If you’re based around Camp Humphreys, the best weekends are usually the simple ones: good food, a walk with a view, and one “new thing” that doesn’t turn into an exhausting mission.
Here are seven easy ideas you can mix and match year‑round—plus a few quick Korea tips if you’re new.
1) Korean BBQ night (samgyeopsal) — the default for a reason
Korean BBQ isn’t just dinner; it’s a whole vibe. Go hungry, order pork belly (samgyeopsal) or pork neck (moksal), and build lettuce wraps (ssam) with rice, ssamjang, garlic, and banchan.
- Pro tip: If you don’t want to cook, look for spots that grill for you.
- Finish strong: Naengmyeon (cold noodles) or kimchi fried rice at the end.
2) Market walk + street snacks
Local markets are one of the fastest ways to feel like you’re actually living in Korea. Go without a strict list—just wander and snack.
- Tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes)
- Hotteok (sweet pancake)
- Kimbap
- Mandu (dumplings)
3) Café crawl (Korea does cafés like a sport)
Korea’s café scene is unreal—beautiful spaces, great desserts, and a million iced coffee variations. Make it a two‑café loop: one for coffee, one for dessert.
4) A walk with a view (low effort, high reward)
You don’t need a big hike to reset. Aim for an easy path (river/park/city views), then reward yourself with a meal afterward.
Bring: a light layer (evenings get cold fast), water, and a battery pack.
5) Seoul day trip (without trying to “do all of Seoul”)
The easiest way to enjoy Seoul is to pick one neighborhood and keep it simple:
- Start at a café
- Walk a shopping street or cultural area
- Eat one iconic meal
- Head back before you’re cooked
6) Coast day (when you want ocean air)
Sometimes you just need salt air and a long walk. Go early, eat seafood, and keep it mellow.
7) Comfort food rotation (when you want easy)
For low‑effort nights, rotate these staples until you find your favorites:
- Kimchi jjigae (kimchi stew)
- Sundubu jjigae (soft tofu stew)
- Bibimbap
- Doenjang jjigae (soybean paste stew)
Next week
Want a deeper guide? Next week I can do one of these:
- Korean BBQ etiquette (what to order + how to wrap)
- A simple Seoul itinerary (first‑timer friendly)
- Korean street food 101 (what to try + what to skip)
