Page 89 - Forbes - India (January 2020)

travel ForbesLife
my
seoul
A city bustling with places
to work and play
I
travel to Seoul once or twice every year, as my
organisation has its headquarters there. I was
awestruck when I landed in Seoul for the first
time. In the 1950s, after the Korean War, the
country was one of the poorest; in 1960, its per
capita GDP was $79. Now it has the fourth largest
economy in Asia and the 11th largest in the world.
The transformation speaks of the determination and
hard work of the Korean people. The cleanliness,
punctuality and ease of service in the city will
remain in the minds of any visitor for a long time.
RecommendatIons
By far the best property in town is the Four
Seasons Hotel at Jongno-gu, the heart of the
city. I would also recommend any place in and
around Myeong-dong. The best shopping and
food is found around it. It is centrally located and
provides easy access to all places. Gangnam and
Itaewon would be the other locations to stay at.
Seoul is about business and meetings, with
the ideal meeting place located in and around
Gwanghwamun. Most restaurants have closed
rooms for having food and discussing official
matters. Most hotels also have business lounges.
Karaoke bars are a great place to end a successful
meeting. The people of Seoul are passionate
about food. Myeong-dong is a street with rows
of food stalls, and I have tried dumplings,
egg bread, fishcakes and prawns. A popular
restaurant is Tosokchon, within walking distance
from the Gyeongbokgung Palace. The most
famous dish there is the samgyetang: A whole
chicken stuffed with sticky rice, ginseng, and
chestnuts in a smooth broth. For vegetarians, the
temple food of South Korea is a must-have.
GettInG aRound
Seoul has an advanced public transportation
system: The subway is extensive and highly
efficient. Buses and taxis are easy to use and
shutterstock
relatively inexpensive. Walking is a great way
to see the city, and most of the locals prefer it. 89
afteR HouRs
From the finest restaurants to the best of pubs,
the city has it all. If you like dancing, the pubs at
Iteawon would be right for you. For good
food, visit Gangnam or Gwanghwamun.
Koreans love to spend their evenings
at a local BBQ restaurant with fried
chicken and soju (the local drink). Pubs,
karaoke bars and BBQ restaurants are
at Itaewon. Even if you are not a bar
person, you should go there to feel its
swaruP MOhanTy energy. Visit Insa-dong for a flavour of
local culture and souvenir shopping. It
is a nice walk among beautifully done-
up shops and cafes. Myeong-dong is the place
to shop for beauty products and formal wear.
tIps
Seoul is a well-dressed city. So people in shorts and
T-shirts could feel out of place. Also, don’t leave
the hotel without its name and address written in
Korean. Taxi drivers may not understand English.
A word of advice for vegetarians: Even if a dish
is called vegetarian, it would have egg and beef
garnish. So please be specific while ordering food.
● The wriTer is CeO, Mirae asseT GlObal
invesTMenTs (india) PvT lTd
January 31, 2020 • forbes india