South Korea, July 2025

Our trip to Seoul was short,  just five days, but it left such a lasting impression on both of us. Somehow the city managed to be both buzzing with life and wonderfully calm, a balance we didn’t expect but instantly loved.

Let’s start with the food, because honestly, Korean BBQ stole the show. For me, it’s my absolute favourite dish, and in Seoul it was on another level. Bring on that pork belly! From sizzling cuts on the grill right at our table to the endless side dishes (kimchi, pickles, sauces galore), every meal felt like a celebration. Watching the staff so effortlessly help us with the cooking, the smells filling the air... it was everything I’d hoped for. Yes the first couple of times we had to ask for help from other people, no shame in that. 

We both found ourselves loving Seoul, though for slightly different reasons. For me, it was the calmness of the city. Even in busy districts, there was an ease about it, a kind of cool, collected energy. The people were incredibly laid-back and friendly, and I felt completely safe wandering on my own. That kind of comfort while travelling is priceless.

His highlight was all about the food and experiences. He couldn’t get enough of the BBQ, the street food stalls, and the endless café culture. He especially loved chatting with the locals, practicing his broken Korean and laughing along the way.

And in the end, we realised that while our reasons sounded different, they really weren’t. For both of us, what made Seoul so special was the warmth of its people and the joy of sharing food and moments with them.

One day, we decided to rent Hanboks, and honestly, it was one of the funniest — and most unexpectedly romantic — parts of the trip. At first, it felt like stepping into a dream: the beautiful flowing outfits, walking hand in hand through the old streets of Seoul. But then came the rain.

Within minutes, we were sprinting through puddles, clutching our Hanboks as fabric billowed around us like sails. Time slowed down — not in the movie-scene romantic way, but in the “we have 10 minutes to get these outfits back before the shop charges us extra” kind of way. Still, soaked and laughing, it was one of those perfectly imperfect moments that travel is all about.

Five days wasn’t nearly enough, but it gave us a taste of a city that balances tradition, modernity, and an effortless charm. Seoul is the kind of place that makes you want to come back again and again — whether it’s for another round of pork belly or simply the feeling of being somewhere that just feels right.