South Korea Culinary Adventure: Seoul, Jeonju, Gwangju, Busan & Jeju - 13 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Seoul, Half-Day Seoul Food Tour

Welcome to South Korea! You'll touch down today just outside the sprawling metropolis of Seoul, where a private driver will take you to your accommodation for the next few nights. Drop off your bags and get settled in before it's time to take to the streets in search of your first Korean culinary treats.

Meet your private guide and set off on a half-day gastronomy tour, learning more about Korean food culture and etiquette along the way. You'll start at the famous Gwangjang Market, known for its crispy bindaetteok (mungbean pancakes). You'll find plenty of other traditional bites to discover, too, like gimbap (rice, seaweed, and veggies) and tteokkbokki (spicy rice cakes).

Try not to fill up too much because you're headed to Namdaemun Market next. The largest traditional market in South Korea is a foodie hotspot and a retail mecca, and as you explore its stalls, you'll sample exotic bites like live octopus and beef tartare alongside more tame treats like kimchi dumplings. End the day on Youth Street, settling into a local classic that you might have tried before—Korean barbecue. Enjoy a medley of banchan, this meal's famous side dishes, alongside the star of the show—smoky meats that you'll barbecue over a personal grill.

Day 2: Visit Gyeongbokgung, Bukchon Hanok Village, N Seoul Tower & Myeongdong

Learn more about Korean heritage today by donning traditional clothing, known as hanbok, as you explore Seoul's cultural treasures with your private guide. Change into your attire and start with a tour of the Gyeongbokgung palace. Built in 1395 CE, this is the birthplace of the Korean alphabet and was the home of Korea's royal family for hundreds of years. A professional photographer will be there to capture the day as you wander the striking palace grounds and gardens. You'll also visit the National Folk Museum, located inside the palace walls, for more background on Korean history.

Keep exploring at the Bukchon Hanok Village. Some of the city's oldest homes are hidden here, and residents still occupy these traditional houses. Keep the tour of Seoul's top sights going at Namsan Park, the tallest point in the city. For 360-degree views, climb to the top of N Seoul Tower. By the end of the tour you'll have worked up an appetite, so continue on your own to the Myeongdong neighborhood, renowned for its steaming street food stalls and specialty restaurants. Seek out the classic kalguksu, also known as knife-cut noodles, and grab a table for some prime people-watching.

Day 3: Day Trip to Nami Island, Petite France & Chuncheon Dakgalbi Street

Meet your guide this morning for a day trip outside the city, starting with the whimsical theme park Petite France. Located 45 minutes outside Seoul, this colorful village was modeled after Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's famous novel, "Le Petit Prince," and as you wander between its cute shops and art galleries, you'll feel like you've been transported to the South of France. Peace and tranquillity await you next as you continue north to Nami Island. Surrounded by the North Han River, this quiet respite is a popular day trip for city dwellers, with a flourish of cherry blossoms in spring and scarlet maple trees in autumn. 

You last stop is on the outskirts of Chuncheon at Gimyujeong Station. Pedal your way down a now out-of-service section of subway track on a rail bike, enjoying panoramic views of sprawling mountain scenery as you make your way downhill. End the day by making a beeline for Dakgalbi Street in Chuncheon. Sit down to a steaming plate of dak galbi, a spicy chicken dish stir-fried with ingredients like sliced cabbage, rice cakes, green onion, and even cheese. If you're still hungry afterward, seek out another culinary favorite, makguksu (buckwheat noodles in a cold broth), before returning to Seoul.

Day 4: Train to Jeonju, Visit Jeonju Hanok Village & Korean Traditional Wine Museum

Rise and shine early this morning for your 2.5-hour train ride south to Jeonju, South Korea's unofficial cultural capital and history mecca. Upon arrival, the city's Jeonju Hanok Village is the perfect place to kick off the day with a private tour. This nook of the city holds over 800 traditional hanok houses, still inhabited by locals, and provides a glimpse into what life was like in South Korea hundreds of years ago. You'll also explore Geyonggijeon, a 15th-century shrine that doubles as the Royal Portrait Museum.

Later in the day, it's time for another private tour as you visit the Jeonju Traditional Liquor Museum. See how different Korean liquors and wines are made, sip on different kinds of spirits, like soju and chungju, and try your hand at creating your own. Follow your guide to more traditional Korean beverages at Makgeolli Alley, a district known for specializing in makgeolli (Korean rice wine). This milky and slightly fizzy fermented drink is poured from gold kettles and served in metal bowls. After the tour, your guide can recommend a local restaurant for bibimbap (rice topped with egg, sliced meat, and stir-fried veggies).

Day 5: Jeonju Market Tour, Jeondong Catholic Church, Hyanggo & National Museum

Today is all about diving deeper into Jeonju's rich culinary scene and history. Start with a self-guided exploration of the 100-year-old Jeonju Nambu Traditional Market. This bustling food center is alive with steaming stalls, sizzling sounds, and hungry customers looking for both their weekly groceries and a bite to eat. Munch on barbecued shrimp and bibimbap, or if you're feeling adventurous, try the blood sausage soup.

Now that you've satiated your hunger, join your private guide to tour Jeonju's most important sites, including the imposing Pungnammun Gate, once the city's southern entrance. You'll also visit the Jeonju Cathedral, where Catholic martyrs were once persecuted, and the Omokdae Observatory, which offers panoramic views over Jeonju Hanok Village. Afterward, you'll head for Jeonju Hyanggyo, a Confucian school founded during the Joseon dynasty. The true star of your afternoon is the Jeonju National Museum, where you can pour over 40,000 artifacts gathered from the region.

Day 6: Transfer to Gwangju via Sunchang & Damyang Experiences

Hit the road with your driver this morning and spend the day slowly making your way two hours south to the city of Gwangju—with several exciting detours en route. Stop first in Sunchang to discover how South Korea's most popular condiment is made with a visit to Sunchang Gochujang Village. Roll up your sleeves and help whip up a batch of gochujang, a spicy, red, fermented paste, then use it to help cook the traditional Korean dish, tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes).

Back in the car, a quick drive along a famously scenic stretch of dawn redwoods (Metasequoias) takes you to Damyang, where you can seek out some of the town's local specialties like tteokgalbi (grilled short rib patties) and daetongbap (rice cooked in bamboo) for lunch. Walk off your full meal at the nearby Juknokwan (Bamboo Forest) next, choosing from one of eight serene trails as you stroll beneath the emerald canopy with a bamboo ice cream in hand.

Finally, head to a small local confectioner's shop to learn how to make hangwa, a traditional Korean sweet. Create delicious and adorable cookies and candy from rice flour, fruits, honey, and sugar with the guidance of your expert instructor. Then, continue your transfer to Gwangju, about a 20-minute drive away, where you can enjoy a much-needed rest at your hotel. 

Day 7: Transfer to Busan, Temples, Trams & Beaches Tour, Gwangalli Night Food Tour

After breakfast, join your driver for the 2.5-hour drive east to Busan. South Korea's second-largest city is nestled between mountains on the sea and known for its nearby beaches, International Film Festival, and trendy cafés. Upon arrival, join your private guide for a fun tour of the area's highlights. Begin at the picturesque Buddhist temple, Haedong Yonggungsa, on Busan's rugged coastline, then head to Haeundae Blueline Park for a ride on the Haeundae Sky Capsule. Each brightly colored capsule is a retro-style car that seats four, traveling on an elevated railway over the coastline.

Afterward, stroll along the white sands of scenic Haeundae Beach and explore Dongbaek Island, a wooded retreat with beautiful nature trails. Take some time to get settled into your hotel and refresh this afternoon, then step out once again for an evening food tour. Feast on authentic Busan cuisine, like jangeo-gui (grilled eel) or bibim dangmyeon (boiled glass noodles with fish cakes), at a local restaurant, and follow up with a walk along Gwangalli Beach to experience the bustling nightlife, treat yourself to tasty Korean street food (if you're not too full), and appreciate the spectacular night view of Busan.

Day 8: Visit Gamcheon Culture Village, Songdo Skywalk & Jagalchi Market

If you've seen pictures of Busan, you've probably seen images of a rainbow of homes tucked on a mountain hillside. This is the Gamcheon Culture Village, and you'll be heading there today with your private guide. Situated on the outskirts of Busan, you'll stroll around the neighborhood, admiring the kaleidoscope of buildings and the beautiful street art while navigating the layered streets and staircases sprinkled around town. Be sure to grab a piping hot ssiat hotteok (a fried Korean doughnut stuffed with nuts and honey) to sweeten the experience. 

Head back to the city for a stroll along on the Songdo Skywalk, suspended above the waves, before floating high above the city on the Songdo Marine Cable Car. Your last perspective is from the Yonggung Suspension Bridge connecting to Dongseom Island. Keep your culinary adventures going later on at BIFF Square in central Busan with specialties like fried mandu dumplings and towering ice cream cones. Foodies will also love visiting the Jagalchi Fish Market, South Korea's largest seafood market. Do as the locals do, choosing anything that looks good and finding a restaurant to cook it for you.

Day 9: Half-Day Busan Cooking Class, Fly to Jeju Island

You've been eating your way through South Korea for nine days, but today, you'll dive into the basics of Korean culinary traditions in a half-day cooking class. Follow a local chef and your mentor for the day deep inside a local market to hunt for your ingredients. Grab inspiration along the way, tasting local tidbits from street stalls before heading back to the kitchen to get started. After a few hours of sizzling, searing, and chopping, you'll have a few new Korean dishes in your culinary repertoire. Sit down to enjoy your hard work alongside desserts prepared by your host.

This afternoon, you're off to Jeju. A quick one-hour flight will have you landing on this lush, temperate island surrounded by turquoise water. Known for its rich history, thriving tangerine trees, and sweeping volcanic landscapes, you'll be exploring Jeju and its delicious food scene for the next three days. A driver will be waiting to pick you up at the airport and you'll have the rest of the evening to relax at your accommodation.

Day 10: Visit Woljeongri Beach, Seongsan Ilchulbong & Dongmun Traditional Market

Start today's full-day tour of Jeju at the Manjanggul Cave, a lava tube formed thousands of years ago. This geologic formation is almost 5 miles (9 km) long and covered in stalactites and stalagmites. Just a stone's throw away you'll find Woljeongri Beach, known for its white sand, turquoise sea, and watersports, including surfing. Nearby cafés and restaurants provide a shady spot to grab some favorite local refreshments like hallabong (tangerine) juice and a slice of carrot cake (carrots are another common island crop).

Next, you'll venture to the striking landscapes of UNESCO-listed Seongsan Ilchulbong. This archetypal tuff cone is over 100,000 years old and you can walk along its sheer cliffs for a better perspective on its creation. Also tucked along the cliffside is Seopjikoji, a rugged stretch of coast that's crowned by a white lighthouse. Dongmun Traditional Market is your last stop of the day. The largest market on the island, you'll find a dizzying array of local delicacies, from octopus-stuffed mandu dumplings to the local specialty, black pork.

Day 11: Explore Hallasan National Park & Osulloc Green Tea Plantation

Kick off your second full-day private tour of Jeju by visiting Hallasan National Park, where you'll find the towering Hallasan, a dormant volcano and the highest peak in the country. You'll get sweeping views across its slopes as you hike along the Eoseungsaengak Trail for 30 minutes to reach the Eoseungsaengak Summit and its observation deck, offering sprawling vistas of the entire island and its wildflowers along the way. Afterward, Jusangjeolli Cliff is just a short drive away and well worth a pit stop to see its volcanic rock formations jutting into the ocean.

Continue to the verdant Osulloc Green Tea Plantation, where you'll walk the rows of fragrant tea bushes, admiring Jeju's largest green tea grower before popping into the Green Tea Museum to taste a piping hot brew and learn more about the harvesting process. Your next stop is the Arte Museum, an immersive media art exhibition that transports visitors to another world through visual displays, sound, and fragrance. Wrap up the day with a grand finale at Aewol  Café Street, known for quaint cafés, delicious abalone restaurants, and beautiful sunsets. 

Day 12: Self-Guided Udo Island Excursion, Black Pork Barbecue Dinner

Spend your final day in Jeju exploring neighboring Udo Island at your own pace. Also known as Cow Island, Udo is situated off Jeju's northeastern coast and was formed by cooling lava rock. Hop on the ferry for a 15-minute ride from the mainland. Once you step foot on the island, you can get around by shuttle bus, scooter, or bicycle. Keep your eyes peeled while you're exploring Udo and you might see the famous haenyeo—Jeju's famous female divers. If you don't spot them diving for shellfish and other marine goodies, head for the Dapdanitap Lighthouse, where you'll find a statue dedicated to their fascinating lifestyle.

End the day by sampling Jeju's culinary claim to fame, Jeju black pork. You'll roast and barbecue the sliced meat over a grill, much like the famous Korean barbecue, although Jeju black pork is known for tasting similar to steak. You'll also be treated to a piping hot bowl of abalone porridge, which is a bit more of an acquired taste for some. Peanut ice cream and hallabong juice are also on the menu, best enjoyed with seaside views.

Day 13: Depart Jeju Island