South Korea: Skincare, Street Food & Soulful Adventures

South Korea is a fascinating place to explore, balancing modern city life with rich history and tradition. From neon-lit shopping streets and endless skincare stores to peaceful temples overlooking the sea, this ten-day trip blended culture, relaxation, shopping, and incredible food. Whether we were wandering through royal palaces in Seoul or unwinding in a jjimjilbang in Busan, every day brought something new. 

Why South Korea?

We chose South Korea because it offered a bit of everything we love: amazing food, efficient public transport, shopping, skincare, history, and vibrant city life. And of course — skincare. If there’s one thing Korea does exceptionally well, it’s beauty and skin treatments.

•     Who went: 2 adults
•     When we travelled: 2026
•     Where we travelled from: London Heathrow Airport (LHR)

Where We Stayed In Seoul

We stayed at Weco Stay Insadong in Seoul. The location was perfect for exploring the city, tucked between the traditional charm of Insadong and the lively shopping streets of Myeongdong. The apartment was modern, comfortable, and well-connected to the subway, making it easy to get around.

For our Busan stay, we stayed in an Airbnb in Seomyeon, which turned out to be an excellent base. Seomyeon had everything — shopping, restaurants, cafes, nightlife, and easy transport connections. It felt energetic without being overwhelming and made travelling around Busan incredibly convenient.

Palace in Seoul © Simran Kabotra

Things To Do In South Korea

South Korea offers such a variety of experiences that no two days ever feel the same. One morning, we’d be exploring ancient palaces, and by evening, we’d be shopping for skincare or eating street food under glowing neon signs.

Here are a few of our favourite things we did:

Exploring Seoul

One of the best things about Seoul is how different each neighbourhood feels. Myeongdong was buzzing with skincare stores, shopping, and street food, while Gangnam felt sleek and luxurious with designer boutiques, high-end cafes, and polished shopping streets. Seongsu, meanwhile, was effortlessly cool — full of exclusive pop-up stores, flagship fashion shops, and stylish locals.

Gyeongbokgung Palace & The National Museum of Korea

Visiting Gyeongbokgung Palace gave us a glimpse into Korea’s royal history and offered a peaceful contrast to Seoul’s busy streets. We also loved the National Museum of Korea, which helped bring Korean culture and history to life in a really engaging way.

AREUKE SPA Skin Analysis & Facial Treatment

One of the highlights of the trip was visiting AREUKE SPA in Hongdae for a detailed skin analysis and facial treatment. They analysed our skin, emailed personalised results, gave recommendations, and included free skincare samples. I also tried the T-Plasma facial repair treatment, and my skin stayed hydrated and glowing for nearly two weeks afterwards!

Spa Land & The Jjimjilbang Experience

Spa Land in Busan was one of the most relaxing experiences of the trip. After days of walking, spending an evening in the jjimjilbang with saunas, heated rooms, baths, and relaxation spaces felt amazing. We also loved winding down afterwards with arcade games, ramen, and snacks, which made the experience even more memorable.

Haedong Yonggungsa Temple & Busan Coastal Views

Haedong Yonggungsa Temple was very peaceful, sitting dramatically beside the sea with waves crashing below. We also loved exploring Busan’s coastline through the Sky Capsule ride and wandering around the colourful Gamcheon Culture Village. Busan is easy to navigate independently, so you definitely don’t need a tour to explore it.

What We Ate In South Korea

 We were constantly snacking because there was always something tempting nearby. Rather than formal sit-down meals, we often gravitated towards street food and convenience store snacks, which quickly became part of the experience itself.

Here are a few of our favourites:

•     Korean Corn Dogs – Crispy, cheesy, slightly sweet, and somehow even better than expected. Perfect while wandering through busy night markets.
•     Hotteok – Warm, sweet pancakes filled with syrupy brown sugar and nuts. Easily one of the best street snacks we tried.
•     Japchae – Sweet glass noodles stir-fried with vegetables and sesame oil. Light, flavourful, and something we kept going back for.
•     Iced Coffee & Drinks – We loved grabbing iced Americanos paired with banana milk, peach iced teas, and sweet iced coffee drinks while exploring.
•     Convenience Store Ramen – Korean convenience stores deserve their own appreciation section. Late-night ramen runs became part of our routine, alongside grabbing kimbap and snacks.

Street food in Seoul © Simran Kabotra

What To Love (And Not To Love) About South Korea

What to love:

The skincare culture is unmatched. From beauty stores to professional skin treatments, Korea genuinely feels years ahead in skincare innovation. The transport system is efficient. Once you get a T-money card, travelling around Seoul and Busan becomes extremely easy and affordable. Every neighbourhood feels completely different, which keeps Seoul exciting to explore.

What not to love:

The flights are long, especially with layovers. Google Maps works poorly in Korea, which can initially be frustrating if you haven’t downloaded Naver Maps beforehand. There can occasionally be language barriers outside tourist-heavy areas, though learning a few common Korean phrases goes a very long way and is always appreciated by locals.

Would I Go To South Korea Again?

 Absolutely! South Korea felt exciting, varied, and incredibly easy to explore. From royal palaces and seaside walks to skincare shopping and late-night street food, every day offered something different. Busan’s slower pace balanced Seoul’s energy perfectly, making the trip feel both relaxing and memorable.

Travel Writer Bio

Simran Kabotra is a writer, avid reader & crocheter who loves travel. She has travelled across Southeast Asia and is currently searching high and low for new adventures, beautiful landscapes and rich history. 

Busan Temple South Korea © Simran Kabotra

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