Seoul Day 2: Changdeokgung, Insadong, Eel & Chicken Feet

The next morning Jessica took me to a restaurant that serves manduguk.  Freshly handmade, it was the best mandu I have ever had. I have since ordered many a mandguk and different restaurants but nothing has come close to this one.  At least I have a picture to remember it by.

HUGE mandu with BUCKETS of kimchi

We then went to Napoeon Bakery, a well known attraction where I purchased some snacks for the day. 

The bakery was filled with all kind of breads and pastries

They even had a small freezer section for ice cream treats and sandwiches.

This chocolate thing...

...was so amazing.

Jessica and I then met up with the others to visit Changdeokgung Palace.  The name means Prospering Virtue Palace and it is one of the Five Grand Palaces built by the kings of the Joseon Dynasty. We took the guided tour around the peaceful palace walls.

At the entrance

Jessica ^^!!

In front of the main palace building

Attatched to Changdeok Palace was the Secret Garden (Biwon). There was a guided tour for this as well.

family portrait

Back at the entrance, this time during closing.

Afterward the palace, we took a short walk towards Insadong to peruse through the stores. There were many traditional Korean goods and art to look at and to purchase. 

On the main street of Insadong

There was also this really cool tea store with samples and fancy teas.

For dinner, we went to a restaurant by Sara's home.  The mission for Anne and Wolf that night was to eat fresh eel!

Common side sauces for BBQ

They kill the eel in the restaurant. After the eel is dead though, it still moves around! Here is a video clip of our dinner in action:

Our dinner of eel and chicken feet

We spent the evening watching Anna Karenina at Sara's apartment.  The next morning we were on our way back to Busan. 

A subway station in Seoul

breakfast the next day. so healthy!

The ride home...

This time the train ride was really comfy and I was able to nap before going into work. I had a great time in Seoul, but I was happy to be back home.  And then I wondered: "when did Busan become my home, anyway?"

Directions to Insadong
From Jonggak station, take Exit 3. Or from Jongo sam-ga, take Exit 1.