Day 14: Exploring Seoul: Tower Views and Street Food
- wanderingazuki
- Oct 7
- 6 min read
Table of Content
🌺 Introduction 🫘
"Travel isn’t always about rushing to see everything — sometimes it’s about pausing to soak in the little moments that make a city feel like home." - Unknown
There’s something quietly magical about exploring a city at a slower pace — starting the day with a simple breakfast, wandering through grand buildings, and ending with the vibrant hum of a bustling market. Today’s adventure took us to the towering heights of Lotte World Tower, the serene paths around Seokchon Lake, and the lively streets of Myeongdong Market. Along the way, we savoured comforting Korean dishes and soaked in the city’s energy, discovering both the extraordinary and the everyday that makes Seoul so captivating.
🚆 A Stroll Around Lotte World Tower & Seokchon Lake ⛵
The day began with a hot drink and a pastry—a simple yet satisfying breakfast from a bakery we’d discovered earlier. I love sampling different bakeries while travelling, and this one definitely didn’t disappoint. With food in hand, we set off for Lotte World Tower, which was incredibly easy to get to from our hotel. We hopped on the subway at Euljiro 1(il)-ga Station, and since it was a direct line with no transfers needed, it was a welcome relief—especially on a low-energy morning.
Lotte World Tower is the tallest building in Korea, and standing at its base, I couldn’t help but feel small. I didn’t go up to the observation deck this time, but I did spend a while exploring the Lotte Department Store. It reminded me a lot of Westfield White City in London—spacious, sleek, and packed with just about everything you could imagine. One of the Lotte Hotels is located here too—definitely on my list for a future stay.
After snapping a few photos around the building, we made our way to Seokchon Lake, a lovely spot with a well-marked walking path circling the water. There were still traces of event decorations scattered around, adding a touch of whimsy to the scenery. The walk took us about an hour, with plenty of scenic photo spots along the way. Helpful directional signs guided the flow of walkers, making it easy to enjoy the loop.
When we reached one end of the lake, we crossed a bridge to explore the other side—Seoho Lake—where I got a great view of Lotte World and Magic Island. You’d need to pay to enter Magic Island, but it looked like a fun spot with plenty of rides—ideal for families with kids. If I hadn’t been so drained, I would’ve loved to explore more, but simply taking in the views and snapping a few photos was enough for the day.
Cost Summary💰:
Seokchon Lake Walk – Free
Lotte World Tower Observation Deck (optional) – Approx. ₩27,000+ (~£16+)
🥟 Steamed, Stuffed, and Slightly Spilled: A Dim Sum Pause at DimDimSum🥢
Inside the Lotte Department Store food court, we came across a dim sum spot called DimDimSum. Like many popular places in Korea, you register to queue and wait for your number to be called. Despite the lunchtime crowd, we only waited about 20 minutes - we were getting hungry so not bad at all.
From the outside, the restaurant looked quite spacious, but inside, the tables were packed in pretty tightly, which made it feel a little cramped. That said, the staff were friendly and efficient, though not particularly attentive.
One small mishap: they served tea in one of those teapots with a built-in infuser, but you couldn’t actually see how full your cup was while pouring. The tea ended up spilling—and unfortunately, it was hot. It took them a while to notice, and even longer to bring over napkins. Not a huge deal, but it definitely could’ve been handled quicker.
The menu featured a solid selection of dim sum staples, and we went for some classic choices:
🥟 Xiao Long Bao (soup dumplings)
🦐 Har Gow (shrimp dumplings)
🌿 Cheung Fun (rice noodle rolls)
The food was decent—nothing mind-blowing, but definitely satisfying, especially after a morning of walking. It was a good value for the price and made for a nice, casual lunch spot to recharge.
We spent some time wandering around the department store. It felt so glamorous that we couldn’t help but feel a little underdressed. Along the way, we came across the entrance to the Sky Bridge and the Seoul Sky Observation Deck. My mum wasn’t keen to go up, and I didn’t feel quite brave enough to go alone—Busan X Sky had taken all my courage for this trip! But I’d love to try it next time I’m here.
Afterwards, we returned to the hotel to relax and prepare for our evening outing.
Cost Summary💰 :
Dim Sum Lunch for 2 – ₩53,000 (approx. £29–£30)
🌌 Late-Night Finds: Dinner at Lotte Food Court, Myeongdong Market & Olive Young 🍱
We stopped by Olive Young to pick up some last-minute skincare goodies and souvenirs. The store was bustling and vibrant, making browsing a fun way to wind down after a busy day. Afterwards, we headed over to the Lotte Duty Free store for some final souvenir shopping. Mum went to shop for seaweed to use in soup, and it was a fun moment for me as I used my limited Korean to chat with the storekeeper. Mum also stocked up on even more ginseng, which she swears by for its health benefits. It was a relaxed, enjoyable way to end the evening before we headed back to the hotel.
For our final dinner in Seoul, we made our way to the Lotte Department Store food court. I chose bibimbap — a vibrant, comforting dish brimming with fresh vegetables, tender beef, and perfectly seasoned rice. It came with classic sides of kimchi and a warm, soothing soup. The meal was not only delicious but also very affordable, making it a perfect farewell dinner.
After dinner, we headed out to explore Myeongdong Market, one of Seoul’s most famous shopping districts. The market was buzzing with energy, packed with locals and tourists alike. The streets were lined with countless food stalls stretching along the main road and spilling into a few narrow alleys. I really wanted to try some street food, but when my mum said she didn’t want anything,
I found myself going back and forth in my head, debating whether I should get something on my own. We probably walked up and down the market three times before I finally settled on a cheesy hotdog. It was warm, gooey, and just the right amount of indulgence for a late-night snack. Next time, I’d love to try the fishcake, egg bread and hotteok, which looked so tempting but I didn’t get the chance to try this time.
Finally, we returned to the hotel, tired but satisfied, ready to pack and reflect on our wonderful Seoul adventure. It was a perfect end to the day — a mix of delicious food, lively streets, and those small moments that make travel so memorable.
🌕 Day’s reflection 🫶
Today reminded me how travel is as much about the journey as it is about the destination. Standing beneath Korea’s tallest skyscraper, the Lotte World Tower, I felt both humbled and inspired — a small reminder of how vast the world is. Yet, the peaceful loop around Seokchon Lake offered the perfect counterbalance, a chance to slow down and connect with nature amid the city.
Lunchtime at DimDimSum was a casual but satisfying break, where the mishap with the tea served as a funny travel memory to add to the mix. Even without the courage to tackle the observation deck this time, the glimpses of Seoul’s skyline left me dreaming of future visits.
The evening was filled with the joyful buzz of Myeongdong Market. While I wished for more variety in the stalls, the experience of wandering the lively streets, debating whether to indulge in street food on my own, and finally settling on a cheesy corndog felt like a little personal victory. I’m already looking forward to trying more snacks next time — fishcake, egg bread, and hotteok are calling my name!
Ending the day browsing Olive Young and packing up felt like closing a beautiful chapter, full of memories to carry home. This balance of grand sights, simple pleasures, and shared moments is what makes travelling so endlessly rewarding.
🧳Your Turn to Wander In🧋
Have you ever stood at the foot of a building that made you feel both amazed and small? What was it?
What do you like to do on your last full day of travel? A busy or relaxing day?
Do you like to try market street foods? Any memorable experiences?
What’s one food you regret not trying on a trip — and want to go back for?
Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments—I’d love to hear your stories and experiences!
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