived by the bland looking washbasin of chicken and broth. It's in fact chicken soup at its best. :D The chicken and broth is so fresh with lingering sweetness. 

You may savor the soup in its original state which we much preferred or add kimchi for that extra boost of flavours. Free flow of kimchi is availabe at the counter.

For the chicken, we dipped them in mustard, vinegar and chilli as recommended by the server. Yumz...

The meal is made complete with kalguksu (handmade wheat noodles). I love noodles. I really do. :)

When you have a kid in tow, it's best to head to Dongdaemum Stationery & Toys Street to "bribe" him with his fav toy! :))) A simple toy train kept Issac happy all the way! :D

We did some quick shopping at Namdaemun too. Lin, Wendy & I scored the following:
Winter gloves
Winter hats
Brooch
Pom pom bag charms
Korean stone bowls 

Angie's cousin and his gf are in Seoul too and we met up for dinner at Hanmiri Korean Restaurant for some Imperial Korean cuisine. :) Well...I know why I'm born a commoner. :)))

The never ending imperial feast starts now...pardon for the lack of text from this point forward... :))) I was too sleepy by then and just gobbled down whatever was served to us. :~)))

This imperial Korean cuisine wasn't mind blowing. Perhaps we had went with heighten expectations from the Korean drama Dae Jang Geum. :))) Regardless an expensive dinner or an economical, simple fare, the company matters most. :D I'm treasuring every minute with my girlfriends. :)

We are in our next stages in life. Our physical health and stamina aren't like what they were 5 years ago and we now have a little man in tow. It's no longer crazy, high energy activities but rather very chilled itineary. That's the life we are embracing now. :)

Details of Jinokhwa Halmae Wonjo Dakhanmari (진옥화할매원조닭한마리):
18 Jong-ro 40ga-gil
Jongno-gu
Seoul 03197
South Korea
T: +82 02-2275-9666

Details of Dongdaemum Stationery & Toys Street
Dongdaemum Station (Seoul Subway Line 1 & 4) 
Exit 4

Details of Namdaemun
Subway Line 4
4 stops from Dongdaemum, 1 stop from Myeongdong
Alight at Hoehyeon Station Exit 5

Details of Hanmiri Korean Restaurant (한미리):
Premier Place
Level 2
96 Mugyo-dong
Jung-gu
Seoul
T: +82-2-757-5707/8
W:http://hanmiri.com/

Line 4: Myeongdong Station
2 stations to Dongdaemun History Culture Park Station (Transfer to Line 5)
3 stations to Gwanghwamun Station
Exit 5, entry to Cheonggye Square